Pictures

So I'm a little behind on pictures for this blog of mine. So I'll just condense a bunch of events into one post, ok? Okay.
Here are a few snapshots from my birthday when Mom and Dad came to visit.

This is me and Daddy on Saturday morning...please disregard the sleepiness look

 Mom and Dad wanted to check out our offices. This is Andy's (well, not really anymore since today is his last day)

This is a weird close-up of me at Andy's office... 

 We took Mom and Dad to Alki Beach in West Seattle. This is where I would love to live when we buy a house one day. It's beautiful over there and there is such a great view of the Seattle skyline.

   A little bit of artsy-photography of the pier and the city. 

 This place is called "The Harbor Steps". It's a ton of steps that head down to the water. It's really pretty. Look at my cute parents - Dad in shorts and Mom all bundled up.

 This made me laugh. Both Mom and I saw the boys walk through this "gate" and we both stopped to snap a picture. 

 On Sunday, Dad made a delicious dinner with the scraps of food that I had in the house. It was AMAZING! 

 Again...please disregard the sleepy, ponytail look...

Okay, and now we are going to pretend for a little bit. I was dumb and didn't take any pictures on Valentine's Day. So we are going to pretend that this is what my dinner looked like...

But in all reality...it was not-so-good-steak, delicious caeser salad (that's easy to make!) and some glazed carrots (those were pretty tasty, too)

  These flowers are real though! Andy always does such a good job when picking out flowers for me.

 And here is a fun little photo-shoot of Andy opening and signing his offer letter from Waggener Edstrom. We were so excited - we both couldn't keep from smiling!

 Reading...

 Signing...

 Mailing...

Well I think that's all for now... Hope you enjoyed the Picture Show.  

Good News

Well here is the good news for why I am so happy! :) Andy was offered a new job at Waggener Edstrom and is now an Account Executive for one of the Microsoft Teams. Yip Yip Yippee! 


A few months ago, Andy was getting a little burnt out working at Laplink. He felt like he had hit his ceiling and couldn't grow much further at that company. With a few other little "pushes", he decided he was going to start looking around. So he sent his resume over to WagEd in November-ish and had a few interviews for different positions, but they didn't work out. I guess we really needed to be tested, huh? We were both getting a little frustrated because we knew they loved him and they really wanted him to work there...so what was taking so long? Apparently, we needed to learn some humility and patience before we could be blessed!


So just last week, he had a phone interview, in-person interview, and a job offer (all in 3 or 4 days!). It was crazy and still doesn't seem real because it happened so fast. He will be doing AR (Analyst Relations) for the Microsoft Azure team. He said he's really excited for it because he will get to "geek out" on all the products. That boy seriously loves his technology. So, besides the huge pay raise, I am just excited for this new challenge for him! He will be able to learn so much and the company is so large that there will always be opportunities for growth. 


And for all of those people out there wondering... no this does not meant that we will be moving. :) WagEd does have offices all over the country, except for Utah! But we are lucky enough that the office is just down the street from Andy's current office, so we will still be able to carpool into work together. 


So sorry for those of you were thought this was Baby News or Moving to Utah news... hope you aren't too disappointed. You shouldn't be... because if Andy's happy, then you know that I'm happy - and that should make you happy! 

I am happy...

I can't say why just yet, but I am extremely happy! Just wanted you all to know... Ahh, now I feel a little bit of excitement relieved. I sometimes can't help but share good news. But this will have to wait...at least a few days. :) 

11 things

Yay for little survey things! I really like doing these, I think it's such a fun way to get to know people.

Here are my questions:

1. What is your favorite color and why?

Brown! I love how neutral it is, it goes with everything, and looks so sophisticated. I LOVE it!

**Side Note: THIS IS SO HARD! The first question was easy, but after about 10 minutes I've now skipped around and still only answered 2 other questions...I think I struggle with coming up with answers on the spot. Okay, continue on...   

2. Your favorite date idea or the best date you have ever been on?

Hmm... my favorite date with Andy was when we were dating. We drove down to Salt Lake and ate at the Mayan and watched a U2 movie on the big screen that they have at Jordan Commons. It was so much fun. But my ideal date would just to go and do something I've never done before, I don't care what it is! I just have this goal that I want to experience everything in life (the good things, anyway).

3. What would you do if you had 10 spare minutes?

I would study the scriptures. I always try to find that time and set it aside each day for scripture study, but it doesn't seem to happen often enough. And what would be even better, is cuddling with Andy while doing this.

4. What is your favorite childhood memory?

I think this one is my favorite because it just makes me laugh at my parents. When my sister and I used to fight, they would tie us together at our hands and ankles so that we had to learn to work it out. And I remember getting so mad that I had to be tied to my sister, but we always ended up working it out.

