Thanksgiving Cruise

For Thanksgiving we went on a cruise with Jared's family. It was lots of fun! We went to Cozumel, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. It was so nice to take a break from the cold winter and enjoy the sunshine!

Formal Night

Grand Cayman- we were on our way to snorkel with sting rays in the ocean! How crazy!

Pretty sure I lucked out big time to have my best friend for a sister in law!

Ziplining in Jamaica! We were all really proud of Tracy for braving it out!

All the girls on the trip.

There were peacocks just roaming around the beach at Cozumel. They are such pretty animals!

Halloween

We had fun celebrating Halloween! We had some friends over and carved pumpkins and had delicious pumpkin muffins.

This isn't the best picture because we did it on a Sunday afternoon.

Jared eating some nasty fruit. Every time he comes to the produce store with me we leave with something strange.

Patrick and Kenzie

Todd and April

Our ward also has a huge Halloween party, it's pretty much the biggest party of the year because everyone leaves for Christmas. Jared was proud that he won the doughnut eating contest.

Going to Costco and loading up on groceries and going through the check out line to find that your American Express is expired is awesome. Especially when there is a huge line behind you. Pretty sure I was so embarrassed my eyes filled up with tears.
But on a positive note, I did have $100 dollars in cash so I only had to put a few things back. So the trip wasn't a total waste.

A Simple Thank You

Best thing about today:

Right before I left work the phone rang and the caller asked if I was there. I had cut her hair a couple of days ago and she just wanted to call and tell me that she really loved her hair! So she was just calling to say thanks.

How sweet was that? Pretty much I love her and she made my day.

I am loving fall in Chicago. This picture doesn't do it justice, but the view from our apartment is amazing! How could I not be happy when I wake up to this?


I am dreaming of the day when I have one of these!
Seriously I spend so much time a day walking blocks to get to my car, then trying to find a parking spot, then attempting to parallel park, and then once again walking, searching, walking. It is a fun cycle that comes with living in a city. When we move I am most looking forward to having my very own place to put our car.


I'm also still enjoying one of the flowers Jared gave me over 2 weeks ago! The other three flowers that were in a separate vase all died within a week. This one still lives. Kind of odd, right? The only difference we can think of is the others had the special flower powder. Are florists purposely killing our flowers?
(Don't mind our little indulgence of ourselves. Maybe we should invest in some other decorations besides pictures of us.)

A Crazy Squirrel

This morning the strangest thing happened as Jared and I were walking to our car. A squirrel came running right for us. Usually it's the other way around right? They should be scared of us! But not this little guy. He ran right up to us and we even tried to move out of his way, but he was determined to get us. He was literally touching Jared's shoes and jeans. I was worried he was going to try to run up his pants. It was that bizarre. As it lingered by us we thought it might be hungry, so Jared pulled out some chocolate and he nibbled away at it. He let me get so close to him to take this picture on my phone. When he heard it take it, he looked up at me, but didn't run off. We started walking away and he ran after us. Jared ran and the squirrel just ran faster. I began to worry that he had rabies or something. We got away from the crazy squirrel, but it was very strange.

New Job

The best present I got on my birthday was a JOB! I actually ended up getting 3 offers which was a huge relief! I decided to work at a salon here in Hyde Park. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It'll be so great to keep learning and get some experience. I'm still a little nervous, but I'm sure it'll get better.

23 Years Old!

My birthday was the day before we left to San Antonio. I can't believe that I'm 23... I still feel like I'm 18. Does everyone feel like they look exactly the same as they did in highschool? or am I just kidding myself? or do I seriously still look like I'm 18?

It was a fun day and I'm so grateful for everyone that made me feel so loved! Barbie and Josh are the greatest friends we went over to their house for games and they made cupcakes and even had balloons. They seriously are the best!

San Antonio

We were able to fit in one last summer vacation to San Antonio where we met up with my family. We had lots of fun playing games, shopping, riding horses, swimming, shooting guns, and just relaxing. It was so fun to just be together. We missed you Dustin and Jordan!

Heather made me a birthday cake and we had fun celebrating.

The family - I wish Heather wasn't behind the camera!

I have the best mom and sisters ever! I love each of them so much! Who does their beautiful hair?

We decided shooting skeet is harder than sporting clays.

I only shot one, but it was fun!

Riding Horses

We couldn't get enough of this little stinker. Jared thinks she's the only one that likes him. That could be because he buys her candy. :)

The pool was lots of fun! There was a wave pool, a lazy river, a big slide, and lots of stuff for the little kids.

when it rains it pours

In the last hour 3 potential employers have called me and another one emailed me. Things just may work out. {Let's cross our fingers}

This pic. came from here.

