I'm dreaming of a white...

THURSDAY?? This was taken last Thursday (12/4). It started snowing sometime Wednesday evening and when I woke up in the morning I couldn't find the sidewalk. So guess who I called? SPENCER!! Lucky for me that crazy guy likes to drive in the snow and has snow tires on his car. Even better! I believe we got about 9 inches by the time it FINALLY stopped snowing.

You will notice BOTH of my modes of transportation were covered in snow. (note bike and car). Bummer...no transportation means no classes right? SNOW DAY!! WOOHOO!! oops...those don't happen in college do they? Thats too bad. It sure did make going to classes pretty difficult. All I wanted to do was go play in it!

As most will know....I LOVE SNOW!!! There is just something about it that makes me smile. I know...I'm crazy! And thanks to living in the beautiful state of Colorado, by Saturday the roads were mostly clear and dry. It still made for a wonderful welcome to winter.

Black Friday Continues

This is outside Staples at about 5:50am. It was the only store we actually stood outside and waited in line. It wouldn't have been as big a deal if I wasn't in the market for an external harddrive. I have bad luck with my laptop not always working (but yet again...thats another story). And Staples just happened to have 640gb external harddrive for $70. Thats a pretty good deal. I took the picture from behind the car. I didn't want all the CRAZIES to notice me. I did have to laugh because on our way to Wal-Mart, which is across the parking lot, at 5am there was already someone outside waiting for Staples to open. and it didn't open til 6.....



Thursday night it snowed. Which Spencer claims between the snow and the economy Black Friday wasn't nearly as hectic as previous years. But isn't it just gorgeous? Now who can honestly tell me that its not wonderful to live in Colorado??



The LOOT! After a morning of shopping....we were done by about 10am. Not too shabby, huh??



And who knows...maybe this won't be the only year I venture out on Black Friday. But then again......

Black Friday

After years and years of complaining about shopping and making fun of the commercials about Black Friday ads...I have found myself engaged to one of those CRAZIES!! Yes...thats right folks! Spencer goes out on Black Friday. And even worse....I went with him this year... SHOCKED?? Yeah...me too!



After stuffing ourselves with wonderful food on Thanksgiving Day we went through the piles of ads to see what the Black Friday sales were to be. We were even organized enough to make a list of what we wanted and where it was. Oh and what time the stores opened. I don't know if it was really pure organization or the fact we would be extra tired that morning....but....


Above are our "provisions". Homemade rolls, angel food cake (Thanks Tabi), and homemade Bavarian fudge YUM!


Below...this is what 4:20am looks like. Even after 4 years of seminary I don't believe I saw this time more than maybe twice (but thats another story.) Honestly tho...did anyone else realize this time even existed?? Not me...



Don't I just look thrilled to be awake??

Happy Thanksgiving!

Now maybe it's just me...but all the years we had people over for Thanksgiving I don't remember us being the ones to make the pies. Well, in Spencer's family making pies is probably the biggest to-do during the Holidays. Here we are helping Dad make pumpkin pie. (Which was FANTASTIC but also my favorite type of pie). We also made an apple pie but I was too busy cutting apples to take pictures.

Shep was NOT too happy about being told to stay in the living room while the pies were being baked in the kitchen. I'm not sure how his parents do it, but Shep manages to stay put for a while. Much better than at home. I'm pretty sure he puts on his show of extra good behavior just for the Curtis family...

So, while my parents along with Chris and family played on the "dreadful and dismal" beaches of HAWAII I spent the holiday with Spencer's family. Grandma and Francis Lawlor ate dinner with us as well. It was definately an new experience for me, but one I'm going to get used to.

Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful! Thanks again to Mom and Dad Curtis for taking in Shep, Grandma, Francis, and Me for the day!

P.S. The dreadful and dismal part comes from my Dad. Everytime I'd talk to them while they were in Hawaii Dad would comment on how horrible it was there and how I should be glad I was in Colorado. YEAH RIGHT! I know better then that! ;-)

WooHoo!!

