ch- ch- ch- changes!

announcement one:

I cut my hair really short.

announcement two:

We are moving to the motherland, Northern Virginia, in early February.

No, we don't have jobs there (yet), but a large majority of jobs for Russian linguists are in the DC area. We'll be staying at my parent's house until we figure out what we're doing. Scary? Yes. Exciting? More so.

if anyone has not had the joy of flying with me...

... this will be me tomorrow at 8:05am as we are waiting to get off the plane in Denver.

parks and dickson- out!

After a combined 20 semesters, we are both DONE at BYU! Beau finished his last final today and never looked back. No more commuting to Provo every day, no more papers to write, and no more tuition.

(Don't worry about my independent study class- I just took the midterm and I am determined to be done.... soon.)

This was where we had our first conversation playing Stake Conference bingo. RIP Provo Tabernacle.

oh hey, december (notice a trend?)

Oh, blast. It happened again. Another month where I didn't post anything. If you are dying to view my wit and charm, head on over to the fitness blog, as I keep that up pretty well.

First up, I helped throw a baby shower for dear Anna. Thanks for the picture, Emily! We had fun making neat little appliqued onesies. I also learned what "appliqued" means.

This should be the first of several, as I have a few more pregnant friends and coworkers. BABIES!

We went for our last hike (without snowshoes, anyway) of 2010 up Butler Fork trail. Isn't it pretty?

Aiight Utah. Stop trying to win me over with your outdoorsy-ness.

I really need to do better about taking photos of things other than hiking or cycling. Because it really ends up looking like that's all we do. Not true! 

And then there was Thanksgiving. Best weekend ever. Started out with getting out of work early because of supposed "Blizzard of 2010". So we saw Inception at the dollar theater! So good. Luckily, we were able to traverse through the 3-4 inch snowfall to get home without any incident. Thanksgiving morning brought a little Turkey Trot. My partner in crime with the Mia Maids is even more crazy than I am, and we were able to convince some girls to come with us. It was COLD. But great!

I got home just in time for my favorite part of  Thanksgiving- the Purina Dog Show! I was excited that 3/7 final dogs were my very favorite breeds, but alas, the Irish Setter won it all.

Black Friday, normally something I don't participate in, lured me in with the promise of $20 gift cards for the first 150 people in line at REI. I am bought for a small price.

Our other crazy moment of the weekend was going on a group ride Saturday morning- the "Saturday Fatterday" ride. 30 miles from Saratoga Springs to Suncrest and back.

Winter cycling: colder than winter hiking or running. Wind plays large factor.

To give our apartment a little Christmas cheer, we put up our 2 foot Christmas tree (same one from the dorms, Kate!) and made some ornaments. Because we don't have any.

Isn't Beau's skiing santa cute? It is especially neat when you know that we didn't have any glue. That is all staples and tape, my friends.

Not pictured- trip to the Salt Lake temple, our attempt at cross country skiing, BYU's loss to Utah, and the viewing of Toy Story 3 and Enchanted.

Now it is back to work/school, with only a few weeks left in the semester for Beau! Hip, hip, hooray!

oh hey, november

Isn't this picture just the greatest? I know I already talked about Ashley's wedding, but her photos turned out so well I had to share more. Next time I get married I am using her photographer.

The whole fam. Well, until Page has her baby in a few months. It's so challenging to keep an updated family photo... Also, I love that even though all four of us got married in the DC temple, all of our group shots were unintentionally taken in different locations.

Dallyn sat on Ashley's lap for most of the morning, taking everything in. There were a million of Ashley's friends doing her hair and makeup all morning and Dally was a little overwhelmed.

Well that's my little Ashley wedding montage.

Sadly, I didn't really take any picture during our Halloween weekend. We went to Park City to spend time with several friends at their condo, playing games, watching the Sister Wives marathon (I don't recommend it) and making caramel apples.

Brittany and I are thinking about going into the business.

Oh, and my bike got stolen. That was fun. Bought a new one, that was more fun.

To prevent this blog from being all about cycling and running adventures, I created a fitness blog, appropriately titled justanotherfitnessblog.blogspot.com . Hop on over to read about our second century, the new bike, and the half marathon I did this past weekend.

 Peace out, homies!

three and a half seconds about life.

Three and a Half Seconds About Life from Eran Hilleli on Vimeo.

a wedding of the century!

Last weekend, this cute couple got married in the DC temple.

We don't really know Tim yet, but we're excited to have him in the family! And anyone who grew up in the DC area is okay in my book. Ashley has great style that showed in every aspect of the decoration and the reception was perfect.

 This picture cracks me up:

Carson was told to act like a soldier and he stayed just like this. Even when all the other children were running away and Ashley had gotten up.

Tyler and Beau at the yummy dinner the night before with my cousin Camilla's baby, Kingsley. I believe he (the baby, not Beau or Tyler) had an accident, hence the nakedness.

ALSO, our quick trip to Virginia allowed us to meet up with Zack, Jocelyn, and Amelia! Thanks for the picture, Jocie! Millie is a doll.

I want to go back. ASAP. If anyone wants to offer Beau a job in the DC area let us know.

Then, back in Utah, it was century time. We did the Heber Valley century, 100 miles from Heber, north to Kamas and beyond.

We did some of this

A little of this

But mostly a lot of this

update-o-rama

Update 1: I crossed off 3 states from my list in one week. I went to Minnesota (where my company is based) for a conference, and those who weren't at the bar in the evening decided to go on a jaunt to Wisconsin- just to say we did. 15 minutes later we crossed the border, took a picture, and went back. Go Mormons.

