Kirstin's Dance

Time For A...

2011-08-21T14:40:00.001-06:00

Change! As you can see it's been awhile since I have posted. Whoops! I need to get caught up on my summer, but that will have to wait... this post is for my MOMMA! (So she doesn't feel like she doesn't know what's going on in my life anymore! Oh Mom!)

As of 2 weeks ago, I have moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. I know, I know... you don't have to tell me! The whole adjustment has been crazy and frustrating all at the same time... Here's how it went down...

If you ever saw me or my rant on facebook about a month ago, you will know what I am talking about. I had gotten one of those cute feathers and a pink and red extension in my hair for the summer. Spice it up a little for summer, no harm done right?! Well, apparently my boss in St.George thought it was "unprofessional" and pretty much told me it was I either take them out, or lose my job! Really lady?! Anyways, I did the "professional" thing to do and took them out. She kinda laughed about it at work the next day so being the "nobody tells me what to do" kinda of girl, I thought I would see if there were any job openings in St.George that I could transfer to. There was none for St.George, but there was a posting for the Salt Lake Clinic, day job, full time! Okay, that NEVER happens! There is never a day job opening! Let me just show how fast this all happened...
Tuesday: Meeting with Human Resources pretty much telling me to take out the 3 strands of excitement in my life!
Wednesday: Boss laughs about it at work!
Thursday: I work with boss and don't like it. Start job hunting, finding the posting for the Salt Lake Clinic.
Friday: I look again for openings and there is another day job opening for Cottonwood.
Saturday: I took both postings as a sign from above and applied for both openings.
Monday: Got a call first thing this morning asking to do a phone interview for the Salt Lake Clinic.
Tuesday: Did phone interview.
(worked rest of the week...)
Monday: Got a call to do an interview for Cottonwood.
Tuesday: Got the job offer for the Salt Lake Clinic! (no interview for Cottonwood was ever done!)
Wednesday: Emailed my boss my 2 weeks notice. What a happy day! :)
(worked rest of the week and the first 3 days of the next week. August 3rd being my last day!)
Thursday - Sunday: In Lake Powell. Went Cliff Jumping Saturday off a 73ft. cliff. Something definitely wrong with my right knee!
Monday: Suppose to pack and head north so I could start work Tuesday, but instead went to Dr.Parry and found out I tore my MCL. Putting me in a brace for 6 weeks and a recovery time of 3 months. Called new boss and said I could start Wednesday instead.
Tuesday: Packed and headed north with a VERY sore and swollen knee!
Wednesday: Started new job at the Salt Lake Clinic!!!

As you can see, it all happened very fast and not smoothly at all! The ole knee put me back some and still is! I am living with my Aunt Julie and her family in Sandy as of right now. What a blessing! I don't think I could have handled the pressure of finding a place in 2 weeks, and with a crippled knee! From Sandy, it takes me about 20-30 mins to work, which isn't too bad! I have yet to make it there late! Somehow I'm always there a good 20-30 mins too early! Paranoid of being late I'd say!

But work is good! My boss is completely different than the one in St.George. I have young and very fun coworkers that are showing me the ropes around this place. The clinic isn't too bad. It is strictly drawing blood which I like! I don't have to deal with any testing or anything like that. I think it will be good. They are suppose to be building a whole new building the next year or so, so that will be so nice to go in to! I have already had an amazing person come into the lab, and me drawing blood on their spouse! What an amazing experience!! I think I'm gonna like this place, just for the fact I will come in contact with such amazing and special people as these two! (Sorry, can't say who! Can't lose my job already!)

At the same time, it's still so frustrating! I know how to do my job, but it's completely different up here. I hate making mistakes, so for something that I already know how to do, it's frustrating! I don't know where anything is at up here! I know areas but I couldn't tell you where a WalMart is, or a grocery store! That part, is so annoying! I can't just run down the street to Smiths and grab what I need. I have to pull out my life-savor, TomTom, input Smiths in Sandy, UT, and then have it tell me where to go. Usually being like 15 minutes away! Grrr! I get so annoyed with the freeway here. I don't know any of the exits or what road takes you what way! It's a mess! And the whole torn MCL thing. I'm done with it! I wear my nifty brace at work but then have to take it off after cause its bugging by then! I can almost walk normal, almost! I still look handicap! Ahh! I just want it to heal and be done! I guess it will just take time! I have only been here for 2 weeks, guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself!

All frustrations aside... I have been having some fun! I've already been to a demolition derby with my cousins April and Zach. Had a family reunion with my Winters family. Been to a comedy club to see Melissa Villasenor, from "America's Got Talent", perform. Such a funny and quirky girl. She does celebrity and singing impersonations. She's actually pretty good! I hope she goes far on the show! Also, I went to the Sugarland concert, with Sara Barellies opening for them! I LOVE Sara Barellies! She did so good, but wasn't given enough time that's for sure! Sugarland wasn't too bad, I'm just more of a fan of Sara! I've got to hangout with a lot of family and friends up here. Haven't met too many new people but I guess that's what your family and already friends, are for! Hopefully I'll be able to get more adjusted up here and relax! Well that is that for now! Miss and love everyone down in St.George! It's been hard not seeing my Warehouse family every night. Heck, I'm in bed my 9 or 10 every night now! I'm loving the sleep time, but I do miss my girls at The Warehouse! I'm missing my friends down south, but we will visit often! Right?! Miss you Mom & Dad! And Steph & the kiddos! Until next time, LOVE YOU!!! Much Love Ü

Memorial Day Weekend...

2011-06-19T15:48:00.000-06:00

full of family and fun! Here's how the weekend went down...

Aunt Kirst and Scooter

I didn't have to work at all Memorial Day Weekend so we were going to take advantage of that! Saturday, me and the parentals headed down to Beaver Dam and met up with Steph and Nick's sister's family. We went 4-wheeling all throughout AZ. Even though it was not my most favorite and fun 4-wheeling trip, it was good to get out under the sun and enjoy time with the fam!

*Dirty Sisters*

Look at that form off the zipline!

Not such great form!

I was already nervous about going, even though it was my 2nd time, well the rope somehow got this huge knot in it without us knowing and when I went, it got caught! This picture is when it caught! I went right back around so my stomach was parallel to the water and I couldn't hang on, so down I went... face and belly first! I wasn't scared about falling, but when I felt the brush and could stand up, I was nervous! I'm just glad I hit SOME water or else I really would have been hurting!

Monday, Stephanie wanted to hit up Zions and do Angels Landing. Again, I don't know how I get talked into these things! I did Angels Landing last year and swore I wouldn't do it again... well, here I am, going again! It wasn't too bad and I made better time this year than last! Good Hiking Sis!

On the bus going up to Angels Landing

Come on sister...

Running up the "The Wiggles", its the only way to go!

Yep, nothing but DOWN, and a long ways DOWN!

Holding on for my dear life...

Angels Landing right behind us

We made it!!! Whoo!!!

2-Time Angels Landing Successor!

Such an awesome view!

Look at me, I didn't die!

It's crazy how high up you are

Are we done yet?!

Weeping Rock... Haven't been there since a kid!

Thanks for the fun hiking trip Sis!

Memorial Day Weekend was lazy but still lots of fun! Lots of time spent with the family... I'm pretty sure they enjoyed all my company!! Thanks Sis for all the fun... but I'm sure I can wait till next year to do Zions again!! Much Love Ü

Time for Summer...

2011-06-14T00:03:00.000-06:00

I think so! Here's what's been going on HERE, in St.George!! Seems like I'm always on the go, but I do have some fun here in the awesome and sunny place we call, St. George!!

* Maryann*

I met Maryann on my cruise and it just happened she was going to school at Dixie. She was leaving for Texas for the summer so we had to have a "Splendor Reunion" before she left!

I hooked my boys Swagg & Bryan up with these ladies... and then I just tagged along!

Maryann's sister Katherine... we had matching camera cases!

Katherine * Kirstin * Maryann

SCREAM Night

The boys thought it would be funny to go scare some girls, I was their filmer! Swagg scared the bajeezies out of me... I HATE that mask!!

*VEGAS BABY*

Swagg wanted to hit up Vegas before leaving for the summer, and he knows I will never turn down a good Vegas trip! We talked Sarah into coming and away we went... a night of country dancing at Stoney's and IHOP for some late night dinner! So much fun! Love these kids!

The new Monster spokeswomen!

If ya aren't drinkin'... Pictures it will be!

He's such a cowboy at heart!

Photo Op*

and again...

and again... this one is HILARIOUS!!!

Love me some Swagg!! Just look at him!!

My girl Sarah

IHOP at 2AM... its bound to get weird...

I really think Swagg is... special!

and the weirdness begins...