So I was telling my dear friend Aaron Tuesday that I was starting to believe this whole global warming idea. For those who don't live in Colorado...its been close to 70 degrees for the better part of November. It would get chilly at night but back up to summer temps during the day. Well, this morning I was finally able to wake up and ask myself "which sweater shall I wear today?" Yup...its finally beginning to feel like fall around here. It was probably 35 degrees for the better part of the day. YEY! My dear sister Channing asked me the other day, why am I the only sibling to like the winter weather? And honestly I'm not sure. But I sure to love the cold! Bring on the winter weather... now I can finally wear the other half of my closet! :-)

CSU Rams vs Glendale Raptors

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The Countdown has begun...

For the first time in almost a month...I get to wear a sweater today. The weather forcast is a high of 61. After weeks of short sleeve weather I've decided this is cool enough to get away with wearing my brand new sweater. I have to admit I feel like I should be in California because it's still so nice out and I'm getting into more winter wear. But I'm hoping it will tempt mother nature into bringing colder weather our way.

In other news....7 weeks until winter break. (including finals week and thanksgiving break). Sad huh? Really, I'm ready to know if I've passed physiology or not. For those who don't know this is my second time around with this class. I ended up with a 67% last spring. Close but not quite enough. I have to have atleast a C for my next practicum. So far we've had 2 tests and I've done better on both of those than I did last semester. AND I've still got 3 tests left...one tomorrow. one the wednesday after turkey break and the final. So there is still hope....I'm just done being stressed about it.

I've decided my next post will be about the Black Family. I've watched the three boys since Summer 2007. Their mom is in nursing school. But more to come on them...

ok ok ok....I get it!

Welcome to Colorado....where if you're like my roommate Tabi and DON'T like the snow all you have to do is curl up in your bed and sleep through the night. I woke up Wednesday morning after being all excited and woke up to this!!

Yes....bright blue sky and not a flake of snow on the ground. I will admit it was still chilly yesterday but today is beautiful once more. It's supposed to stay in the mid 50s to low 60s for the next 10 days. Guess I will just have to wait patiently for more snow!

LET IT SNOW!!! LET IT SNOW!!! LET IT SNOW!!!!!

For those of you who don't know....I'm considering Fort Collins the New extension of Wyoming. Just ask Dad. It was pretty rainy and cold and overcast today. This evening it was WAY windy...I looked like Cousin It from Addams Family. (sorry...no picture) Well, I'm on my bed studying for my marketing test tomorrow when I hear some girls outside say "It's snowing!!" So of course I jump out of bed and go look out the front door. No luck! I can't see the snow. So I run back into my room and put on shoes. I just have to get outside to see if it's true or not. So in sweat pants, short sleeve shirt, and moccasins I go outside. Check out the cars and sure enough. Its SNOWING!!! I run back inside and tell Tabi to come outside with me. She asks whats going on but comes anyways. I show her my car...it has SNOW on it!!! She's not too happy. Guess she doesn't like snow. :-( We go back inside. I grab my camera and run back outside to document this occasion.

Why is NO ONE ELSE happy?? I love the snow! I love the cold weather!! I'm sooo ready to start wearing long sleeves and sweaters!! I love this time of year!!!!! I say LET IT SNOW!!

Oh Holly....no worries. Dad and Mom down in Camelot were in short sleeves and working in the yard today. Sunny and NOT WINDY!!! Like I keep saying...move to Camelot and you'll be fine. But avoid "northern colorado". :-)

Engagement Party

So my friend Lyndsey decided she wanted to throw us an engagement party. We went to Olive Garden then back to my apartment to play candy poker. And yes....the top hat and veil were requred through the night. Slightly embarassing I will admit. We had a blast! Thanks again to Lyndsey for such a fun night!

Photo Search!!!

HELP!!!!!! I need someone to help!!!!


Hi Family....I am working on something for Grandma Deane for her birthday. I am wondering if anyone has a good picture of Mom and Dad? Maybe from Christmas time? I don't currently have access to my photos from then. Please let me know ASAP!!!!

It's Autumn Time

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

After a week of being sick and stressing about my first physiology test Friday. Spencer and I took the day Thursday and went for a drive in the mountains. We saw all kinds of gorgeous scenery and even a special suprise. ENJOY!!

Nicknames and Scrums

Above: Sherman and Toothless
Those are their nicknames. I believe Sherman is his last name but I don't know his first name. Toothless got bashed in the head 6 years ago and his front four teeth are fake. Hence the name Toothless. I do know his first name (its Dan) but thats only because we have a class together and the teacher happens to call roll every day. I usually forget his name and call him Toothless anyways.

"Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage." Those are the four words said by the ref before this occurs. This is called a "scrum". Its a way of restarting the game after a small penalty (ie off sides or forward passing of the ball). The guys in the scrum all have names for the position they are in but I don't know those. As you can see in both pictures there is a pretty nice tunnell between the two sides. The call gets rolled into there and the point is to not only push the other team away from the ball but to hook th ball with your feet and backwards so one other the other team members can grab it and pass it.

Ok....so its not the best job of explaining it. But I'm still learning as I go. I hoping to remember my camera to the next games so I can get more pictures to show you.

line-outs and rucks

CSU went to Laramie Wyoming this past weekend for Jackalope. Its a whole weekend tournament dedicated to rugby. The team didn't do especially well over the weekend. They did however play the Nebraska Huskers and won 33-6. Here are some pictures I took of that game to try and give you and idea of how the game is played. (Huskers are in black. Rams in white.)

This and the one below are called "rucks". It's like a tackle in football but either team has a chance to get the ball back. One disadvsntage is they can't use their hands, only feet. Whoever has the ball can't just fall to the ground to start a ruck they have to be forced to the ground by the other team. There also has to be a way to get the ball out, meaning players can't lie on top of the ball.

These two pictures are of what is called a "line-out". This is one way to get the ball back after its gone out of bounds. The teams lift one or two guys into the air in order to win the ball after being thrown in. It's kinda like a super high and assisted jump shot.

takes one to know one!

Ok...so I've been so busy with school and work. I forget I acutally need to post on here too. For the past month or so I've been checking out everyone else's blogs to see whats going on in the world and yet have done NOTHING with mine. Here I am thinking how some of my friends and family members (**cough cough Dad...Julie...cough cough**) are slackers for not updating recently. When in reality I'm the slacker here!! So I am going to take my camera out of the glovebox and take it to work tonight. See if I can get some decent pictures of where I spend 3 nights a week plus one weekend day.

We've had quite a few injuries with the Rugby team over the past almost month. Three AC sprains, One torn ACL, a few pulled hamstrings, and one cut over the eyebrow... I think thats about it. Its been exciting and the season has just begun!

I'm STILL not moved into my room. There are still boxes to unpack. But I figure I lived all summer without them so is it really necessary since I will be packing them again in less than 9 months? Ok...Maybe the long sleeve shirts and sweaters will come in handy here pretty soon. And the blankets. But thats only 2 boxes. What about the other half dozen or so?

Like I said...i'm obviously the slacker here.

But on the positive side I have my first paper for writing arguements due friday and have already sent it off to the resident editor. She lives in camelot. Lucky her! And I have my first physiology test in a week and a half. I'm already studying tho probably not to where I should be. Figures!

update

Hey guys....
remember that blog I started in May and then never touched again. Well, I think I may be better about it now that my summer is over. If you get a chance...check it out!! trainingbycarrie.blogspot.com

Santa Monica and Malibu

Yesterday...Spencer and I went to Santa Monica. We walked along the pier, ate lunch on the 3rd street promenade, and walked along the beach. From Santa Monica to Malibu and back. We had a ton of fun...I think we'll go back and stay!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Northern California!!!

San Fransisco Bay

So, Spencer gave a pretty good update on his blog about our trip to San Jose and San Fransisco to see his family. I have to admit I was pretty suprised when he asked if we could go up there last friday around lunch time. I'd been pestering him all week to call Aunt Karen and set something. I'd honestly given up on the whole idea when he decided to call her. Amazing what happens when I just leave it alone. I'll have to remember that one.....

Gorgeus, huh??

Anyways, I had a BLAST up north and definately enjoyed it a WHOLE lot more than either of
us thought I would! Its absolutely gorgeous and the weather was much more bearable than LA.



These are Spencer's cousins, and my soon to be cousins. From left/bottom to right/top are Annie (5), Kennion (8), and Mark (11). I made it my goal of Saturday to make Kennion smile for a picture. And guess what...I was successful!! Well...sorta. Mark had to tickle it out of him and I had to have some QUICK fingers . But it worked!!

