Mikaela & Joel

A year of little sleep and lots of caffeine…

2012-01-20T20:57:00.001-08:00

Last May me and my bff decided to have a “craft day” while our husbands golfed. We made bread, a dress, and cupcakes. A week later we had our own little business called Chubby Hubby Cupcakes. It was a complete whirlwind of staying up late making hundreds of cupcakes and going to work the next day. It has been a creative and fun adventure! Also me and my bff did a couple races including the Women of Steel, Speedy Spaniard 10k, Vegas Ragnar (which included a 2am 7 mile run on a dirt trail in the middle of the desert—very memorable!) and the Halloween half marathon. In between all of that I went on two family vacations one to Lake Powell and the other to Yellowstone. Both were a blast! I also went to St.George with the girls from work—my favorite part of the trip was hiking Angel’s Landing. I ended the year with my 7 year anniversary and my sister's wedding. My sister was a beautiful bride and I stayed busy planning, catering (cupcakes and wedding cake) and being the maid of honor!

visit us at http://www.chubbyhubbycupcakes.blogspot.com

Beautiful Yellowstone

Angel’s Landing

First time as the Maid of Honor and first time making a wedding cake!

It snowed like crazy the night of our anniversary…hasn’t snowed much since:)

Hope everyone had a wonderful 2011 and may your 2012 be even better!

An EVENTFUL Vacation!

2011-02-25T13:08:00.000-08:00

My wonderful boss took us on another cruise in January and we had such a fun time! I know this is a long post...but really it's the shortened version!

Friday January 21: I woke up at 4 am and felt so sick. The next 24 hours included throwing up every 20 minutes which was a splendid experience on both 3 hour flights, but we finally made it to Miami.

Saturday January 22: Joel and I flew standby so we arrived in Miami a day before everyone else (Thank you mom and dad you are the BEST!) We spent the day touring the city and went to South beach. My favorite color is turquoise and they had all these benches painted just for me:)

Sunday January 23: We boarded the ship feeling better and ready for a fantastic time!

Monday January 24: Since it was a day at sea we spent the day relaxing in the sunshine! It was formal night in the dining room and I had a lot of fun getting all dressed up! (Thanks Jenny for letting me borrow your dresses)

Tuesday January 25: Cozumel. This was probably my favorite day! We went on this speed boat called the Twister! We were harnessed in and the driver would go super fast and do 360's in the water. We got soaked but I have never laughed so hard! The boat took us to this private island called isla de passion (or something close to that). It had the most beautiful white sand, hammocks, volleyball, a water trampoline, and an all you can eat Mexican buffet. I loved it!

Wednesday January 26: Grand Cayman Islands. Joel, Dustin, and Dale went golfing and we took a yacht to Stingray city. The thing I loved most was the beautiful water. It was so clear that I could see the bottom of the ocean floor while riding in the boat. I'm not going to lie...I hated Stingray city. Don't take my word for it though because everyone else thoroughly enjoyed it. I just don't really like swimming with slimy, scary, huge animals. When I got off the boat and the stingrays started swarming us I got panicked and started crying (ya go ahead and laugh). I had to get back in the boat and calm myself down before getting back in. Don't let my traumatic experience scare you though, others loved it! I did kiss one... " 7 years of good luck."

Thursday January 27: Roatan. Oh I don't even want to post about this stop. The boys went scuba diving and we were just looking for a nice beach to relax at. Trying to get to a beach is a long story in itself but we ended up at the Parrot Tree Plantation. We didn't stay very long since we had spent most of our day in a van. On our way back to the ship we got hit by a car! This blue car was coming down this hill out of control going 50 miles an hour and hit us head on. I slammed my face on the seat in front of me and had my front teeth knocked clear back towards the roof of my mouth. I could probably do a very long post just on this accident but I don't want to overshadow the rest of the vacation. Just know #1 we were in a jungle and #2 it was very scary! We made it back to the cruise ship, everyone was cut up and bruised but it should have been a lot worse...and I am just so grateful we all walked away from it. Luckily I was with Dr. Nord (an orthodontist) and he popped my teeth back in place. They are still sore and I am hoping I won't need too much work done on them. I wish I had a picture of my teeth but I was in shock at the time and wasn't really thinking about a photo op:) I had a fat lip and the bridge of my nose was swollen (I guess some thought I looked like an Avatar)so picture taking subsided a little the rest of the vacation.