5. What is your favorite movie?

I absolutely love Dirty Dancing, that is definitely my favorite chick-flick. But my all-time favorite movie is Gladiator.

6. Name 2-3 things on your bucket list.

1) Run a 5K - I am actually doing this in March. We'll see how I do and then decide if I ever want to step it up to a half-marathon or something. It would be pretty sweet to do a triathlon, too.

2) Travel! I don't necessarily care where I go, I just want to see the world. I would love to go to South America and see the ancient ruins, travel Europe and enjoy all of the history there, go on an African Safari, visit Jerusalem and walk where Jesus walked - any of these would work for me. :)

3) Be a mommy. I guess I don't really care how many kids we have, as long as we have one so that I can be a mommy and Andy can be a daddy. (But I would really love 4-5) :)

7. What is your favorite shape and why? I know this sounds weird but it says a lot about your personality.

I think I would say a Square. That's the shape that my diamond is in on my wedding ring. And whenever I think of picture frames, I always go for square over any other shape.

8. What is your most embarrassing moment? (This was originally a duplicate question, so I just stole a different one, don't ask me why I chose this one...haha)

My most embarrassing moment, well I have 2. One was in the 8th grade, I was pretty new to menstruation and didn't know how to handle it... so after one my classes, I had to walk all the way from the annex to my locker and an older girl behind me whispered in my ear and said that "I had had an accident". It was humiliating! So I had to call my mom to come pick me up so I could go home and change my pants. It was awful! And then my other one, was when I lied to Andy before we were seriously dating. I told him I couldn't hang out because I had homework to do, when really I just wanted to hang out with another guy... And he caught me in the lie a few days later. Oh it was so embarrassing! But at least now we can joke about it. :)

9. What is your favorite restaurant?

Anything Mexican, I think. I really love this restaurant up here in Seattle called Cactus. It's the only restaurant I've found where you can order a Navajo Taco (and boy, do I love Navajo Tacos!)

10. What are your favorite gifts that you have given and received?

Received: New camera, KitchenAid, surprise visit from Mom and Dad on my birthday.

Gave: Any one of the sentimental gifts I've given Mom and Dad over the years, a donation in Dan & Judy's name to Reece's Rainbows (a down syndrome adoption agency) and a blanket and "love" book I made for Andy when we were dating.

11. What is your favorite candy bar?

I'm trying to get away from eating candy, so I don't even want to think about this... but if I had to say, it would definitely be a 100 Grand. Yum!

24 sucks...

I don't know how many 24 year-olds out there feel this way, but I certainly would not say that 24 is my best year...AND IT JUST STARTED!!! Sorry to be a debbie-downer, but for some reason I am just having a hard time with being 24.

I've never been one of those girls who don't want to reveal their age; I just assume that as long as I look young (and who are we kidding, I probably always will), why does my age matter? So needless to say, I've never cared about the whole "one-year-older" thing. I've never been scared for a birthday - until January 7, 2012. I was dreading this birthday after I had a realization a few months ago that 24 was "old". I kept trying to just push it out of my head, telling myself that I am still SOOO young...blah blah blah. But nothing helped. And now, here we are, 6 days after I turned the dreaded 24 - and I have become one of "those" women.

Don't get me wrong - this birthday was probably one of my favorite birthdays! My parents flew up from Utah and surprised me with a weekend visit. Andy was in on it and tricked me into thinking he had to go help a friend on Friday night, when in all reality he was picking up my parents from the airport. There I was, sitting on the couch in my garments watching yet another episode of One Tree Hill, killing the time until Andy got home so we could go eat...and I heard a knock on my door. I figured it was Andy just teasing me or something, but you never know (especially since I can't look out our peep-hole) so I pulled on some jeans real quick and answered the door. And there stood my mom and dad... I was speechless, motionless, thoughtless... I just stood there with my mouth wide open and finally was able to mutter "WHAT?...WHAT?...WHAT??" I was so happy and excited to see them, but I didn't quite believe it. So we had a wonderful weekend together, showing them around the beautiful sites of Seattle and having tons of laughs. But then Sunday morning rolled around; I had to take Andy to the airport super early so he could go to Las Vegas for a business trip (he was gone until Wednesday!!). And then Sunday night rolled around and I had to drop my parents off to fly back to Utah. It was a pretty sad car ride home, and sad night, and sad several nights after that...

