sick...i mean quick update

So, I haven't felt much like blogging or really doing anything this week.  I'm going on week three of this perma-cold/sinus infection that I'm starting to fear will never ever go away.  Pretty much every morning this week, I woke up pondering how nice it would be to have a job where calling in sick didn't require sub plans.   Seriously, teaching has got to be the worst profession to get sick in.  It is simply easier to drag my sick body to work than to deal with the hassle of missing a day of school.  Maybe it's a good thing...if it were easier, I'd probably abuse the privilege.  At least Brian hasn't contracted my disease yet...

Anyway, despite being sick, half marathon training has begun. I am up to 4 miles, although I'm running slower than molasses.  I seriously hope I can pick up the pace some once my lungs and respiratory system are back to 100%.   A  healthier diet has also begun, consisting of high protein power foods like cottage cheese, greek yogurt, meats, veggies, cuties, and protein shakes.  We also tried to introduce quinoa (see picture below) into our diet.  I thought it tasted pretty good, but Brian hated it and thought it tasted like what he imagined latex gloves to taste like.  Either way, I've lost 2 lbs, so it's a start.

Grilled Chicken with zucchini, roasted red peppers, and pine nuts with a side of quinoa 

 

 

 

 

 

So that's really just about all that I have to update.  I did get a chance to use my Christmas present (a UV shellac nails and glitter toes kit) from Brian over the three day weekend.  I went over to Whitney's on Monday and did her nails too.  I didn't take any picture of hers but here is a pic of my nails one week after I did them.  Still no chipping!

So that's the update.  Brian and I are going to see Footloose today at the Dollar Movie. And tomorrow is Ward Conference!  I'm excited to see what that means, if anything, for primary.  THE END

Brian in the Kitchen

Brian is a big fan of cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.  This was one of his most recent endeavors...

Homemade Potato Chips!

One of my favorite snacks for any holiday really is potato chips with Lipton recipe's onion dip.  This year we ran out of chips before we ran out of dip, so this was Brian's solution.  And let me just say...it was a pretty delicious solution!

Let Us Move Forward and Upward

In 2011 - Brian and I spent our first year together as a married couple starting with a wonderful honeymoon cruise to Mexico and Grand Cayman.  We also vacationed in GA, St. George, went camping in the Uintahs, and made several weekend trips to Highland. :)

In 2011 - Brian and I moved three times from Park City to Georgia and then back to Park City again.  We were in three different wards.  And I went from being a beehive counselor to a primary chorister.

In 2011 - Brian and I went indoor surfing, ran a 42 mile rely race, and went skydiving for the first time.

In 2011  - Brian and I became Aunts and Uncles to now 1 niece and 3 nephews when the twins John and Eddie were born.  We finally got to meet them in December at Christmas!

And In 2011 - The last of my siblings was sealed in the Bountiful temple, and we were blessed with a very special opportunity in my family to have us all with our spouses together in the celestial room and to remember the greatest blessing of all...Eternal Families.


As part of my present to my mom, grandparents, and siblings, I made a photobook emphasizing how grateful I am for our "forever family."  I took pictures from my parents and all my siblings weddings and engagement sessions and combined them all together into one book celebrating our ever growing family established in 1983.  Anyway, it was a lot of fun to work on.  Take a look!

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I got the title for this post from a talk given my President Spencer W. Kimball in 1979.  In it he states, "The gospel gives purpose to our lives. It is the way to happiness. Our success, individually and as a church, will largely be determined by how faithfully we focus on living the gospel in the home."  With this as one of my personal themes for this year.  Here are some of my New Years Resolutions...

Spiritual
1. Finish the Book of Mormon
2. Start the Old Testament
3. Say my prayers morning and night (We are really good at nightly prayers, but the morning ones need some serious work.)
4. Continue monthly temple attendance
5. Have a good attitude and do everything I can to magnify my calling as a primary chorister

Physical
1. Run 1/2 marathon in a faster time than I did it last time 2:23:47
2. Lose all my post marriage weight
3. Do a triathlon with the Moote side of the family
4. Take my juice plus and women's daily multi-vitamin consistently

Work
1. Survive teaching supplemental math
2. Finish all the professional development I need for PCEYE 2
3. Start studying for the Praxis II exam
4. Remember when I am stressed to be grateful for full-time teaching status

Financial
1. Have the most organized and planned out year of swim lessons ever.
2. Save! Save! Save!
3. Apply for grants and scholarships for Brian

Family/Other Goals
1. Don't watch rated R movies even when other people recommend them.
2. Save up for our vacation to Hawaii (Amy get excited) at the end of July/beginning of August.

P.S.  I'm sorry this is so long....

The End of 2011

Well unfortunately, something has happened to my SD card, and all the pictures I took during Christmas have been erased. :(  Not to fear though, I can still tell you all about it....We were majorly blessed this year to be able to celebrate Christmas with so many people we love and care about.

Best Friend Fun
 First of all, there were some surprise visits from my best friends Amy and Erin.  Amy was stuck on the way to Hawaii, and we were more than happy to rescue her from the SLC airport.  She got to come visit our apartment in Park City, see some of the photobook projects I've been working on, and have a sleepover!  The next morning, we drove her to the airport and picked up Erin!  We took a really fun picture of all of us together with me squeezed between my two pregnant friends, but you're just going to visualize it in your mind.  With Erin we ate at CPK, went and saw the new Mission Impossible movie, and visited some of her relatives before dropping her back at the airport so she could make her way to Idaho.

