Top 11 in 2011!

In lue of celebrating the New Year, I decided to make a list of the top 11 things that happened in 2011. To be honest, when I reflect on this year what stands out most to me is how hard Brody and I worked. 2011 was definitely a year of work...and not too much play. So though, it isn't super exciting to recount all that we 'worked' on this year, it is exciting to think that we will reap most of the rewards from this years work in 2012.

So here is what I ranked as the most monumental happenings in 2011 (in no particular order).

1. We rang in the New Year in Jamaica of all places (I really consider this trip to have been in 2010 because we left on New Years Day, but it still)

2. Brody changed careers a bit, started working at E Trade(still doing insurance on the side), studied a ton, took the GMAT, applied for school and WAS ACCEPTED to a few MBA programs including University of Michigan (our most likely destination!!)

3. I finished my first year and a half of grad school (and pulled off some decent grades, and was awarded a scholarship)

4. Brody grew his first garden- we actually got to eat a few tomatoes from it too

5. My summer internship at Salt Lake City Council Office turned into a great part time job that will continue into the future (until we move)

6. We said goodbye to the Ford Focus and Roller Skate FJ and welcomed the Infinti and my MINI

7. All of our working has allowed me to save a great deal of money (I'm proud of my savings account, since its never had so much money in it before!)

8. We skiied a ton! 2011 winter had record snowfalls and you better believe Brody and I took advantage of it...even though Brody had to drag me out much of the time, we still had a blast together.

9. Visited some new places like Jackson Hole, WY and Dallas, TX

10. Visited a few old places too, Las Vegas, Lake Powell and Park City

11. Last but not least, we both grew a year older (My bday was celebrated with an awesome surprise party and Brody's was with tons of good food and cheese)--and celebrated our 2 year of marriage.

This year was a lot of work, but I feel incredibly blessed for all the upcoming opportunities we have ahead of us. I am so excited for all the things that will come in 2012. 2012 I have some big plans for you, so you better deliver!! (p.s. I'm sorry if this post sounds like I'm bragging--I just wanted to document all the good that happened this year. We went through some trials too but those aren't fun to mention in the top 11 list)

Happy New Years!

Christmas in Utah

This year was our year to stay in Utah for Christmas and New Years.

In the days leading up to the much-awaited holidays, I got fortunate enough to have my wisdom teeth pulled. Obviously, it wasn't very fun at all, but it did give me an excuse to take two days off of work and to do absolutely nothing during my time at home. I literally watched 8 movies on Netflix during my comatose state during recovery. This all happened last Wednesday and I am still having issues eating anything crunchy or hard. My left side still hurts, but the right side has healed very nicely. I am so happy to be eating solid food again. I felt that all I could eat before was just sweet, and even I got sick of sugar! I was sucking on tortilla chips at work on Friday--I was so desperate for salt!

Saturday, or Christmas Eve, I was feeling better and was able to eat some bread and other soft foods. Brody went skiing without me in the morning. When he returned we went to Julie's house for Christmas Eve dinner and a family party. It was quite fun and the food was enjoyable (at least what I could eat was yummy).

The next morning, I woke up first, because my insomnia has returned for some reason, and we started to open presents.

We were spoiled by both families...I got a ton of clothes and Brody got a Go-Pro video camera..so now he can film himself skiing or other escapades.

Christmas Day was spent at Paul and Brenda's. We had fun just hanging out with everyone and I even had enough energy to play Just Dance on the XBox Kintec...wow was that a good work out. We did take some pictures after church on Sunday, but they were all on Brenda's camera. I will have to get those from her later.

Now I am back to work..trying to recover from all the festivities...anxiously waiting till my next three-day weekend!

Where we will end up...

So Brody has been working incredibly hard for the past 9 months or so studying for the GMAT, taking the GMAT, applying to schools and doing interviews. He was just gone last week interviewing at Northwestern and University of Michigan. Well after all this hard work...we have started to hear back from schools.

Two weeks ago we found out the exciting news that Brody got into John Hopkins for their Masters of Finance program.

And if all goes well we may end up there (Baltimore) for a year...and then on to this University- which Brody was thrilled to receive an acceptance from today!

...sorry to our friends and family...it doesn't look like we will be going to CMU (even if he does get in)

Brody LOVED Michigan. I am not too excited about living in this freezing cold, college town. But at least it is only about 5 hrs from PA.

I am thrilled with the prospects of moving on to the next chapter in our lives. I am excited and feel blessed for all the great opportunities ahead of us!

Weekend in Park City

We were supposed to be snowmobiling- our Christmas present from Brody's mom-this weekend, but somehow Utah has gotten zero snow this year. I am personally ok with this, but it did mean that our snowmobiling trip had to be postponed. It is now planned for some weekend in Feb. We will see if there is snow by then.

For my birthday Brody had purchased a night stay in a hotel in Park City (since that is where we were going snowmobiling) We were going to stay there the night before...obviously that didn't work out, but we decided to still go and just have fun. We haven't really ever done that before..just staying in a hotel just because. It was a fun night!

We went up and went skiing, our usual Saturday activity, then we checked into the hotel, showered, did a bit of shopping and then to dinner. We went to this really good Western/bbq place downtown. We also did some hottubbing and just enjoyed our hotel. We took minimal pictures from the evening...

p.s. Brody just found out the North Korean leader, Kim Jung Ill has died...sigh...this is all I'll hear about for days now. lol