Our early Christmas present!

This year for Christmas, Kyle's mom and step-dad took us back to Kyle's mission in the Philippines!!! We had a blast and we are so grateful for his family's kindness in taking us back there!! Between the long flights, our car breaking down, his step-dad getting sick we had the good times of talking with THEE nicest people in the world, seeing all the CUTE kids and spending time with the people that Kyle had taught and baptized. We all knew it was going to be an adventure but it will definitely be an adventure we will never forget...EVER!! We had a TON of pictures that would never all fit in this post so it will just be some of the highlights of our trip!

To start off, we took one out of our two LONG flights!! We were all a little nervous because the day we were supposed to fly out it was the big blizzard warning. Luckily, it wasn't as bad as everyone was thinking so our flight only got delayed about an hour and a half. Which wasn't bad but only left us a few minutes to catch our connecting flight from LAX to Korea. We ran our butts off but we made it!!!

We finally made it to the Philippines! We saw A LOT of cool/different things!!

There were fruit/snack stands EVERYWHERE , with the BEST mangos!! Yumm!!!

All of the people would LOVE having their pictures taken. They all would put their hands up to their faces too!! It was awesome!

We ate a lot at different chicken houses! They would make "pecho." It was basically just some barbequed chicken, but it was all freshly made and delicious!

Kyle had a great time reminiscing on his mission days with a couple families we visited! It was so fun to see him so excited to get back there and start talking with all the people! I loved it!

The Pioquinto family had us over for a traditional Filipino meal! It was delicious!!

We saw a lot of beautiful waterfalls and beaches!

The cute kids..

(They sang Christmas carols and danced to Justin Beiber...It was awesome!!)

I absolutely LOVED this trip!!! It was a great experience and it made me realize how much we really do have!! I will never forget it!

Wow! It's been a LONG time!

I can't believe how long it has been since I've updated my blog!!! Holy Cow!! I hope from now on I can keep up with this, but I can't promise anything! :) Just be forewarned this is going to be a LONG post! Well, hmmm I don't really know where to start! Me and Kyle had a GREAT summer...packed with vacations, bbq's, and fun times with friends and family!!! One of our favorite vacations was to Star Valley/Jackson Hole with my mom and dad. We rented a condo right on a golf course and stayed for a weekend. It was definitely action packed. We started off with a round of golf (of course) and then did some fishing and biking. But my favorite part was the white water rafting! I had never been before and was SO excited (although a little nervous, my dad even showed me a newspaper article an hour we were supposed to load the boat of a guy that had drowned on the river, THANKS DAD..real comforting!! haha) I don't have any pictures of the rafting because I didn't take my camera but it was a BLAST! The river was pretty shallow so the biggest rapid was not there but we had a lot of fun being in the front and paddling our guts out! My arms were SO tired!!


Kyle fishing.





In August, we celebrated our 1 year anniversary!!!! I honestly can't believe it's already been a year!! It has been definitely a great year, even with all the ups and downs!! I have learned so much about Kyle and about myself!! I have learned that no matter what hard times may come, it will always end up OK! I have also learned that dishes, laundry, and other chores are not going to magically get done on their own! And if you want your husband to help out with those chores, you have to tell him and not just wish he would do them! I've learned I'm not a good cook. I can't keep the house clean longer than a day...but I'm trying!! :) I can't wait to learn more about Kyle and myself and for the many more of memories together! To celebrate we went up to Park City and stayed at the Canyons resort! We went to dinner at Squatters and then did some shopping the next day at the outlets. It was good to get away for a night and celebrate!!

September we celebrated Kyle's 25th birthday!!!! Half-a-century old...WOW!!! jk babe. He had a great day! I had to work unfortunately...I would have liked to spend the day with him but I couldn't get off!! Oh well! Anyway, I gave him his presents the night before so that he could use his new fishing net when he went! So while I was at work he went fishing and just relaxed. Then we met his family for a movie then went to dinner at Famous Dave's!!

As for other updates...

Kyle is still working as an insurance agent and is loving every minute of it! He gets to meet so many people and gets to be his own boss! Who wouldn't love that!

I just got a new job at Alpine Surgical Center as there Recovery nurse! I have been there for about 3 weeks now and I just work one day a week, so I'm still working at the pediatric clinic the other days! I love my new job..everyone is super nice!! I'm still looking for another position at the hospital but it has been really hard to find the right job for me! The right job will come when it's time though!!

We are both getting really excited for our trip to the Philippines in November. Kyle's parents are taking us back to his mission and we can't wait! I think Kyle is more excited than I am...don't get me wrong I'm excited to spend some time on the beach and do some snorkeling and hiking but I'm a little nervous for the 23 hour flight there and for the crazy foods, cars, and bugs! I'm sure we will have a blast!! I will let you know when I get back!! :)

I love this time of year!! The sweatshirt weather, soups, football games, and Halloween!!! I love Halloween...I love the decorations, the dressing up, seeing all the kids out on Halloween night with their bags of candy and costumes..can't get enough of it!! I think Kyle likes it mostly for the upcoming Jazz season! He can't wait...he is trying to get us to get cable so he won't miss a single game! He is a funny guy!! ha..

