Stephanie

CHER

2011-01-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

This last weekend some girlfriends and I went to see the legend, the goddess, the one the only... CHER! This lady is 64 years old and is looking DANG GOOD!

Liz, Kadi, Me

I tried to count all the costume/wig changes and I got to 10 but I think I am missing one or two.

I was a little disappointed that she didn't sing some of my favorite Cher songs but this lady knows how to put on a show! So glad that I got the opprotunity to see her before she retires for good!

A YEAR IN REVIEW

2010-12-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

2010!

What a great year! It was filled with memories and alot of firsts. To start the year off, Brandon and I took a trip to ARUBA in March (Spring Break baby)! I absolutley loved it!

One thing we learned is that Aruba is like 90% desert. It would be hard to tell if you stayed around the coast because it seems totally tropical. But yep, lots of cactuses... uh... thats not right... cacti?
The country is little... it is only 20 miles long and 6 miles wide.

snorkeling

The people are sooo friendly! Their official language is Dutch, which seemed so wierd to me at first, but most Arubians speak lots of languages. It was also hard to tell who was a tourist, and who was from there. There were so many walks of life in Aruba. One thing we didn't like was that everything was sooo expensive! The food especially. It made us definately appreciate free drink refills at restaurants.

Can't wait to go back.

Another first that I experienced in 2010 was buying a house.
The process was fun, stressful, and exciting. We have loved (yet hated) all the decorating, painting, and hard work that we have put in to make this house our home.

New Job in 2010!

First Aruba then Jamaica! In 2010 i felt like I was living in a Beach Boys song.

This time we were smart and stayed in an all-inclusive Hotel. Highly recommended!

This is the view from our room.

Dunn River Falls

WARNING: In Jamaica EVERYONE will try and sell you weed!

Brandon sitting on Bob Marley's former meditation rock. He looks high but I swear he isn't. When we went to look at Bob's resting spot, our tour guide, of course offered us marijuana. Afterwards everyone was like, "We should have smoked, how many people can say they smoked weed at Bob Marleys grave" and I said... "how many people can say they DIDN'T smoke at Bob Marley's grave!!!" I definately think we were the minorities on that one.

Brandon and I talked in Jamaican accents for like a week after we got home. Everything we said was followed by a "no problem mon!"

Probably my favorite 2010 experience was getting my puppy Barkley!

He started out so tiny!

I probably have 100 pics of him sleeping. I can't help myself, he is so stinkin' cute!

I wouldn't consider my self a huge animal lover but I am so attached to this dog its not even funny. I know its cheesy but I always think "what did I do without him?" and then Brandon reminds me.. I slept in, I didn't have dog hair all over me, I had leftover money, etc. I wouldn't change it for the world. I love him.

Sleepy boys

He has gotten sooo big! Okay, okay... I will quit with the crazy cat (dog in my case) lady talk.

GOODBYE 2010! I can only hope that 2011 can bring me half of the joy you brought!

Halloween 2010

2010-11-14T16:44:00.000-08:00

Another fun night at the 3rd annual Halloween party at Liz and Bryans house. Brand and I, last minute, decided to be Thing One and Thing 2 from Dr. Suess' - The Cat in the Hat.

Mario and Yoshi

Bryan and Liz/Oscar the Grouch and Elmo

Liz made these costumes from scratch!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Robbie and Shay

Puppy Love

2010-09-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

Meet Barkley! The new (and other) love of my life!!! I am so happy that he has joined our house and I couldn't be happier with our decision to get him. I am, however, quickly realizing that my life is changing rapidly. No more sleeping in, or sleeping at all for that matter, constantly having to watch his every move, entertaining him, and the potty training! Oh the potty training! Despite all of the changes, I am loving every minute of being a dog owner.
6 weeks old.

Named Barkley after Brandons favorite former NBA player, Charles Barkley

He is a Boxer, and judging off of the size of his parents we estimate he will grow to be about 90 lbs. So I am soaking up every minute of his short lived, small, puppy dog stage.