Friday January 28: Costa Maya. We went to a beautiful beach and had a very relaxing day. We shopped and had massages on the beach since we were sore from the previous day. After the accident, I thought I would never be able to leave the states again but I was glad we faced our fears and were able to enjoy Costa Maya. We also had another formal night back at the boat that night.

Saturday January 29: Day at Sea. We spent the day relaxing and did a photo scavenger hunt which sounds dorky but it was actually quite fun!

Sunday January 30: Said goodbye to Carnival Glory and the beautiful 80 degree weather!

2011... Already???

2011-01-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy few months with school, work, and the holidays. In November we celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary and Joel's birthday. Christmas and New Year came and went too quickly and now it is 2011! Joel and I are taking the semester off of school and hope life slows down a little bit! Katie and Bridger moved out right after Christmas (she got a new job) and I miss them like crazy. I loved having them live with us and seeing Bridger everyday (Oh ya and Katie). I know I talk about Bridger a ton but he is my little buddy! The new thing he says all the time is "Kaela STOP it! Your MEAN! Hurt Bridger." So sad but I usually deserve it since its after I have been tickling him:)I always look forward to the new year and what life will bring. I hope 2011 will be a year of changes, fun memories, and more time with family and friends!
Here are a couple of pictures from the Holidays.

To get Bridger to take a picture just say "Let's see your fake smile or kissy face"

Summer 2010

2010-10-09T19:57:00.000-07:00

I know, I know it's October but I thought I would post some pictures of this summer before I get even further behind.

LAKE POWELL-- Always a blast!

Joel and I ended up being in the worst rain/hail storm while in the ski boat. I took this picture just before all the action began.

Nice form right:)

Watching me face plant will surely make you laugh:)

Joel and I went camping for the first time together. I was a little nervous after the camp manager gave us a pamphlet on "bear safety" and told us he had removed a rattlesnake from our campsite the day before.

We made the best dutch oven dinner.

Speedy Spaniard 10K

#3 Triathlon
Bridger and Katie are still living with us and I love it! This is Bridger brushing between taking bites of his sucker. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer...here comes the cold:(

Long Update...

2010-06-27T17:14:00.000-07:00

I am so happy it is finally summer! Here is a little update on what has been going on since my last post. Katie graduated from the DSC nursing program in May and we travelled down to St. George to go to her graduation and help her move. I am so proud of her! Katie and Bridger are now living with us which has been a lot of fun. Bridger is getting so big and destroys everything in his path. For the longest time he wouldn't say my name. Every time I would tell him "say Kaela" he would smile and say "no, no, no." I think he was doing it on purpose:) Then one day I was in the shower and had locked him out and he started pounding on the door shouting at the top of his lungs "KAELA, KAELA!" He is so adorable and mischievous at the same time! I love him to pieces...even though he is constantly putting dents in my walls:)

In my spare time (I say that like I have a lot of it) I have been working on family history. I have loved reading stories about my ancestors and completing their work. What a blessing to know we can all have forever families! Also at the end of May I did another triathlon. I woke up the morning of the race and it was 30 degrees and raining. It was freezing! On the way to the race it was pouring rain! I told Katie that I didn't need a big miracle, just a small one...if the rain could just stop for the race. Well I got my miracle! Although it was cold, the rain stopped just in time! Since Katie is living with me I have turned her into my new running partner. I want to run 10 miles before my birthday in August and work towards a half marathon.

