Car Update

So I hope my post isn't too difficult to understand (I am going on a few hours of sleep). I received a phone call this morning at 1:00 am (it felt like 5) telling me that they had found my car.

They had found it a few minutes earlier and gave me the info to pick it up today. It got impounded so we had to go through a bunch of things to get it out. When I went to pick it up, to my surprise there didn't seem to be any apparent damage. The car did "ding" as though there was no key in the ignition. Most of my stuff was still there and everything had been lovingly--or not so lovingly thrown out of the glove box (apparently they did not find my valuable sporks that I keep in there as my secret stash). They did get into the trunk and I no longer have skates. That's probably the worst part of the whole thing--now I have to save up for a new pair of skates. :(

They did trade me a jacket for the skates though (what kind of thief leaves things?). I also have a DQ cup with a straw still in it. I am going to call the police and see if they would want to saliva from the cup...sneaky, sneaky. Stupid though to leave that as well. I also found some business cards for a photographer in Ogden who has a pretty nice site (don't worry I checked it out).

All in all, it wasn't too bad of a deal. I still need to take it in and get the ignition fixed since I can drive it without any keys and the car may have an alignment problem. At this moment, Jared and I are not quite sure what we will do with the car since I'm the "sugar mama" for a few more months. Bryce does seem to think that we could get a pretty good car that has been repoed because of the economy. For the time being, we will put an alarm on it so that it doesn't get stolen a third time while I own it.

I have had several offers of people who would like me to drive their cars around in hopes that they will get stolen. I did have to break the bad news and let them know that the cars that get stolen for me are on a three-year cycle and they usually get found.

Sugarhouse = Car Theft!

Many of you may not have known, but about 3 years ago my car was stolen from outside my house/apartment when I lived in Sugarhouse. Luckily (or unluckily) my car was found a week and a half later in Lehi and had been abandoned because the car battery went dead. I continued to drive my car faithfully....that is until Friday night.

We were attending a old roommate party in Sugar House (four blocks from my old apartment). Upon leaving Training Table I found that once again my car had been stolen! What are the odds?!? Twice in 3 years, same car, about 4 blocks apart.

So now I'm at the time where we wait and see. At least I've been through it before and I know what to expect although I have changed car insurance since being married. We'll see what happens. Part of me wants it to be gone forever (so that it can't be stolen again) and part of me wants it to return so that I don't have a car payment until Jared starts working. Of course if I got it back, I would try to get rid of it probably this summer. I'll keep the blog updated on all the fun that I have with my '99 Honda Civic.

Silver Rush!

Tonight some of the students that are in SkillsUSA at Riverton (for which I am an advisor) were featured on a news segment tonight. (They are the ones who are selling singing telegrams to raise money--Kim, you'll remember the posters from the Jon Schmidt concert).

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

This year the school has chosen the Family Support Center in Midvale to raise money. The students are raising money by doing "Odd Jobs" (going around neighborhoods and earning money), having benefit concerts (Jon Schmidt and Battle of the Bands), and donating money and items for the Center. It is not just about the money though--it is about the service and changing the students' lives. In our homeroom classes, student representative conduct activities/discussions about how we can all improve our families. It's a great cause and I'll blog on Dec. 19th when we find out how much money was raised for this year's Silver Rush.

HSM3!!!

Some of you may know, but others may not that Jared helped on the set for High School Musical 3 this summer. He got the job because he builds the sets for BYU currently. Well, because of his hard work, we were invited to attend a special cast (dancers) and crew premier at the Gateway Megaplex. One of the producers was there and also Troy's dad. They gave some speeches and then we watched the movie. We didn't see Zack Efron or anyone special like that but it was still fun. Jared did score a HSM3 Construction Crew shirt which is pretty cool.

It's a cookie in a skillet!!!

This post is about the Skookies that Kim wonderfully introduced to me. We bought them with some of our wedding money at BB&B. Jared did give me a hard time because he seemed to think that it would have been cheaper if we would have just bought the skillets and not the ones that specifically say "skookie" on the box. I think I remember TJ saying the same thing to Kim. Hmmm. Well, this wonderful dessert-making-contraption has fed Jared and me for the past couple of weeks and we thoroughly enjoy them. Let's be honest though, sometimes it's a little on the large side (check out the picture below that I found on this fabulous recipe blog--I know, I'm getting domesticated since being married.) As a side note, this same site has the BEST Cafe Rio Pork recipe (I have tried a few and this one is yummy!) I did find a cilantro-lime rice recipe that I like more though. Enjoy the recipes (especially for those who are in lands far far away from the Cafe Rios of the Wasatch Front.)