So I had plenty of quiet time over the last few days to think irrational thoughts and feel sorry for myself. It's not like I'm depressed or anything, but I'm just kind of hoping that writing down my thoughts might help me get over it and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Here are a few of my thoughts of why 24 sucks:

1) I'm 24 and a receptionist...REALLY?? Can't I have a better job where I am actually happy and doing something that I love? I'd be happier if I was at least an administrative assistant or something; something that I felt actually makes a difference to a company. But I am a receptionist (1 of 2 receptionists, might I add; so I'm not even THE receptionist). I could be gone for an entire week (maybe even a month) of work and it wouldn't matter... I would come back and have NOTHING to catch up on.
2) I'm 24 and still haven't decided what I would "love" to do career-wise...
3) I'm 24 and not a graduate from college...(this one leads back up to #2. If I knew what I wanted to do, then I would not have quit school. I would have finished and felt like I had accomplished something)
4) I'm 24 and I don't have a baby...and I just started my period today and that is probably (not probably, definitely!) T.H.E. worst thing in the world to happen to a woman who is ready for a baby N.O.W.!

Okay, now that I've written down all of my "woe-is-me" thoughts - What am I going to do about it? Oh, that's right, probably nothing! Because it's hard...and I don't even know where to start! How can I figure out #2? How can I afford #3? And how can I fix #1 without jeopardizing #4???

Help me!! Anyone out there have any advice for me? Anyone out there have irrational thoughts at birthday-time and then felt better as the year went on? Am I just crazy...?

24 sucks...at least for now.

Tolton Christmas

This year Andy and I spent Christmas with his family. It was a little bit strange this year... we had no little kids running around! Tory's wife and 2 little boys were spending their Thanksgiving and Christmas time down in New Zealand and Heidi and her family were staying up in Alaska. So it was just us 6 adults (Mom, Dad, Tory, CJ, Andy and me!) So that was kind of weird. But we spent Christmas Eve over at Mom and Dad's house. We ate some yummy food and played games. Then we read/listened to Burl Ives Christmas Story. This is an ancient tradition that Andy's family does every Christmas Eve. These songs are so old-school and it's kind of hard not to laugh during it. But Louise has a book that follows along with the tape (yes, tape!). And it's a mixture of Burl Ives reading and singing...pretty great!

After that, we watched the Nativity dvd that the Church had put out a few years back. It's always so nice to watch the Nativity story and remember what Christmas is really about.
So then we had to rush through presents so that Tory could go pick up his wife and kids from the airport. So that was kind of strange, as well. I got a Belgian Waffle maker and some gift cards and I think Andy got a bunch of gift cards also (I know, we are pretty lame when it comes to saying what we want for presents).

Christmas day came around and we know we had church at 12:00, so we woke up, made some breakfast and opened the rest of our presents. Andy and I had decided that we weren't going to give each other presents this year since we were getting Chocky, but I was sneaky and got Andy a present anyway! I bought him a remote-control helicopter. His brother and dad got one last year and he was a little jealous, so when I found this one, I couldn't resist! He was so surprised and even cried a little. And he got an awesome Lego set from the Chatterton kids.

And now, don't laugh...I look terrible in these pictures, but I want to show off my new personalized Trifle dish that I got from Heidi for Christmas. Can't wait to make something yummy in it.

And the next day, sweet Andy felt so bad that he didn't get me a present and I got him one that he bought me a new shell jacket that I've been wanting FOREVER! It's the perfect jacket when it's warm outside, but raining. You definitely need one if you are going to live in Seattle. So overall, it was a nice, but very very quiet and different Christmas this year.

Some of you know that we had to find a new home for our precious little Chocky. We had him for 3 days and it just wasn't working out... he was a sweet little guy that I just fell in LOVE with immediately. He was so sweet and was already catching on to potty training and sleeping in his kennel. But we know we made the right decision and he will probably be happier with his new family where he can play and run all day long, instead of being cooped up in a kennel for 4 hours at a time. But I wanted to share a few pictures of him, he is a sweet little spirit that we were so blessed to have for such a short time.
This was him when we first picked him out:

And here a few of when we picked him up, 4 weeks later. He'd gotten so big. The minute the vet handed him to Andy, he instantly peed on Andy! Haha! He was so good on the car ride home, and immediately loved his little bed and toys once we got home.

We love you Baby Chocky and will always remember you! Hopefully we can meet up again one day and have a little play-date with your new family. :)
Man... I'm a dork... haha!

McKenzie Christmas

So while I was in Utah, I brought our Christmas presents for my family. I can't believe how sentimental I get with some of my Christmas presents... I guess that's what happens when you are raised to give the present that "makes mom and dad cry". :) I love it. So I think that is how I usually look at presents now, I want them to mean something. So I made Richard swing the vote my way in the sibling Christmas drawing this year. I asked to have Dan & Judy because we had the perfect idea for them. There is a website that Judy posted on Facebook about adoption for sweet little spirits with Downs Syndrome, called Reeces Rainbow. You can donate some money and give it as an "Angel Tree Dollar" and whoever you give it to, can use that money on a specific kid to help them get a "forever home". So Andy and I gave them an Angel Tree Dollar donation for Christmas. Benson is such a blessing in our lives, and I can't believe that some people would give up these sweet little spirits. So if anyone is able to adopt these little children, then we wanted to help out.