Joel has been very busy this summer with work and school. I wish we had more time together! We try to visit family as much as we can and actually went to visit Joel's parents for Father's Day. I bought Joel a new driver for Father's Day (even though he is not really a Dad yet...I just know he will make a great one some day so I celebrate it anyway). We went golfing with his parents which was so fun. After golf we went back to Joel's parents house and Joel loved his driver so much he wanted to use it just one more time. Even though Joel's dad tried to tell him he would not clear the fence, Joel was determined to hit one more ball. It sounded like gun fire! Not only did he not clear the fence, he put a hole right through it! We both felt really bad (Sorry again Mom and Dad)

Look at his face!

Bridger helping with the garden
I would be smiling that big too if I was graduated!
St. George Temple
Salt Lake Temple, where we did my grandparents work
Provo Temple
Draper Temple
Nice work Joel!

Your Inner Crazy

2010-04-02T21:08:00.000-07:00

For some reason I can't get my pictures to load onto my computer from our trip to St. George but I need a break from studying so I'm going to do a little post on all the things that make me unique (a nicer word for crazy)that you may not know about me. Here we go...

1. I have a glass of chocolate milk every day. (Skim milk with "no sugar added" Nesquik)

2. I hate folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher but I love organizing things and having a clean house. (I am a proud owner of a label maker)

3. If I get 99 out of 100 on a test in school, I dwell on the one I missed! (No I'm not a perfectionist)

4. I love babies! And when I see someone carrying a baby, I have to fight the urge to ask the complete stranger if I can hold their baby.

5. I can spend $200 on Joel without even hesitating, but I can't justify spending $10 on myself. I usually talk myself out of most purchases.

6. I love macaroni and cheese! Not the homemade stuff but Kraft! I could eat easy mac every single day! (And I usually do)

7. I'm very shy but can be the most competitive!

8. I can't sleep if the closet door is open or if there is anything on the floor.

9. I hate getting ready for bed (brushing, flossing, washing my face, taking my contacts out)it doesn't take long but I always dread it. I'm actually dreading it as we speak!

10. I own way too many eye shadows but would rather not do my hair/make-up.

11. My clothes in my closet are color coordinated and I only use white hangers because it just looks better! (I make Joel keep his this way too)

12. I have forced myself to like the following foods: bananas, oatmeal, peanut butter, avocados, zucchini, asparagus, pancakes, and syrup.

13. I get sooo nervous to speak in large groups and am easily embarrassed!

14. In my mind I can still tumble. I do one back handspring every year, but that's the extent of it.

15. I'm extremely goofy and when I laugh hard I always cry!

Well there you go, I have exposed my inner crazy! I tag anyone who is willing to do the same! (Especially you Katie because I know you are a lot weirder than me:))

2009 wrapped up...and ready for 2010!!!

2010-01-03T20:39:00.001-08:00

It's official 2009 is gone!!! Thought I'd give you some highlights of the year...

1. Bridger and my niece Elizabeth were born January 2009

2. Our cruise at the end of January 2009

3. Katie and Bridger came to live with us May of 2009

4. First Tri June 2009

5. New York in June 2009

6. I turn 25 August of 2009 (not really a highlight more like a milestone)

7. With only a year left of school (in business finance) I change my major to nursing and start all over. I plead insanity!!!

8. Joel loses 60 pounds in four months with good ol' fashioned diet and exercise!

9. Lake Powell September 2009

10. California October 2009

11. We celebrated our 5 year anniversary November 18, 2009

12. The holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) especially watching Bridger for his first Christmas. (Yes those are Ute pajamas...from yours truly!)

So all in all it was a good and crazy year! I love the new year because it almost feels like a clean slate, a fresh start! I have made my resolutions and I am determined to stick with them this year! I'm looking forward to the adventures of 2010 and hope this will be our year:) Good luck to all of you and your resolutions... may you make it past January!

November...come and gone!