Tall Ships

We love boats. Navy Pier had a bunch of tall "pirate ships", so of course we went! I even bought an eye patch just for fun.

Sweetbread

This is what I thought I was ordering.

This is what came out.


I was a little surprised.

According to Wikipedia sweetbread is actually the culinary name for the thymus (throat, gullet, or neck sweetbread) and the pancreas (heart, stomach, or belly sweetbread), especially of the calf.
Nasty! Pretty sure I would have preferred bread that was sweet.

summer

Wow! It's been three months since I last blogged. I think it's time for a catch up. We have had a busy and fun summer! Right after Jared finished his last final we packed up the car and headed out to Texas. Jared's parents were nice enough to let us live with them while Jared did his internship at Baker Botts. Jared was super busy with work assignments, commuting to work, law review, applying for clerkships, and lots of social events put on by the firm. I on the other hand was not so busy, but I did manage to have a great time. Highlights of the summer include.


1. My sister Heather and I drove to Arizona with her two sweet girls. It was a long drive, but they seriously couldn't have been better. Arizona was so much fun! I love just being with my family! Almost everyone was able to make it. We missed you Jared, OB, and Jordan.


2. I babysat my sweet nieces Hallie and Peyton for a week while my sis went to Cancun with her hubby. I had so much fun swimming with them twice a day, painting, storytime, games, bubbles, painting nails etc. A huge thank you to Tracy and Kev for letting me tend at their house and to Ashley for helping me out so much!

3. I crafted with my mother-in-law Tracy. I finally took my sewing machine out of the box.

4. Jared's firm took us shooting. I shot my first shot gun and Jared was able to shoot an automatic. That may have been one of the happiest days of his life.

5. Jared and I read the Hunger Games series together. They are such great books!

6. Played lots and lots of games with the family- Ticket to Ride, Bang, Bonanza, Liars Dice, Pounce, The People Game, Mario Brothers, Rock Band, etc.

7. I was able to do some hair! Hopefully I'm not too rusty.

8. I went home to Utah! It was SO great to be back! It had been over 7 months since I'd been home! I loved seeing everybody so much!

9. I was able to drive down to San Antonio and help my sister with Hallie's princess party. It was so adorable! I loved every second of it!


10. We took a trip to Cozumel! It was so nice to just be together and relax.


11. We celebrated our 2 year anniversary. So lucky to be in love.


12. We went to the American Idol concert! I surprised Jared, mostly because I didn't think he'd be excited. He was a pretty good sport though.

13. Jared was able to get in some golfing with his dad and Adam.

14. I read some really great books, The Help, The Giver, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, Mockingjay, The Last Song, There Are No Children Here.


15. Jared got an offer at Baker Botts! We are SO excited about this! I'm so proud of him for all of his hard work, and I know that we are truly blessed!

T.V.

Chelsey: "I hate when you ignore me when you are watching T.V."
Jared: "I hate when you talk to me when I'm watching T.V."

I guess I'd rather be ignored than Shhhhh'd though. There is nothing I hate worse than when Jared tells me to Shhh.

P.S. We think this is funny. We aren't awkwardly fighting on our blog.

the joys of picture taking

Yes they knew their pictures were being taken.
This is how they posed every time.
I definitely stood no chance.
I think I got some insight to why my husband is not camera friendly.This is Jared's older brother Kevin that is "so cool".

Although it's hard to tell from their faces,I think we had fun while Kevin was here.

oh hair school

This last year of school has been such a blast! It has definitely been one of the happiest years of my life. I am so grateful for the experience. Not only did I learn to do hair, I made some of the greatest friends and met the most wonderful people. Here are some highlights.

First Day


Cutting week. John's turned out just like him, but not like the rest of the class.

The Zoo

Funky Hairstyles

Free Hugs!

Caper Kick Off{Grease vs. Hairspray}

Going Downtown

Fashion Shows

Classes in Vegas

Caesar's Palace

All White Party-

Met John Paul Dejoria & Angus Mitchell

Got to know the amazing Kinley

Taught by my amazing instructor- Sky

Phase 2- I love these people So so Much! They made me laugh every day!


Graduation

May parents came out! It was so great to show them my school!

This is Krystal and pretty sure she is one of my favorite people ever!

I cut this well known ice skater's hair at a design team event.

James is probably THE funniest person I will ever meet. Seriously.

I knew Sara and I would be great friends from the moment I met her. Love her!

Clocking out for the last time. Bittersweet.


I miss school already.