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Family and Friends!Tis the season, right? We figured sending out a Holiday email/blog is going to be our method of wishing you all happiness and joy this season.
So this year has been wonderful for us. We started the year out packing Rob up in his newly purchased 1986 Toyota pickup and sending him off to Rexburg for his first semester of school at BYU-I. He had three suitcases in the back and as many warm blankets as I could find in my parents house. Rob worked very hard and earned himself a 4.0 that first semester. Pretty good for an engaged man!I returned to Virginia for another month and a half to work and finish my nanny job with Laurie and the boys. Mid-February I packed up all the earthly possessions I could fit into my (and part of a friends) car and started my third cross country drive--second time solo. I left Virginia Sunday afternoon about 1PM, and eventually got to my parents house in Sandy, UT around 10 PM Tuesday night, and Rob was only a half hour away himself. We hadn't seen each other in a month and a half, and we'd both driven several hours and miles (just 35 hours driving, 2,225 miles for me) to be in the same place again. The reunion was sweet.
So fast forward a couple more months and we finally get to the best reason for us to celebrate all year. We got married!
We were sealed on April 7, 2007 in the Jordan River Temple at noon by Rob's Grandpa Wheelwright. It was a beautiful day, great warm weather, and sunny skies. We had a simple luncheon and reception that afternoon and evening in Sandy.
Getting married the day before Easter has it's advantages, and we took that to heart. Our table decorations were rounds of home-grown wheat grass, and easter eggs. It was fun. Just as I'd always wanted.We spent our honeymoon in Salt Lake, close to downtown and the city life we love. We went hiking, rifled through used book stores, had a picnic at Liberty Park by the "lake" and wandered around the Salt Lake City Library. A few days later we resurfaced and left for Rexburg together. YAY!We moved into our apartment on April 11th, and it seems like time since then has completely flown by. Rob started his second semester the week after we were married, and worked part-time. Once he got out of school he found a job in Idaho Falls, working at Boise Building Materials Distribution Center, driving a forklift and loving it. Oh, and bytheway, he got ANOTHER 4.0. I married such a smartie. :) I've been working in Idaho Falls since April at a call center doing customer service for student loan processing. At Church we've been serving in the Nursery. Me as the Nursery Leader, and Rob as a Nursery Worker. We've got almost 40 toddlers in there, and are looking forward to the new year when the 3 year olds move into Sunbeams. ;)The next few months are more or less a blur. It's so nice to just be together. In addition to adding Rob to my family in May my sister Susie and her husband Bryant welcomed into the world twin boys.
Derek and Riley, such cuties.Rob's sister Susan and her husband Tim also brought us another beautiful niece in July.
Evangeline--she's definitely got the most hair I've EVER seen on a baby!We had our share of car swapping this summer. We sold my 2006 Corolla and bought our 1997 Honda Civic. In August we went to my family reunion in West Yellowstone and got in some camping. In September we did more camping at a lake not far from Rexburg, which was GREAT!
Thanksgiving weekend we spent with my family, and got family pictures with my whole side of the family. It was basically CRAZINESS, but we got some decent shots in.Now it's December. It's cold. I know, that sounds as such a shock as we live in Rexburg, but it's REALLY COLD. I've reveled in Virginia winters the last two years, and it's ruined me. I thought deep down I was hardy because of those northern New York winters. Not quite. I've become a softie, for sure.Rob is getting ready to go back to school in January, and we are stocking up to keep food in our bellies while he's in school and possibly not working. We want to keep those 4.0's coming, since we've had great luck with them thus far. Rob will be getting a full tuition scholarship this upcoming school year, and we couldn't be happier!We wish you the best this Holiday season, and hope happy adventures cross your path this next year. Merry Christmas!Rob and Kristin
I know, it doesn't sound like THAT miraculous of an experience, but I haven't had my hair in a ponytail since basically 2003. That means we're going on five years of super short hair. It actually reaches my shoulders now. Compare that with my June 2005 pictures on my blog. Weird.
I never realized how much I would come to appreciate the number eleven. Let's go back in time for a moment.
November 11, 2006. It started out normal enough. I'd spent the night at a friends (Eryn, Kami, and Megan's) house, like basically EVERY weekend as of late, and Eryn and I were going to participate in a Volleyball tournament that morning. We ate McDonalds hashbrowns for breakfast, played some hot-rockin awesome v-ball and were rather enjoying the crisp fall weather. Afterward we went to the mall to pick up a few cd's at F.Y.E., and some lotion at Bed Bath and Beyond. It was a nice refreshing afternoon.
