The terrible awful

While updating my phone a few days ago my awesome computer decided to be extra amazing and completely restore my phone, aka wiped everything...so all of the fun pictures I'd been taking to blog about- poof! Gone in an instant. (I hate iTunes) so after I stopped crying about it, mmm like ten minutes ago, I decided I can't let this terribly awful thing hinder my blogging! (and yea I am aware I've been a slacker for the past 2 weeksish but no more)
Awfully exciting things happening in my life?? Well Joel finally decided to get on the bandwagon and play words with friends- loooving it. Not loving that he's super good at it though...Joel is also taking a mock MCAT on Saturday for like 6 hours (cringe) I guess that's more awful than awfully exciting, oh well good luck babe!
And now on to terrible news...we are almost done with all of the seasons of How I Met Your Mother on Netflix (gasp!) I know I don't know what we're going to do from 10-11 every night now. Other terrible news? It's freezing, and I need it to be spring already! Baaah I secretly hope Joel gets into this US med school in the Caribbean so I can lay on the beach everyday, how amazing would that be? However I think I'd miss my parents too much.....well that's a pros and con list I'll put off for a later date!
So for a picture update- a friend took our Palmer family pictures and here are some faves! :)

Halloween

It's scary how late this post is! (haha) but back in October Julie (Joel's mom) an I decided we needed to throw a Halloween party- and throw one we did! Halloween is probably my second favorite holiday behind Christmas (third is 4th of July in case you were wondering) so obviously I was excited! I wish I would have taken more/better pictures but oh well. We had lots of games and tons of great food, and everyone's costumes were awesome. I can't wait for Halloween 2012 and I am determined to get Joel to finally do a couple costume...we'll see how that goes.

Workin it out

I have never been a fan of working out. I never had the motivation to go on my own, and I usually only went when Joel dragged me there. And when I actually went to the gym, I'd wander around, run for a bit, do some more wandering, get on a random machine, wander...

BUT I figured out the secret to a successful workout (for me anyway)

GROUP EXERCISE CLASSES

Who would have thought? I absolutely love them. I think that having a set time, where I know what I'll be doing, has helped motivate me to go. Classes I love?
1. Spinning- probably my least fun class, but a great cardio workout (and yes your butt does get used to the seat)
2. Body pump- this class is one that Joel actually likes to come to, which makes it even more fun. Ive never liked weight lifting but this class puts it to music and gives all your muscle groups a killer workout.
3. TurboKick- this is class kicks my trash, definitely the most tiring- which also means TONS of calories burned :) It's non stop kicking, punching and jumping. But again, it's set to music so it's still fun.
4. ZUMBA- ah saved the best for last. Zumba is like my treat for going to all the other classes haha it's a pretty good cardio workout, but definitely the most fun I've ever had working out.

I love going to work out 5 nights a week, which is something I never thought I'd say, and I find myself looking forward to them during the day. So for anyone who may be discouraged about working out, or says they hate it (MOM) I say you have to try one of these classes.

And to prove that I really have been working out for the past 3 months I took this super embarrassing picture after zumba...notice those sweet guns? Haha

New little guy

Here is my new baby. I love him. What I do not love was the process of buying him. Ever since our house buying fiasco where we got sued or should I say screwed, its kind of made us leery of any big purchases.

That experience taught us to never underestimate people, because if they can screw you, they probably will. Now I know this is a terrible attitude to have, and we weren't always like this. Before the house nightmare I thought people were good and honest, and I tried to see that in everyone. But sadly not anymore.

So with that said, the whole time we're talking to Larry (terrible salesman) I'm thinking, "really? Or are you just trying to get me out of here?" thankfully we had my dad with us who didn't hesitate to be aggressive and get us what we wanted and a good deal. Thanks dad!

New little guy is unbelievably comfy and I'm so thankful not to have to climb in and out of his passenger side haha and our fingers are crossed that we won't have to walk into a dealership for a very long time.

Christmas Gratitude

I love this quote. At work i send out thank you cards to clients who do loans, open counts etc...and this was on the front of one of the cards. It made me stop and think, and i realized that i need more gratitude in my life. I find that i am always thinking about what i dont have, or feeling sorry that others have different opportunites. So i have decided that part of my photo a day will be to take pictures of what i am grateful for, and hopefully these little reminders will help me to see the roses in my life instead of the thorns.

The biggest blessing in my life is

FAMILY.

I didnt take very many pictures on Christmas, but here are the ones I got. I am so grateful to live close to both our families and to have spent Christmas with the Palmers

After i took this picture i realized that i always buy joel grey clothes...hats, jackets, sweats, shirts...everything. he just looks so good in it! haha

Merry Late Christmas!

Bye Little Guy

My little Cr-V and I have been through a lot together. He was my first car. (the one i drove in high school doesnt count, he wasnt really MINE) This little guy was with me for my first semester of college at the U. He kept me safe during those cold snowy months, when the U's campus is crazy. He drove me all the way up to Rexburg to visit my good friend Kari, where I made a pit stop at my cousins house, where I met my husband for the first time.

I loved this little guy...all the way up until the drivers side door stopped wanting to open. Until I had to climb in and out of the passenger side every time I got in and out...then I didnt love him so much.

Our story ended yesterday night, when I traded him in for a pretty new sparkly amazingly awesome new jeep. But I did have a sentimental moment as we were leaving...hence this picture.

Little Guy
1998-forever probably (its a honda...)

I refuse

I know the rule is no Christmas decor up after new years, but I refuse to take mine down! This may have something to do with the fact that I'm sick AND have no time to do it...BUT I think I'll keep them up until Joel says something haha if he notices then I'll know I've pushed it. But really, who doesn't love Christmas decorations?

2011

I have been the worst blogger lately.
and by lately i mean since like..September?
We have been so busy, and had so much going on,

that everytime i think about blogging i get super overwhelmed.

So i figure ill post about the end of 2011 when i can,

but im going to try this blogger challenge

that everyone keeps talking about.

1. Post everyday of 2012

[Im going to be realistic about this and say 5 days a week]

2. Take a picture to document everyday of 2012

[this i think i can actually accomplish]

I love taking pictures, in fact i probably annoy people with how many pictures i am always taking.
HOWEVER, i am bad about doing anything with them.

So my plan for 2012 is to take all 365 pictures and

make them into a book.

fun huh?

ok so there is my 2012 goal.

well one of them anyways.
here is a little of what i failed to share in 2011

Thanksgiving at my parents house

Thanksgiving- Lights on temple square


Joel took this picture with his iphone-
Im standing there trying to capture this picture for
like five minutes...he does it in like two seconds, and it looks awesome.
sometimes i hate that he's pretty much good at everything.
without even trying.
haha



I have finally been introduced to Kneaders.
WHY has no one told me about this sooner?
I have never been much of a breakfast food lover,
but their French Toast is amazing.
its probably safe to say its the
BEST. Ever.ANYWHERE.

MmmMMmmm...



I will post more from Thanksgiving,
for now just pictures from my iphone haha
I am so excited for 2012.

I can finally see the light at the end of Joel's schooling tunnel.
Well his undergraduate tunnel anyways...
The plan is he will graduate from ISU this spring,
spend the summer in Bozeman MT taking a 12 week
organic chemistry course...and then he's done!
the fall should consist of MCAT studying and taking.
Then before the end of the year actually applying
to Medical School.
Holy Crap.
Im freaking out about it and I dont even have to do anything.
I know Joel will do great.
he's pretty much brilliant, and actually enjoys school-
who does that? haha

So heres to a wonderful 2011,
and an even better 2012
with the best guy a girl could ever ask for :)