Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas!

So once upon a time I was going to be an awesome blogger, but let's face it, that's not happening. I'll try to update soon; I'm not so sure all of Europe is going to make it. I'll post a few more pictures though.

For now Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! I hope the holiday season treats you well.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

numbers over facebook

I've never been a fan of boys getting my number over facebook, I mean where is the effort?

this one was pretty funny to me so I share:

boy: P.s. soo i dont know how to quite ask this(seeing how i dont usually ever do this =-)...(and that i had it once and now i dont) but can i have your number...again?
me: Seeing how you don't usually do this? Um, I believe, Mr. So and So, that this is the third time you have asked for my number over facebook.

maybe that's why it never worked out?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Barcelona - days 1 & 2






Barcelona

after a few scares that I would miss a flight due to gate changes or our friends might miss a flight due to delays we made it to Barcelona on no sleep and tons of excitement.


we checked into the hostel and then took off through the city to see what we could find. we walked down several main streets, through a few cathedrals, lost half our group a few hours into the trip (luckily, they were about 1o minutes behind us on a tour) found the Arc de Triomf; found a youth basketball tournament with NBA posters all over (nice to have a little bit of home there) watched as the locals danced a traditional dance in the streets (hundreds were dancing); and found Sagrada Familia - my highlight for the day. That cathedral is amazing, so much detail and so many stories on one building. I couldn't believe the ideas all came from one architect. we rode the lift to the top and could see all of Barcelona then took the long spiral staircase down - it was cool but a little scary since the center was open and definitely large enough to fall through and it didn't have a handrail.

we ended the day walking around the beach and eating at a nasty buffet (that's what we get for being tired and hungry) and then getting completely lost on the metro before making it back to the hostel for some much needed sleep
the next day we saw some more Gaudi architecture and then went to the beach. even though we were only two days in, a little relaxation was nice. I also got a massage from a nice little Asian lady that put the icing on the cake. we made another not-so-great dinner choice and I ate a full bacon and cheese sandwich; like a pound of semi cooked bacon and cheese that cost like 8 euro.

we then took off for pamplona in our tiny/cute volvos that would be our hostel for two nights :(

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Europe




ok so I've decided if I try to do this whole Europe trip in one post it's never gonna happen. so it will come in posts by days or cities. I'm also creating a Picaboo book and probably a Picasa album to hold all of the pics because I don't want to post them all here and you may not care to see all of them so I'll put the best on the blog. hopefully, I'll get things up fairly quickly so it doesn't become December by the time I finish. so as things come up, enjoy as I go back and remember those amazing two weeks that are starting to seem so far away now.



















side note - I'm watching Angels & Demons and as I see various places in Rome it's pretty cool to think, "I've been there"

Sunday, August 14, 2011

europe in a very small nutshell

siena, italy - in a tie for first for my favorite city

so I went to Europe which was so amazing. I loved it. a lot. I plan on giving more details later, I can just never find enough time. here is where we went: Spain - Barcelona and Pamplona; France - Nice; Monaco; Italy - Cinque Terre, Siena, Pisa, Florence, Rome.

I went with these people
moving left to right - tori, me, kira, becca, kelsey; tommy, devereaux, nate, devin.
when we started only devereaux knew everyone, but it was was a great group and we had a great adventure touring through Europe!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

the details

So I said I'd provide more detail, but there still won't be a lot. so here are some things that have been very good lately

1. I finished the St. George triathlon - I finished in 2 hours 2 minutes, slower than I expected, however, I underestimated the swim. Oh my gosh, was it hard! I thought I was going to die in that water and then I remembered I could back stroke and things got better. I did get passed by the next wave of swimmers, but hey, I made it alive. My bike went well even if I had only ridden once to train and my run was the best I've run a 5K. And now, of course, I want to do more and train a little better

2. my good friend Michael got married and I got to see lots of friends at the wedding events. it just so happens the wedding was the same weekend as the triathlon. I met Michael and his roommates at King Henry years ago and we became fast friends and have all stayed friends. Everyone has gotten married, moved away, and started having kids (go me, someone has to be the fun single one!) so Michael's wedding was a great chance to catch up and see so many old friends. it was such a fun weekend! and Michael found himself a great girl.