I got a little camera happy, but he's soooooo cute!

Playing in the yard

My two favorite boys!

Gone Fishin'

2010-09-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

This Labor Day weekend was so much fun. Brandon's parents, Madelyn and Richard came down to check out our new house and just hang out. We spent our saturday driving up the canyon in Beaver. It was so beautiful and there were around five lakes to pick were we wanted to fish. We settled at Puffer Lake, it was a little windy but for the most part it was good weather. Only Richard and I were able to get a catch... sorry Brand!

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty

So relaxed

Father and son

me and my fish

Maddy's HUGE catch.. actually Richard caught it, she just wanted to pretend

Thanks for coming to visit Richard and Maddy!

Goodbye Summer

2010-08-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've had a great 2010 summer and this past weekend (Aug 20-22) was a great way to wrap it up. My darling friend Angie got married in Sandy, UT. It was so good to see almost all of my Dixie State College friends. I was also inspired to update my blog (thanks Raquel!).

Me, Ang, & preggers Raquel

my three besties!
Marcee, Nicole, Angela

Campus Villas gang

The beautiful bride!

Strawberry Reservoir

A little fun in the sun and water was the perfect ending to my summer.

Boating was a blast. Both Brand and I waterski'd. We were able to get up, just not stay up.

mom in law- maddy

Ibarra Family

A quick catch up

2010-05-28T00:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Diary,
Well I can't believe that it has been 10 months since I last wrote you. Now I know I've said that to every diary I've every owned and eventually quit, but this time I'm sad that I haven't kept up. So much has happened. Lets see... I went back to school after 3 years to get my Master's degree in School Counseling and boy it is hard! But so far I've survived two semesters and am half way through my third. Other highlights of the past 10 months include: going to the gorgeous country Aruba, and buying a house. Here are some pictures to help you remember the rest of 2009 and the first half of 2010.

October 2009, Halloween

Kayne West and Taylor Swift. Of course this costume is based on the actions of Kayne West during the 2009 MTV Video Awards.

There were so many fun costumes at the party we went to......

Beetlejuice & Lydia

Wayne and Garth- Party On!

DECEMBER 2009
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

New Years Eve

Black Light Party

February 2010

I turned 26!!! So sad :(

March 2010

ARUBA!!!

We had a great time in Aruba and enjoyed learning about the country and culture. I took alot of pictures but these were some of my favorites. We can't wait to go back some day.

April 2010
New House!

Fall Forward

2009-08-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else feel like summer went by way too fast this year? As sad as a I am about that- I am very excited for fall. A few things I love about fall.... 1. Getting to put new fall scents in my Scentsy.. like Pumpkin Roll, Spiced Cider and Warm Apple Pie. 2. Taking drives up the canyon to look at all the new browns, oranges, yellows, and reds that cover the trees. 3. Sweatshirts!! and the light jackets that sit in your closets cuz they are too light for winter and too hot for summer. 4. Sitting on the porch in the evenings watching the sun go down and waving to all the families and people that are out on a walk. 5. Fantasy Football. And for when it starts to get colder in the fall.... 6. Laying by the heater with a blanket, in your jammies, watching movies or reading a book.

Another thing that fall brings.. school. This month I had to go to Logan for an orientation for my master's program. Since Logan is a five hour drive from Cedar City we decided to make a weekend out of it and stay with Brandons family. We had a great time and stayed busy. Brandon's family was putting in their new backyard so we helped lay sod, went to Boondocks Family Fun Center, Gilgal Gardens, BBQ, and Fantasy Football draft, but my favorite was playing with the babies!! Here are some pics... Dominic and mom Jessica

Xavier

Dominic

X & D Playing in their new pool

On our last day up in SLC, Brandons parents took us to lunch and then to a cute little place called Gilgal Garden. A sort of "secret garden" in Salt Lake- this place is so cute and many wouldn't even know it was there. It has 12 stone sculptures and lots of stone engravings of poems and scriptures, all done by the creator.. Thomas Child.