Eventually we made it back to Eryn's to clean our stinkie bodies and get ready for a night out. We both had dates, which was unusual (for me--she dated all the time), but looked forward to. My plans were dinner and a movie with a friend, and Eryn was going mini-golfing with Bryan on a double date with Kami and her beau.
Before I left to pick up my friend Rob for our evening out, I called my bro Greg to wish him a happy birthday. I told him I was going out that night, but it was just a casual thing. The guy I would be spending the evening with was leaving for school the next month, and we were just friends.
All that aside, let's face it we all looked HOT that night. We are babes, and know how to feature our best assets. It's true, you can be jealous if you want. The "trick" up my sleeve were my black boots. I didn't know they'd go off so well, but apparently this friend of mine, Rob was quite entranced. Like I mentioned we were good friends, but I wanted to look just a bit nicer than normal that night. Rob and I had spent plenty of time together, but I'm a hoodie and sneaker kinda girl. He'd never seen me in heels--or at least never taken the time to notice at church . . . once I stepped out of the car that night Rob noticed right away something was different. Click click click click went the tapping of my hot black boots against asphalt as I walked. Apparently that sound alone "really did something" to Rob. A fire began . . .
Well those of you who would be reading this blog of course knows that Rob and I ended up unexpectedly hitting it off, and were hardly seen without one another until I left to Utah for Christmas 41 days later. We realized that our friendship was meant for "more than just friends" and somehow I went home for Christmas engaged to that man!
The number eleven somehow became special to me, and has continued to be special since. November 11th was always a special day. It's the day we Americans celebrate our veterans, it's my brother's birthday, I started my first "real" post-16th birthday job back in 1998. But this day I went on the first date with the man I married. Eleven days after our first kiss we used the word "love" to express our feelings for one another. The wedding ring we picked out for me has eleven diamonds. I got it on January 11th. We moved into our apartment on April 11th, and we live in number 411. I know, it's totally cheesy, but I think it's fun.
WEIRD thing to think about is that we moved into our home five months to the day of our first date. I always had this "rule" what I wanted to know the man I would marry for at least a year before "walking down the aisle". Well, it didn't happen. And looking back I'm glad I didn't keep to my silly girlish fantasies. I love my husband Rob very much and I know it's only going to get better from here . . . And Rob, thanks for the wonderful year we've had. I love you.
I finished the last Harry Potter book this week, and I feel it was a really satisfying good book. Thought I better document the occasion. Life is good. ;)
Oh, and a new website I've been loving on my days off is www.pandora.com. How it works is you put in an artist/band that you want to listen to, and then it streams songs from similar bands with the same kind of feel. For instance this morning I've been in a Keane kinda mood, and Pandora has given me some Keane with a side dish of Ben Folds Five, The Killers, Coldplay, Muse, Smashing Pumpkins, New Atlantic, and more. All with the same kind of vibe. I think this is the best way to find a new band whose cd you should buy . . . It's fantastic. I'm such a fan.
So my lil' sis Susie sent me these pictures yesterday of her adorable little gents! I just HAD to share!
Here is Riley, what a sweetie!)
And Derek, so CUTE!!
They were born in May, so that makes them going on 6 months old! FUN!
This morning we figured it needed to be a hoodie kinda morning. 
Rob made us biscuits for breakfast, which were DELISH. I looked on in awe.
As you can tell, I'm always ravishing in the morning.
I was jsut overcome by my beauty, that and I wanted to show Rob how cute I was lookin today!
Okay, okay, enough hassling me! Here is a picture of Rob and I. I took this at Brad's graduation . . . a few weeks before we started dating. Aren't we so cute. *sigh* Well, at least Rob is. I'm kinda cheesy cheesy. What a great couple!
Tonight the ladies and I attended our very first polo match. Needless to say, pumping gas was the most exciting thing that night. Well, for me at least . . . Kami and Eryn said they spyed some cute boys . . . I was busy watching the stars go by!
Dude, this is so cool. I totally dig!
I had to document the fabulous hair day I was having. I got my locks dyed and trimmed while I was in San Antonio last week . . . I'm liking the results!