Definitely my FAVORITE!

Don't even ask... I have no answer!

the "Nixon"

kinda normal... kinda not!

One Spoon...

Two Spoons!

I was trying to explain how they give you these metal things to open your mouth when they take the picture for you to get braces on... I thought it was a good description!

Definitely one CRAZY night but it was so fun! Love ya Sar and Swagg! Thanks for the fun!!

*Texas Roadhouse*

Swagg's goodbye dinner

Sarah and Swagg

"Nobody loves me" Bryan

Kirst and Linds

It was Swagg's "birthday"!

Pool Time... yes! Decided to catch some rays during the Ironman!

Lindsey demonstrating that kids job... and we know what that is because it said on the back of his shirt... "POINTER"!!!

Supporting the Ironman and our friend Kole Monroe. It was his 1st Ironman and he made it in 14 hours! So proud of him! Good Job Kolie!!!

Late night movie after the Ironman...

She's a mini-me I swear!!! Love her to pieces!!

Love you Sarah!!

Well, that will conclude tonight posting! I've had a lot of fun so far this summer! I have some of the greatest friends ever and I love them all so much! Here's to having one heck of a summer this year!! Much Love Ü

California...

2011-06-12T23:05:00.000-06:00

Here We Come!!! Us girls, Lindsey & Sarah Polatis and Crystal Larsen, decided to be young and spontaneous!! We all had the same weekend off, which never happens! So we decided to go for the sun and hit the beach! As it turns out, our "spontaneous" trip wasn't so... "spontaneous" anymore!! We were so excited, we booked are flights from Vegas to Long Beach and booked our hotel at the cheapest one we found called, The Royal Inn. We were just going to take a shuttle down to Vegas and then taxi where we needed to go... thinking all this would be cheaper than just driving! We got everything booked and to bed we went. We all woke up the next morning thinking "what did we just do?!" Now, we wanted to drive because now it would be cheaper AND we would have a car! (Excitement took over our Reasonable Thinking!) So, we called to cancel our flights leaving us with a $130 voucher! A Voucher! Looks like another trip will be planned since I have a voucher now! So we got that taken care of... but now cause my car was the biggest, I had to go get new tires on my car cause I don't think she would have made it to Cali and back without one of the tires going! After getting new tires, getting work covered so we could leave a day earlier, we were set to go!!

Thursday, May 19th --- Long Beach, California

Lindsey * Sarah * Crystal * Kirstin

On our way to Cali

After driving for about 5 hours, we finally made it to our hotel... in the ghetto! Probably the worst part of town and we were suppose to be sleeping there. There was a man taking his child and his bike up to their room, looked like a place people actually lived! Well as the man continued to stay outside on the balcony watching us, we all voted we did not feel good about staying there at all and continued to another hotel. We had to pay for the first night at The Royal Inn but we didn't care at that point! We finally found a Quality Inn in a better part of town, and that we felt better about. So much for being spontaneous....

IHOP for some dinner

Chocolate Chip Pancakes, yum!!

Friday, May 20th --- Downtown Long Beach

*BUBBA GUMPS*

Funny Story... We had just gotten up from our table and walked into their little gift shop, not more than 10ft away. Well I had drank 3 Pepsi's during lunch and when I stood up, it all hit me at once and I had to pee! We walked in the gift shop and without thinking I said out loud, "I gotta pee!" The cashier lady started laughing and I apologized for my outburst of what I was feeling. She then said, "We have a license plate for that!" and I said, "For what?" and then she pointed above my head. I looked and there it was, "I GOTTA P" license plate! We all started laughing and then I bolted to the restroom! So funny!!!

El Camino BUS! Awesome!

Explanation... It was getting hot outside and we had just ate so I was getting tired. We got to this corner and said, "Guys I just want to lay down!" So I did! It felt so good that I asked Lindsey to join me! I seriously could have laid there all day!

That's me... SHARKY!

View from Signal Hill

You could see everything, such a clear day for California

*My Girls*

After walking around downtown Long Beach, we decided to hit the POOL!

We were bored from laying out... picture time!

The girls had never been to a Major League Baseball game
and it just so happened that the Angels were playing the Braves that night!

Angles KILLED the Braves by 10!

Matching Tee's

I had met Anthony on my cruise back in March. He had posted on facebook that he was going to the Angels game so we decided to meet up! He's from Washington so it was way cool we were both not only in Cali, but at the same game at the same time!

*Angel Converts*

Can't do a baseball game without the Chuck T's!

Sweet Fireworks

Earlier in the day we were singing "Twist & Shout" and then laughed how Ferris sings it in the parade... and what do you know, they played it after the game!

Our "code" names... Lola, Gretchen, Norma

Saturday, May 21st --- Huntington Beach

We headed to Huntington Beach today to sit on the beach and catch some sun! It was pretty overcast the first part of the day but by the afternoon the sun was a shinning!!

Sand Volleyball

Apparently the zoom is on, but Sarah always squints in pictures so this is proof that she does!

Zoey... our trip buddy!

"You guys must be from out of town?"

"How can you tell!"

Me and Lindsey Lou

Beach time, YES!

We love HB!

Love this girl

"and the sun.... is shinning!"

the ocean.

Lunch time with a little dessert!

SLURPEE! Best part about the whole trip!!

I LOVE that sight! One of my favorite places for sure!!!

PF Changs for Crystal's Birthday

Lighthouse at Night... so pretty!

View from Signal Hill

We had met a She/Man (Tom Tom) earlier in the day and it just so happen, Tom Tom was staying right next to us! We were just happy to have the lock on OUR side!! Ya just never know...

Sunday, May 22nd --- Homeward Bound

We hung out a bit in Long Beach before heading home and then off we went! Went by pretty fast if ya ask me! Lots of Celine Dion, The Carpenters, and ending the night with Britney Spears. It was a blast!

Sure do love these ladies!!

Even though we hit a few "bumps" on our "spontaneous" trip, it was so fun! Thanks for coming ladies, it was a lot of fun! Who's ready to go again?! Much Love Ü

Did Someone Say...

2011-06-01T22:47:00.000-06:00

ZUMBA?! Yes, yes they did and The Warehouse was there and representing! Dixie College had a fundraiser to raise money for more scholarships (which I think I should get one!) and Andrea was one of the instructors of the night. It was sports theme so we got to dress up in our best sports attire! Here's a few pictures of the night...

Nicole * Roberts * Dayberry/Flashy Pants * Shilee

Falon * Raelee * Megan * Kathleen * Kim

Abby, my little high schooler sweetheart

and Kirsten (with an E), my other little high schooler sweetheart!

The Warehouse taking over...

I know its blurry but check out how HIGH our Asaki gets!!

Jen * Andrea * Kirst (and no, I'm not touching her bum!)

Love these ladies!!

My friend Kadoosh (Kevin Sills)

The night was fun with lots of Zumba! It's always a good time when all Zumba'ers can get together and Zumba for one night to raise money for a good cause!! I still want one of those scholarships by the way! Much Love Ü

Spring Break...

2011-06-01T00:58:00.000-06:00

ELEVEN! Technically I don't have a spring break but this year I decided to treat myself to one! My friend Hailee Thompson had invited me on the Mexican Riviera Cruise back in March with her friends Val and Lyndi, and I knew it wasn't a trip to refuse! Definitely was one of the BEST weeks of my life! Here's the recap...

Saturday, March 12th --- Huntington Beach

We flew out a day early to Long Beach so we could play in Huntington Beach for the night, and also to make sure we weren't late for the ship Sunday!

Lyndi * Hailee * Kirstin * Val

The girls excited about vacation

Val at the airport

hardly knew each other but became best friends by the end of the week!

at FRED'S in HB

the girls... and phil

huntington beach... my new favorite place

*besties*

on the windy pier

woke up for the sunrise but we were on the wrong side, at least there was a surf competition going on

we LOVED huntington

hailee packing once again

our new friend and chauffeur david

Huntington Beach was a lot of fun! We ate some amazing nachos at Fred's and then spent the night exploring HB, making new friends, and just having one great night to start our week off!!