Richard and Maddy

This is Joseph Smith in a sphinx type sculpture.

Robbie and Shaylee Wedding

Yesterday we had our friends Robbie and Shay's wedding. It was held up Cedar Canyon at the SUU Mountain Center. Congrats to the cute couple!

Playing Catch Up

2009-08-06T21:51:00.000-07:00

My laptop is now up and running again, so after skipping the month of July I can now finally catch up. First order of business was Brandon's birthday! We decided to celebrate in Vegas!! We had a great time.. here are some things we did... O.. the most fabulous Cirque Du Soliel show in Las Vegas.. A MUST SEE!!

This is Brandon mad that he is now OLD!!

We stayed at the Trump hotel.. very chic

Hanging out at the pool

The Gardens at the Bellagio

Even though it was Brand's birthday I somehow left with a fabulous present. I know my good friend Nicole will appreciate this!

July 24

Cedar City doesn't really do anything too exciting for the 24th.. So we decided to have a BBQ

Shish kabobs

Friends

Summertime!!

2009-06-10T15:59:00.000-07:00

YAY!!! It's summertime and that means FUN, FUN, FUN!! The other day a bunch of us went to Toquerville Falls and enjoyed the sun, water, food, and good company. Afterwards, we went to Bryan and Liz's and had a fabulous BBQ! I just love summer days and I look forward to doing alot more. Liz and I posing in front of one of the waterfalls

Me getting ready to jump into the waterfall/pond. I am surprised that I still dare to do this considering I had a near-death-experience when I was a sophomore in high school doing this same thing in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. I probably should still refrain since I no longer have health insurance after turning 25 (i better look into getting some lol). You know you're getting old when you suddenly have to worry about getting hurt!

Liz, Bryan & Bear

Looking forward to doing more of this too!

I will have to really soak up this summer because in August I will officially become an Aggie! I was accepted into Utah State University's Master's of Science (MS) in Psychology, Profesional School Counseling Graduate Program!!! Even better, it is through their Interactive Video Confrencing Program so I will not be moving to Logan and I will get to stay in Cedar City. I am very excited and also extremely nervous!!

I was so nervous opening the letter!

Wish me luck!

Tying the Knot

2009-06-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was my beautiful cousin Carli's wedding, and I had the opportunity to be a bridesmaid. I am very happy that she found a great guy (Ryan) for her and her son Rio. They deserve the best. The wedding was very pretty, unfortunately I didn't get a lot of pictures, especially of her in her gorgeous dress. Carli getting ready to walk down the aisle

Carli and Ryan cutting the cake. Carli almost knocked the cake over!

(the famous) Coleby, Chesni, Isi and Malakai

Coleby starts for BYU's football team and all of Carli's students (she teaches middle school in Nephi) lined up to get his autograph. Too funny! But hey they are smart kids.. one day he might play for the NFL.

The fam

A great tradition

So Long.. For now

2009-05-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

I can now put down the remote and give my DVR a rest.. all of my favorite shows are done for now. Maybe now I can finally get something done and possibly start working out!! I hate to admit that I am a reality junkie! I really hate that I am (so does Brandon), but needless to say I was very impressed with all the season finales. Here were some of my favorites...

American Idol!! Kris Allen is the winner! Loved them both (Adam & Kris) so I was okay with this result- but I do think Adam was a little bit better.

Biggest Loser

America's Next Top Model

Dancing with the Stars
Winner: Shawn Johnson (so cute!)

Desperate Housewives!

Celebrity Apprentice with Joan Rivers as the winner

I told you that I'm addicted!!

