Events from 2009

January afternoon. Aaron and I at one of our most favorite places in the world, The Montage

A January evening at Salt Creek Beach

February getaway to St. George thanks to the Beck's.

Ash, myself and Rach with their two boys in St. George before a stroll.

February afternoon up at the Getty. Right after a rain storm so the views of LA were amazing.

In March I took a trip to SLC to spend time with KT, Matt, Liam and George. Learned a bit about motherhood while I was there.

Aaron and I went on a whale watching trip together in March.

April was a fun month, due to knowing I was going to start working full time again I wanted to get in a trip to the happiest place on earth.

Mom and dad came and visited us in April.

The whole purpose of our move to California ended with Aaron's graduation in May. We have since found other purposes for being out here and love it. After graduation we moved up to LA.

Lil Georgie was blessed in May in Arizona.

We also had a killer dinner group at Aliso Creek beach.

June had lots of fun times outside with the kiddos at the parks.

We even took Bear to a lake to try some water trials.

July we headed to SLC for the 4th of July. We did some fishing while we were there.

The best part of the trip was hearing Liam go "up up up up up up up BOOM BOOM."

A nice hot August day at Salt Creek with the Waites. These boys love to surf.

August included the most epic trip ever, Vinhagen with the Beck's and a few other couples.
It was perfection.

September we had a few getaways with my family. We did a weekend trip to Santa Barbara with everyone and it was fabulous.

Stroll in Santa Barbara

Family pic in AZ.

In October we headed back to AZ for a lil getaway. It was awesome because it went from a trip where it was just going to be Aaron and I with Liam and turned into a full on family reunion with everyone there.

While in AZ in October Aaron did some shaka brah session with Liam in the pool.

The Beck's paid us a visit in October and we hit up the U2 concert.
This was a first for Aaron and I. Ash and Clay are big timers.

While Clay and Ash were here we made lots of trips to the beach of course.

Aaron and I celebrated our 6 Year Anniversary in San Fran in November.

Ash, Aims and I did our 6th annual ornament exchange and had a fab girls weekend.


The end of 2009 is almost here. I really am shocked. I must say we had a blast this last year but I am also looking forward to all that 2010 will have in store for us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Really and truly

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

I love this time of year. I love everything about it. Yes, while xmas is a bit commercialized and some get really upset about this, I do not care I love it all. I love the lights, the decorations, the sales, the music, the food, the presents, the parties, basically ALL OF IT. I love walking around the streets and shops and just humming along to the music while I look for the perfect gifts to give. Of course while I love all this fun stuff I keep the real meaning of Christmas in mind.

It has been so much fun this last week here in LA. It has gotten to the low 50's which is FREEZING for us in Southern California, I know that will make my Utah readers cringe that I am saying 50's and 40's is freezing. It has rained a bit too. I have turned on my heat a few times this week and have had my holiday candles burning non stop.

I am in the HOLIDAY mood that's for sure.

While I was out and about today I decided I would like to purchase a Menorah. I really think Hanukkah has got to be one of the greatest Holidays and I think that a Menorah would be the perfect addition to my home. When I was younger I had dear friends that are Jewish and I loved going over to their home to celebrate Hanakuhh with them. I am going to be on the hunt this year for the perfect Menorah so when Aaron and I have a family we can celebrate that tradition in lighting the candles on the Menorah and remembering the miracles and story of the holiday.

Of course while for me the holidays are very joyful, exciting and full of love for many they are the opposite. I am so excited to start shopping for those that are not as fortunate as I am and are finding themselves without the comforts of food, clothing, toys, love, peace, etc. There are few things I love more than giving to those in need. I can't wait to give to the individuals I have in mind and be able to see the smiles and gratitude on their faces. I really love just passing love on.

We watched ELF tonight, which is my FAVORITE Christmas movie. I can watch it over and over and laugh just as hard as I did the first time. It is brilliant.

Tomorrow we will be doing some more shopping, a Christmas lunch with friends and will end the evening at the Los Angeles Temple.

I am pretty stoked for the next few weeks and am happy that I am 100% into the holiday mood.

Merry early Christmas

Trying to get my spunk back

So if you know me well you know that I am pretty much an optimist. I really try to look at what is positive about a situation. However, lately I am feeling a tad bit not like myself. I got sick 2 months ago and it really took a lot out of me. While I am not sick anymore I still can not sing (no I am not the greatest singer, but I do not have the part of my voice back). I avoid phone calls cause it strains to talk on the phone. It is driving me nuts. I drink tea with lemon and honey so much to try and help it, but still no luck. Then 2 weeks ago today I got 3 moles on my stomach taken off. Lucky for me skin cancer is pretty big and real in my family so they needed to come off. But one of them has gotten infected which resulted in another visit to the doc this afternoon. Then my dermatologist called me tonight to let me know that one of the moles came back as having atypical cells. Now while the cells did not come back as cancerous when they are atypical they turn into cancerous cells later in life down the road. At first I thought no biggie, that is pretty TYPICAL. But then he said that he would be referring me to the general surgeon to take more skin off. I have been changing bandages on my stomach two times a day for the last two weeks and still have at least another week left. Then when I can get into the surgeon I will have another wound to take care of. The best part of this is that I still need to get 4 more moles off my back that look atypical. Fun times for Krissy. Anyway so I am just not feeling like my spunky self. I am in no way writing this to get attention, so please do not think that, I just had to let it all out, and thought some of you out there would find some pleasure in knowing even the super positive Kristen has her days too.