Well hopefully it won't be as long before I update, I'll try! :) But we hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

Good News & Las Vegas..

Last weekend was very exciting for me! After 2 years of school and many hours of studying and reviewing, I sat for my RN state boards! I had even tried sneaking in some last minute study time the night before (I know..something you shouldn't do the night before a big test..but I couldn't help myself :) ) and I still did not feel confident at all that I would pass! I was SO nervous! But I went to the testing center the next day...got fingerprints taken...read/listened to the instructions they gave me..walked in and sat down in my little cubical..and took many deep breaths..then off I went! 2 hours and 1oo questions later...the computer screen shuts off!! (Don't worry it does that when you are finished...but if you're really good it only gives you about 75 questions..if you are on the borderline of passing they give you more to see how you do..so needless to say I was freaking out!!) I was so terrified...my eyes started filling with tears immediately..I thought for sure I wasn't going to pass! I was SO disappointed with myself! Anyway..after many hours of checking the state website (or any other way I could to see if I passed)....I PASSED!! Phew...It was such a relief! I had to look at it again and again because I still couldn't believe it!! I was SO happy!

And knowing that I had a huge test and would need to find a way to relax...we headed to VEGAS!!

We left the day after I took the test and went down a little trip for the weekend!! It was much needed and such a blast!! We had a very relaxing weekend with shopping, lounging by the pool, a little gambling, and seeing shows! The first day we were there we walked the strip...we went to M&M and Coke world...and all the other fun shops they had! After a full day of shopping we went to a really great Mexican restaurant called YOLO'S..It was a fun atmosphere and they had great food! Here we are at the restaurant...



The next day we started off with some gambling...we tried so many different types of games..we played slots (we didn't win anything!), we tried video blackjack, but our most favorite was the video roulette! We won almost $200. It was awesome! We probably spent an hour or two just on that machine! hahah...but it was well worth it..anyway that night we had tickets to go to the Lion King! AMAZING!! I loved it...we couldn't get a good picture with all the people but it was so fun!! (Check out our awesome tan lines!!)




The next couple of days were more relaxed we sat by the pool (trying to get rid of our tan lines!!) and did a little bit more shopping! Here are just a few random pics from our trip...



We went to the Karate Kid movie while we were there because Kyle was dying to see it! It was SO good! Anyway..they had a little drawing for some karate kid stuff for donating to a charity..and KYLE WON!!! hahah..he was so happy!


This is at the Hard Rock Cafe...it was a touch screen that had some games and stuff on it so that you can stay entertained while you wait to be seated! We thought it was pretty cool! haha..we are dorks!


The famous Bellagio fountains!! It was a GREAT vacation..we both had a blast!! :)

Hikin & Craftin...

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! It was so fun to enjoy the nice weather and some free time!! To celebrate..we went on a hike up to Waterfall Canyon! It was so nice...we took my family's dog Jack up there and we all had a blast..(Well maybe it wasn't the first thing Kyle had on his list to celebrate the nice weather..he would have much rather been golfing or fishing but he was a good sport!!) I'm so glad that it's getting warmer..I can't wait to do many more outdoor activities!!!



I also had some fun doing a craft project over the weekend. I have been trying to get some cute ideas to decorate and finally found this super easy wall art project. I took 3 12x12 canvas and 3 pieces of scrapbook paper and just mod-podged it to the canvas...super easy and it's cute!! If you are interested in some crafting blogs check these out:


befickle.blogspot.com
somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
shanty2chic.blogspot.com



They all have links to other craft blogs and plenty of really cute ideas!! I look at them all the time!! Have a great day!!

I'm SO excited..

I graduate in 5 days!!!!! That's all. :)

A few little things about Nursing school...

First of all...15 more days until graduation!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am! I have learned so much during the past two years...it has been the hardest thing I have had to do as well as the most satisfying!!! Here are a few little things about Nursing school..

*When they tell you to not work more than 24 hours a week...DON'T!!!!! It will drive you crazy!!

*When they said it was going to be challenging...I never thought it would include spending every second of every day studying just so I could pass a test, NEVER getting enough sleep, NEVER having homework completely done, understanding and memorizing a bagillion medications, pathophysiology, lab values...and the list could go on and on..

*But they did say it was rewarding and man is it EVER!!! I have to admit when I first started the Nursing program, I didn't think being a nurse was something that I wanted to do at all!! But over the past two years I have experienced some pretty cool things! Patient's thanking the nurses for the care they have given them and how much they appreciate them. Also, seeing the patient walk off the unit because you were a part of getting them healthier...it couldn't be more exciting!

But most of all, the most important thing that I have learned from Nursing is that no matter what we can do anything if we put all of our strength and energy into something! I had struggled with nursing from day one and now with 15 days left till graduation, I passed my exit exam and now I'm on to take the NCLEX!!! I never thought that this day would ever come but I'm so happy to finally see the end of it and see the results of all the hard work!! Hopefully within a couple of months I will be an RN!! :) YAY!!