I'm not giving up TV altogether yet.. My favorite show So You Think You Can Dance? starts up again for the summer

and of course I am totally excited for the movie New Moon in November

Always a Bridesmaid... Never a Bride

2009-05-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

I think we can all say.. Its about time!!! It's official.. Curren and Marcee are finally married! I had the great opportunity to be a bridesmaid in their beautiful wedding. I feel very lucky to have been a part of it... I got to see not only one, but two of my really good friends get married. Marcee and I went to middle school and high school together, then we both went to Dixie State College and then we lived together in Cedar City as we attended Southern Utah University. I am so happy that we've remained friends for all these years. As you will see from the pics Marcee looks amazing and Curren was very handsome. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Christensen!!

Awww!

First dance as husband and wife

John, Me, Curren, Marcee, Cade, Jesse, and Russell

Glad I got this pic.. this guy (John Madsen) plays for the Cleveland Browns

Angela, Marcee, Me, and Jen

Me and my forever friend Hayden.

The Bachelorette!!

2009-04-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a small bachelorette party for Marcee. I felt bad because we didn't really invite anyone since we could only do it on a weekday and we figured that it would be hard for people to come down. So two of her sisters (Molly & Janey), Jesse, me and Nicole all went to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate. I am so happy for Marcee and Curren and I can't wait until the wedding!!!! Here are some pics....

Janey, Me, Nicole, Jesse, Marcee and Molly

Marcee opening up her "goodies"

Our cute friend Nicole was able to make it up from Pheonix. It was so good to see her!!!

West Yellowstone

2009-03-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Brandon and I went to Island Park, Idaho with a group of friends for SUU's spring break. Don't ask me why we decided to go somewhere colder than Cedar City for Spring Break, but we had alot of fun. Our friends Bryan and Liz have a gorgeous family cabin there. Island Park is about 30 minutes from West Yellowstone. We didn't actually go into the Park because some parts are closed until April but we went into the small town just outside the park. It was about an eight hour drive from Cedar City to Island Park.. so we stayed about five days to make it worth the trip. We did alot of fun things but we mostly just relaxed. Here are a few pics of some of the things we did do.....

The Cabin

Melanie, Taylor, Bryan, Brandon, Me, Robbie and Shaylee.

This is us getting ready to Snow Shoe, I had never done it before and it was actually pretty fun. You can do some pretty cool stuff in the snow with the shoes on. Brandon and Bryan discovered their inner-child and were doing some crazy things, including flips off of some pretty high snow banks. Crazy Boys!! Liz and Brandon even found some tiny frogs! FROGS IN THE WINTER!! I hope we didn't wake them from their hybernation.

Me and Liz all bundled up

Snowmobiling!!!

Me and Brand tubing

Bryan and Liz.

Liz and I came home with some pretty wicked bruises!

Thanks to Bryan and Liz for a great time!

8 Things

2009-03-12T18:52:00.000-07:00

I got this off of Haydens blog

8 Things Tag

8 favorite TV shows:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Jon and Kate Plus 8
3. So You Think You Can Dance
4. Celebrity Apprentice
5. American Idol
6. Dexter
7. Biggest Loser
8. King of Queens

8 Things I did yesterday:
1. Went to Work
2. Made Dinner
3. Cleaned House
4. Watched American Idol
5. Watched Biggest Loser (recorded on DVR)
6. Talk on the Phone with my Mom
7. Read my Book
8. Shopped for shoes on the Internet

8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Going to Yellowstone tomorrow
2. Retirement
3. Having Kids
4. Brandon being done with school
5. Twilight Movie
6. Getting married
7. Marcee's Wedding
8. Seeing my nephews tomorrow

8 favorite restaurants:
1. Olive Garden
2. Pizza Factory
3. Rodigio Grill
4. Applebees/Chilis
5. Bajio/Costa Vida/Cafe Rio
6. Quiznos
7. Brick Oven
8. Lupitas

8 Things On My Wish List:
1. Go to Grad school and survive it
2. A Cruise for Brandons Graduation
3. To Own A Home
4. New Books to read
5. Twilight The Movie
6. A Blondie from Applebees
7. To Be Debt Free
8. To loose weight and then a new wardrobe

8 people I tag:
Amber, Carli, Whitney, Leslee, Stacey, Katie, Marcee, Nicole and whoever else that wants to

In Our Own Backyard..