. . . I ever did see . . . well, perhaps not THE prettiest, (is that even a word, really?) but certainly dang cute. Here it is, my new car!
It's a 2006 manual Toyota Corolla S. A nice upgrade from Corky, my 1991 automatic Toyota Corolla DX. If this thing will run for the next 15 years like Corky did, happiness will prevail.
I'm not sure what her name is quite yet . . . but I'll work on that. I need to get to know her a bit first. Preeetty, huh. I'm a fan. *drool*
Holla holla! It's yer birthday!
So due to some unforeseen complications with my beloved '91 Corolla "Corky", I am currently on the market for a new vehicle. On the way home from New York this weekend she basically "gave up the ghost" just outside of Gettysburg, PA. (other than Corky dying, it was a great weekend though!)
I am now in need of any and all "car smarts" many of you have. Any good things you may have heard about any of the new cars out there/old cars you already have/complaints about specific models . . . I'm in need of it all.
I'm leaning toward the good reliable companies . . . Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Saturn, Nissan . . . looking for good gas mileage, manual transmission, "family friendly" aka, comfortable for multiple people and gear. I would love a Subaru wagon, but I'm having trouble finding a used one with less than 50K miles!
If you hear of any good deals, sales, low interest rates . . . I would love to hear about it! Also, if any of you would like to come test drive some cars with me, I can guarantee a great adventure!
Simple minds, simple pleasures, right? Sometimes I wonder if I should really be 23 . . . I mean really, doesn't this look like a little kid at a candy store? Messy hair, a hopeful but pleased smile, intense look?In all honesty, I'd convinced Raquel to do my makeup, and my hair was super poofy that day. Like I said, simple minds, simple pleasures!
Oh, the sadness of being a woman. In my attempt to leave the "tomboy" within me behind and become more "feminine" I've gone through a few changes in my lifestyle the last few years. I'm not talking about huge things . . . simple stuff . . . no more shopping at savers for second-hand t-shirts, wearing lip-gloss, changing my earrings to "go" with my outfit, that kinda thing. To go along with these simple changes, since I've been in VA I've treated myself every few months or so to a pedicure. It's a nice way to relax and since I wear sandals often it helps keep my feet soft.Tonight was an ideal time to go treat myself. I've had some long days the last few weeks, and I had just enough time to go pamper myself, then get home in time to see who got kicked off American Idol (yes, I'm not afraid to admit it, I'm an American Idol JUNKIE!).I decided to go to a nail salon right down the road from my house for a few reasons: first, its convenient. Hence "right down the road". Second, I'd gone in there once before and lets face it, it was a nice salon. Clean instruments, comfortable pedicure chairs, good music, and good results. And third, well, something happened the first time I went there that was rather frustrating. But because of my first two points, (I had to get back for Idol!) I was giving it a second chance . . . but we'll get to that in a minute.You see the reason that I went in the place the first time was that I was given a gift certificate. Rockin! The frustrating thing is that as the technician was filing my toes, she knocked my brand new, never been used bottle of OPI polish (aka expensive polish) off the platform it was sitting on and it shattered! Deep red polish was spattered all over the floor, pedicure chair, and my sandals. I must admit I was a little sad about the sandals, but lets face the facts here, they were just sandals (Second generation hand-me-downs from my roommate, no less).I tried to keep it light because it looked like the technician was about to cry. She'd probably just had a really long day, and I didn't want to make it any worse. I just told her to not worry about my newly painted sandals, I basically wanted her to finish with my toes so I could make a dinner appointment. As another employee cleaned my shoes the best she could (although they are still stained red) the technician continued on the task at hand. I picked out a new color, and I thought to make up for the polish problem she gave me a paraffin wax. (for those of you who don't know what that is, basically they dip your feet in wax and it helps keep your feet super soft!) Once the pedicure was done, I had to skedaddle, so I handed over my gift certificate, and a tip for the tech. She didn't want to accept it, but I simply told her it was a simple mistake, and not to worry, I'd be back. Hence my third point, to give it a second chance.So I go back to this same place. There were a couple of people already in the middle of getting pedicures, so the tech working filled up a pedicure basin for me, and I sat in the chair soaking my feet until it was my turn. I read my book and enjoyed just being able to chill for a few minutes as the chair massaged my back. Once the process was underway, the tech asked if I wanted the basic pedicure, I told him yes. He also tried to sell me a manicure, but I declined since I'd just clipped my cuticles yesterday and my nails looked fine. As I thought the time had come for the polish, he told me to swing my feet around and dip them in the paraffin wax . . . now I thought the wax was extra . . . but he explained it was included with the normal service. *sha-wing!* I was stoked. For a $20 pedicure to include a paraffin wax is an amazing thing. I thought I was getting a deal for sure! The nail salon was officially redeemed from my first frustrating experience. I thought all was well when I left, and that I would be able to enjoy Idol in peace. Well, I did enjoy Idol in peace. Aside from Chase's occasional outbursts, and the fact that I would have liked to see Taylor Hicks go home tonight instead of Elliot Yamin . . . that is a whole other story though!The problem wasn't discovered until I was chatting it up with my little sister on MSN Messenger. I was telling her how nice and soft my feet were, and how when she comes out here we'll have to go have a grrrly day. As I looked down at my feet to admire my perfectly polished posies, I noticed that my polish was no longer on my toenails, but smeared all over my feet and ankles! *WHAT THE???* Apparently the guy doing my pedicure didn't get all the wax off my toenails. You see, when you paint someone's toenails, that still have wax on them, THE NAILS NEVER DRY!! I of course just realized this as I looked down to see how cute my feet should have looked!
