sister

Today I got to Skype with this lovely lady.

She is in Botswana, Africa.
Studying abroad, having crazy adventures, and just being the typical amazing sister that she is.

Talking to her today was the perfect medicine for me. Nothing is wrong, I just realized how much I miss her, and it was incredible to just sit and stare at her pixelated face (the University of Botswana has a pretty poor internet connection) and talk about everything.

I love my sister, and I'm so proud of her for being such an adventurous girl.

You can read all about her adventures here, if you'd like.

merry christmas

Dear blogging world,

Merry Christmas! I'm just about to go to bed, but I thought I would share something super neat that I get to do in April.

I get to go here:

And here:

(found the pics on Pinterest. My most fave website ever.)

Can you believe it?! My wonderful mother is taking me there with her. While she is in a bunch of smarty-pants science meetings, I get to wander London, just me and my camera. Super stoked. And then, when her meetings are done, we're taking the tube under the channel to Paris (the city I've dreamed of visiting ever since my first French class in high school. Don't worry, I don't speak one word of French. I learned nothing.)


I'm so excited!!! I only wish C could come. Then it would be the perfect trip.

Did I tell you that my cute cousin, Katie, is getting married?
I don't think I did.
Well she is, to the amazing Tom (who treats her like a queen), and I could not be more excited for them.
December 19 is the day.
Can't believe it!

Congrats to the lovebirds, I'm so happy for you two. Love you both!
(C took their engagement pics up at Tom's family ranch. It was the most perfect fall day, and they could not have looked better. I'm completely obsessed with the pictures. He just took their bridals/groomals this past weekend, and I'm in love with them. They are amazing.)



Sorry for the lack of posts lately. Working, spending time with C, and planning bridal showers are taking up all of my time. Life sure is grand though.

tribute

On Saturday, September 8, 2012, heaven gained another angel, and the world lost one.

My dear, dear grandmother passed away—joined her eternal companion in heaven.

She had been having some health problems for a long time, and decided it was her time to go.

She was at home, in her chair, watching TV and making family Christmas lists.

She was ready.

What a remarkable lady. I'm so blessed to be related to such an incredible woman (and to slightly resemble her quiet beauty). 

She was a nurse, a Relief Society president, a devoted mother, and a perfect grandmother. 

She used to make the most amazing tacos for us every month, deep fried, with perfect taco sauce and delicious cheese. 

She would take me to TGI Friday's for my birthday every year when I was a kid (and make all the waiter's sing happy birthday to me), and then let me pick out a toy at the local toy store. 

She made the most incredible "Super Sauce" (hot chocolate sauce) for ice cream. 

She once told me, in her jokingly hilarious way, that I should probably elope because it would save my dad a lot of money one day. 

I will never forget the time we made her eat some "Pop Rocks" because she had never tasted them before, and as soon as she got them in her mouth, she started laughing, and ended up with tears streaming down her face because she was laughing so hard. 

She always bought us something from Land's End, or L.L. Bean for Christmas (usually pjs, a towel, or a canvas tote).

She always made sure we knew how much she loved us, every minute of every day.

I felt her spirit in the sunset tonight, and last night too. Her own peaceful way to tell me that everything will be okay, and again to remind me of how much she loves me.

I will miss her immensely, but I know she is in a better place, and I know that I will see her again someday. Love you Gram, you changed my life. Thank you for being so amazing. 

fish

Thanks to my dad, the expert fly fisherman, C and I were able to spend a few hours on the river in Yellowstone last week learning the tricks of the trade, and catching a few fish of our own.

We loved every minute of it. Thanks, dad!


ps: I gave in to social media pressure, and decided to start tweeting.
If you have Twitter, follow me!
@kristinw77
That's all, folks.

randoms

So I am now a full-time employee at the University Credit Union. Today was my first full-time day, and it was long, but the paycheck is definitely going to be worth it.

I may have just bought these.

