Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!!! Today was such a fun and relaxing day. Nick and I got up, drank some Apple Cider, opened our gifts then went to my parents house to eat some WAFFLES and talk to Alexis on the phone! We were lucky enough to talk to her for 2 whole hours. It was so much fun! She sounds like she is doing well, and thankfully not changed. She has a stronger testimony and is more confident for sure in the gosple, but she is still the laughing, smiling, loud ALEXIS!!! We love her and miss her a lot. We ate a really good lunch with my Grandma Dillon and her Fiance Jim, then took naps and watched " The Hulk"....in blue ray I might add, which is so awesome! Then we went to Uncle Kenny and Aunt Susie's house to hang out and visit and then went to a movie with them! Nick and I are not watching 007. Today was such a great day being spent with family and most importantly my husband Nick! It was our 4th Christmas together since we met...time does fly!!!

Happy December!

I guess it is about time I blogged a little huh? All the blog templates for Christmas are so cute, it was hard to pick a new one out! Well, I for one am SO happy it is December and almost Christmas. I am even HAPPIER that school is out in 2 weeks! I am ready for a break. Lucky Nick gets out for GOOD in May 2009...so he is totally looking forward to that. He didn't get the internship...which we feel is a blessing in itself. I don't think Kristen could live on the income we would be making...which would have been NOTHING! Really though, we are very blessed to have a Heavenly Father looking out for us and keeping us safe and where we belong. This whole season of Christ's birth puts so much more spirit of love and giving in my heart. I can tell it does the same to others. I am so excited for the Christmas devotional coming up on Sunday, the Temple Lights, Winter Haven, Larry's Festival of Lights, Live Nativity staring ours truly...EVERYTHING! We are heading to Seattle on New Years Eve Morning. We are spending a couple days doing some touristy things and then going to Yelm for our niece, Ryenn's, baptism. We are excited.

Thanksgiving break was nice. Well, anytime we are away from work and the stresses of that is a good break in itself! I think MY favorite part was being able to feel my new little nephew's ( i think that is what he will be, cousin's baby), little foot kick his Mommy's, Katie's, tummy! It was so amazing and I am so excited for Katie and John to be new parents!

Here are some pictures....Nick and I are already done shopping for each other, the decorations are up....now where is the TREE??? We are going to get it this weekend, hopefully!

Weekend and update!

It has been awhile! Sorry. Things are still really busy w/ Nick and I. We are FINALLY heading downhill with school....as in about 3 weeks left! YAHOO!!! We are still waiting to hear about the internship....hopefully it will be soon! We are ready to have peace of mind as to where we will be in the next month or so. We know that whatever happens, Heavenly Father is watching out for us and knows where we are supposed to be. Hmmm....what else is new? I colored my hair brown. It was a BIG change, but I like it. My little 8 year olds had NO clue who I was the other night. It was funny!!!

The pictures are of the cute little crafts I learned how to make today at SUPER SATURDAY. It was my first one and I liked it a lot. The other pic is just a funny one of Larry. He is such a goofball. We all went to see 007, pretty good!

For Everyone

This is a really fun minimalistic way to communicate! This would be hilarious to try to do out in a big group of people: all night, when you talk you can only speak one word at a time!

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD... IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Your significant other? Nicholas
3. Your hair? Depends
4. Your mother? Robin
5. Your father? Larry
6. Your favorite thing to eat? Chocolate
7. Your dream last night? Weird
8. Your favorite drink? Lemonade
10. The room you're in? Front
11. Your fear? Fat
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Seattle
13. Where were you last night? Parents
14. What you're not? Tired
15. Muffins? Blueburry
16. One of your wish list items? Boots
17. Where did you grow up? Tuscon
18. The last thing you did? Eat
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your TV? On
21. Your pet? NONE
22. Your computer? Laptop
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Content
25. Missing someone? Alexis
26. Your car? SUV
27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
28. Favorite Store? Express
29. Your summer? HOT
30. Your favorite color? Black
31. When is the last time you laughed? Today
32 . Who will/would re-post this? ?
33. FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER:
a. Work
b. Home
c. School
d. Gym

5. FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME:
a. Alanna
b. Kate
c. Becky
d. Nick

36. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
a. Potatos
b. Pizza
c. Avocados
d. Burgers

37. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW?
a. Seattle
b. Gym
c. Utah
d. Sleeping


* Here's what you're supposed to do...and please don't spoil the
fun... Hit 'Copy', delete my answers, type in your answers and blog it!!!

The Eights!

I was tagged by Rhonda!

