Basketball Injuries

So every time Aaron goes and plays basketball, which is like 4-5 times a week during intramural season, he comes home injured. He has to ice his ankle, then his knee, then his other ankle, etc. So last night he tells me (well kind of tells me, I'm already asleep and only kind of coherent) he hurt his ankle again. This morning he was limping out of the house. I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, he shouldn't play basketball so much. Perhaps a less injury-prone sport...like swimming. :)

We were really bummed about the Romney loss in Florida last night. We thought he gave a great speech afterwards and really focused on strengthening the family, but our hope for him is dwindling. I did get a really cool story forward to me about him today. Check it out: Romney Story.

Also I don't know how many of you saw Glenn Beck's tribute to President Hinckley but its really great so watch this too. Glenn Beck

Weekend with Grandma

Aaron and I got to spend a ton of time with Aaron's family this weekend and visit Grandma Hiatt. We love seeing Jedd and Marcie and their boys, they are so cute. We had corned beef (that was a first for me) and the best home made, cheesy bread I've ever eaten. We helped organize old photo albums and I loved seeing the old pictures of the Hiatt/Pierson family. I am so blessed to have married into such an amazing family. Here are some pictures of the events.

Here is Grandma with Scott and Tyler

The boys each got their own bar of chocolate. (By the way Symphony chocolate...AMAZING)

The weather was fabulous on Saturday, I mean fabulous for Utah in January. I actually ran outside in shorts! Aaron wanted to spend the day outside. After our ward temple night on Saturday we went and ate at Red Robin with some of our friends. Is anyone as obsessed with Red Robin as me?? I seriously think about their bottomless fries and fry sauce regularly. So many great burgers.

On Sunday we celebrated our friend Ady's birthday. She turned 20 today! We are sad that we can't make teenager jokes about her anymore (especially her husband). We celebrated her birthday with chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, and chocolate sprinkles, and ice cream, of course - we were at my house after all. :)

Aaron and I had very mixed emotions about the passing of President Hinckley. It is so hard to let him go but we are so happy for him. His life of dedicated service is such an example to us. We know the heavens are rejoicing as they just received one of the hardest workers ever. Just imagine the work he is probably already gotten done over there. We feel so blessed that we were able to be so close to him just a month and a half ago. We are also so grateful for the organization of the Church, there is no confusion or delay about what will happen, who will lead us, and if anything will change, the work will continue right on, just as President Hinckley would want it to.

Djokovic Dominates

I am so excited that Djokovic dominated Federer last night to make it to his first finals in a grand slam! He played awesome, how do I know that? Well its not because I got up last night to watch the match. I fell asleep at 10:30, Aaron was going to try and stay awake and then get me up but he only made it to 12:30. (I know we're lame) It is because I got up early to watch Sports Center so that I could see the highlights, interviews, post-game reactions, etc. We will attempt again for the finals but that will be on the weekend...we'll see.

We had our first inter tube water polo game on Wednesday night. It was soooo much fun and we killed them. Cory, my little bro, put together the team and barely consented to let me play again this year. Let's just say I don't have the best throwing arm. Our conversation went something like this.
Me: Cory are you playing water polo again this year?
Cory: Yeah
Me: So do you have your team put together yet?
Cory: Yeah
Me: Are you planning on me and Aaron playing?
Cory: Aaron yes, you...have you been practicing?
Me: Yes (totally lying) I'm much stronger this year and I promise I'll practice with Aaron.
Cory: okay you're on
So Cory actually let me go down to play some offense, then after not scoring, he brought me back. We had so much fun. I'll have to take some pictures to post up.

Also my favorite quote of the day, well actually it was yesterday. Ambyr commented on my last posting that she was happy she had such an educated friend because I read the Twilight series. Ha, ha. Its true, I am much more educated on vampires and werewolves.

After the big TV, the pool, cruise vacations...Australian Open

So Aaron and I are obsessed with tennis, we love it! Problem: Australia is like 18 hours ahead of us and the best matches start at 1:30 AM in Utah. I go to bed at 11, this isn't going to work. Then the they replay them the next day but I have to work. So now Federer and Djokovic are playing and I'm just going to have to take a nap and then wake up at 1 for the match, too good to miss.


Aaron and I have this running joke where I say things I want some day and Aaron just laughs. (Like wanting a pool in your first house is too much to ask for!) This all began when I was complaining about how the Democrats want to pay for National Health Care by taking away Bush's tax cuts for people who make over $250,000 a year and has grown, and grown. So last night Aaron says, "wouldn't it be awesome to go to Australia during the Australian Open?" It was my turn to laugh, especially since the day before he talked about how cool it would be to someday go to the US Open (much more realistic) and then the next day...its Australia. Gotta love the in-debt people for dreaming.

Speaking of dreaming, Yes I did finish Eclipse and yes I am still annoyed with Bella. I felt so bad for Edward who is tied to Bella for life while Jacob will just go and imprint with someone. Anyways, I am, none the less, looking forward to the fourth, and final book from Bella's perspective. What do you think will happen? All I gotta say is Bella and Edward better get married...or else!