2009-12-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

Right now I should be studying for finals but I need a little break so here is an update of my favorite month NOVEMBER!!! November 18 was our 5 year anniversary. I can't believe I've been married for 5 years- time goes by so fast! November 19 my boss got all of us girls tickets to the pre-release of New Moon. November 24 was joel's birthday. And of course the 26th was Thanksgiving which we spent with joel's fabulous family! Katie and Bridger also came for a week which was always fun! The first week of December is already over and now I have a crazy couple of weeks with school and Christmas parties ahead. Life is so hectic right now! I look around at my house and still see fall decor. Does it make me a scrouge if I don't have time to put up a Christmas tree this year???
Here are some random pictures for the month:)Most of them are of Bridger becuase I like to brag about how cute he is!

Seems like it was yesterday

Thanksgiving night...all that triptophan

Bridger's favorite toy (ding, ding) well besides the heater vent

Me and my buddy

Bridger officially likes joel more than me now! (Traitor)

Notice the big sucker in Bridger's hand. Am I the best Aunt or what! How am I not the favorite???

California!!!!

2009-10-18T17:52:00.000-07:00

Last week I took a trip with Katie, Bridger, my dad and his wife to Cambria, CA for a family reunion. Our hotel was right across from the beautiful ocean. Every day we would walk along the beach with hot chocolate (it was pretty cold there). We went and saw Hurst Castle, and also watched the elephant seals. It was fun to meet family I had no idea existed and take a little vacation. I just wished Joel could have come with us! Enjoy some of my pictures.

Hurst castle swimming pool...rough life huh

Bridger at Hurst castle

Bridger's first time at the ocean...a little cold

Missing Joel

First day at the ocean

They barked like puppies:)

I wanted to snuggle with them!

Hurst castle--White bricks were imported from UTAH!!!

Lake Powell... A much needed break!!!

2009-09-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Lake Powell and as always had a terrific time! I look forward to it every year. The things I love most about Lake Powell are...

Spending a whole week with my hubby,

Spending time with my fun family,

Playing with my cute nieces and nephew(Gracie is a mermaid and has her face painted as a cat),

Wakeboarding (Oh if only I could just wake up every morning and spend some time on the lake),

And of course the beautiful scenery and stars at night!

I can't wait until next year!!! Thanks Gary and Julie, you are the best!!!

Birthday, Blessing, & More!

2009-08-09T17:13:00.000-07:00

So I am officially a quarter of a century! I know, I know 10 years from now I'll look back and wish I was 25 again but for now it is a hard age to accept. For my birthday Joel took me to the Homestead (Thanks Gary & Julie!) to stay where we had massages and swam in a crater. He also took the day off and we went shopping and had a great time! On top of all that we had a couple family & friends dinner celebrations. I was definitely spoiled!!! Thanks everyone!

Joel, Katie, and I went to the temple open house. It was absolutley beautiful. I love seeing all the different temples. The temple is such a peaceful place and safe-haven from the world. I am so grateful for temples!

Bridger also had his baby blessing. He looked so hansom in his little white outfit! Joel blessed him and did such an amazing job. No joke I cried like a baby through the entire thing! I am just so lucky to have such a great husband who continually impresses me. He always makes me want to be a better person! We had a little lunch with all the fam. afterwards and it turned out really nice. Thank you everyone who came to support Katie and the baby.

It was a busy, busy week!!! Check out the slide show...

AUNT: Like Mom... but sooo much cooler!!!

2009-07-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

Katie and Bridger have been living with me this summer and I just love having them here! It's so fun to see Bridger growing and changing. I love that he recognizes me and gets so excited to see me when I come home at night! I am so blessed to be an Aunt and have such cute nieces and nephews!!!
This is my favorite picture of Bridger!
Bridger's first time at the pool! He loves it!!!

New York, New York!