The good thing is that XMAS is almost here. And I LOVE ME SOME XMAS. We are going to be heading to Utah for 5 days and then to Arizona for 5 days. It is going to be so much fun. We will be taking the dogs and staying at Matt and KT's while they are in AZ, sadly won't be with them, then we will be driving from UT to AZ and stay with my parents. I really can't wait. We have a fun weekend planned coming up filled with fun with friends. Jer is on his way over for a yummy steak dinner that Aaron is going to make. It has been raining all day here which has been pretty fun for a change. I have a work xmas party tomorrow and another one next week. So I really do have lots to look forward to. My dogs are the best dogs in the whole world and honestly just looking in their eyes melts my heart. Not to mention just talked to Liam on skype which let's be honest makes my day anyday. There I go again, even when I try to be negative the positive just comes out. Dang it, I really just want to lay in bed and feel sorry for myself, but that I can't even do.

Seriously 6 years

I really can't believe we have been married for 6 years. I will spare you all the corny gushy stuff, but know that I really am so blessed to have my best friend as my partner. We have such a great time together and this weekend was no different. Thanks to Rach and Nate for taking our pups for the weekend we were able to get away to San Fran. We got there Thursday night and tried to get a few hours of sleep in before our weekend adventures. We got in lots of fun which included: Union Square, Beard Papa's Cream Puffs, De Young Musuem (King Tut exhibit), Academy of Sciences, Roti (amazing Indian Food), Great views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, Foggy morning walk, Farmer's Market, Alcatraz, Fog City Diner and of course finished it off with breakfast at Dotie's. The weather was incredible, sunny and crisp air. Saturday morning started off foggy which worked out perfectfly for a stroll along the piers but other than that it was sunny and so enjoyable. It was so much fun running around the city together.

GIRLS WEEKEND

Two weekends ago I was able to fly up to Utah to spend a couple of days away with two of my most dearest friends. Over 5 years ago we started a xmas tradition of giving ornaments as our gift to each other. We each buy 3 ornaments, give two away and keep one of our own, so every year we get 3 new ornaments. It is so fun to have this collection of ornaments with my friends. We only got a few pics of us due to not having people around to take pictures for us. We hit up Cafe Rio, the Spa, Park City outlets, Zin Bistro, Hot Tub and had some fun late night conversations. Love these girls bunches.

Staycation

When I think about who I want in our lives forever I automatically think of the Beck's. They truly are the greatest people and friends. Lucky for Aaron and I they came to visit this last weekend. Last April Ash and I bought tickets to the U2 concert and I had been looking forward to this weekend ever since. The weekend was full of great times. Aaron and I were so excited to show them around LA and take them to some of our favorite spots i.e. Kogi, Sprinkles, Yogurtland, and Mulberry. We made some trips to the beach and the boys got to surf to their hearts content. We went to U2 and enjoyed such an incredible treat, I had been wanting to see U2 for so long and it really was amazing. The short of it all is that we loved it, just hanging out was perfect. Aaron and I felt like we were on vacation for the last 4 days. This evening when I got home from work we were cuddling up and just chatting about the weekend and both said how great it is that even though we have moved away from our friends we feel just as close as ever with them. What a treat to have life long friends.

Moving

No we are not moving, but experienced a moving photo exhibit today. It is called POYI (Pictures of the Year International). This exhibit is currently at the Annenberg Space for Photography just a mile away from where we live. The photos are of 2008 telling stories of all over the world. It was emotionally overwhelming as many of the photos were of people who are in despair, yet it was also such a gift to be a witness of what was captured. I gained a lot of respect for photo journalists as they often put themselves in such dangerous and devastating situations in order to deliver to the rest of the world the truth that is occurring. For those in SoCal the POYI 2008 exhibit will be on until Nov 1st. However the KONA gallery in San Clemente which just opened Oct. 7th is the POYI archive and they will be having shows as well. I highly recommend if you are in the area you check these out.

This pic is of Obama at a high school gym getting ready for a rally

Photo left: Is of the lawer revolt in Pakistan they were getting covered in tear gas and the photographer just captured at the perfect moment this lawyer jumping away from an explosion behind him.

Photo right: A man in Afria is surrendering after being beaten by the police

A beautiful African kid at a refugee camp

This picture is of the "untouchables." They are preparing a man to be cremated.

A police officer in Ohio clearing a home that had received an eviction notice.

A recent Vet who had both of his legs amputated watches tv with his son.

While these are just a few there are so many more that give you at least a paragraph story about the picture and people. They are incredible, be prepared to shed some tears as it is extremely moving. There is a 30 minute film about the photographers and the different situations captured that is for sure a must see while there.