Surprise Date

A few weeks ago, Jared asked me if we had anything planned for Oct. 3rd. Since we didn't, he informed me that we now had plans. He did a good job of keeping it low-key and a secret. I had forgotten that he had even planned anything until last night.

The surprise date was going to the Shangri-la Chinese Acrobats. I accidentally found out what it was an hour before we went because he had the tickets sitting out--oops. It was a great show but some times a little disturbing with the contortionist. The first time we saw the contortionist, she was wearing pointe shoes and did a dance on pointe (ballet). She then proceded to twist herself in all sorts of positions while on pointe. For the finale of this particular number, she went on pointe on her partner's shoulder. Crazy!!!

Where We've Been

So I haven't updated our blog in awhile. I know it's not really an excuse, but we have been busy. Plus, we're somewhat losers and never take pictures when we do have time to do things which doesn't make for a good post. Jared and I are both in school--in two different ways though. Jared is in his final semester before student teaching and I am in my first year of teaching (high school!!). Well, that pretty much covers the excitement of our lives. We are already turning into an old married couple. We go to bed early because we have to be up and out the door by 6:15 every morning. Currently, the days seem to go by way fast and we are both counting down the days until the next weekend. Once the weekend comes, we schedule out every spare moment with football games, BBQs, double-dates, and concerts. Thank goodness for Sunday.

Well, so much for my writing for today, I've gotta get back to enjoying the last hours before Monday hits.

Photo Preview

Here is a picture that was taken by Brooke at our reception.

Honeymoon

Several months ago, Jared and I went online in search of the perfect honeymoon. Since working for Il Bagno, I wanted to go somewhere that had BainUltra bath tubs but there is only one place in Utah that has one and it was in Manti. Since we wanted to stay a little bit more local since we did the two-day split we decided to go to a B & B in Midway. We checked out all the B & Bs in the area and I chose one that I really loved and the honeymoon suite that I loved even more. Being the control freak that I am--I kept checking the dates to make sure that the room didn't get booked. In June I kept pressing Jared to book it because so many people were getting married on 08.08 and some of the other popular hotels were already booked solid. Then one day I checked online to find that the room was booked for the exact weekend that we wanted it. I confronted Jared about it and all the blood drained from his face as he told me that he wasn't the one who had booked it. I was sad and a little bit angry and Jared got the brunt of the blame. He assured me that I needed to let go of some things in life and let him do the planning so that he could surprise me. I was still anxious about the whole thing and wondering where we were going to spend the weekend. He knew that it was bugging me so he kept joking that we were going to stay at the Motel 6 and I didn't think that was very funny. I just pictured walking into a less than appealing room that we would be spending our first nights together in.

So as we left the temple, Jared had me put on a blindfold as we made the turn for Midway. I still wasn't sure where we were staying yet and figured that it was just somewhere up in Midway since there are multiple B & Bs up there. After putting on the blindfold, I realized that we forgot our toiletry bag with our toothbrushes and deo. Thank goodness Jared spotted a 7-11 (of course I felt a little dumb sitting in the car at what seemed to be the busiest sev in Wasatch County blindfolded). After Jared had loaded up on refreshing oral hygiene products, we were off again. We pulled off onto a gravel road and Jared said were were there. I wasn't sure what to think at this point. Maybe we were at some sort of KOA but I wasn't sure. Then he guided me up several flights of stairs (KOA was now out of the picture). He opened the door to the room and guided me in. He then gave me permission to take off the blindfold. I immediately recognized the honeymoon suite at the Johnson Mill B & B that we had picked out so many months before. Jared confessed that he had it booked all along but wanted it to be a surprise so pretended like he was in the dog house. Here are some pictures of the room for you to enjoy.


Okay, so from the pictures you can tell that I appreciate a good bathroom. Jared and I were especially excited about the bidet because neither of us knew quite how to use it.

The next pictures are from when we took the pedal boat on the pond.

A Few Reception Photos

Us in the photo booth (which was an absolute hit!)

Me and Jared with TJ and Kim.

Just the girls: Erin, Elaine, Me, Kim & Natalie.

Bryce and Me.

The car.

The cake in our faces.

Our Wedding!

We got married on 08.08.08. It may have not been the most unique day to get married, but apparently it is a very lucky day. My mom had heard somewhere that 22,000 couples also joined us that day by getting married where normally only 5,000 couples get married on average. We chose to get married that evening and then have our reception the following evening in order to be able to relax and enjoy a little bit more. I would recommend to anyone to do the two-day split because we were able to focus on our marriage on Friday and then focus on the reception the following day. (Photos courtesy of the ever faithful family photographer Kim!)