2009-06-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

So I have been meaning to do a post about our trip to New York earlier this month. Joel had the opportunity to go work with one of our friends, so we decided to make a trip out of it. It was a very quick trip, and definitely an experience. I had never been to New York before and the only way I can describe it is an assault on the senses. Every where you walk (and boy did we walk) there was a new smell, a new sight, a new sound. The first day we were there it rained the entire day! We saw ground zero, Trinity Church (from National Treasure) the Statue of Liberty, rode the subway, shopped at canal street (anyone who has been there knows what kind of experience that is), and ate the biggest piece of cheesecake at the Carnegie Deli. The second day, while the boys worked, we went to Central Park. It was my favorite place in New York. It was so beautiful and green and a nice break from all the hustle and bustle of the busy streets. Our hotel was in the middle of Time Square and it was a completely different world than I am used to. It was a fun place to visit but I would never want to live there!
Time Square
Trinity Church
Cemetery outside of the Church that commemorates heroes from the Revolutionary War
Police and Fireman patches from all those that volunteered during 9-11
Do I look like a New Yorker?
Joel Standing in front of ground zero construction site
Thank goodness for the rain boots and umbrellas! They saved us!
Central Park
Dinosaur look familiar? (Night at the Museum)
My next trip to New York, will be to shop!

Women of Steel Triathlon

2009-05-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

Me, a woman of steel? Probably not! But on Saturday I completed my first triathlon. I did not put up the time I was hoping for, but for my first race it was such a great experience just to finish. Now if you would have asked me during the race if I was having a great time... I would have told you a totally different story! In training I was most comfortable with the swim, but at the actual race I felt like I was surely going to drown. The only thing that kept me going was knowing I could get out of that crowded pool if I finished. After the swim and 13 mile bike ride, I started the 5k. As I came around the last corner my friend Janel (who I have been training with and who had already finished) was waiting for me. When I heard her cheering me on and then start sprinting with me to the finish line I oddly enough became a little emotional. Partly because I knew it was almost over, and also because I had actually done it! Thank you to my wonderful husband, family, and friends who were there cheering my name and waiting for me at the finish line! As soon it was over I was ready to start training for the next one! It may feel like self torture during the race but the satisfaction you get when you complete it is exhilarating! I would recommend this sport to anyone. You don't have to be a woman of steel, just have to have enough heart to complete your goal! It's like "where's waldo" to find me in the crowd of 640 women with pink swim caps! Janel and I are standing in the middle smiling:)

Trying it out in a Mom's shoes.

2009-04-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

So this weekend my mom and I went to St. George for my mom to take Katie and Devon's engagement pictures. I had a great time holding Bridger and watching them get their pictures done, but the best part was trying it out in a mom's shoes. We arrived in St. George at 7:30 am Friday morning so we could watch Bridger while Katie was in school. My mom had driven the entire way, I slept :), so she laid down for a nap while I watched Bridger. Now I've done my fair share of babysitting, and if there is a baby around I'm probably holding it, so the task at hand seemed simple. I had three hours until I had to meet Katie and I just had to get myself and a three month old ready--how hard can that be? Well this is how my morning went... held the baby, baby slept, fed the baby, burpped the baby, baby threw up, baby had blow out, bathed the baby, fed the baby, burped the baby, dressed the baby, baby threw up on clean clothes, baby cried in his swing while I tried to shower, held the baby, baby slept, finished getting ready, took call from Katie wondering why I was thirty minutes late, still not sure where that three hours went.
Katie has not been getting any sleep so I told her I would take the baby for the entire night. After his second feeding, he was wide awake and was looking at me and just smiling. It melted my heart. I now know why Katie is so tired, but I also know how lucky she is to be a mom. A mom's shoes are hard to fill, but the most rewarding one's to wear. I can't wait for the opportunity I will have ONE DAY to take three hours to get ready, have sleepless nights, and enjoy endless smiles and love.
So Sweet!
I love my Nephew!
Katie & Devon, so cute!

Cruise!

2009-02-22T16:05:00.000-08:00

So two weeks ago my great boss took all of us and our spouses on a week long cruise to Mexico! We had 85 degree weather and had such a fun time. There were so many fun things to do on the ship and more food than I have ever seen. There were shows every night and plenty of time in the sun. We made three stops on land. In Cabo san Lucas we went on this boat to go snorkeling. On our way we saw a whale that had just been born and its mom was trying to teach it to swim. It was such an amazing sight. In Mazatlan we went to the Aroma spa. We talked our hubbies into getting pedicures and we also got relaxing one hour massages! In Puerta Vallarta we toured the city, shopped, and went on a zip line. The zip line was amazing and one of the funnest parts of the trip. I felt like I was flying through the jungle! I would recommend it to anyone that goes there! The cruise was a much needed and much appreciated vacation! The only problem now is I have major spring fever!