Birthday!!!

So it was my 23rd birthday this past Wednesday...man do I feel old!!! Hahah...just kidding! But it was such a great day!! Me and Kyle both had the day off..YES...so we woke up and went to breakfast at Jeremiah's (yummy!!) then went to see "Shutter Island" (creepy! haha) After the movie, I had to go do some things with my dad but after we went over to my parents house to watch the jazz game and have pizza! It was just a laid back day, my brother and mom were gone so we are going to do the big celebration sometime this weekend, but I loved it!! It's so true that once you get older they just aren't that exciting anymore, but I still enjoyed having one day out of the year that my husband has to do whatever I want to do!! hahah..thanks hunny!! Anyway, life is still crazy for me! I'm so close to being done with school...next week I start my preceptor and then after that is done I will only have about 3 weeks left!! YAY!! I can't wait...It's been such a long process and I'm ready for a break!! Anyway, I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!! :)

GO JAZZ!!!

We had the opportunity to go to a couple of Jazz games within the last week and we had such a blast! Kyle is such an avid Jazz fan and he rarely misses a game...so for me it is actually fun going to the games than just watching them on TV. There is something about being there in person that I love...I love the atmosphere, the entertainment, and the energy of all the fans!! (especially when it's a close game!!) And it's especially fun when the Jazz actually win! I can't believe how well they have been doing! It's great, because when the Jazz win I have a happy husband!! So thank you Jazz for playing like you have and I will continue cheering you on!! GO JAZZ!!

Happy Holidays!!

Wow! I really can't believe that the holiday season is already over! But I have to admit it was great! I have enjoyed spending time with family and friends and for having a few days off!! So here is our story of our holidays! I only have a few pictures of our Christmas tree and on Christmas morning so I apologize I'm not better at having pictures but I will try harder!! :)

Our holiday festivities started out on Christmas Eve at my aunt's house! I love Christmas Eve..my family always has the best food and they always try to really get everyone in the Christmas spirit! This year they had prime rib, cheesy potatoes, salad, and yummy desserts! After dinner, they were planning on doing a talent show and live nativity but we had to leave early! I was a little sad because we didn't get to see the show, I heard it was HILARIOUS! But we left early to go talk to Kyle's brother who was calling from Russia where he is on his mission. So we went out to Kyle's mom's house and ended up talking to him for a good hour! Then, we watched a cute little Christmas show and we headed home!

Christmas morning...

We woke up at about 8 o'clock and it was definitely weird waking up and not having my family there with me! But me and Kyle had fun!! We didn't go too crazy on Christmas this year but we both got stuff we wanted. Kyle got some new shoes and a couple shirts and a hat of his favorite football team..The Bengals!! For me, I got a chi straightner (I love it!!), a fondue pot, a piano (I opened that early because I accidentally saw it in the back of Kyle's car) , and perfume!

Kyle opening his presents!!
Me..opening mine! Kyle tried to disguise my gifts and he wrapped them all crazy!!

This is our tree!

Christmas Day..was a LONG day but SO much fun!! After opening presents on our own, we went over to my parents house to open presents with them and have breakfast! I had this great idea to make sticky buns to take over so the night before I got them all ready but I accidentally put them in the fridge instead of leaving them out on the counter to rise! (Dumb I know!!) So needless to say, they didn't work out! I was a little sad but it was okay! After my parents, we went over to Kyle's dad's house and opened presents with them!! We definitely got spoiled by our parents!! They are so kind and we were so grateful for their kindness!! Then we made the rounds to my grandma's house and my grandpa's house! Then we met up with Kyle's mom and family at the movie! We went to see Sherlock Holmes and it was really good! After the movie, we went to Kyle's grandma's house! She always has a fun way to open our gifts..I had to search through all of this paper that was rolled up and had one side that looked like 10 and 50 dollar bills...my America First experience definitely came in handy! The third roll I picked up was the real thing!! After that we stopped at another grandma's house and talked with them for a while and finally went home after 12 hours of being away! We were exhausted and we couldn't wait to just be at home to relax!! It was a great way to spend our holiday...with family!! After a few days of work..it was time for another long weekend! I love those, and it was a fabulous way to bring in the New Year!!

New Year's Eve we went over to Kyle's mom's house..she has a party mostly every year at her house and everyone brings a fun game and a snack to share and they just spend all night playing games and having fun!! We had such a good time with his family and Kyle actually won $100 in a poker game! He was pretty excited!! We didn't get home till about 3 in the morning but it was a blast! I'm excited for the New Year!! 2009 was great..I got married!! But 2010 will be even better!! Kyle has made his New Year's resolution to learn Spanish (he got Rosetta Stone for Christmas) and I am going to keep motivated about work and being there on time! (I hope I can do it!!) But anyway...sorry about the long post and I hope all of you had a great holiday and best wishes for the new year!!