Sunday, March 13th --- Ship Day

We boarded Carnival Splendor early afternoon, got situated, and then explored our home for the week!

the SPLENDOR!

long beach... gotta love california

photo op*

picture? why yes we would

*FOSTERS*

went down the slide once and that was enough

kids pool

just us

"what a bright idea"

photo op*

lyndi oh so tired

the casino

the showroom

ready for the night

we didn't know we were on the FUN ship

felipe, the cruise director

you know Carrot Top right? Well this is his brother Lemon Drop!

the band

new friends nia and jasmin from Bay Area, CA

somehow we skipped a LONG line by pulling up, dropping our luggage, and them taking it! we didn't mind we just skipped a whole lot of people!

home away from home

rv bathroom with such an amazing shower, honestly!

the comfiest beds ever... loved to sleep!

strike a pose

adult pool full of salt, yucky!

making use of the props

just checkin out the activities

cute little towel animal things... half the time I couldn't make out what animal it was!

uh yes, Dennis, the amazing salsa dancer

fun little show

dan and justin in the club... justin could DANCE!

new friend brandon

nia trying to cool down

the boys showin us what they got

taking a break from dancing

Splendor was awesome! Checked things out, did dinner in the Black Pearl, went to the Opening Show, and got talked into going to the Red Carpet (the club). We were all so tired but Hailee, so the other 2 girls went to bed and then Hailee made me go dancing with her. It was way fun and we met a lot of people! We love the Splendor!!

Monday, March 14th --- Ship Day

Today we were sailing across the ocean. We layed out on deck, met some randomly awesome guys, and then spent rest of the day in the pool! We were late for dinner so we begged them for us to go to the later one, which they did! Phew! Once again, met some really cool people and enjoyed getting some sun!

Val * PC (Logan) * Kirstin * Habeeb (Prashant)

we love cruisin

photo op* to the bathroom

zan and nathan from Ogden, UT

loving the mexican sun

crazy boys from ASU... definite spring breakers!

habeeb being such a sweetheart

val making use of the props, again

dinner... we loved dinner time

sun burnt girls

ship photos

such cute girls

PC doing "The Bernie" from "Weekend at Bernies"

true ship love

kaitlyn, maryann (from St.George), and jasmin

*lemon drop*

ANDY from Washington... I taught him how to swim in the pool

Tonight was way fun! We danced pretty much the whole night with people we had met in the pool that day! Way fun people and such good times!

Tuesday, March 15th --- Cabo San Lucas

Cabo in my next favorite place! The water was amazing and it was just a nice little Mexican town. Lots of tourists which is always fun! Lots of good times in Cabo!!

cabo san lucas

waiting for our numbers to be called to get on the tenor to take us over to cabo

lyndi and i on the tenor

anthony from Washington showin us how to get down

crazy val

glass-bottom boat

crazy fishies

boating over to lover's beach

had to get in the ocean a little bit

maryann and kaitlyn from St.George

lover's beach... so pretty

"flash" letting me drive boat

gansta captain

walter and flash, our water-taxi

bang bang

viva la meh he co

love this lady

new friends

Jazz fan and he's not even from Utah... weird!

miguel, our lifesaver!

photo op*

ah yes, jenny... crazy lady!

Hook (Barrett) and I really getting into the music being played in the Piano Bar

ship photos

jasmin almost knocking over the set, so funny!

totally just hopped in with these guys...

don't mess with us

yep that's right... don't even think about it

Chris from PA, THE piano man

week long friends... "ginger", nia, hook (Barrett), & jenny

more friends... anthony, andy, & nia

and curls (Bobby)

and who can forget KENNY ROGERS!

dibbs line-dancing... sooo funny!

kenny rogers bustin' a move with zan

Today was such a long day but we all had so much fun! Had so much fun in Cabo with some people we had met from the cruise! After Cabo we came in and napped, showered up and went to dinner, experienced the piano bar, and then finished the night dancing in the Red Carpet. I was more people-watching tonight, Cabo took it out of me so I just "chilled" tonight, still was so fun!

Wednesday, March 16th --- Cabo San Lucas

Initially we were suppose to be in Mazatlan either today or Tuesday but due to the mugging the people do to the tourists as they get off ship, the ship spends 2 days in Cabo! I didn't mind that one bit! On to Cabo for another day...

up and at it for some para-sailing over cabo

our water-taxi driver... they love the white women!

sweet hair buddy

getting ready to sail away...

whoooooo

up in the air

*hails*

*kirst*

up up and away we go

lover's beach/the arches

more of lover's beach

precious

yes this is for real and no he didn't know we took a picture

cabo wabo

some popular marlin restaurant

Spring Break... ELEVEN!

we had to TIP for toilet paper... glad to be an American I tell ya!

check out this hot grandma

oh jasmin... "how do Mormons take pictures?" "like this!"

"Special K" got her bangle on the temple necklace!

this here is bernie (Adam)... hilarious and he didn't even know it!

the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen

a little trouble with my mascara

awesome miguel

silly girls

dinnertime! nom nom nom

spying on the boys... shhh don't tell

my piano man husby (he played Bon Jovi for me! now if that's not true love, I don't know what is!)

Cabo was amazing today! Hailee and I went para-sailing and then toured the town, found Cabo Wabo, and then Hailee went back to ship for a snooze while I stayed and shopped with Nia and Jasmin. Found piano man eating so Nia and I stopped and talked with him. Once again, had some amazing nachos! We had to get back on ship early so once we got on board, pool time! No one was really getting in the pool so we just hungout with everyone and enjoyed the amazing sunset! It was a very LONG day so after dinner I just hungout in the piano bar while the girls the Red Carpet or whatever they did... I really don't know! I spent my night listening to this amazing man play and sing with kids I met there. It was fun just to sit and listen and relax! He played Bon Jovi's "Runaway" for me, it was awesome! It was a way good night!!

Thursday, March 17th --- Puerto Vallarta

Since today we would be at port all day, we decided to sleep in! Yay! We didn't have anything planned so we took our time getting up and off the ship. We walked around a bit, Val buying a few things, and then we were stuck! We all decided to do the zipline through the jungle, so that we did! They said not to take cameras (safety issue) but then wanted to charge us $100 for a cd with pictures... no thank you! So we don't have any pictures... sad!

way to pose with the statues val

some weird looking mexican donkey

getting ready to zipline it

just waiting...

waiting to get geared up and climb some trees

puerto vallarta adventures

the splendor at night

look what we came home to...

happy saint patricks day

pretty sure we were the ONLY people celebrating on the whole ship

honestly, we were!

my sweet glow in the dark straw

guys on stage were singing "Baby Got Back"... had to help this lady out with the BACK part!

jazzy, hails, and habeeb

ship photos

the photographer just loved us

I want this couch

new friends braun, tara, vanessa, and paul

*KAREOKE TIME*

Bon Jovi...

"Livin' on a Prayer"

i made paul duet with me, i was scared

totally ROCKIN it...

and then LAUGHING about it

we even had a real band behind us... it was awesome!

hails and kaitlyn

awww maryann, love this girl

my new ogden boys, nathan and zan

pizza at 4 in the morning? why not!

i'm not sure... i think she just wanted a picture, maybe of her tattoo!?

the big U for the Utah group

nathan was wearing my #33... how sweet!

Ziplining was awesome through the jungle, and more exercise then what we had hoped for! Poor Val and Lyndi got ate alive by mosquitoes, counting 28 for Val I believe, I only had 5! I got sick on the ride home, of course, so once we hit ship I went to bed while the girls got something to eat. We got up and ready and out we went to celebrate St.Patrick's Day. I was still out of it so I broke down and got me a Coke costing $2.46 a can! It was well worth it! Met up with my new friends Vanessa and Paul and got Paul to duet with me. It was awesome and so funny! We hit the Red Carpet following my performance and danced our bums off till 4 in the morning. A huge group, well whoever was left in the club, went up to the Lido deck for some late night pizza and soft-serve ice cream! That pizza was AMAZING, even at 4am!! And then off to bed we went...

Friday, March 18th --- Ship Day

We woke up with smiles on our face knowing that we would finally be able to catch some sun! We grabbed our suits and some breakfast and walked outside to the cold and to the wind! It was horrible and totally put a damper on our day...

trying to be happy... but we are not

i mean come on, i'm in a sweater!

laying out... clothed!

"Leopard" here was the most exciting thing about today

yea baby

so entertaining

this was the best part!

girl group expanded over a weeks time

photo op*

thanks for keeping my hand up Val, ha!

such FUN girls... love them!

"where should I put my hand?"

"here i'll help!"

during the closing show.. we liked it! family next to us, not so much!

photo op*

val trying to get the burn out... with visine!

awww piano man

lyndi and val for formal dinner night

hailee and myself at formal dinner night

haha silly, silly girls

beatles at the closing show

absolutely love these 3 people!

I was in deep competition with nancy here in making the piano man our husby... i think she won! she got a song written after her... dang it!

"cause we're the 4 best friends that anyone could have!"

We were so sad about our crappy pool day, even though we were quite entertained throughout the day. Tonight was formal night so that was fun! We weren't even in "formals" but still, it was fun to be in a dress and some heels! Dinner was amazing and so was rest of the night! We did a lot of hanging out in the piano bar where the piano man played "Shot through the Heart" for me! What a sweetheart! And then of course, ended up in Red Carpet where we really just hungout and talked a lot with everyone we had met that week! Lots of good times!!