A few days later Beau and I drove to Colorado for a mini vacation to Horsetooth with his family, crossing through Wyoming, adding the third state.

Beau tearing it up on the reservoir

Nephews! Cooper and Jackson.

Update 2: Beau started school. Last semester! Stay tuned for details on what's next after graduation... because your guess is as good as ours.

Update 3: Beau got a (part time) job. Tutoring kids in math at Mathnasium!

Update 4: Beau got a makeover- new glasses and no beard!

Update 5: We got callings! Drumroll.... Beau is now the assistant scoutmaster and I'm an advisor for the Mia Maids. Yay! We're excited.

And for the best news of all, we're going to Virginia this week! My sister Ashley is getting married, so we'll get to meet our new brother in law, visit lots of family, meet our niece Millie, and ride KILLIAN!

this bugs me.

It's not "watching", it's PARENTING. How nice of your husband to do you big favor and watch his own child while you take a nap/do anything for yourself.



In other news, we saw a dinosaur on our bike ride today.

book review!

Books I've read recently:

The Lovely Bones ::: Alice Sebold

Girl is murdered and the killer is not found. She watches her family/friends go through life without her, and tries to help them identify the killer. Definitely a good read. Her description of heaven seems a bit unrealistic, to say the least, but as the book is more about life than death, it's tolerable.

Rating: 4/5 stars!


Infidel ::: Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Saw this as recommended in Self magazine. Infidel is a biography of a Somali feminist, activist, and politician. She grew up very Muslim with a prominant Muslim father, and gradually formed her own belief about religion and other practices. Very culturally eye opening and especially fascinating because it all occurs within the past 30 years. I'll throw out a warning for some graphic imagery.

Rating: A-! Because the end got a little more tediously political than I enjoy.


The Secret Life of Bees ::: Sue Monk Kidd

I figured if they made  movie on this, it had to be kind of good. Story of  14 year old girl searching for the history of her deceased mother. I liked the setting of the Civil Rights era. Definitely a "heartwarming" book.

Rating: Two thumbs up!

Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics ::: Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner

I read Freakonomics a long time ago and when I saw there was a sequel, I got both to read again. These authors have an amazing capability to analyze data, notice trends, and write it in an interesting, funny, and comprehensible way. Makes me want to be an economist.

Rating: 8/10 points! Some parts, especially in Superfreakonomics, get a little too wordy and I zoned out during the global warming talk.

the Hunger Games :: Suzanne Collins

So THIS is what all the hype is about. FANTASTIC. ADDICTIVE. I'm excited I started reading this right as the third and final book is coming out. So while everyone is frantically reading Mockingjay, I'm just waiting for Catching Fire to be available at the library.

Rating: GOLD STAR! And family friendly, too! Except for the parts when people die. That can be a little gruesome.

and currently reading:
the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society ::: Mary Ann Shaffer

 Not as much of a page-turner like the rest of these, but still very enjoyable. I'm having trouble keeping track of all the characters. Rating to be determined!

timpanogos, steve holt, and a new computer.

Another thing checked off our Utah to-do list: Hike Timp.

 You'd THINK the summit was actually the peak a little to the right, but depth perception gets little thrown off. Get out your binoculars and check. You'll see the little hut that marks the top.

Oh, hey Beau.

K I'm going to brag for a second. (Since that's what this whole blog thing is all about. Don't lie. You do it too.) For once, I was physically more capable than Beau. I believe these words came out of his mouth: "Do you ever get tired?" As the hours/miles went on it became clear my hours of cardio work actually pays off a little bit. Breaks are for wusses.

Mountain goats. These guys defy gravity.

Nice little climb closer to the summit.

Some genius was apparently an Arrested Development fan. STEVE HOLT!

Happy Valley. Someday I will leave you.

The aftermath. Little sunburned/wiped out Beau slept from 7pm to 9am. 

(Note the empty container of ice cream on the floor)


On an unrelated note, THIS is what $140 will get you on KSL.com:

Kids, never buy anything new ever again. Basically new computer with Microsoft and Anti Virus already installed on it. Anyone now of an easy way to get all your iTunes switched over to a new computer?

thought of the day

I realized that the reason why I favor cherry and grape flavored Jolly Ranchers is because they tend to be the ones left over. I remember feeling badly for these flavors in 6th grade and announcing grape was my favorite. I hope grape feels better now.

pioneer day weekend

Day 1- Friday
Hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon, shopping at a consignment store for outdoors equipment, thrift stores, and the Spanish Fork rodeo.

Hotdogs and soda? Who ARE we??

They were free. Don't judge.

Day 2: Speedy Spaniard 10k and Taste of the Valley!

Why does no one ever remind me that I don't even like running? That's what I was thinking as we were getting ready to start. And during the first 4 miles. But then afterwards, I only remember finishing and feeling accomplished and sign up for another race.

Don't mess.

We were proud of our times.  I was 177th place! I don't think I passed a single person. I guess 177 people passed me. But I did beat the other 523 people, so there.

My mom found a couple classmates from her Spanish Fork High School days. They dominated the 55+ age group. Go Dons!

Beau watched safely from the sidelines.

Then, Taste of the Valley.

Several local restaurants had booths set up with samples. $10 bought you a ticket to visit each booth. The samples were fairly large and we so should have split a ticket. We were throwing away good food because we were just too full! Even Beau was refusing samples.

Day 3:

Well, nothing exciting on day 3 of pioneer weekend. We did take this random picture though, including this shirt I got at Wandering Wardrobe (my favorite consignment store ever).