3. I booked my ticket to Europe - that's right. I'm going to Europe! I leave on Saturday. I was so happy when my friend Devereaux called me with the invite to Europe and it didn't take long for me to give a definite "Yes!" We'll be going to Barcelona, Pamplona, Nice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Rome and a few others between. I've never left the country so this is a big deal for me. I'll do my best to take pictures so you can all be a little jealous upon my return :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

I've been absent. . .

. . . it's not like I blog and blog and blog, but I feel like I've taken a longer vacation from blog world than normal. I haven't even read a blog for about a month, which in blog world is probably like decades. a few reasons I haven't blogged, is nothing has really happened until this past weekend. all I've done is work, relief society stuff (ok that's new-ish, say hello to a new and completely overwhelmed relief society president), workout and train for the SGTri, work some more, and the most random odd-end stuff. I've been so busy, I haven't even been shopping for like a month (unheard of) - at the mall or online -what is wrong with me?! (my bank account doesn't mind the change though). so, you may ask, what happened this weekend that might be blog worthy? let me make you a list and then explain later because time is short.

1. I finished the St. George triathlon
2. my good friend Michael got married and I got to see lots of friends at the wedding events
3. I booked my ticket to Europe

those are all very good things for me, but you'll just have to wait until later for more details.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

today's dinner prayer

today I was asked to say the dinner prayer

me: . . .thankful for the messages we heard during conference, please help us use them to become better. . .(random smoker's cough)
annie: giggle, giggle, giggle
mom: giggle, giggle
me: uncontrollable laughter (i'm laughing just writing this, you probably had to be there)
more uncontrollable laughter from all as I'm trying every method I know to stop laughing
dad: please bless kristen to mature and be able to say a prayer, bless the food. . .amen.

more uncontrollable laughter, a few tears, and lots of eye-rolling from dad
annie: so much for becoming better. . .

I sure hope Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. some days you just have to laugh

Monday, March 14, 2011

numbers from the pulpit

today I announced some upcoming activities at the beginning of our ward meeting and I took my trusty co-chair with me for a little help on some details. he began by announcing the women's hockey game we will be attending to support two girls in the ward and ended with, "oh, and I need to get your numbers. . ."

I hear two quick whispers from behind me: "smooth", "there's one way to get phone numbers"

I take over, "well, that's a smooth way to get some phone numbers . . ." and on with the next activity through the laughter.


apparently, he was talking jersey numbers; it was still a good laugh for the rest of us

Sunday, March 13, 2011

not appreciated

the other night I joined my parents for dinner at Chili's. as we are standing in the not-so-well designed Chili's waiting area, in walks young family of mom, dad, and 2 rambunctious kids. out of no where, mom pulls out a freshly changed diaper and starts waving it around as if she's a flag girl on parade and asks the hostess to throw it away. really?!!!

mortified hostess declines and quickly directs her to the bathroom where things like that are generally disposed. mom takes one more wave through half the crowd, tells dad good luck with the kids, and finally takes off in the right direction.

I'm pretty sure my jaw was dropped in disgust followed by lady next to me exclaiming, "really, you're just going to wave that around in here?" it obviously wasn't appreciated as an accompaniment to our dining experience.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Jade Baby


this is our new puppy Jade.
she is a Shorkie. she is adorable.


Sunday, March 6, 2011

kristen's dating advice

today we discussed dating in our sunday meetings and kristen was reminded of her dating soap-box so here you are - kristen's dating do's and don't's

- call a girl to ask her out. none of this texting stuff. none of this call once or twice and then text all the details. just man up and call.