Saturday, March 19th --- Ship Day

Once again... cold and windy out on deck! We were really upset by now by the bad weather and the water was awful so the ship was really rocking today. I had to bum a patch off of Lyndi cause I was getting so sick. We weren't outside for too long until we went inside and bummed around, even went shopping in the gift shop! It was quite the lazy day...

hailee and zan

it seriously was cold!

my little maryann

boys during all-star show

felipe... such an awesome cruise director

waldo and hails

*BERNIE*

pc and val... such goofballs!

only one invited to the white party! thanks guys!

love ya jas! such an awesome girl!

we are women, hear us roar

did someone blink?!

crazy friends of the week

haha love it!

lyndi working her way off ship

JERSEY from ASU... we were suppose to duet "Uptown Girl" but didn't get the chance to, someday!

Even though the day was kind of a bummer, the night was awesome! We did dinner, went to an All-Star singing show that some of the guests put on, and then hit up the piano bar and Red Carpet for one last time. We got to say goodbye to a lot of people, which was sad! I met some really amazing people that I know I'll stay in touch with and become real-life friends with! We danced, laughed, and chatted the night away...

Sunday, March 20th --- Homeward Bound

Woke up, packed, and off we went... so sad but I guess you have to get back to real-life someday. The cruise was amazing and I spent it with 3 awesome ladies that made it that much more fun! Met a lot of people who seriously have changed my life! Sometimes it's good to get out of the "Utah Bubble" (which I don't think I'm in, but still...) and open your eyes to the way people live their lives, and to see how really different people are! It was amazing talking to these people and really getting to know them and their stories. It was absolutely one of the BEST weeks of my life! So many memories were made, it will be hard to forget! Thanks Hailee for the invite and thanks everybody for making it so awesome! Here's to the SPLENDOR... Spring Break, ELEVEN!!! Much Love Ü

Friday the 13th...

2011-05-13T20:04:00.001-06:00

you suck! FINALLY got my cruise posted... and where did it go??? Beats me! I've very upset and because of this... you may never see my trip! Not like I have time to just sit and blog... hmmm! Hopefully this catches me on a good day and I will post! Until then... toodaloo!

Happy Birthday...

2011-03-07T23:54:00.000-07:00

to ME! 25 years old... sheesh! I turned the BIG 2-5 on February 26th! I sure don't feel that old and people keep telling me I look between 21 to 23, not 25! Is it my baby face look or the fact my chest hasn't grown since I was 16! Who knows!! So far I love being 25 and have already done so much... this is MY year!! And for everyone's enjoyment, and mine, lets recap the past 25 years...

February 26, 1986

Mom doesn't look to happy... Hmmmm!

1 year old

2 years old

My favorite thing to do...

and still do! Things haven't changed that much!

3 years old

Like I said, things haven't changed that much!!

4 years old

Mom has always made the BEST birthday cakes ever!

5 years old

6 years old

And the "shroom" look begins... dang it Mom!

7 years old

Go ahead... Laugh!

10 years old

(Missing pictures from 10 to 15 years old... must have been lost in the fire! Okay, there was no fire... just that odd stage in life when all you want are your pictures burned!!)

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

My Mom's Sophomore Year

This still freaks me out! Love ya Momma!

Junior Year

Senior Year

And so LIFE begins...

It's been a great 25 years full of family, friends, and memories to keep for a lifetime! I may not have finished college, have a money-making career, have a husband and children to go with... but I have lived my life the best way I know how! I have been places, and seen things, and have met so many different people that all have changed my life in some way! Life isn't always what you expect, but you take it and do what YOU want with it! I can honestly say that I am living MY life and I am HAPPY doing so! Thank you to ALL my friends, I absolutely love you all and am so grateful to have you in my life! HUGE thank you to my family! We all know what a pain I've been and still am! I love you so much and am so grateful for your unconditional love and support with any crazy decision I come up with! I have truly been blessed these past 25 years... here's to another 25!!! MUCH LOVE Ü

Guatemala Trip...

2011-03-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

that was a good month ago! Sorry to keep you all waiting but here it is... First off, here's a little background of how this all got started again! I had went with this little group before 2 years ago to the date! Before we did the whole orphanage experience but this time, it was going to be different! We were going this time to be more as a relief aid to the some of the villages there in Guatemala City and that is all about we knew! Everything was unexpected and we were going over pretty much blindsided of what we were suppose to do. We had an idea but we were going over on faith and guidance from the spirit alone. Marta had called me up a few months before going and asked if I would want to go, of course I wasn't going to say no! My dad was still out of job then and in my heart I knew he had to come with me! With everything he has been through this year, I just wanted to him to get out and leave all his cares and worries at home and get lost in giving! So with LOTS of work and saving I was able to take both myself and my dad over with the group! I'm so grateful for this experience and the chance I had to experience it with such wonderful people, and my father!! Okay... here it goes...

January 20th ---

*Time to fly! We pretty much spent the whole day flying! Stopping in Texas for a layover and then heading to Guatemala! My dad was smart and asked for an exit row on all our flights, and we got them all except for the one from Vegas to Texas! Hey, 3 out of 4 is pretty dang good when your flying that long!

Mikey, Kirstin, Kari Nash, & Marta Tyler

Guatemala City Airport... We made it!!

We weren't this happy after the miserable 3 hour drive!!

We got to Guatemala City and met up with Gorge, our driver who was going to take us up the mountain to Panajachel. We stopped at McDonald's for dinner where it was IMPOSSIBLE for me and my dad to order! If we couldn't even order off the 4 item menu at McDonalds, it's going to be a long week! Thank goodness Kari was there and could speak Spanish for us all! We grabbed our food and headed up the mountain... for 3 HOURS! It was the longest ride ever and we were all getting sick, unfortunately Mikey didn't last very long! We had to stop about 4 times so Mikey could get out and puke! Poor guy! In all my life, I have NEVER seen my dad that sick before! He never gets car sick or anything! I felt so bad and all we had to help was Kari's half bottle full of water. All he had to do was hit the driver and Gorge knew he had to pull over quick! Sorry daddy-o! We got into Panajachel about midnight or later and met up with Debbie at our little villa we would be staying in! It was so dang cute and definitely a home away from home!

Rancho Grande Inn

Mine and Dad's Villa! The biggest one there!!

January 21st ---

*Ate the most delicious breakfast ever! FRESH squeezed orange juice, black beans, eggs, and pancakes! I actually enjoyed eating breakfast every morning!

And yes, those are their pancakes!

*We checked out Pana and saw their amazing lake! Their lake is made from a crater and the lake is surrounded by 9 volcanoes, I think 4 of them are still active! Pretty sweet if ya ask me!

Me and my old man!

Alexis the Tuk Tuk

Pana Lake

Old Church Building there in Pana

Pana streets

Squished in a Tuk Tuk! Dad was a titch too big maybe?!

In a Micro Bus... with 20 other people!

Dude hanging outside the bus... crazy I tell ya!

Kari and I not sure how we feel about riding with 20 other people!

Another Micro Bus... again with 20 people!

*Went up to Los Robles to visit Vicki's property...

Marta and Kari funded the classes and books for these kids to continue their education. In Guatemala you are required to pay for all your schooling and if you miss a certain class along the way, you can't continue.

You can see where the mudslides occurred here.

Vicki and donations help the kids in the community come to her property for further education from Gill and also puts on a Mother Program where the mothers and her children can come once a week for a meal and feeding for their babies.

With Jose's Family

House made out of sticks and mud

Little kiddos!

Vicki's place and housing for Juan and his 2 boys

Our ride the 1st time I went over. They donated it to Vicki.

Marta and Kari playing Memory with the kids

Juan's son Irwin.. "Chiclet?"

Dad helping Juan build his rock dam. The mudslides cut right through the property so Juan is building a dam to help keep the water out for next time.

Juan made that fence with his 2 bare hands, no tools!

Even I put in a little work!

Gill is a teacher there at Vicki's. He was laughing so hard at my dad trying to get into his tiny little car, kinda like a Geo Metro!

This is Marta. She's part of a family that lives down the hill in Los Robles. Mike Magnum (whose part of this little group) fell in love with this family and so we went to check on them. They are completely on their own. The dad won't let the kids go to school or to the Mothers Program. It's so sad to see them living like this. They have NOTHING!

Marta and her 11 day old baby, Marta's mother and brothers.