I'm so excited to be married to my best friend! Of course I don't know if it really has sunk in that we are married--he just doesn't have to go home at night. ;) I love him so much and I'm excited to start (or continue) our lives together. Love you babe!

The CB or better known as the Chastity Beard

If anyone came across Jared while we were engaged, they would have noticed a bit of facial hair that he was growing. He decided after our bridals that in order to keep us good until the wedding, he would grow a beard since I don't even like kissing him when he has a beard. After the success of the CB, we think that Bishops should be able to give any young man a beard card while he is engaged to keep him good.

Bridals!

We took my bridals the Monday after Miss Utah and here are some of them. Visit my photographer's blog for a few more.

Bridal Showers, Temple, & Wedding Week

The later part of last week was really busy. Wednesday Jared's mom flew in for Emily's and our weddings. Wednesday night I had the ward bridal shower that was thrown by the divas. Kristine came down from Ogden which was great because I hadn't seen her in a long time. This is a picture of me holding the gum that had been in my cheek for the night because apparently after 15 months of dating, I still don't know Jared.

Thursday I went through the temple. Here are some pictures of us at the temple. Kim and TJ were able to come down which was great. They were even the witness couple for my session which was even better.

That night Adrian and Jillian threw me a friend shower.

Friday Elizabeth flew in and then Amber and Corrin came in to town as well. Since it was the eve of Dan and Emily's wedding, we went out to eat as families to get to know one another a little more before the ceremony.

Since Dan and Emily got married on Saturday, I was able to go to their sealing before actually going to my own. It was a very nice ceremony and it was also nice to see their's before my own so that I can know what to expect. After the ceremony, we had a luncheon and then went to their reception.

Now we just have 5 days until Jared and I get married and counting.

Blogs are Public!

Okay, so I can't sleep. I'm excited about wedding stuff and so I decide to hop on the Mac to do some surfing and check my email and Facebook. One of my friends sent me a message on Facebook containing a blog that I should check out from another acquaintance. Without disclosing too much information, the blog was a journal entry that contained some feelings about a recent pageant that I was in (aka Miss U) that probably should have been kept to herself. I know it was a taxing year preparing for the pageant and all and we all need some time to vent, but a public blog that can be read by ANYONE including your competitors is probably not the most appropriate place to let those feelings out.

I know anyone who is reading this is smarter than that but just in case--BLOGS ARE PUBLIC! (Unless of course you make your blog private and if you're not sure how to do this, I will gladly show you how.)

The Sexy Six!!!

Here's a picture of the Sexy Six from Miss Utah. We were the last six in the entire competition and we were a group to watch out for. We had so much fun together from staying up late to waking up early. Plus, we had the best hostesses in the world!!!!! The Sexy Six consisted of Whitney (Miss Pleasant Grove), Arial (Miss Sandy), Jami (Miss Lehi), McKenna (Miss Uintah County), me (Miss Orem), & Elizabeth (Miss Provo).

Bridal Shower with gals from the Sugar House!

Yesterday Kim threw me a shower with the girls from when I lived in Sugar House. We had a lot of fun going to the Old Spaghetti Factory. Here's a pic to show us (Kim, Amy, me, Colee, and Sadie) having fun!

15 days and counting!!!

I have some pics to add to the blog and that is my main reason for blogging today. We've been too busy doing wedding invites to think about too much else.

This first picture is from the Show Me Your Shoes parade for Miss Utah '08. It was a fun night filled with family, friends, and of course some line dancing in stilettos (not the smartest thing that I've ever done in my life).

This picture is posted for Kim because she keeps bugging me about putting my Miss U pictures online. I'm still working on getting them from others who always had their cameras on hand during the week so be patient. Hopefully this will satisfy you for now.

The Monday after Miss Utah I had my bridals (or now called "groomals" since Jared was involved). I'll post a link when my photographer puts the pictures online. Then on Wednesday, we headed to Dallas for the Mary Kay seminar. Jared was a good sport and came along. He did get to go on a special spouse activity day so he was happy. This picture is from the awards night where they honor all those who have done well this past year. It was fun because we got to dress up...doesn't Jared look hot in his suit!?! I definitely think so. The picture probably would have looked a little more glamorous had we taken the picture somewhere besides the parking garage at the end of the night.

I love all that sparkles!!!!

I will now take you through a pageant.

First off: TALENT



Next: ON-STAGE QUESTION



Followed by: EVENING WEAR


Finally: JUST FOR KICKS

Okay, so my week at Miss Utah is done. I feel really good about all my competitions and I have no regrets. I didn't make the top ten--although I had a lot of people come up and let me know that they had me picked in their top ten (this was besides Jared). I made a lot of great friends there and I'm so excited that I will continue to have lasting friendships because of this week.

