I could hold you forever

I can't wait to hold this handsome guy again! Less than 2 weeks and he will be home from his long 30 day tour. I love you my skinny love!

I Found You!!!!

YES!!! I don't think I can be any happier right now! In Russia I used to always drink Kefir. It is so yummy, well if you grew up drinking it every day. I think it's because of Kefir that I don't like milk that much. As a kid I would always choose Kefir over milk. I loved that stuff. Well it's been over 11 years since I've had it. That is a long time!
So on Saturday, Brandon and I wondered into Sunflower Market. We were getting some fresh produce and we happen to walk by the dairy isle. I was reading names of yogurts and came across a whole section of Kefir. My mind didn't quiet catch the name as first. I kept walking and then it finally clicked!!! KEFIR!!! Are you serious!!!! I ran back to the isle and I was so happy it was ridiculous! I got a bottle of raspberry flavored one. I was in heaven! I'm still giddy about it! I'm so amazed at how one sip of that stuff flooded my mind with little memories. Not only that but this drink is so good for your body. It has bunch on probiotics and all this other great stuff. Go ahead and try it! Don't get the plain kind, it takes getting used to. I love it plain and I also loved the flavored kinds as well. Brandon had some and he liked it, but I don't think I'll be seeing him drinking it by a cup full anytime soon.

I'm truly a happy kid right now.

Hello Mister

Brandon and I had so much fun today. I had the day off work! That is always a sweet thing! We had lots of errands to run, a long to-do list to complete. We spent the whole day with each other running around town getting wedding things done. Brandon will be traveling with Young Ambassadors for 30 days, so we have a lot of things on our list that need to be done before he leaves. One of the highlights of today was taking our engagement pictures! It was so fun! Brandon and I couldn't stop laughing. Our photographer was awesome! We got to see few pictures he took and I can't wait to see the rest! Also our incredibly talented friend Drew designed our wedding invitations and they are out of this world awesome! I get to address those babies while Brandon is gone, it will be good to keep me busy while he is gone. 92 more days!!!!

We were looking at cake toppers and came across these little guys. They are kind of cute.

You're The One I Love

Here's to you Brandon, my sweet Valentine!

You are perfect and I love you!

Home Is Whenever I'm With You.

In January, Brandon and I went to California to see my friend Liana get married. Liana and I have been friends for 12+ years, she is one of my Russian friends. She got married on Friday, so Brandon and I spent the day in Fullerton. We had so much fun at her and Sam's wedding. We danced the night away, witnessed Liana smash cake into Sam's face, and we laughed a lot! Thank you guys for inviting us to share your special day with you!
Friday night, after the wedding we went to Randy and Alyssa's home. They are so sweet and let us sleep in their cute apartment. We were treated like royalty! Randy made us yummy breakfast on Saturday morning, after which we headed to LA walk of fame.

Brandon and I ran into our buddy Sam. No big deal.
Randy and Alyssa got lots of pictures of our trip! Thank you guys!
Chuck Norris, don't mess!
After wondering around LA, we all went to Santa Monica Pier. We all decided to go an a ferris wheel ride. I love that ferris wheel! Brandon and I went on it when we first began to date and it has become one of our special places. We all got into our little chairs and while we were on the very top, the wheel made three stops, on the very top stop Brandon asked me to marry him!!!!! I cried! We all laughed because Brandon totally surprised me! Randy and Alyssa got all of it on pictures and video! I'm so thrilled to marry by best friend! Brandon is truly the best man for me! Im SO lucky to have him in my life and I can't wait to share the rest of forever with him!
Pure bliss, right after we got off the ferris wheel.
We went on a walk on the beach.
And here is my new little pretty! I love it! I'm thrilled! This new adventure is going to be awesome!

See ya 2010!