*Visited what we called Tent City because we couldn't pronounce the real name, Chutinimit, in San Andres. This city is ran ALL by women! Whoo! These people's homes were destroyed by the mudslides and were given land by the government to rebuild homes and their community. The land they are on now is only temporary and should start building their homes on their new land this summer. They get help from the government there in San Andres, but they are still left without a lot of things they once had! These people had nice homes and were very modern for their culture, with the damage done and what they have now been given, they know what poor is.

Meeting with the women of the community and city councilmen to see where their progress is and if there was anything we could do while we were there... they asked for food and tennis shoes for the kids.

Home until ones can be built for them this summer... one year later.

*After a long day of driving, riding, and walking, we had dinner with the City Engineer Gus and with Daniel... our lifesaver! We ate a full dinner and headed to bed... we knew tomorrow was going to be a much busier day than today!

January 22nd ---

*Woke up very early and rushed another delicious breakfast in! We headed back to Los Robles to meet a group of school teachers from Guatemala City at Vicki's place, we were going to go with them up to Nueva Victoria, another community ruined by the mudslides, to participate in a late Christmas Party these teachers wanted to put on for the kids in the community. We only went to observe the community and see where they were at in their rebuilding of the community. Marta has heard a lot about this community and the efforts of donations going towards this community. From today on Daniel would be our go-to-guy, our transporter, our interpreter, and our everything!

Our sweet ride for the week! The biggest vehicle I ever saw over there!!

Marta, Pinky, and Me... so the Hummer was a little squishy!

Debbie always sitting in the middle... poor thing!

*Nueva Victoria is a very blessed community. They are very poor and have pretty much nothing, but they are a community that is very hopeful and they all have the eagerness to work hard in rebuilding a new life for them. They have been given the basic necessities to survive and make living for themselves, not using the people for what they can give them but to use the help to survive for themselves. One of their biggest help and asset to rebuilding that community is Daniel and Pinky! Pinky is Daniel's roommate. These 2 boys have taken it upon themselves to help change these people's lives. Pinky has taught the women of Nueva Victoria how to make bracelets. The bracelets will be sold for only $3, $1 going toward material use and the other $2 going towards the woman and her family that made the bracelet! As of right now, this is the only income this community is bringing in and it's the women who are whipping these out! They are very hard working women with a lot of heart! This is a start to something so great for them! I am very proud and excited I was able to purchase some of these bracelets and be apart of their 1st paycheck!!! I am sporting the bracelet as we speak!

*Pictures from the Christmas Party... it was kinda nice to be able to sit back and enjoy watching how excited all the kids got with the pinatas and presents. Usually I'm the one planning the party, but this, this was nice!

Kids lining up for the pinatas

Super cute girl with Marta. We all fell in love with her!

Pinata Fun

These girls had stuffed all their candy down their shirts, along with all the dirt and grass!

Poor kid was stuck on the bottom of the pinata dog-pile!

Mother standing by

This kid had the sweetest unprofessional mullet ever!

Brother carrying around mom's baby

*Pictures of Nueva Victoria

Their Schoolhouse

Homemade bricks made from clay

*After a long morning up in Nueva Victoria we headed back to Pana to get all our shopping done. On our way back we stopped at this Authentic One-Item Menu Restaurant that Debbie swore by it was the greatest Guatemalan meal!

Grilled Onions, Pork, Carne Asada, Cheese, Beans, Quesadillas, Sauce, and... a Fanta, from a bottle! Now, I don't know if I was just hungry or I really am not a picky eater, but I sure did tear that up! Delicious!!

Kari's Luck!!

The market was crazy and Marta had some mad money to spend! We split up and had a list of things we all had to get. Thank goodness for all the fund-raising Marta did cause this is everything we were able to get...

100 lbs - Incaparina

100 lbs - Milk

100 lbs - Rice

100 lbs - Sugar

400 lbs - Corn

50 lbs - Black Beans

Body Soap

Laundry Soap

Salt

33 pairs of Tennis Shoes

BIG box of Diapers

12 Cloth Diapers

1 case of Green Chili Sauce

1 pair of shoes for Juan Carlos (Juan's son)

Tool Box FULL of new tools for Juan

Wafer Cookies

Marshmellows

Dad and I even bought TWO Wood-burning Stoves with the money The Warehouse raised!!

It was a long day but having a generous amount of donation money came in handy and was definitely easy to spend! Good Work Marta!!

The Market

2 people and kids sitting on their hips... madness!

Getting the goods

Dogs Dogs and more Dogs EVERYWHERE!

Go Team!!

*After such a long busy day came a very uplifting night... That night we were all so tired, and beat, and so hungry, and we all just wanted to shower and go to bed but of course, we wanted some dinner before bed! We went somewhere close so we didn't have to walk too far! It was cute, fun, and kinda hippie-ish!

In Guatemala, no matter where you are at or who you are with, the people are always coming up to you wanting you to buy whatever they had. Everything was beautiful but when I'm eating, I'm eating! Not shopping so leave me alone! Anyways, you come to the point where you become rude and just ignore them. We were about done with dinner when this little old man shuffles his way to our table asking for money. Marta felt extra giving today and gave the old filthy man some change. He didn't leave. He was staring at Kari's plate with leftover pizza crust on it. Kari put it in a napkin and gave the leftover crust to him. He immediately put the crust in his mouth and starting gumming at it! (He didn't have very many teeth!) As the old man started to shuffle his way from us Marta made Kari go grab him. Marta wanted to buy him his own pizza! Kari sat with him at a table. She tried talking to him but he couldn't hear very well. Everyone was looking of course. The food took forever to get to him, he tried leaving twice having Kari catch him and bring him back to the table! He was so thirsty and the waitress hadn't been by to give him any water so Marta poured all our waters into one glass and gave it to him. He drank it faster than Marta could give it to him! Apparently he didn't wait any longer so he got up and started out the door. Kari looks at us as to what to do and just then we see the owner RUNNING out the door with pizza in hand to grab him, so then Kari and Marta both run after him as well to help the owner. By now everyone in the restaurant is looking and everyone on the street is staring as to why this little old man gets a free meal and none of them. They get him back to the table and he can't take his eyes off the pizza so he started eating right away... but it was too hot and he didn't like that! Marta gets him some more water and Kari starts to cut his pizza in little pieces so it will cool faster and will be easier to eat. By now me, dad, and Debbie are outside laughing at the sight of seeing the owner RUN after this guy WITH, pizza in hand but then we all look, at Kari, cutting up this little simple pizza for this man. Marta without a second thought, buying a meal for this man. It was an incredible feeling for such a small deed. Thank you Kari and Marta for acting on the promptings of the spirit and helping someone who was in need!!!

Look how cute Kari is!!

January 23rd ---

*Delivery Day... Daniel and Pinky came and got us and all our supplies to load up to take to Nuahala. We had food, clothing donations, and 2 stoves to take with us! Trying to get 2 stoves ON TOP of the Hummer was quite the task for the Guates! Ol' Mikey wasn't taking it very well... taking directions from someone else and not being to communicate with rest of the guys! Taught Mikey great patience!!!

The girls standing by supervising!

Good Job Little Guates... and Dad!!!

*After loading up the stoves we were off to Nahuala to see another little community called Parrashquim and deliver them some good stuff! This poor little community is out in the middle of nowhere! You think you've been in the middle of nowhere? Well, think of that place times a thousand!!! We had to drive slow because of the ton we had on top of the Hummer and then even slower because the food and stoves started to bend and shift the rack on top! It was more of a trail for 4 wheelers and horses, not a Hummer!

Pinky had to sit up there part of the way to keep the rack from moving!

*Parrashquim is a community of 8 families that were once part of Nahuala but after the mudslides the community had kicked them out to seriously... the middle of nowhere!! There was no answer as to why they got kicked out but our guess was they were probably the poorest of the poor, and they would have been more of a burden on the community than any help. They are absolutely by NOTHING and have NOTHING! There is no electricity and everyone lives in a shelter tent. They only thing the Mayor and government has done for these people is give them land in the worst place ever and water spigots. There was only one man who spoke Spanish and could translate with Daniel and Pinky. These people are more Mayan and speak a much different dialect than Spanish. Kari tried talking to them but they all just stood there and stared, barely speaking a word to each other!

*More pictures from Parrashquim...

Handing out the clothing donations... nice warm clothing!

Daniel, Marta, Kari, Pinky, and I

Our loaded Hummer full of goods!

Being so good and waiting in line for what's given to them

Hats and Gloves

Already sporting the warm hat

Cute big sister with the youngest baby there

Kari and I

Boys getting the stoves off the top

This kid had about 5 wafers while we were there! She couldn't get enough of them!

They were so happy to finally have sweaters and pants! He didn't even care that his pants had a hot pink streak down the side of them!