The most exciting news though is that Jared and I can finally come out and say that we're engaged! We have been secretly or not-so-secretly been planning our wedding for the past few months. A couple weeks ago while we were taking our engagements (I know, it's a little backwards) Jared popped the question while our wonderful photographer documented it all. He conveniently gave me the ring before we went to Ohio for a week so that I could wear it one week before I had to take it off for a week for Miss Utah. I told my roommate at Miss Utah on Thursday night and then she asked Jared to bring up the ring to the competition on Saturday night.

I am glad the way things turned out because I wanted to marry Jared and I think it's going to be the best decision that I've ever made. Love you babe!

Ohio: Brendon & Jena's Wedding

We just returned home from a week in Ohio. The primary reason for going was to attend the wedding of Brendon and Jena Crabtree. Our trip started with a lovely delay in Chicago (seems like this happens every time that we go through Chicago on our way to Ohio). We then went to Kirtland to visit the Kirtland Temple and the other Church sites.A few days later is when Brendon and Jena got married. Jared was one of the groomsman and he was looking pretty good in his tux. The ceremony was really nice and the reception was filled with good food, gourmet cupcakes, and dancing.
Now we're home from Ohio and getting ready for the Miss Utah competition. More photos from Ohio and the pageant to come.

TJ's Birthday BBQ

Yesterday we traveled up to Salt Lake to celebrate with the fam dam TJ's birthday. Check out Kim's blog for more information on that. We took Andy up with us and here are a few pictures from the event.
This is our cousin picture. Obviously, Jared wants to be a part of the family!

Graduation

So, I'm a little behind on posting pictures from when I graduated on April 24--better late than never, right?

Well, I did graduate from BYU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and Engineering Education. Now I just have to find a job.

We'll be here next year celebrating the exact same thing but for Jared.

My Turtle Cake was a Success

WE WON!!! ......(third place)

Tonight we received our trophies for winning third place in the BYU Student Bowling League. Let me tell you, BYU didn't skimp when it came to the trophies. All the guys had guy bowlers and I had a girl one. To top it off they have our names and our team name "We're The Fun" (Jared's clever way of naming our team WTF at BYU.) Well that concluded our Wednesday night's celebration of Jared's birthday.

Ballroom and Birthdays

Yesterday was Jared's 25th birthday! I would love to say that we have some exciting pictures to share but because of his finals, we have decided to postpone our celebrations until Wednesday. There should be an exciting post on Thursday...or maybe just a picture.

Saturday was an eventful day for the two of us. Jared spent the day at Park City since it was the last day of the season. I spent the morning volunteering at the Utah Valley Marathon (4am is what I mean by morning). After that I went to a funeral for a figure skating friend of mine that had been fighting breast cancer for several years. The rest of my oh-so-exciting day was spent sleeping since I wasn't feeling too well...possibly the flu. Saturday night we went on a date to the support Brittney and Craig Wakefield at their ballroom concert. (The above picture is of Brittney.) It was very entertaining and we enjoyed watching them.

Dating Anniversary

This Sunday was our year anniversary for dating. We spent the day watching General Conference and then I made a gourmet (well Jared thought it was) dinner. Jared surprised me with a dozen flowers (one for each month that we had been dating). The flowers made me laugh because they are not your traditional flowers. Jared wanting to give me flowers that would last forever so he made them out of construction paper (he's smart and knows that I like to scrapbook). He had to wake up early to make them for me and it was really sweet.

How much do I love Khristen?

I LOVE KHRISTEN THIS MUCH! ...well you can't see me but I have my arms like 20 feet apart.

This weekend was a relaxing one. Most of the time we both spend our time either doing homework or working...even after "normal" working hours. This weekend we took somewhat of a break--we didn't work or do homework on Saturday night. We had plans of going to a concert but then we just decided to stay in and watch TV. Our latest obsession is "Here comes the Newlyweds."


It's this great reality shows meets "The Newlywed Game." After every challenge that they have on the show, we question whether we would be able to do the same thing--of course we're not married. I think if we were given the chance later in life to be on the show we would. We don't know how long we would last because we're pretty confident that we would be pretty strong and therefore all the other couples would want to kick us off.

We've also discussed being on the "Amazing Race" (my dad got us into this one). We question whether we would be the couple that does really well or the one that America loves to watch because they are always fighting out of frustration. Hmmm....maybe the reality thing isn't for us. If only "Supermarket Sweep" was still on, I know that me and Kim would still be able to kick butt!

The Beginning

I have finally been convinced by Kim to start a blog. Jared laughed at me but I think he'll like it in the end. We'll be using this blog to document our lives and inform our friends and family what is happening with us.