Sadly, I'm going to have to take off all my toenail polish and paint them myself again! I may have well sat home and painted my own darned toes, you know! Perhaps it's about time to go back to being au natural.
ARGGHHHHH!!!!!
Man, this salon is just killing my faith in them. I went back hoping that I could have a better experience, AND WHAT REWARDS DO I REAP?Perhaps only the knowledge that being a tomboy isn't so bad . . . but in all honesty, I've known that all along!
I figured it about time I get back on top of my blog . . . I knew it was getting bad when not only Celeste, but my Father started hounding me about getting some new pictures on here. So I may as welll start with today, right? I spent part of the afternoon today taking pictures of a couple of new buddies, Bill and Brad so they could have some hot picts of themselves on MySpace. We also went to Arlington Cemetery and watched the changing of the guard. It was pretty cool.
Here is Bill with his " . . . baby, my very own Subaru WRX" (not to mention my own car, Corky). I took this one from the roof of Brad's apartment. It's been too long since I've been on the roof of a building . . . heh . . . the roof was not my only favorite part of the day though, Brad's apartment is pretty much awesome.
For example, off of Brad's room he's got an awesome porch with a killer hammock just waiting for me to nap in it. As you can see, Bill is kickin' back.
Another perk of the place is all the wood panelling, aside from Brad himself, that is. No really, nothing brings it all home like wood panelling. I do have one suggestion though Brad, can we start calling you Ted? I'll bring along the adventure . . . It'd be like Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures! I just think I'm so funny sometimes!
Some might call it a thing of beauty, some might call it pure rebellion, but I think it was kinda fun. Jake and I decided it was once again official "faux-hawk" day at church, so we did it. Mine was definately the most punk RAWK . . . but, I also have the longest hair. Nothing like half a can of hair spray on your coif, eh!?!
Today Kami and I learned a valuble lesson . . . BUY CONCERT TICKETS EARLY!! I've never had the problem of not getting into shows by buying my tickets a couple of weeks before the show . . . until now. We have been looking forward to seeing a show coming to DC next week, and when we went to actually get the tickets last week, they were sold out! SADNESS PREVAILED! We thought all hope was lost, right? Well there is the land of e-bay, right?So Monday night she's over at my house, and I suggested looking on e-bay . . . we found some, and were totally excited! Yesterday afternoon we spent sprawled out on my living room floor attached to the laptop! At five minutes to the end of the auction we put in our bid. We had them! and then with a minute and a half to go, NO! We lost 'em! I bid twice more, and we came away with nothing to show. Lost. Lost, lost, lost . . . SADNESS AGAIN! "Lets try the next round in 19 hours . . . " we did, and failed again. *insert crying actions*So we ended up getting tickets in the end . . . from a "buy it now" option, for four times the original cost. How sad is that!So what do we all learn from this?Original ticket to sold out show: $10Jacked up e-bay "buy it now" ticket: $40Total for two tickets and shipping:$100Buying your tickets to concerts early: PRICELESS!For everything else there's that jerk in New Jersey via e-bay.