Not a single person complaining or fighting!!!

Running off with her loot!

Mmmm Marshmellows

The man in the blue sweater is their leader in the community and as we were leaving he asked Daniel in Spanish if he and his family could take a picture with us and when we come back, to bring it back for him to have. So sweet!

The Warehouse in St.George had a fundraiser where all proceeds from Zumba went to helping the people of Guatemala. With an entrance fee of $3 for everyone we ended up raising $330 to take over with me. It was so perfect! Big thanks to Andrea and The Warehouse for having the fundraiser and everyone that came and donated, Thank You! With that money we were able to buy this community TWO wood-burning stoves, better than building a fire, using less wood and producing less smoke. These stoves will serve 4 families each as a cooking tool and to give them warmth. I was very excited we could do this for these people. These stoves will be around for awhile helping many families to come! God Bless the people of Parrashquim!

We installed one to show the people how it works.

You can see where they were currently building their fires for cooking and warmth. That stove just changed their lives forever!

They LOVED seeing their picture! These people along with most of Guatemala have probably never seen what they look like. They do not have mirrors or anything where they could see themselves so taking their picture and then showing them was a big hit!

Dad didn't fit anywhere we went; cars, buses, buildings! He hit his head a good 5 times nice and hard!

They were so happy with the stove! They were all gathering around outside saying how warm it was. Brought all the girls a tear to the eye!

The little boy on the right was definitely my favorite. He was full of personality and always smiling! I could have easily brought him home with me!!

I have a deep love for these people. I pray that they can find some hope and know there is a better life for them. May God bless you and be with you until I see you again!

*Once we finally made it back to Pana, we got some dinner and all headed to bed!

Hard Rock gone Guatemalan!

Dad's MASSIVE Calzone! It was HUGE!

Good Work Pops!!

An actual Brick Oven!! Food was soooo good!

January 24th ---

*Last day of craziness! Daniel came and picked us up once again. We loaded everything up and it was time to delivery once again! We headed up to Tent City to deliver food and the tennis shoes for the kids.

Dad waiting for Daniel

The Tent City Women... not a man in sight!

As Marta and Kari were unloading the food out of the back of the Hummer one of the 25 lb bag of black beans got caught on a bolt and ripped the bag and about 2 cups of beans were dropped to the ground. Without hesitation the women fell to ground and started picking up every single bean. It touched us all to see how valuable food is to them, even one little bean!

Dad kept trying to make this little girl laugh. She was so cute in her little pigtails!

*After Tent City we headed to Los Robles to say our goodbyes to everyone at Vicki's place. Marta had a warm jacket for Juan and a box of tools just for him!

All of Juan's own personal tools

The girls were talking business so dad and I decided to play with the kids! All the kids just loved on dad! I have never seen him play with children like that... they LOVED it! Good work Daddy-O!

I loved this girl way too much! She definitely was loving the camera!

The kids trying to scare Daniel

Saying goodbye to Dominga, Gill, and Juan

Ah! Just love her!

They all loved Mikey!

*We had saved some food and bought some toys for Marta and the boys so we ran down real quick to give it to them and to say goodbye. The mother was so happy, smiling with a mouth of no teeth!

*It was a long morning full of goodbyes and emotions. Gorge picked us up at the hotel and we headed back into Guatemala City to stay the night since our flight was so early in the morning. We stayed at a very nice hotel there in Guatemala City and then once again, we were on a plane back home!

Looks comfortable but neither my dad or I could sleep that night!

*Random Pictures from the Trip...

Bridge made for people to cross during the mudslides

How many can you count??

Mudslide damage

Crops

Beautiful View

Packing something up the big hill

Mudslide

Chicken Bus

Mudslide

Cities built right on the mountains

The Guatemalan '11 Group

* This trip to Guatemala has been such a life-changing experience. I have learned there is much more to life than the materialistic things of the world, all you need is family, love, and faith to survive! I have learned so much from these people! A HUGE thank you to Daniel and Pinky! I absolutely love you boys! You both have such big hearts and real passion to serve your people! I wish there were more people like you... willing to serve the people than themselves! Thank you so much! It was a trip I will never forget and hopefully the many lessons learned over there I can instill in my every day life! Thank You Guatemala!!! Much Love Ü

HAPPY HAPPY...

2011-01-15T17:36:00.001-07:00

NEW YEAR!!! I've come to the conclusion... I'm bad at blogging! I really don't have any time to blog except for the weekends and by the time rolls around, there's so much or not enough that happened that I don't feel like retelling it all! But... I shall try harder to stay more updated on things! The 2010 year ended pretty good! I went to my parents for the Christmas weekend which was good! Usually its just a day here and there but not too often is it the whole weekend! Christmas was great! I got everything I wanted and was not disappointed at all! Guess that will happen when you are your own Santa!! Yay! I did get a camera from the parentals and a TomTom from my sister, both I just love!! We had lots of family time and ate some great food, made from my momma! I even got my dad to take me 4 wheeling down by the river since it flooded! We didn't get down too far by the river, but there was still plenty of mud to get dirty in! I love having mud to play in instead of snow! I got to spend New Years up North which is always a good time! My mom and I drove up to Tremonton and stayed with my brother and his family. Those kids are so dang cute! It was so much fun to watch Jackson and Addi open their presents and get to play with them! Jackson is so funny with Toy Story! We met my dad in Brigham City the next night and watched Kasey coach his basketball team. It was a disappointing game but it was fun to watch Kasey as a coach than a player! I even went back to my old ways and started yelling at the players and refs! Good thing I'm not around those parts! Everyone headed back to Tremonton and I headed to Ogden to play with my friend Hailee. We ventured to Salt Lake to find some adventure! We met up with some of her friends and had a great night playing some shuffle board, even though I lost! We then headed back to Ogden to sleep and regain some energy for the next night! We did absolutely nothing, well we did get some scripture study in, but then got ready for the BIG New Years Night!!! We headed back to Salt Lake and met up with her friends Tage and Myles, our dates for the night! We took a "fun bus" with about 20 other people up to Park City to party the night away! IT. WAS. SO. COLD!!!! Kirstin of course doesn't know what winter weather brings so of course she's not dressed appropriately... whoops! But hey, I never did get sick so it's all good!! Hailee and I had so much fun dancing, laughing, and making new friends all night long! I seriously love this girl! Thanks Hailee for all the fun! Ü The next day, I headed down to grandma's to meet everyone for the Fullmer Christmas Party. We had so much fun catching up with everyone and playing "Minute to Win It"! Pretty sure we're making this the next Fullmer Family Tradition! We even got grandpa in on a game! After the Fullmer party, my family all went back to Grandma Winters to open more family presents and play "Celebrity", another fun game! It was so fun to spend time as a whole family and with all the kiddos, even though they drive me crazy!! Thanks for the fun holidays, love ya! There's a lot of pictures but I'll try to just pick my favorites!

Snowboarding, what's that?!

Muddin... Whoo!

Crazy River!

First time EVER seeing a DOUBLE, both FULL Rainbows!

All the carts were taken at WalMart so the greeter said we could take an electric one! Probably the FUNNEST time I've ever had at WalMart!

It was raining so we figured we better try on some rain boots!

But of course I make the mistake of getting up and dancing in my rain boots having a WalMarter catch me! We recovered and started exclaiming, "It's a Christmas Miracle! It's a Christmas Miracle!"

Andrea's Birthday... so much fun! Nykole drew this amazing picture and then we had all the ladies sign it!

Grandma Kaye and Brooklin excited about her UDraw!

VERY excited for my Tom Tom! Now I have someone to travel with!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Pops reading the 1st Annual Winters Nativity Scene

Brooklin and Mason did great!

Santa and his Elves

The reason I don't need to have children! Ü

Yearly "I Love Lucy" Collectible

My sis and I got matching cameras!

The "Fun Bus" Crew

It was a long trip to Park City so we improvised!

Apparently too much improvise!

Hailee and I ready to Par-Tay!

My Favorite!!!

It was so cold you can see our breath!

Trying to smile but it was just too dang cold!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!!

2011... HERE I COME!!!

It was one of my dearest and bestest friends ever birthday earlier this month... little Lindsey Lou turned the BIG 2-5!!! Whoo! Her sister Sarah and I pulled together and planned a surprise birthday attack! We got some of her closest friends together at Anasazi Steakhouse and surprised her and then got more of her friends together afterward at her house for cake and ice cream for another surprise! She had NO idea and I'm so proud of Sarah for not blowing it!!! Ü

Surprise Lindsey!!

Bryan Bacciocco and her sister Sarah

Jennifer Thompson and Sarah

Jordan Hobley and Jed Ence

Lindsey and Scottie

Crystal Larson and Jennifer Banks

Logan Hildreth and Me

Cheese Fondue... So Delish!