BRIDGER STEVEN NIELSEN

2009-01-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to have a new nephew!!! Late Wednesday night Katie started having contractions. My mom and I got in the car at midnight and made our way to St.George. Katie made having a baby look so easy, and I am so grateful to Katie and Devon for the opportunity of witnessing such an amazing miracle. Bridger Steven Nielsen was born January 8th at 7:11 a.m., weighing in at 7lbs 13oz, and 20 in long. He is the most beautiful and perfect baby I have ever seen! We left St. George Saturday, and I am already missing them like crazy! Devon, Katie, and Bridger make the cutest little family! Bridger is so lucky to have such wonderful parents and the best aunt (me of course) ever!!!

CHRISTMAS 2008

2008-12-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

We had such a great Christmas! We started the celebration out by eating dinner at my Dad's house, since it is also his birthday. We then spent the night out at Joel's parents house. Santa definitely came, and boy were we spoiled!!! Thanks to all of our family and friends for all of the thoughtful gifts! Christmas day we had the annual breakfast at Grandpa Bill's home, and then spent the rest of the day visiting family. When we got back to Joel's parents we enjoyed the night playing the new wii and I have to sadly admit my shoulder is sore from all the boxing and tennis matches. Maybe I shouldn't of taken it so serious! All in All it was a fabulous Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas Eve and my Dad's birthday!

Thanks Dad and Betty for the matching Ute sweaters!

Joel and I getting ready for the fabulous Christmas Eve dinner. (Joel is still talking about that prime rib!!!)

Christmas Morning...Diesel is just too cozy to watch us open gifts!

Joel and Isaac breaking in the new wii and Mario Kart game

It was so nice visiting all of our family on Christmas day.

I made the girls tutu's for Christmas. Faith looks so cute!

No one got a pony for Christmas, but there were plenty of Bear rides.

Joel's mom taking her turn boxing!

November 18, 2004 -- 4 Years!

2008-11-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

So Tuesday was our 4 year anniversary! I serious cannot believe it has been 4 years! Time just flys! We had a great anniversary, thanks to my wonderful and thoughtful hubby! I am truly married to my best friend! Joel is such an amazing person and I am so lucky to have him in my life! I can't wait to see what the future has in store for us! Check out the slide show of us just starting out!

GO UTES!!!

2008-11-07T17:52:00.001-08:00

I know I could probably be shot for openly admitting I am a Utes fan here in Happy Valley... but I am. So last night Joel and I went to Wingers to watch the game. We couldn't get it at home so Joel said it was either eat dinner at Wingers or we could sit in the car and listen to the game. Hard choice right. Well I think every Utah fan was at Wingers. We have been there on a Friday night and it is never packed, but last night it was a full house. It was funny because after every play in our favor all the men in the room would clap and cheer. By the end of the game, no one was eating everyone was jumping up and down and screaming. I felt like I was at the game. I laughed so hard watching all these grown men get so into it and not even realize they were at a restraunt! I was laughing too hard to be embarrassed. During the game I was really annoyed because there were a couple of BYU fans there, that cheered everytime TCU did good. I wanted to stand up and give them all a piece of my mind. They must have not been REAL BYU fans because REAL BYU fans know the only chance of them even having a prayer is if we won the game! I don't know if anyone watched it but it was one of the best games I've seen in a really long time. Now all we have to do is beat those Cougars!!! (Sorry Adrea)

3 Things I LOVE About FALL...

2008-10-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Today, Joel and I enjoyed the nice day by going up the canyon to take the dogs on a walk. Being outside made me realize how much I really love Fall. First, I love all the beautiful colors! The trees are amazing right now, especially in the canyon! Second I love the weather! After a hot summer, the cool weather is a little refreshing. The last thing I love about Fall is the food! With a summer of grilled chicken and salad, its nice to be able to make a big pot of soup or chili. The only thing I don't like about Fall is winter has to follow it. Now only of we could just skip right to spring!