One can never have too many pairs of Toms.

Yesterday was the best day off ever. The weather was perfect, I spent the whole day with C, sat and cuddled in the sun, and just enjoyed a great Memorial Day. And remembered those I love who have passed on. One in particular was very much on my mind yesterday. Can't believe it's been eight years. *cds*

C and I swam in my pool today for the first time this year. I love having a pool at my house.

This turned into a terribly random post about a lot of different things. All-in-all, life is grand.

see ya college

So I graduated. Can you believe it? I can't believe how fast time flew.

 Shaking the dean's hand.

 My sisters decided attacking me with silly string was a great way to celebrate.

 I love my family.

 Love these women.

 I'm so grateful for the support of my parents

 and my sisters.

 Love him so much.

 The amazing people in my life.

College is over. Woohoo!

thankful

Thanksgiving is next week, and while the celebrations will be a little different this year than usual, it's still a great holiday. It always makes me sad to see Christmas decorations appear in stores the day after Halloween because it seems like people forgot about Thanksgiving. Don't forget about it—it's an important holiday! Which is why I refuse to listen to Christmas music/watch Christmas movies/do anything Christmas related until Thanksgiving is over. That way I get to celebrate each holiday separately. So, in honor of Thanksgiving coming up soon, here is a list of some things I am thankful for.
1. My faith and my Savior
2. My family
3. C
4. Only having one semester left in college
5. My car
6. My cat (because even though she is a crazy kitten, she will always love me)
7. Utah football/the MUSS
8. Food
9. My wonderful mother for paying me to nanny while I try to find a job

What are you thankful for this time of year?

sand castle

About a month ago C and I went to the Great Salt Lake with his family. We decided to make a sand castle since the water is stinky and itchy and not that much fun to swim in. C decided to take a time lapse of our castle building adventure, and he recently put it up on Vimeo. I thought I'd share it—it's super neat.


The Great Salt Castle from Conor Barry on Vimeo.

today

I did a front flip off my diving board.

Twice.

The Bee's game was great

(even though they lost and it lasted for 3+ hours)

My cat did funny things.

Ahh, life is good.

ps: I am taking a Kayaking class with C this semester. Sooo stoked for it!

what I've been up to

I've been slacking in the blogging department.

And I'm sorry.

But I've been having some amazing adventures!

Want to see?

 Took some star trails up Big Cottonwood Canyon

 Picked up my sister from Missoula, Montana

 Drove six hours from Missoula to Jackson Hole

 Took more star trails in Jackson

 Saw a moose up Little Cottonwood Canyon

 Went to Jackson with C, white water rafted, and took a spontaneous trip to Yellowstone.

 Enjoyed spending time in Yellowstone with C

 Saw some awesome things

 Really awesome things

And had such a good time!

Life is sooo great!

Even though Fall Semester starts next week, life is wonderful.

hp

C and I saw Harry Potter 7.2 last night with my family.

Such a great ending to a wonderful series.

Did I mention we saw it in 3D?

For free. Mmhmm.

Remember when this came out? 

Ah, so great.

I <3 hp

it's an adult thing

Yesterday was my 21st birthday.

For reals.

I don't know when I got so old,

but nevertheless, here I am.

(image via Google image search)
It was a fantastic birthday, even though I went to school.

That's never happened before. School on my b-day?

It wasn't so bad I guess.

Because after school I went to sushi with my parents and C.

Which was suuuuper delicious.

The waiter threatened a birthday song in front of the entire restaurant.

I got coconut gelato instead.

Mm mm tasty.

Then I watched C play soccer (probably one of my favorite activities).

It was a good birthday.

Thanks to everyone who wished me well yesterday.

And because I'm a nerd:

(No, I didn't cry when I watched this video.)

hp for eternity

Just some lovely pictures to brighten the day

Mon petite chat

J'adore

Ma soeur. Haha.

Please excuse the French. I'm practicing.