Mine and Bryan's 1yr Anniversary from our BIG fight! haha! Love ya B!

Jordan and I were matching... for cute!

My Meat... that I had to COOK!

The Gang! We were really smokin' up the place!

Birthday Girl!!!

I just love this girl so dang much! I hope you had a wonderful birthday Linds! You will always and forever be my GORK!!!

Much Love Ü

Recap...

2011-01-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

of 2010! Before I start into the NEW year... Let's recap the old shall we!!!

In the year 2010, this happened...

* Ice Skating in St.George... just one more reason to LOVE St.George!

* Touched the REAL Salt Lake Soccer Teams winning trophy (yea, your not suppose to do that!)
* Celebrated the BIG day with Pizza, Bowling, Friends, Vegas, Tournament of Kings, and Colbie Caillat!
* The Festival of Colors
* The Ironman in St.George
* Made history in the Worlds Largest Massage Chain at Dixie College! (and I don't even go to school!)
* Met and touched, James Denton
* Swim Lessons
* Climbed Angles Landing in Zions
* Got introduced to the band, Imagine Dragons from Las Vegas! I'm a fan!
* Weddings, Weddings, and more Weddings
* Went to Lake Powell
* Went to San Diego
* The Annual St.George Rodeo
* Made New Friends!
* Saw Sara Baraellis, Ryan Star, Christina Perri and K'naan in Vegas
* Countless Girls Night Outs and Days... GNOAD!
* Many trips to Salt Lake to play!
* Worked, Worked, and Worked some more!
* Saw Thriller at Tuacahn
* Dressed as a Pilgrim and went to the Village Inn for dinner
* Tried ZUMBA and got hooked...enjoyed many events for Zumba!
* Had a successful Halloween Party
* Flooding in Southern Utah and Mesquite
* Went Camping at Deer Creek
* Moved twice in the town of St. George
* Had the BEST New Years thus far!!

Sounds like I had a successful year!!! Here's to 2011 and all the adventures yet to come...

Much Love Ü

December...

2010-12-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

what a busy month you are! I really don't have much to blog about but I just feel like writing something... I'm currently listening to my Christmas music which includes; Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, David Archuleta, NSYNC, Hilary Weeks, (where is my Forgotten Carols? I swear I buy a new one EVERY year, no joke!), a few random Christmas mixes, and oh yes... Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton! I remember listening to a Kenny and Dolly Christmas on cassette tape as a child, even clogged to one of their songs at one of the famous Fullmer Christmas parties! My sister found it on cd at Walmart for $5, now I call that a great find! I don't know about you, but I get really excited when I come across something from my childhood! And not something that is "coming back", but something you truly find from the past! Guess I really am a child at heart! Anyways... I've been feeling overwhelmed lately, not sure why but I don't like it! I've been trying to get into the Christmas spirit but I think work is dragging me down. I'm still working as a phlebotomist... 4 years this winter, crazy! The longest I've ever stuck with something, guess that's an accomplishment! I work pretty much every day, being the only girl that will work for my coworkers, my days off seldom come! After a days work I head up to The Warehouse where I check people in for Zumba and do other office stuff. I am now the only girl that works at the front desk, Monday-Thursday. I'm lucky to get in at least 30 minutes of Zumba and my body is definitely showing it, not in a good way people! It's fine though! You know... have you ever noticed that when people say "I'm fine", they really aren't? I have! But really... I am! haha! I'm just not use to working so much! I've always been the lazy one, the one who procrastinates about everything, the one who doesn't care, the one who all she wants to do is sleep... hmmm that doesn't sound like a very good person does it? Guess I just need to grow up and work like every other person does. But there's got to be more to life than just work, right? Anyways, there's my rant for the night! Now I could erase my craziness but this is who I am, this is me! We all have doubts and fears that we try to hide away from the world but what for? We all have them, so why not express them and learn from each other! Okay, I'm done before anything else comes from these fingertips... back to some Kenny and Dolly! "You make this, a Christmas to Remember. Springtime feelings in the middle of December!" gotta LOVE it!

Definitely NOT coming back... another GREAT find from Childhood Land!

Much Love Ü

Fun Times...

2010-11-20T23:04:00.001-07:00

in the Fall! Pictures will definitely tell the stories here...

Random = Vegas Baby!

A little group of us consisting of myself, Jordan Hobley, Crystal Larson, and Sarah Polatis decided we would take a cruise down to Vegas just to eat at The Cheesecake Factory! We had some time before we ate so we stopped off at the outlets so Jordan and Sarah could go shopping, then off to the strip we went to eat! After eating we walked the strip, went to the Bellagio to see The Garden and Dancing Waters, went to M&M World, and had lots of fun and laughter! It was Crystal's first time in Vegas... hopefully we made a good impression!

We were SO full but somehow managed to still eat Cheesecake!

Crystal * Sarah * Kirstin

Jordan * and the Fish

Lucky fella!

Thanks kids for such a quick fun trip! How about next time you don't critique my excellent driving! (Apparently none of them have driven in Vegas... Welcome to Vegas Baby!)

The First Thanksgiving Feast

The one good thing about planning our own dates is that our dates have to do whatever we want!! Once again, the girls planned another amazing date... The First Thanksgiving Feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians in The Village!

Our Awesome Thankgiving Theme Date!

The Pilgrims...

Elizabeth and Samuel (Lindsey and Scott)

Abraham and Ruth (Mark and Kirstin)

The Indians...

Pocahontas and Sprinting Beaver (Sarah and Jordan)

Sacajawea and Chief Smoking Pants (Crystal and JD)

Samuel and Sprinting Beaver doing sugar shots together

Pocy and Saca

Ruth and Elizabeth

Sharing of the fruit

"Giving Thanks" on our Thanksgiving Pie

Pilgrim and Indian cutting the pie together

Savage...

Mark and I make Pilgrim look good!!

Your Wagon or Mine?!

Chief Smoking Pants lending Samuel his stick

The Women of The Village

Pilgrims and Indians become Friends!

Oh! My! This date was unbelievably fun! I don't think I have ever laughed so much on a date! I was a little hesitant on the whole thing but I knew I couldn't bail because well, it was my idea! haha! Everyone was in good spirits and we all had a lot of fun. Jordan played an Indian all too well, and yes he was shirtless the whole time! Our waitress and everyone else who came into the Village Inn was loving it, we definitely got lots of laughs from everyone! After our "feast" we went to the $2 theater and watched "Inception". Sarah and Mark weren't in the mood for a movie so they went home and then me and Jordan finished the night off together! One date, 2 guys, good for me! Thanks so much for your participation! It's gonna be hard to beat this date!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Much Love Ü

October Fun...

2010-11-02T00:40:00.000-06:00

has come and gone, finally! I sure did have a lot of fun this October getting in on all the excitement but it sure was tiring all at the same time... "Bite of Vegas", "Thriller", Zombie Zumba, "HalloFunkaWeen Partay", and then Game Night to follow! Enjoy all the pictures... I sure do!!!

BITE OF VEGAS

There was an all day concert event in Las Vegas called the "Bite of Vegas" where a bunch of food vendors come and they get a bunch of bands to come play. Although we did eat at Panda Express, we did join in on the festivities...

Steph and Brooklin gettin ready for a fun day!

I don't think Brooklin knew what was going on!

*Christina Perri*

Me and Lindsey

Miranda Cosgrove signing autographs... we didn't bother!

Dougnuts!!!

"You came to the Bite of Vegas and got Panda Express?"

Brooklin suited up to climb the wall

Just waiting for the time to pass...

Steph and Brooklin

Aunt Kirst and B

Getting ready to pull this truck across the lawn...

Talking out our game plan...

Rock it a little...

And a little more...

And pull....

Just a little road kill...

GOOOOO...

Uh yea! Done and Done!

Zumba must be doing us some good!

*Ryan Star*

Pretty sure he looked at me...

More than once!!

Lindsey caught herself a shirt... but then dropped it when we were leaving and left with no shirt!

There's my new baby!

Those snow cones were legit and oh so good!

Power Napping

Brooklin...

Of course she would do that while I'm sleeping!

*Plain White T's*

Sexy man with suspenders!

"Where are they going? Okay, well they're gonna miss Delilah!"

After a very LONG day, we finally made it to the FRONT row to see Sara Bareilles!

*K'Naan*

That kid was shredding it!

Girls Day Out!!!

The FRONT Row Partyers!!!

My girl Sara B!

Cute Bass Player

Linds taking over with the cameraman's job!

Loved his yellow guitar! Oh, and him too!

Sara B!

My Bestie!