NERD???

2008-10-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

So over the weekend I got some new glasses. The last time I wore glasses was about 7th grade and they were blue and purple and lasted about a month before I insisted on contacts. The only problem with contacts is sometimes when I get home from a long day my eyes hurt so I'll take my contacts out but then I'm blind. So I decided to get some new glasses. Now I realize I'm pretty nerdy at heart--I like school, I think its fun to make a budget for 6 months at a time, and I type and organize my grocery list-- but looking like a nerd I'm not quite sure I'm up to that! Joel thinks its funny to call me a nerd and four-eyes but I'm starting to get a complex. So do you think I look like a nerd? Be honest I can handle it!!!

Kaela & Joel's Day of FUN!!!

2008-10-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

So Joel and I rarely see eachother. We both have such hectic schedules and besides Sunday we see each other only a couple hours a week. Well, he found out that he had a couple of personal days to use up before the end of the year so he decided to take Friday off since it is my day off too. We started the day off and went golfing (I know it's your grandpa's sport-but I love it!) I did pretty well. It was funny because on my first drive Joel said "Yeah, that was good but not quite as far as mine." Well when we got up to our balls mine was about fifteen feet ahead of his. It still is making me smile! After the fun golf game we went to breakfast where I got pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes! (I love pumpkin chocolate chip cookies so this was like dessert for breakfast!) Later we went and saw Forever Strong (The highland rugby movie) and I actually thought it was pretty good. We followed the movie with dinner at Red Lobster! It was a great day! I know it doesn't seem like much but for us just being together is quite a treat. I can't wait for our lives to slow down a little so we can have more days like these.

A Bad Day...

2008-09-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a day where you thought maybe you should just go to bed before anything else goes wrong? Well, that was my day on Friday. The only thing I had planned for Friday was a doctor's appointment at 9:00. I woke up early and decided I would go running. I had left my tennis shoes in my car so I locked my house, grabbed my shoes, and put my keys under my accounting book so no one could see them. So I went for my run and came home with plenty of time to get ready for my appointment. When I went to open my car door it was locked along with all the other doors. I felt the panic as I tried every door and window at my house. No luck. I knocked on a couple of my neighbor's doors hoping to borrow a phone but who wants to answer the door at 7:30 in the morning? Obviously not them! My next option, running a mile to the gas station to use a pay phone. Wow was that fun-- considering I had just been running. I tried numerous phone numbers, collect of course, realizing all too late that cell phones can't receive collect calls- DUH! So now I had to run back home. I tried my neighbors again but no luck. I sat on my porch, panic setting in. No one I know lives close enough to me so my only option left was to ring my neighbor's door until they got out of bed! This actually worked! I called the Springville police department (since they get your keys out for free) and they were at my house in 2 minutes. A cop came and tried for thirty minutes trying to get my keys out from underneath my accounting book. Not the smartest plan, so he decided to call in back up. By the time back up arrives all my neighbors are standing outside watching. Ya the ones who wouldn't answer their doors about an hour ago. Well the back up cop used the slim jim and had it open in thirty-seconds. I was humiliated but glad it worked out. Now I know you're thinking "hey that wasn't too bad" but it gets worse. I had a dermatologist appointment to look at a mole. The doctor was supprisingly nice and funny. I told him I had to take off my shirt to show him the mole, and he told me he might throw money (he is seventy, so that makes it funny not perverted right?). Anyways right when he saw the mole he said, "Oh you have a halo nevus." (google that if you are interested.) He told me we were going to have to cut it out. I jumped off the table, with my shirt and said "Right now?" he told me he wasn't stuttering and to get back up on the table. He gave me a shot, which killed, and just cut it right off. Going to the doctor's always makes me nervous but it wasn't as painful as watching the cop try to get my keys out from under a ten pound text book. Well speaking of my accounting book, it is actually from last year and I was excited when I found out in my current class we would be using the same book. The only problem is I have to use a disk for my homework problems. So when I got home from my appointment I searched my house top and bottom for this disk. No luck. I had to go buy another $ 150.00 book which I already had, just for a stupid disk. What a bad day! Locked my keys in my car, had to go get sometihng cut out of my back, and spent $ 150.00 on something I already had. Oh well thanks for listening and letting me vent!