So for 3 years I've heard about Grandma Curtis' applesauce cookies. But...in those three years no one has thought to make them for me. Well...thanks to my new wonderful Aunt Karen, I had my first experience with those infamous cookies. As shown here...the batter was delicious. And the cookies were quite amazing.

What else is there to do in San Fransisco other than drive around for what feels like HOURS looking for a parking spot? One word...

Yup...thats right! We ended up ordering 4 desserts and sharing them between the 7 of us. We got the very berry sundae, the peanut butter hot fudge sundae, the hot fudge sundae, and the cookie bottom sundae!! Talk about delicious!! I meant to get a picture of them before we dug in with spoons in hand...but got distracted. Whoops!

Mark and Kennion and Aunt Karen and Annie

Uncle Gary and Spencer

As you can tell...we enjoyed them completely. It was pretty fantastic!!

Weekend Getaway

So I learned this past weekend that I like northern California more than I thought I would. Spencer and I spent the weekend in San Jose area with Spencer's Aunt Karen and her family. We had a BLAST!! Pictures to come soon!

Hollywood Stars

So less than 24 hours in Hollywood and I've seen two stars!! Thats more than I've seen while visiting here over the past few years.

First: Spencer and I got into LA Monday just before dinner time and we all went to In-N-Out for dinner. As we walk in Holly notices a guy standing by the drinks who looks familiar. We both recognize him from something but can't place it. Chris and Spencer have no clue. What help are they?? Anyways, as we are leaving Chris goes to fill up his drink. He proceeds to ask the guy if he's been in any movies. The guy's response "Are you LDS?" Turns out he is LDS and was the bad fiancee in Charley. We KNEW we were right!! Ok...so not a big A-Lister but still. I was excited. And kinda wished I'd pulled a real "tourist" moment and gotten a picture with him. lol

Second: Spencer and I are wandering around Hollywood and Highland today. There is some "help prevent childhood hunger" thing going on in the main area. There are a lot of people gathered around but we don't really pay much attention. I then realize that there is someone of interest there too

For those who don't know who this is. Its Vanessa Coleman from High School Musical and she was on Dancing with the Stars. Spencer's sister is a HUGE fan of the HSM movies. I claim I took these pictures for her but I kinda enjoyed the whole "star crazed tourist" bit.

It was fun!!

Who knows what else will happen over the next two weeks?!?!

what to do with a night in LA?

Blog of course!!

Hey guys...here's a riddle for you (of sorts)
so what happens when your brother goes to bishopric meeting and your sister in law goes relief societing? and the cute niece sleeps?? Spencer and I sit on the couch in the basement and blog.

Pathetic I know!! But he has gotten into blogging. He's firs ton my life of friends and family. go check it out. I think he's pretty proud so far.

Visiting Utah with the Reyes Family

Make a Smilebox postcard

California dreamin

The best part about the job I have is my ability to travel. For those who don't know...I'm manager of the phones for a nanny placement agency based in Northern Colorado. But thanks to technology I can travel and take work with me. As a result...Spencer and I will be spending the next almost 2 weeks in sunny California. I plan on sleeping, visiting the beach, and shopping. All of course with my ADORABLE niece Whitney. I hope to be better about updating but seeing as its after midnight I'm off to bed. Maybe tomorrow....

We got here around dinner time today. Spencer and I spent 2 days in Provo. Its nice having Grandma's condo to stay in....but the beds are HORRIBLE (sorry Grandma) so I'm happy to be sleeping on nice beds for the next two weeks. We got to see Annie and meet her new boy. We got to see Shelby and Greg, friends from Fort Collins. And most importantly...we got to see Megan and the Reyes Family. Its been a while and I've known them the longest. This might be a first but I actually ENJOYED my two day in Utah. but then again...I'm glad to be in Cali too!!

Ok...enough rambleing....off to bed I go!

and what you've been waiting for...

ok....so I thought this was a pretty cute picture. Impressed I'm smiling? Me too...It was a LONG and HOT day!! but fun...



And...THE RING!!!! As a bridesmaid for my friend Shannon's wedding we went to get our nails done. My nails looked too gorgeous to pass up taking pictures. True to Carrie the nails are back to normal and have been since tuesday. (my birthday) It didnt even last a week. sad huh? I know I'm biased...but I think its the prettiest ring out there. Don't you agree??