Brooklin's FIRST Concert! Whoo!

You guys did AWESOME!

94.1's pictures... that's us in the left bottom corner!

Thanks girls for such an awesome day! I had a lot of fun with my 3 favorite girls ever!! Love ya!

THRILLER

So, the girls (Lindsey, Sarah, and myself) are sick of waiting for guys to ask us out on a date. I like to consider myself "old-fashion" when it comes to dating but let's get real... it's 2010 and boys DO NOT ask girls on dates anymore, it's sad really! (or maybe they do and I'm just not one to get asked!) Well, we wanted to go see "Thriller" out at Tuachan and so we womaned-up and asked some fellas to come with us!

Laur & Bryan * Jordan & Kirstin * Sarah & Logan (not pictured because he is standing in the concession line to get himself a pretzel!) * Kole & Kylie * Lindsey & Scott

Me and Jordan

Trust my luck... Jordan found himself a new woman!

Lindsey and Scott

Me and Kylie

Attempting to be scary but we couldn't do it!

Sarah and I with the goofy sad clown

The hot funny axe murderer

Logan backing it up trying to get her to laugh, it didn't work!

Scary Group Picture

The show was great and we all had a great time! Afterward, like true ladies, we took the fellas to Krave for some ice cream! "What can I say, I'm a good date!" -Kirstin

ZOMBIE ZUMBA

It was the 2nd Annual Zombie Zumba Bash at The Warehouse. We all got to dress up like Zombies and then we learned the famous "Thriller" dance and had it recorded. After that we got to do our regular Zumba dances. It was so much fun and everyone looked great!! Good job Warehouse Zombies!!

The Warehouse Family gone THRILLER!

Lory and Nykole... amazing work!!

Andrea gone ZOMBIE!

Melissa * McKenzie * Lory * Nykole

*Our Zombie Stories*

Crystal... The Joker's love interest

Sarah... Bo broke her heart, so she went out to sea and a shark got her!

Kirstin... Prom Queen Nightmare

Lindsey... the Pirates wanted her booty!

HALLOFUNKAWEEN PARTAY

So, me and Lindsey decided that Halloween can be a very fun holiday to participate in if you actually have something planned. Well, nobody ever seems to ever have anything planned so "Party Kirstin" came into play and... we had a party! We did a Celebrity/Movie Character/TV Character Themed Party! It took a lot of planning, a lot of money, and a lot of just getting it done! It became quite stressful there for a minute because we had no idea how many people would be showing up. We sent out invites on facebook and did some mad mass texting to everyone we knew, and then of course they invited whoever they wanted. We had to think about food, drinks, treats, and snacks, and making sure we had enough or too much... it was crazy! Saturday night came and little did we know... people actually came! A LOT of people came! People I didn't even know came! My house was packed full of people which I couldn't believe! It's still a blur because I was running around like a mad woman... taking pictures, making sure everyone got their picture with our amazing backdrop (which my friend Daniel Felix made for me!), trying to do a Scavenger Hunt, making sure the drinks were always stocked and treats were always out, music was always playing and trying to socialize with as many people as I could! I'm glad I got a little dancing in though! It turned out awesome and I've heard nothing but how great it was and how it was the best Halloween Party they've ever been to... that's makes me feel a lot better! There are tons of pictures, but these are some of my favorites...

Sarah Polatis as Frenchy

Bryan Bacciocco as Richard Simmons

Justin Solomn as Officer Dick Banger

The Pink Ladies with Danny Zuko

Crystal as Jan, Sarah as Frenchy, Lindsey as Sandy, and I'm Rizzo (of course!)

Nykole Weisbrich as Lady GaGa & Chari Moore as Cyndi Lauper

Sandra D and Riz

Charles & Andrea Riggs as The Mad Hatter and Alice

My Zumba Sisters

Jace Mcarthur as Braveheart & Logan Hildreth as Michael Jackson

Jordan Hobley as Bobby Light & Jed Ence as Spiderman

Kylie Jensen & Kole as Sugar Daddy & Sugar Babies

My Sugar Baby Kylie

JD Basile as House, along with the other boys!

(we didn't know what we were doing!)

Jamelle Brown as Kanye West

Tiera & Addison as Popeye & Olive Oyl

Roury as Lions Fan, Matt as a Pig, Cory as Dwight, Luke as Billy Mays, and Addison as Popeye

Brittani Beard as Little Red Riding Hood

Brad as Tuff Hederman & Blake as Pauly D

Spencer Stucki & Jessica Minear as Scott & Kourtney Kardashian, and I have no idea who Dave is but his hair was rockin!

*AWARDS*

BEST GROUP COSTUME

FUNNIEST COSTUME

MOST ORIGINAL

MOST CREATIVE

BEST COUPLE COSTUME

BEST COSTUME (I can't get it to turn)

Now for some RANDOMS of one CRAZY night...

Oh, what a Night...

Thanks everyone for coming to our awesomely freakishly HalloFUNKAween ParTAY! You guys are the greatest and oh so fun! Thanks Lindsey for all your awesome help! Thank you everyone who helped bring food and munchies! Thanks kids! Much Love Ü

Busy Busy Busy...

2010-10-15T18:32:00.001-06:00

is what my life has been for the past 2 weeks! I spent the first weekend of October moving houses. The lease was up on my place by the temple and I had no where to go so I resorted back to the first house I moved into when I first moved to St.George. It's good to be back and this time I have a much larger room than last! Thank goodness right?! So I spent one day moving everything over and then cleaning the old house, only took 3 car loads and 2 truck loads (because of my bed!). Then I had went to Mesquite that night to get things ready for the Yard Sale me and Stephanie were doing on the 2nd. I spent all day Friday cleaning out my room and moving everything to sell over to Steph's house. Steph and I stayed up till 3:00am getting everything organized and cleaned. The yard sale was suppose to start at 7:00am but of course we had people there at 6:30am! The yard sale went great! We didn't sell everything which we were bummed about but we still got rid of a lot!! Heck, my whole closet was sold in the first 20 minutes! After packing everything we didn't sell in dad's truck me and Steph drove to St.George to drop it off at Debbie Clark's house. Debbie is doing a huge yard sale the first of November to earn money for our Guatemalan Trip were taking in January. (Yep, I'm going back!!!) I'm glad we could help donate our things to help with this charity and plus, the D.I. was already closed so we were really happy Debbie could take it off our hands! Steph and I hadn't ate all day so we ran over to Cafe Rio to get us some lunch! I was so full and tired that when we stopped to get gas I told Steph that I didn't think I was going to be able to stay awake on the way home...I was asleep before hitting the freeway!

Do I dare say that probably more than half of this "stuff" was mine?!

After that busy weekend my days just got busier! I worked every day, covering a couple shifts out at Sunset and working a day at Senior Games, and also going up to The Warehouse. The Warehouse is where I do Zumba and recently I started working there 2 nights of the week. So I Zumba 2 nights and then work the other 2...I love it!!! It gets kind of crazy going from my job at the Instacare and then rushing up there but I love it and I love the friends I have made there at The WH! They're my Zumba Family! With work and then trying to unpack everything in my new place, I haven't had much time for anything else! Not even time to buy groceries! But it's been good and I think I did pretty well not complaining too bad about working so much! Now that I'm moved in and I'm not scheduled for any extra shifts...I'll be able to breathe and enjoy life again!

We got a little visit from our old neighborhood friends, The Howards! We lived on the same street when we lived in West Jordan. The Howard girls always come to St.George for a girls trip every Fall and this time they got a hold of us for some dinner, yay! These girls are so cute and it's always so much fun to catch up!!

Dinner at Olive Garden

Sandi and Kaye... The Tupperware Gals

Kirstin & Stephanie * Jenni & Heather

My St.George Girls ... Crystal and Lindsey

Party in Pink with Zumba Gives Back!

Last weekend there was a charity event for Breast Cancer Awareness at Town Square in St.George. All the Zumba instructors in St.George got together and we Zumba'd for a good 2 1/2 hours! It was a blast!! We got to see other Zumba routines and they had raffles after every 3 songs which were way awesome prizes! I won a Zumba bag & keychain and also FREE teeth whitening trays from one of the dentists in town! It was so much fun and I just love all the people that came out and represented The Warehouse! Love you guys!

Kirstin * Lindsey * Sarah

Chari * Melissa * Kirstin * Sarah * Lindsey * Andrea

Kirstin * Krista * Shelly * Lindsey

My Favorite Zumba Girls!!!

just waiting to Zumba...

Rob * Mindy * Kat

Me and Jen

The Warehouse Zumba Family

Me and Andrea

Well that about sums up my craziness... for right now! I still have lots planned for October...can't wait!

Much Love Ü