Memory Lane...

2008-08-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

This weekend I went with my mom to St. George to visit my sister! The trip was short but we still had a lot of fun! I miss my sister like crazy and wish she lived closer. If I had it my way I would have her living so close that she would be in my spare bedroom! Evertime I visit St. George I can't help but think of the memories I made while living there. It makes me think of college and cheering for the good ol' Rebels. It makes me think of the fun times me and my roommate had together and the friends I made. And most of all it makes me think of meeting and dating Joel. It is always fun to go back and just remember.

Lake Powell!

2008-08-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

So we just got back from our yearly Lake Powell vacation! It was a blast! I needed the week of relaxation! I loved spending time with the fam and enjoying the beautiful scenery and 85 degree water. We spent a lot of time wakeboarding, playing games, working on our tans, swimming, and relaxing! We had great food and I don't think I ever stopped eating while I was there. (Shh...I gained 6 pounds- time to hit the gym!!!) We also had great music. Every night Joel's dad would play the guitar and we would sing. We had great weather, it only rained once! I especially enjoyed sleeping up on top of the house boat under the stars. I had so much fun being there and being able to spend time with Joel and his great family! I can't wait until next year! Life seems so much simpler when you are there! Check out a couple of the tons of pics I took!

I'm the worst Blogger...

2008-06-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

So I am officially the worst blogger EVER! I guess I just don't have any exciting things going on. I am taking the summer off of school, while Joel is still plugging along. We don't have much planned this summer (except for Lake Powell) so we have been trying to enjoy the warm weather by going on walks and bike rides. I hope the summer doesn't go as quickly as the past few months have gone by. I love the warm weather! The sunshine seriously makes me happy. Speaking of warmth and sunny weather, I don't know if this is normal or not but my dogs LOVE the heat. Let me give you a few examples... Everytime I take the clothes out of the dryer my dogs work their way in them and fall fast asleep (It makes folding a little difficult). Also if there is a lit fireplace or a heater on anywhere you will find my dogs right there. In the winter when I would get home from work I would put a blanket over the heater to get warm. My dogs wouldn't just be next to me but would be under the blanket and right on top of the heater. While I'm home during the day I always find them on my bed. My comforter is white so they have learned to "stay off the white" and sleep on the blanket at the foot of my bed. I think they are a little wierd if you ask me but here are a few pics of them. * My favorite is of Dixie sleeping on her back with her paws straight up in the air- how cute right! *

2008-03-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

So Joel and I have been married since November 2004. I realize it has only been a little over three years, but it feels like I have been married forever! I believe that's a good thing though. We live in Springville and are both working and going to school. I work for an ortholdontist and just recently went back to school last semester. Sometimes I wonder why, but eventually I know it will pay off. Joel only has three semesters left before he starts pharmacy school. Finally there is beginning to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I just have to keep telling myself in ten years I will look back at this time and smile. We have two puppies and we have had them for a year. (When do you stop calling them puppies and start calling them dogs?) I swore I would never have a pet, but it is virtually impossible not to do when you are married to a pet lover! Their names are Dixie and Diesel. Dixie is the girl and she acts like it. I have never seen a dog with so much attitude. Sometimes I truly believe I see her eyes roll once in awhile. But she is so cute and so cudly! Diesel ( a good name for a small 8 pound dog- right?) He acts like he's bigger than he is and trys to take on bigger dogs anytime he gets the chance. They have been a lot of fun and I have to admit I love them. They are like my little babies right now. I wish I had more interesting things to "blog" about but to be quite honest Joel and I are pretty boring!