Christmas with the Jones'
We were lucky enough this year to have two Christmases: one with my family and one with Brian's!  And...my Dad got out of his trip to Brazil, so he was able to come with my mom to Park City for Express Christmas.  Anyway Christmas Eve Eve, we opened our Christmas pajamas and celebrated an early Christmas Eve. Then on Christmas Eve, we celebrated an early Christmas.  Whitney and Alex came over, and we opened presents, played games, ate a delicious ham meal, popped our Christmas crackers, and watch movies.

Christmas with the Mootes
We drove down to Highland late Christmas Eve night so that we could be there Christmas morning to open presents with Brian's family.  It was pretty cool because Brian's sister Emily and her husband Lee plus their four kids flew in from New York, so the whole family was together this Christmas.  Their were 16 stockings crowded around the fireplace. :)  It was fun watching the kids open their presents and getting to meet the twins for the first time (John and Edward are 9 months, but we hadn't had a chance to meet them until now.)  We were also blessed with the opportunity to remember the true meaning of Christmas by going to church and listening to beautiful Christmas music, which in my opinion is always one of the fastest ways to bring the spirit.  We also read the Christmas story and played Christmas music on bell chimes.

Randoms
Tuesday, we went snowboarding with Logan, Emily, Lee, and kids.  It was the first time we've been in two seasons.  Too bad the snow is basically non-existent.  It was still fun, but I've got bruises from my boots and some pretty sore calf muscles.  In other news, we're back in Park City!  The Christmas decorations have been put away.  We have re-arranged the front room and the TV room.  And we are ready for the new year!

2011 has been good to us.  We spent our first year together as a married couple, moved three times, survived school and work, went skydiving, and loved every minute of it!  Can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!

Santa's Gift is Going to Come in Handy!

Because of holiday treats like the ones below and more...

 

 

I'm excited to get back to Park City and put Santa's present to good use!  

 

P.S. With the holidays, you would think I would have more time and desire to blog, but that hasn't happened yet.  Posts to come about Christmas with the Jones', Christmas with the Mootes, Snowboarding, and surprise visits from best friends!  Stay tuned...

Our First Anniversary!

As of yesterday, December 18, 2011...Brian and I have been married one whole year!

We're pretty excited because if the first year of marriage really is the hardest, then I can't wait for what comes next because this year has been pretty dang great!  Since our anniversary this year was on a Sunday, we did most of our celebrating the day before on Saturday.  We started off by opening presents because I woke up so excited to show Brian what I got him! :)

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For lunch we went to Cafe Rio, which was double exciting because we got a free meal!  

Then we went to see Sherlock Holmes 2.

The grand finale though was going to The Nutcracker at Capitol Theater!  Even though we were in the very back, we still had a great view and enjoyed the show.

Sunday, after church we celebrated again by eating some of our wedding cake.  It tasted surprising delicious and was still moist!

Happy Anniversary Bri!  I love you and I can't wait to spend the rest of our eternity celebrating with you!

Merry Christmas!

and our anniversary isn't even until this weekend...

When I got home from school today, Brian surprised me by taking me to a Mexican restaurant on main street!  This is a big deal because 1)  We don't eat out very often, and when we do it's usually to Wendy's or Cafe Rio.  2)  We never go in town to Main Street.  For the most part, it is too expensive and touristy for our taste.  3)  It was a school night.

During one of his study breaks, Brian had found a deal where he was able to buy a $25 restaurant.com gift certificate to Reyes Adobe on Main Street for $2.

The food was delicious and reminded us a lot of the Mexican restaurant we went to on the beach in Cozumel on our honeymoon.  The portion sizes were huge too.  We both had to box food to take home, and while is pretty typical for me, it is definitely a first for Brian.  We left full and happy knowing we only actually spent $25 on the $50 worth of food we ordered.  Best School Night Date Ever! :)

Plus, Park City at Christmastime is kind of magical.  Sometimes I really love living in a Winter Wonderland. 

New Callings

On Sunday, Brian and I both got new callings.  He went from teaching the 9 year-old kids in primary to being the 2nd counselor in the Elder's Quorum presidency, and I am now the new primary chorister!  Holy Cow!  Talk about making weaknesses become strengths right?!?!

I am grateful for sites like this one, this one, and this one.  There are plenty more, but I haven't had a chance to look at them all yet.  What would I do without the internet?  Wish me luck, or just pray for me! :)

O Christmas Tree!

Even though we have had it up since Saturday, I wanted to wait until it was actually December to share with y'all the magical essence of our Christmas Tree.  I. am. in. love.  Maybe it's just because it's Brian and I's first tree together, but I'm pretty sure I have never seen a more beautiful tree in all the world.  The first thing I do when I come home from work is turn on it's lights and check to make sure it still has enough water.  Then I catch myself staring at it all night long, and I feel like a giddy little girl again.  I love Christmas!  I love the season.  I love the spirit of giving.  I love the goodies.  I love centering my life more around the Christmas miracle of our Savior's birth.  

Christmas = A Very Happy Ashley

 

P.S.  December 1st also means that there are only 17 more days until Brian and mines 1st Anniversary!  And that makes me feel double happy. :)