- if you do have a chance to ask her in person, don't ask her out in a very public situation - we don't like being put on the spot like that

- first dates are for getting-to-know-you questions, not first phone calls. keep the first call short and sweet, it keeps her interested.

- be a man. make a decision. make a plan for the evening. we want to know that you can come up with a plan for an evening out not just be a pleaser. asking, "what do you want to do now?" never puts you on track for a second date. with meals, chose a restaurant and go there. we don't want to make that decision for you; we don't know how much you want to spend, and again, we want to see your decision-making skills. if you're really worried about a restaurant you have some options 1) ask her what kind of food she likes when you CALL her to ask her out 2) provide her with two or three options (we still don't like making that decision, but at least you're giving some parameters).

- give her an idea of the activity you have planned. i know you don't want to give away the surprise, but we just want to know what to wear. a lot of thought goes into that first date outfit and we'd hate to show up in a skirt to go ice-blocking.

- be a gentleman. open her door, let her order first. don't call her dude. chivalry is not dead.

- don't make the date last all night long. we don't need you to keep us out for 6 hours to impress us. I've had some 2 hours dates that are a heck of a lot better than the marathon dates. I'd save the marathon dates until you know she's into you. once we like you, spending all that time together is not so bad. however, it can be a nightmare (for you too) if we know we're never going out with you again.

- walk her to her door at the end of the evening. even if you're never going to go out again, be a gentleman.

- don't text her too much (if at all) between the first few dates - again, it takes away from the mystery

- just be yourself, we can usually see through the act

- if you do get turned down (it happens) don't act totally dejected about it and make spiteful comments - if there was a possibility for a second chance you just lost it. take it graciously.


now, there are exceptions to be made, however, I wouldn't bet on getting one of them.

Friday, February 25, 2011

happy birthday to my mom

today is my dear mother's birthday. she is a fabulous lady. i won't tell you how old she is, but here are 50 great things about her and only part of the reason i love her

my mom:
1. is patient, very patient
2. willingly cleaned out my sink drain
3. willingly cleaned out my shower drain
4. is a great listener even after the 5th time of the same story
5. is the best shopping partner around
6. is selfless
7. attends the temple weekly
8. cooks dinner almost every night even after a long day at work
9. will deliver said dinner to us at work
10. makes awesome cakes for all occasions
11. still does my laundry
12. puts up with me
13. willingly helps me move (13 times in 5 years)
14. walks every day with the neighbor ladies rain, snow, blizzard, or shine
15. is always finding ways to serve others
16. knows how to remove almost every type of stain
17. doesn't get upset when I tell her I don't like something
18. has helped with countless hours of homework (still going)
19. tells me when I'm being ridiculous and is always right
20. loves to shovel the walks after a snow storm
21. clears our cars after a snow storm
22. not only cooks dinner, but cooks very good dinners
23. always tells us the best remedy is going to bed
24. willingly helps us with whatever projects we take on
25. is loved by all the neighbor kids
26. better yet, is loved and appreciated by the entire neighborhood
27. has put up with countless hours of noisy/messy friends and asks when they're coming over again
28. is an awesome skier
29. has listened to countless hours of piano practice and dried many tears when the song wasn't perfect the first time
30. is a great comforter and has dried many tears for many reasons
31. is a great example of making good choices
32. has a lot of love for everyone around her
33. is always nice, even if she doesn't want to be
34. can always be counted on for a walk and game of cards on a Sunday afternoon
35. has never had a bad thing said about her
36. is a very hard worker
37. has taught me to be a hard worker
38. is taking care of her ailing child (me) on her birthday (however, I'm not excited about the saline nose rinse)
39. has watched countless hours of volleyball
40. taught us everything we know about baking
41. thinks I'm funny, and that's all that matters
42. has always trusted us to make good decisions
43. somehow raised us to not fight with each other
44. lets us live at home, in fact, she welcomes it
45. raised me to be a very good shopper
46. has been there through many break-ups and heart breaks
47. taught us how to choose good friends
48. doesn't realize how awesome she really is
49. is a woman admired by many
50. is the best mom around

love you mom, happy birthday!