And then I made this sweet frame for Mom and Dad. It is a list of 20 things that they love about each other. This year has been a tough one for them and this was my way of helping them remember, each day, of the love that they have for each other. Love you Mom and Dad.

And then we had to get some family pictures...sorry they are blurry. It was so hard to get a good one with all of the wiggly kids. :)

Haha, I love this one. Those wiggly kids... I love them!

It was so fun to spend the time with my family even though it wasn't quite Christmas yet. I'm so grateful for such amazing parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews. I love them all and just hope that one day we can be rich enough to visit EVERY MONTH (or vice versa...hint hint...) :)

Utah Visit

Hello all... I admit it - I AM A SLACKER.

I see my friends - who are busy with a baby, busy with their job and gym, and busy with families - updating their blogs (multiple posts at a time, I might add) and yet, I "don't have time". I, who has the world's easiest job (literally sit at my computer all day and surf the internet - and stalk other people's blogs) cannot find the time to type even one measly story for my loved ones to hear. This is sad.

But! I am here now (WITH pictures!) Please enjoy, as this does not happen very often.

Utah Visit:
I was lucky enough a few months ago to score some super cheap plane tickets. I decided to use these tickets during a prime family visit time. I was going to be able to see my new little niece, Macee; my new nephew, Krue; and luckily enough my other new new new nephew, baby Aidyn. Meg had him right before I came to visit.

(Sorry, not the best quality pictures...I have better ones on my phone, but I'm too lazy to go through the process of getting them onto my blog)

Anyway, so I won't go into detail of Aidyn's birth story, but it was pretty traumatic. I am so grateful that I was able to be there for my sister during such an emotionally and physically hard time. And Aidyn is T.H.E. cutest little baby, ever. From what I hear, he is a little stinker who likes to cry all the time, but with a face like his you can't really get too upset. Here is a photo from Meg, of his 1 month pictures.

Is he not, literally, the cutest baby? Of course, I love ALL of my nieces and nephews equally- but I think knowing that Aidyn and his mama are such miracles...just makes me love them so much more.

So I flew in late Thursday night, on the 8th. Mom and Dad picked me up from the airport and we went straight to Dave and Shell's to see Mr. Krue. He is at the age where he is so tiny still, but has so much personality and is so smiley. I was happy to see that he was still awake at 11:00 at night to see his Aunt Kellie. I loved holding him (and ask anyone, I HELD him pretty much the whole time!) Then after about an hour there, we headed to the hospital where we hoped the sweet nurses would let us come up and visit Meg and Aidyn. And they did! I was so happy to see Meg awake and smiling - she looked nothing like the way she sounded over the phone... and that made me very happy because I was so worried. So we stayed there for about an hour or more probably and then headed home where I would I try to fall asleep without my dear Andy next to me. It was hard, and it didn't help that my parents keep the house at 62 degrees! It was freezing. But mom gave me the heating pad and a little space heater so that I could try and stay warm. The next day I went to the hospital with Rich to see Meg, Josh and Aidyn again. I spent a few hours there and it was so fun to be there and catch up with them. Here's a picture of cute Richard holding Aidyn.

So after that, the girls and I (and the husbands, minus 1) all headed up to Park City to Spencer's family's cabin where we stayed up the whole night talking. I loved it. We all had so much to talk about and share that we literally had to sit in a circle and start "Okay, Jan's turn... Now Whit's turn... etc, etc". It was kind of funny, but it had been a really long time since we'd all been together and had TONS of time to talk. The last time was at Jan's wedding and like we really had time to sit around and talk for hours, ya right.

So here are just some more pictures of the night:

Lindsey being a mom...still kind of weird to see, but at the same time, so natural!

Girlies doing dishes:

Sweet, adorable little Macee:

And there is a story behind this one:
This is a picture of Ben missing Andy and trying to fill the void -

And this is him filling the void -

This is a picture of Ben re-enacting his little fall down the steep stairs of death:

And a few snapshots because they are so fun!

And here are the couples from the weekend:

I had so much fun hanging out with my girls. I feel so lucky everyday to have such good friends as them, and I know, no matter what anyone else says or thinks, we will be BEST FRIENDS for the rest of our lives. And we will always work hard at seeing each other and keeping in contact, even when we live in different states. And one day, when we are older, I hope that we can live out the dream that we once had of living on the same street and raising our families. That thought always makes me so happy. :) I love you girlies!