Sledding and such

I am so excited because we went sledding on Saturday for my first time ever!! It was really fun. We went up to the park in Sugarhouse and met up with Jedd, Marcie, Scott, and Tyler. I couldn't believe how fearless the boys were. They started going down hills by themselves, even Scott (he's 2). Man you really get moving on those hills, which were total ice. Poor Spencer headed straight for this ramp someone had built, hit it...then bit it...hard. He was pretty banged up, chipped a tooth, but after about 30 minutes was back at it again. We had so much fun seeing the Jedd Piersons. But the sad news is that we took NO pictures. I am so sad that I have no record of this first in my life. I think we might need to reenact it and take some fake pictures.

Aaron's mom is also in town, which means fun and games all day. She took us to Outback on Saturday night for Spencer's birthday (yum!) and then yesterday I made dinner and ice cream cookie sandwiches to celebrate again (I tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe that was awesome, add vanilla pudding mix to your recipe, trust me...it will change your life). It was a food-filled weekend, but so much fun. We went to visit Aaron's grandma and just listened to story after story, her memory is amazing. We also watched the end of the Giants v. Packers. Sad, sad, the Superbowl is going to be pretty boring.

We also attempted to see Dan in Real Life for the 3rd week in a row at the dollar theater and of course it was sold out...AGAIN! We all just laughed (every week we go with Jono and Ady) and said well maybe one week we'll learn to buy our tickets more in advance than 30 minutes.

Bella, Bella, Bella

So I'm almost finished with the last of the Twilight series and I am so annoyed with Bella in this book. Come on, what's this about maybe being in love with Jacob? Now granted, I haven't finished the book yet but its time to give the werewolf up! He is no insanely beautiful vampire, he is no Edward, he is not the love of your life. And what's all this with being so opposed to getting married? Who cares what everyone thinks, they're obviously just jealous. I have fantasized being Bella for long enough, in this book she is annoying. Who knows, when I finish the book this weekend I may be singing a different tune but for now, she's not one of my favorite people.

But back in the "real world" (if only hunting down vampires was my real world) things are good. We had institute last night and talked about the war chapters. We watched a video that the Church produced on the war in Iraq and we were stunned. We had no idea how much the Church supported the war. I mean I am pro-war but feel more passion now. It really makes you feel how strongly we need to do what we can to rid the world of these secret combinations. We were pretty pensive about it, its scary times brothers and sisters, scary times.

Bringing me to my next point, politics. Who is everyone voting for?? This has become a huge topic of interest for us. I feel like this is the first year that the issues really matter to me. I feel personally invested in the economy, health care (don't even get me started on how horrible national health care would be), and the war. We're Mitt supporters but not totally in love with him, just thoroughly disgusted with the others. We don't really think the Republicans stand a chance though.

Back In Action

Last night I began my winter intramural sports season. My coed soccer team won 8-7. It was a pretty amazing game. We only had guys score goals (which is worth 1 point) and they had 3 girl goals (2 points). I didn't know if we were going to catch up but this awesome guy on my team, Mike, scored like 5 goals. One of those goals was a killer header off of a corner kick. I forget how much I love to play soccer. I wish I played more often, it is so much fun. I hadn't played in awhile so I didn't feel as comfortable (Aaron said I wasn't very aggressive) but I played defense mostly. I also forgot how tired I get, man, after about 5 minutes of sprinting up and down the field...I'm beat. Next week, water polo. I am so excited!

But lets talk about who is not back in action, the Dallas Cowboys. What a horrible game! I was very disappointed, what was the penalty count like 15-2?? If we lose our offensive coordinator now, that could be very bad news. At least Tony has Jessica to console him. :)

Other bad news, I have an ingrown fingernail. I've never had one before and it KILLS! I have a newfound sympathy for people with aching finger/toe nails.

Back to the Real World

So we've almost made it through our first week back in the real world. Aaron started school on Monday, 18 credits...ouch. He works so hard. Doesn't sounds like too much fun for your last semester. This coming from the girl who took 12 credits her last semester(only because if I took any less my grant wouldn't pay for everything), including a cooking class and two classes that overlapped that I switched back and forth between going to and I didn't have class on Monday or Friday. It was awesome.

Work has been busy this week, just trying to catch up with everything I missed. We upgraded Aaron's gym membership this week so that I can work out with him anytime, so that has been so nice, I've never been able to work out at a gym before. We also signed up to take an institute class that we started this week. Aaron's old Bishop is teaching it- Book of Mormon. It was really great. We talked about Alma 36-40ish this week and I learned a ton of stuff about the Spirit World and Resurrection...just when you think you're starting to understand a principle of the Gospel.

I also wanted to say that I love Sam's. I went there this weekend and got a ton of stuff and it makes grocery shopping the rest of the month so much easier. We just seperated everything into 2 person portion sizes and put them in the freezer, it is so great.

Oh and my co-worker brought me his wife's copy of Eclipse (she couldn't stand the thought of me not having finished the series). So I am so excited for all the reading I will do this weekend. I've heard mixed reviews on it, so I will let you know what I think.

