Thursday, December 29

A Little Recap of 2011

January

We didn't have much going on this month. It seems like January is the least eventful month.  I did, however enjoy not having a job and being able to keep the house spic and span.

February

I started working @ Powell Pediatric Dentistry, where I learned and continue to learn all of the ins and outs of dentistry.


March

My dear uncle Cliff passed away.  We were blessed to be able to drive to AZ for the funeral and spend time with my Brown side of the family.  


April

My friends Jessie and Megan made a surprise trip to CA, to visit me.

We went to San Francisco 



and Yosemite.


May

Tyson and I celebrated our ONE year Anniversary!


And he surprised me with our puppy.  

Best gift ever!


We flew my mom to CA to visit.  It was so great to have her all to ourselves.


June

I got to take a quick trip back to Utah to spend time with my family and friends.  While in Utah, I experienced my first legit yoga class.  I couldn't walk for days. 


July

I attended my baby sister's wedding festivities and marriage to the man of her dreams, Jordan Fuller.




We also, camped at Shaver Lake, with a big group of friends.



August

We attended the annual Cleveland Family Reunion, in Newport Beach.



September

Tyson and I got to meet Mitt Romney.


I got my first new car.


October

We went to Disneyland!


November

We traveled to Hawaii!!!!


And decided to build a new house!  

December

We attended the Annual Ugly Sweater Party at the Stout's house.




 Enjoyed driving down Christmas Tree Lane.


We were able to get work off to visit Utah for Christmas.


And Finally we were able to get our family pics taken by the one and only Sunny Brynn Jolley.


It is always fun to look back on the past years events.  I can't believe how fast time goes.  It seems the older I get, the faster the time goes.

I cannot wait to see what 2012 has in store.  

As this year comes to an end, I always look forward to writing resolutions for the following year.  There is nothing like starting out with a clean slate.

Happy New Years!!!!

Tuesday, December 27

Merry Merry Christmas

I can't believe another Christmas has come and gone.  Tyson and I were so lucky to be able to slip away from work for a few days to spend Christmas with my family.  It feels like forever since we made the trip back to Utah.  There is something magical about being home for the holidays.  My moms house was full of her crazy kids and not to mention, two dogs.  Needless to say, we had a blast all being together, under one roof.  

While in Utah we didn't have much time for venturing out of Heber, however, we did make time to meet up with some of my besties for dinner, in Park City.  Eating at Loco Lizard is one of favorite meeting spots.  


Sledding at Soldier Hollow on Christmas Eve is a Brown family tradition.  It was so fun this year to share in the experience with Tyson.  The weather was perfect!




I couldn't get enough of my sister's puppy.  GiGi and her had some fun of their own.  



We enjoyed some mighty fine meals, provided by my mama.  



Don't we all look pretty in the morning?


Highlights of the trip

watching my brothers break through the barrier fence at Soldier Hollow, on their tubes

eating Ruby Snaps cookies every day

holding my sisters pup

watching A Mom for Christmas with the fam

reminiscing about our dad

seeing my sweet niece and nephew

eating at the Dairy Keen, any chance we could get

enjoying a Cafe Rio salad

sibling gift exchange

watching my brother Tate dance

curling Tate's hair into ringlets 

doing absolutely nothing for, three days

My family may be a crazy bunch, but we always find a way of making each other laugh.  It is never easy leaving Utah.  I swear a piece of my heart will always be in Utah.  But it is always nice coming back to my own bed and my cozy house. 

After 15 hours in the car, we made it back to Cali.

Never again, will we leave the day after Christmas!

GiGi felt the pain as well.......


Christmas is truly one of my favorite days of the year.  I am ever grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and his perfect example.  I hope to keep the feeling and spirit of Christmas in my heart throughout the coming year.  

Tuesday, December 13

Friends

My sweet cousin Lauren has been blogging about her friends and it got me thinking just how lucky I was, to have the friends I have.  I have been surrounded by some amazing girls, who no matter what, no matter how miles are between us, will always be my friends.  


Abbey, where to begin.  Abbey is not only a friend, she is family, my cousin.  Abbey has been such an example to me in so many ways.  She was always the cousin, I wanted to be like.  I admired everything about her.  I remember being so excited about getting her hand me downs and spending the night at her house, when I was younger. 