THE EIGHTS:

TV shows that I love to watch..
1. Good Morning America
2. 20/20
3. One Tree Hill
4. The Hills
5. Law and Order-SVU
6. King of Queens
7. 6:00 am re-runs of Saved by the Bell
8. Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane

8 Favorite Restaurants..
1. Carabbas
2. Olive Garden
3. The Roof
4. Macayos ( with Nick or RACHEL)
5. Elephant Bar
6.Cheesecake Factory
7. Noodles and Company
8. MagPies Pizza ( that HAS to count)

Things that happened yesterday..
1.Fabulous Khaki couch delivered
2. Dishes
3. Call from AZ Senate setting up 2nd interview for internship/NICK!
4. Watched "Penelope" with Nick
5. Took care of my sore little man
6. Hung out with Nick ALL day long ( doesn't happen all too often :( )
7. Slept
8. Took pain killers for my back!

8 Things that I am looking forward to..
1. Finding out if we are moving to Phoenix
2. Having a child...SOMEDAY
3. Graduating from College...SOMEDAY
4. Spending more time with my cousin Rachel--moved closer!
5. Seeing ALL my family tomorrow
6. Getting better and going back to kickboxing
7. Going to sleep
8. Finishing my book

8 Things I love about this fall..
1. Decorations
2. Warm soup
3. Aunt Anna's famous Chilli!
4. Sweaters
5. Cute boots!
6. Going to Gaslight with my GIRLZ!
7. Almost being done with Fall semester
8. Wearing my robe

Things on my wish list..
1. Something from Tiffany's ( this is a WISH list right :) )
2. Black Berry
3. New books to read
4. Nick's intership
5.Dr. Martin Boots
6. More workout outfits ( a girl can never have too many pairs of spandex right?)
7. Santa to bring Nick's clubs on time this year ( it was UGLY last year lol)
8. To have a peaceful Holiday season!

Eight people I tag: Kate Hunsaker, Susie Shipley, Becky Bowler, Lisa McCook, Corley Newburn, Robin Shipley, Pam Smith, Jaimie Seedall

Hospital/Back Pain/New Couch/Pain Killers

So, as you can see, SOMEONE has been in the hospital! Nick had his hernia surgery today and everything went really well. He is really sore still, but healing quick! He is such a pro! Tuesday night I had HORRIBLE ( that's not even a good enough word to express the pain!) back pain that led me to my primary Doctor for pain killers and an MRI. Everything cam back okay, so I know nothing funky is going on. We think it was a combination of my kickboxing class and newly started Physical Therapy. So, Nick and I have been a pretty sad sight to see laying around sedated the whole day. GOOD NEWS...we got a new couch! My favorite part about it, the name is the style is called " FABULOUS KHAKI"! It is super comfy and big! It takes up pretty much the whole "living" room space in our apartment....but we don't care because it is sooooooo nice and comfy! I thought the video had good shots...and it was funny because we were both in our funny place with the pain killers! :) They do take that pain away! I will update with Nick, for now he is doing GREAT, the Dr. said tomorrow will be his REALLY sore day! Poor man!

5th picture

So, Becky "tagged" me and this was in the 5th folder and the 5th picture IN the folder. It is last December at the Mesa Temple! Look how short my hair was! I tag Rhonda, Corley, Camilla and Kimberlee!!!

We're ALIVE!

Sorry people, Kristen has been a little busy lately! We have been up to a lot! I, of course started school and love it! It is a little time consuming as I work 40 hours a week still, but I find it very rewarding to be learning and growing! I have been getting back into running and I am getting a little faster and less winded every time ( that's a good thing). I am sad though, I have to find a new route to take because there are creepy construction workers at the top of " My Hill"! I just don't feel very safe...I do look pretty sexy with my spandex on! haha!

Nick is doing GREAT too! His classes are going well and he is just moving right along. He is scheduled to have Hernia surgery on the 16th. Poor guy. This will be the 5th time he has been in the hospital since we started dating! He is a magnet! :) Other than that he is doing well!I just picked out some random pictures we have taken here and there. A couple are different little crafts I did at home, parties with family...fun stuff!

This first video is my all time favorite of Becky. Watch her closely. Larry was taking a while to light the candles and all Becky wanted to do was blow them out and be over with it! I believe her exact words were " just do it" lol CLASSIC!

Peyton our little 4 year old niece at her swim party!

Ricky smiling for Aunt Kristen...

Our new table top for Halloween!

I got this " Love One Another" sign at the Latter-Day Cottage....they gave me the " Ladies Night Out" discount in the middle of the day! COOL!!!!

Something that made me smile!!!

So, all week I have been craving Pumpkin Pie. So much, that I have been begging my mom to make some! Well, Thursday night in Math, I was telling this to my new friend Vanessa. She thought it was funny and we didn't say anything else about it. Well, I was finishing up checking in a patient today and I look up, and there is Vanessa and her cute little son dropping off a slice of Marie Calenders PUMPKIN PIE! It was SO nice of her to think of me. She is a wife, mom of 3 BOYS, taking 2 college classes, and works full time....and she STILL had time to think of me! I was so touched by her act of kindness that I had to share it! It brightened my WHOLE day!