2009-03-03T19:03:00.000-08:00

Me and my friends Nanci and Liz are always meeting people from all over the world and country that come to Southern Utah to see its beauty. Last week we met a couple from Fiji that was here to visit Zions National Park and we realized that people that come from gorgeous places themselves are coming to see our "backyard". So us girls decided to take advantage of our close proximity (45 min) to the park and had an amazing "girls day out". I had been to Zions alot but this trip was really fun. We hiked Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and the short trail right before you hike The Narrows. We also took sandwiches and had a picnic on the grass in front of the Zions Lodge.

Nanci, Liz, Me

Love these girls

This place is just breathtaking. Pictures do not do it justice.

We ran into this cute little squirrel along the way.. and I swear he posed for this pic. Nancy fed him the cookie and then.....

they fell in love. She named him "Theodore" (after the chubby chipmunk from Alvin & the Chipmunks) and seriously did not want to leave him. We had to make her keep walking. It was funny cuz she is originally from Arizona and I don't think she is used to seeing little critters like this. Afterwards she said she felt like Steve Irwin because she got to be so close to the little guy.

This is Nanci afterwards when she saw this sign. Oops! Hopefully little Theodore didn't die or get sick from the aspertame in those cookies!!

Here are also some pics from my birthday.. thanks to everyone who called or commented and wished me happy birthday.. it really lifted my spirits since I am now officially

OLD!!

Carli made me this darling apron for my birthday. Thanks Car.. love it!

BELIEVE

2009-02-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

Friday, Brandon surprised me and took to me to Las Vegas for the night. It was a late Valentines/early birthday present for me. It was a quick trip but a much needed mini vacation for the both of us. We went to Criss Angels' Cirque Du Soleil show called BELIEVE at the Luxor. I think I liked it. It had a little bit of everything in it. The dancing was choreographed by one of my favorite dancers/choreographers.. Wade Robson. The magic and illusions were cool but it wasn't unique to him. In other words.. it was all stuff I've seen before. Overall I would rate it a B+ and recommend it to others. After the show we did a little gambling.. I'm a sucker for that Roulette table!! Since I'm a cautious gambler I didn't win or lose.. broke even. I'll take it!! Thanks for an fun weekend Brandon ;) Love U!

Here is a link to a video with some highlights of the show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ZY5rBgQGI

Last year for my birthday we went to the Cirque Du Soleil show called Mystere, also highly recommended. Now that Brandon has taken me two years in a row.. I'm going to suggest that this be a new tradition. So if you have any recommendations on good shows (anywhere) let me know!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4eiZAVveNE&feature=related

Busy, Busy, Weekend

2009-02-15T17:23:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was able to go home to Ephraim for a few days. Ty competed in State Wrestling at UVU. The matches lasted for three days, and its wierd how exhausting it is just sitting there watching all day. It was good to see my family and Ty did a great job! Congrats to my cuz Reggie who ended up taking second in his weight class!!!!

Me shaving Kyle's hair into a mohawk-faux hawk type style.. i never ended up getting a final pic of his finished hair but it ended up really cute

Me and Ty in the stands. Can you believe he turns 16 on tuesday!!!??

Me and cousin Malakai... chunker!

Rio.. too cute!

Fiesta Bowl!!!

2009-01-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

So this year for Christmas, Brandon took me to the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. The highlight of the vacation was definitely the game.. University of Texas vs Ohio State. I also got to see my friend Nicole and her husband (Erik) and baby (Owen). It was really good to see them. The trip was a blast and I did not want come home. We both loved Pheonix!! Thanks Brand and the Ibarra's for a fun trip!

Erik (Nicole's Husband) and I smiling for the camera.. too bad he had to leave before the game got really good :(