Monday, February 14, 2011

a not so right valentine

I often have random people tell me things about my office complex that aren't fact and they expect me to believe it or make it be true - here is today's example

a flustered lady came looking for a business that is not in our complex.
lady: "I'm looking for this business and have been driving all around and can't find it"
me: "they actually aren't in our complex, they are in provo"
lady: "yes they are here. I've been here before"
me: "the only business I know of with that name is in provo. do you have an address or contact?"
lady: sigh, "no, do you manage this whole complex?"
me: "yes"
lady: "and you don't know what businesses are here? I know they are here"
me: "that business is in provo"
lady: "well I went the same way I went last time which led me here. . .do you know how to get there?"

so I gave her directions, but she was frustrated and didn't listen and left before I finished. she probably got lost and told another office girl she was wrong about her complex

in other news - happy valentine's day!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

remember that one time I camped. . .

. . .these are some pics from that one time I camped

the whole group at calf creek falls


you do what you have to when you only have a 2 man tent


making our way through spooky or peek-a-boo

improvising for breakfast since we didn't have bowls

a closeup in spooky and peek-a-boo


again, the whole group at calf creek







how to have someone else pay for your dinner

I was just reminded of this great feat of mine that I thought was worth mentioning

at a friend's farewell dinner we sat at a long table, two sided obviously, with a waitress for each side to better take care of our party of 25. as any large dinner party would go, I imagine the servers would get tired of the party by the end of the night and do anything to rush them out. in a hurried manner the waitress for my side came out to prepare our checks. she was quick while moving down the line asking, "together or separate?" my turn came. "together or separate?" pointing across the table at an unsuspecting matt wilson, "mine's on his" no hesitation. it was totally smooth. before he could even begin to protest, she was three people down and my meal was paid for.

i'm usually not that quick on my feet. I was quite proud of that moment.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

marriage hints from steve

while annie and I receive several marriage tips and lessons from steve, we also receive the "you should get married" hints - mainly because he wants what's best for us, but sometimes because he's just plain sick of us (mostly me). yesterday's went like this: "I would be a great grandpa, the best ever! that kid and I would go out and play for hours; you'd have to call me to bring him back." so sis, apparently we're not cutting it anymore - he wants grand-kids, time to get married.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

one phone call, that's all. . .

I had been expecting a call - I had been set up. this call came in the form of text that eventually turned out to be me placing the call.

since I frequent the gym, I called from the gym between personal trainer and yoga class. prefaced the call with, "my plans have changed and I'm going to stay for yoga, but wanted to give you a call because I said I would." then start the phone date/interview - not really expected, but I went with it. (I'm thinking he'd call, ask me out, and we'd go through the get-to-know-you questions.) we chatted for a while, and then I kindly said, "I'm going to have to let you go, my yoga class is starting." "oh, well, oh, oh, this wasn't expected." apparently, that wasn't expected and he had a hard time believing that I was cutting him off (didn't I tell him I was going to yoga?). I apologized for my plans changing (at least two more times), but yoga was where I was going and he was welcome to call me again. then I get a line of, "well can I call you again, are you interested, be honest with me?" (thinking, didn't I just say to call me another time?) I told him it would be fine if he called me again, but I needed to get going.

we hang up, I go to yoga, get in touch with my inner-self, and then read two new text messages from the set up, "thanks for the brush off-anyone normal could have at least acted interested. have some decency to be a human-being--its not cool to be so cold."

jaw drop, quiet gasp, shocked laughter.
seriously? do I really deserve that? I saw nothing wrong with my mode of conduct (also verified by two witnesses) but apparently it wasn't normal or human.

well sir, don't be expecting a text back from me, I don't need that.