A Night In Texas

Since we were flying out of Dallas we left the day before so we could spend the night with my family. It worked out perfectly because the next day was Cory's birthday, so we got to celebrate with him. So a Carroll birthday means...Red Velvet Cake and Blue Bell ice cream!!! It was so yummy, I still think about it often.
So my little brother really loves Coke. :)

Cory found a bunch of tickets to the Mavericks game and so Aaron and Spencer went with some of Cory's friends to see them tear up the Warriors (whom we despise at my house, especially Baron Davis and his 70 fantasy points in one game, puulease). They had a lot of fun at the game.


My little brother tagged Dirk in this picture on his facebook account. (ha, ha)


Spencer at the game.

I stayed at home and hung out with my parents and Maili spent the night. She was so cute and so big, her hair is getting so long. I played with her for about one minute before she said, "where's Aaron?" She loves to spend the night with Aunt Haley because I let her eat candy and stay up late (that is a secret, I could have my privileges revoked).

Then we got up the next morning and came back to cold, snowy Utah. Then the next day I got up early and started work again. Sigh...I need another vacation to look forward to.

My First Christmas In Arkansas

I had so much fun spending time in Arkansas for Christmas and I loved my first Christmas married. Aaron got me an ornament that says First Christmas Together 2007, it is so pretty. So we got to Arkansas on Christmas Eve (after flying into Dallas and driving to Little Rock) and spent the afternoon seeing everyone, except the Gustafsons who were in Arizona. We couldn't believe how much our nieces and nephews had grown. Abby was talking so much and Parker was running around. We were pretty tired and so we went to bed early and slept in on Christmas. (Oh how waking up early on Christmas morning has lost its appeal) Then everyone came over and we opened presents.

Cole was the official Gift Giver this year. He did so good.

It was gorgeous outside so me, Amanda, and Adam went on a long run and came back just in time for the huge Christmas feast. Later we played Cranium at Amanda and Joshua's house.

Aaron got me the first book in the Twilight series for Christmas, let's just say, I'm a little obsessed. I finished it in two days and then ran to buy the second book which I finished in less than 24 hours. They are so addicting. Aaron hated that he ever got them for me and vows he won't let me purchase the 3rd one. (Dream on buddy, I have a massive vampire crush on Edward) That definitely took up a lot of my time over the holidays.

We also celebrated 2 birthdays, Cassie and Cole. So we had parties for both of them. Cole was so excited to be turning 4. We went and saw Hello Dolly and the songs are still stuck in my head. We were so excited when the Gustafson clan got back and we could chase a few more kids around the house and play with their new wii, which is so much fun. I got a little sick on New Years Eve and wasn't much fun but we did have a fondue night complete with chocolate fondue. We also went shopping to hit the after-Christmas sales and we both got coats and we played Monopoly for hours. I also went to one of Jeanie's (my mother-in-law) yoga classes and actually really enjoyed it. I might have to try to do it more often.

Everyone wears hats at a Pierson Birthday. (Luke and birthday boy Cole)

Hello Dolly

The trip went by really fast and we couldn't believe it when it came time for us to leave. We can't wait to see everyone again especially since there will be new additions.

This is Joshua and Parker. Parker finally let me hold him the day before we left. Alas, he will have forgotten me by the time we go back.

Feliz Navidad!

Okay so I haven't been updating my blog over the break, but we lost our camera cord and I kept waiting to put all of our cute pictures from the break up... excuses, excuses. I am going to dedicate this week to catching up on everything from the break and then when we get our pictures, I'll add them.

So our vacation was AMAZING! It started as soon as I got off work (and worked out and had a visit from Stacy :) and we headed up to Park City to spend the weekend with my family. My sister's house is absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't believe it when I walked in and saw Abby! She is so big, she walks and says a few words. At first she didn't want me to hold her but after awhile she let me. Ninja (my sister's dog) was obsessed with her and followed her around the house.

Abby loved laying with my Dad.

We all just hung out on Friday night and then on Saturday morning we got up to go snowboarding. So Kim and Eric are seriously pro-snowboarders and this was me and Aaron's first time to go together. (so cute, I know)So we had so much fun. I hadn't gone in so long but still love it oh so much. We rode until the park closed and then headed home.

This is the best picture I got of Aaron snowboarding, but I promise it really is him. :)

My family after we completed our first (and only) run all together.

Then we got home and showered and my parents got fried chicken for dinner while we watched the BYU game. Aaron was seriously in heaven. The game was awesome, our tickets were worth way more but we were happy to see BYU win. My family on Kimberly's back porch.

On Sunday after church and opening presents from my family we went to Jedd and Marcie's. We had so much fun with them, eating a ton, playing with the boys, Mad Gab, and staying up way too late watching The Negotiator. Then after about 2 hours of sleep we got on a plane and began the trek to Arkansas. Christmas in Arkansas deserves its own post so I will work on that tomorrow. (I know, I hate leaving you all in so much suspense)