There is no one in the world that I know, that has a better music selection than Abbey.  We share the same passion for music.  She is the worlds greatest fitness instructor.  I am not lying.  Her spin class far exceeds any other class I have ever taken.  She has a way through her music, words, and energy that motivates you and pushes you to your fullest potential.   Abbey is the reason why I bought a bike.  Abbey is the reason why I rode in Lotoja.  Abbey is the reason I teach Zumba.  She has helped mold me into the person I am today.

Before I got married we would spend every Monday night together.  We spent many nights catching up on our shows, while I enjoyed a cooked meal from her.  I have always told Abbey, I wish she could see herself the way others see her.  She has motivated me to be a better person, a healthier person and has helped so many people reach their goals.  She has such a sweet tender heart and gives everything she has to whatever it is, she is doing.


Dub Cheese, AKA Megs, this girl teaches me daily what it means to be a good friend.  Megan and I hit it off from the beginning.  I invited Megan to come to Bear Lake with me and some friends and it has been history ever since.  Megan and I bought are bikes within one week of each other.  Together we learned to love those bikes.  But it was more than the bike.  Our friendship grew deeper the more hours we spent on our bikes, as we trained for Lotoja.  During Lotoja I got to mile seventy and my body bonked.  I seriously did not know how I was going to finish the race.  Megan could see I was struggling, put her hand on my bike, and pushed me twenty five miles uphill, until my body had gotten itself back together. That moment meant everything to me.  

Megan is the type of person that isn't afraid to just be herself.  She never smiles normal for a picture, this I love about her.  She is real.  Megan doesn't have to wear make-up and still looks gorgeous.  Megan sends me the most random texts or emails that make my day.  She will tell me whenever she finds a new recipe, that's a hit.  Whenever I need a pick me up, I can count on Megan.  I love that she cares about my opinion and asks me even about the little things.  

I will never forget the time I was feeling extremely homesick and her and Jessie drove twelve hours to see me.  It meant everything to have them come visit.  


Jessie Girl, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.  I have known Jessie since I was little, but didn't become close friends with her until I moved to Draper.  She has the best style.  Her and I share the same love for the outdoors.  She like Megan doesn't have to wear any make-up and still glows.  She gives the best advice and has such a gift of just listening.  Jessie is the type of girl you could tell anything to and you know she would not judge you or tell another sole.  She loves her family and would do anything for them.  She is the definition of no drama.  She has a talent for photography, drawing, painting, making jewelry and finds beauty in the little things.  Her and I crossed the finish line of Lotoja together.  That is a memory I will never forget.  


Sister/Jessica, we go way back.  Jessica moved to Heber when we were fifteen.  We would bake cookies together and go deliver them to boys we had crushes on.  As high school went on we became arch rivals.  Not really, but we seemed to always run into liking the same guy.  It wasn't until college we rekindled our friendship.  We both auditioned for the dance team and found ourself teammates.  We had some fun times in college together.  

Jessica is so talented in so many ways.  She plays the piano beautifully and is so smart.  She can run and run.  I was so happy I got to watch her finish her first half-marathon.  It didn't even phase her.  Her house is gorgeous.  She has such a knack for decorating and restoring furniture.  We share the same love for PINK sweats, Nike shoes, chick flicks and books.  Jessica got married before me, so it has been fun to always have her for advice.  She never complains and is always so positive.  


Maggie and I have been through so much together.  We became friends in high school when she made the cheer squad.  I remember her telling me she was afraid of me, until she got to know me.  I was with her the night she hung out with her now husband, for the first time.  Maggie and I had so many first together.  We were roommates on and off while in college.  I will forever be grateful for the many rooms that were provided for me.  She was there for me when my dad died, when I broke up with boyfriends, when I got my wisdom teeth out, when I got my first car, and so much more.   

She is one fantastic cook.  She is what I like to call, gourmet.  Maggie has the most darling clothes.  She is always dressed perfectly and not to mention, has the most gorgeous red hair.  No one knows how to put an outfit together like her.  We share the same love for food.  She introduced me to some of my most favorite restaurants.  Maggie knows how to throw a party.  She is the most darling host around.  I will never forget the gorgeous bridal shower she threw for me.  She made me feel like a million bucks.  Maggie is someone you can trust.  We talk and talk about anything and everything.  We get one another.   