Sunday

Well, today was a great Sunday. I teach the 7 and 8 year old kiddies and they were a riot today! I brought them in some powdered doughnuts and it was a BIG hit! I know it is " against the rules", but sometimes you gotta give them a little treat, right? After church Nick and I took a nap and hung around our house then went over to my parents for dinner! It was SO good! I forgot just how much I LOVE mashed potato's and gravy. We went to this house by my parents that was being foreclosed or something and it had a REALLY cool putting green in the backyard. So we had a putting tournament! Scott came in FIRST and my dad is second! It was a lot of fun. We totally enjoyed the rain as well, it was gorgeous! I hope this is a sign of better, COOLER, weather to come!

S is for Smith

I think my mother instilled the obsession with letters...maybe it was my Aunt Susie...I am not sure. But I LOVE letters! I especially love the letter S. I was very glad when I got married to Nick not to have to change the S in Kristen S! I was feeling pretty craftsy the other night and painted this letter S to put on our fireplace. I think it turned out cute...I might go for the rest of it too....

S M I T H!!!!

Brown hair

So, I thought these pictures were random. I am thinking of putting brown back in my hair. NOT as brown as these pictures. Just thought I would give everyone a laugh!

PS---These pictures were all taken when Nick and I got engaged in Utah! :)

Ellen Kaye Shipley

Oh, how I miss Ellen. HA- my mother informed me tonight Alexis' name could have been ELLEN! When I heard this I started laughing pretty hard. It is funny how names just "GO" with people. It was funny. I met a lady last week at tennis and we introduced ourselves and I told her my name and she said, " that's funny, you look like a Kristen." Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, I just think it is funny how every ones names are meant just for them. I am REALLY glad Alexis wasn't named ELLEN. Not that it is a bad name, it is a very pretty name...but really, Alexis is TOTALLY an Alexis. Even Nick, he doesn't look like he could have been named anything else. Who else....LARRY, there is no other name that could have been more perfect for my dad, or ROBIN for my mom!

Scott is all grown up!

Well, we had a fun weekend. Nick went golfing with my dad and brother in law and brother..I hung out with my PHAT GIRLZ Robin and Becky. Sunday Scotty got the Melchizedek Priesthood. It was so special to watch my little Scotty Potty receive such a special blessing from my dad. I can't believe that in just a few years he could be married! I am proud of you Scott!

5 months

So, if you look at the bottom of my blog you will see what I am SO EXCITED for! It is 5 months today until CHRISTMAS!!!! The countdown has officially started....for me at least!:)

I am ready for summer and the heat to wrap up and start school! I finally registered for some classes and am so excited to get back in the "education" thing! I decided my major is going to be Marketing. Yes, took me what...5 years to figure out what I really wanted to do...but now that I know I am going full speed ahead!!! I am also going full speed ahead to CHRISTMAS!!!

PS- The picture below is for Becky...remember our FAVORITE Christmas movie? HA!

Arizona Biltmore

We had SO much fun this past weekend! We celebrated both of our birthdays by staying at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. We got there Friday and had some room trouble. The first room was really small and smelled like smoke, the 2nd room was really small and smelled like puke....then the 3rd room was VERY big and smelled like FLOWERS! :) It was a very unlucky, lucky situation that added to our experience. I was able to get an hour private tennis lesson and Nick went golfing! He had SO much fun in that 99 degree 60% humidity weather! We had so much fun! We rented a Cabana the last day we were there and it was amazing! We had our own cabana boy and everything! Around 4:00 we got rained out! We got some pretty pictures though! We decided every year from now on we are going to skip out on birthday presents and go to a new resort!!!

A+A+A= 1 SMART GUY!

So, hate to toot my husband's horn ( actually, I don't), but he received two more A's to put on his list for his summer school! For the pre-session in May, he took a Spanish for heritage speakers and got an A....then he took another upper level Spanish course for session one and got an A....and last but not least...in his most hated subject EVER...business...YES he got an A!!! Not only did he get an A, he got a 100% on his FINAL! I am so proud of him and so grateful he is getting an education to support our family! You go Nicholas!!!

Happy Birthday to me!

HA---so for those who know me, I LOOOOOVE my birthday. Sad to say it is a bit obnoxious for some, I am just so thankful I have a wonderful husband who humors me. The morning started off with breakfast made by Nicholas! I had to go to work in the AM but when I got there I was greeted with my desk totally decorated! A gal at my work made really good breakfast burritos in honor of yours truly! Around 10:30 my mom walks in with a big bouquet of balloons, followed by Scotty bringing MORE balloons! I got off of work and met Nick at SHIPLEY CHIROPRACTIC and got a birthday adjustment! I rented " The other Boleyn Girl" which was awesome and then Nick made a WONDERFUL dinner of cheese enchiladas, quesadilla and a salad. My parents came over with my birthday cake ( the best ever) and then that was that! I had such a fun birthday and truly felt special and important all day long! This weekend Nick and I are going to Arizona Biltmore to celebrate both our birthdays!!! We are SO excited!!!!