While writing this post I have come to realize, now more than ever, just how amazing my friends are.  Even though we live more than a thousand miles away from one another, I feel their friendship close.  I love that when I go back to Utah we pick up, right where we left off.  Being away from my friends has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to go through, but I will never forget the memories I have built with them.  

Thank you friends for always being there for me and being much better friends than I deserve, you truly are the greatest!   

Wednesday, December 7

Fa La La La La La La La La

It feels so good to be back home to my own little Christmas village.  This time of year is absolutely wonderful in so many ways.  

Just to name a few of my favorites: lighting my Christmas candles, the way my mantle looks with the fire burning below, listening to Christmas tunes 24/7, watching Elf, Family Stone, The Santa Clause, and Home Alone, baking sugar cookies, driving down Christmas Tree Lane, walking around Temple Square, receiving Christmas cards in the mail, feeling the magic all around, and mostly celebrating our Savior's birth. 

I ended up hanging the ornaments on our tree this year alone.  Tyson was busy in the background playing FIFA with our brother-in-law.  At least they let me listen to Christmas music while decorating.   

Our tree is a skinny little bugger this year.  While looking through the adds on Thanksgiving, we spotted a seven foot pre-lit tree for only $39.99, at Joann's.  We thought it was a steal of a deal.  So we woke up nice and early and stood in line, with all the other crazies.  When we got into the store we ran right to the tree section.  Much to our surprise, we found a sad little tree.  We debated whether or not to purchase the tree, but decided to give it a home anyways.  Once we got it out of the box, we may have regretted our decision, for just a moment.  We decided what the heck!  With the ornaments on it looks much better.  I can actually say, I kind of love our little tree now.


Christmas is purely awesome!  The schedule is full for the next two weeks, and I can't wait.  I am mostly excited to travel back to Utah to celebrate with my family.  Christmas just isn't the same without the snow.

I read this quote on another blog and thought it was a good one to share.  I know I need to keep the true meaning of Christmas in mind, with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. 


"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always." -Thomas S. Monson

Tuesday, December 6

Hawaii Highlights

Jumping off of this cliff




Seeing turtles, sting rays, fish of every shape and color, while snorkeling




Eating dinner every night with a view of the ocean


Sleeping in every morning

Having time to read, read, and read some more

Drinking endless peach, and lava flow coladas

Finding GiGi her very own Hawaiian lei



Hawaiian shaved ice.  Oh what a dream!


Devouring heaping handfuls of milk chocolate toffee macadamias

Getting an enormous surprise... Polarized Ray Bans


Having our teppanyaki chef build the largest onion volcano, I have ever seen




Being offered weed by some local kid... Umm thanks but no thanks!

Reading Nie Nie’s entire blog from past to present… I know I had a lot of time on my hands.  It was truly inspiring 


Walking around Lahaina almost every night



Snuggling in bed with my love

Watching the sunset every night


Listening to The Lower Lights Christmas album on my iPhone while letting the sun kiss my skin.




Tyson being able to spend quality time with his dad and Brandon playing golf on two gorgeous courses.


Having cable TV at the tip of my fingers. 

Enjoying a gorgeous view of the ocean right outside our room
Getting called on stage at the comedy/magic show


Eating breakfast at the Plantation House.  Lime squeezed on fresh papayas, YUM!!


Low-lights


Throwing up in the sink at our hotel and having my sister-in-law, Cara, spoon it out into the garbage can.  She is a saint.  I know TMI!

Laying in bed all day with a fever and missing Tyson kayak for the first time. 




So grateful Tyson carries the Priesthood.  He and his dad gave me a beautiful blessing.  My fever was able to clear up and I was able to enjoy my last day in Hawaii and fly home without any complications. 


I did come home with bronchitis with the possible onset of pneumonia... I'm on medication now.  Thank you for modern medicine, you are a heaven send. 





Onto a more positive note, this trip would not have been possible without Tyson’s parent’s generosity.  They truly are two of the most generous people I know.  They never stop giving.   What amazing people they are.  I feel so blessed to be part of this family!






Until next time Hawaii, Mahalo!
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