My dear friend, 2010,
You were better than 2009! You were full of surprises, birthdays, cherished old friends and dear new ones. You kept me on my toes that is for sure. I've never worked harder, loved so fully, taken so many leaps of faith, and welcomed everything good into my life. My heart if full of gratitude for the wonderful year you were. Just like I said with year 2009: "I am a better person!". This year my family grew closer, said goodbye for two years to my baby brother Stephen, got a new nephew in march, went on amazing road trips with even more amazing friends, moved out to Provo, cooked more, baked more, laughed so hard with friends that tears ran down my face, learned to forgive, welcomed new friends into my life, had more dinners with my friends (every single week!!!), attended weddings and baby showers, fell even more in love with my niece, grew even stronger in the gospel, held patients hands, helped out a stranger, spend time with my Russian friends, Mona rope swing, got another nephew in December, spent Christmas away from my family and spent it with my best friend and his family, the list goes on. 2010 you were fun! I've never been happier! I love where my life is, I wouldn't change a thing. I am so grateful for my family, who are always there to love and laugh with me. I'm grateful for my friends who are always near. I'm grateful for the love I have in my life. I'm grateful for the gospel in my life, the true miracles and blessings it brings into my life. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and all that he has done for me. I am truly blessed and I am grateful for that! Year 2011, I know you will be an amazing year! Bring it on!*This was taken a year ago Christmas. I love this picture of my family!

Look to the Light

"That’s when I really started seeking Christ, because I knew He was real. I had done everything in the world that man had to offer, and none of it was real.”

Music and Beauty

I love music and sometimes I come across something that is so moving and beautiful. I really like the Weepies and Ryan Woodward created this beauty. I can't stop watching it, so I thought I'd share it with everyone. Enjoy.

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Give Thanks

I love Thanksgiving! It's the holiday that makes me realize how much I have to be grateful for. I have incredible roommates! They are so fun and they always make me laugh to the point where all 3 of us cry uncontrollably. We have a lot of fun together. We all love going to The Chocolate, a desert cafe. I'm grateful for the incredible hazelnut hot chocolate they make.
I'm grateful that my roommates will order mint and spice hot chocolate so we could all share.
The Cazookie! Best desert ever. I'm grateful for the first bite....
.....and the last!
I'm grateful for these people! Ryan is the greatest! He is funny and so kind! He has a sweet heart and he always makes sure everyone is happy. Jaclyn! I don't know where to begin! She is my roomie! She is my buddy who stays up late and listens to me while I rant about everything and anything. She sits by me at church, makes Jones soda run with me. She is beautiful, kind, sweet, compassionate, and just all around amazing. I'm so grateful for her in my life and I'm so grateful she has become one of my closest friends. Brandon- I love him with all my heart and I'm so grateful for him. He is always there to pick me up and cheer me up. He is always taking care of me, helping me, laughing with me, and so much more. He is my best friend! I'm so grateful I met him, I'm so grateful he picked me up, dusted me off and showed me how good life is. I'm grateful for the blessing he is in my life!
I'm grateful for Noodles & Co. and their yummy pesto pasta!
I"m grateful for Christmas and my Savior Jesus Christ.
I'm grateful for being able to spend time with those I love.
I"m grateful for my friends and how purely goofy they are!
I'm grateful for delicious food!
I give thanks for all and many blessings in my life! I am truly blessed! I am blessed with trials that make me rely on my Savior, my family and my friends! I'm grateful for a new look on life and its beauty. I am grateful for my testimony and the truth of the gospel. I am grateful for always knowing that no matter what happens in my life things will always turn out ok and even better than before! I'm grateful for this life I have been given and everything it comes with. I am grateful!

November Dish

Alright, I"m little late but here is my November dish. Jaclyn and I went to Costco and say pita bread. I love pita bread. When I was little I would always get gyros form street stands. They were so delicious. I decided to get the pita bread and make homemade gyros. Jaclyn helped me and we made all the cucumber yogurt sauce, which was incredibly good. Instead of lamb, which is usually used when making gyros, we used chicken. Everything was spiced just perfect and after the sauce was marinated for 24 hours, we finally got to enjoy the dish. Friends came over and after lots of laughter and chit-chat, the food was gone, out tunnies were full, and the night was perfect. I love my friends who are always up for letting me experiment with food and have them be my guinea pigs. So far reviews are been great, so I will keep making food. I think I'll skip December. I will let you know.

Russian Food

I'm giving up on catching up, it is taking me way too much time. On my 25th birthday, which I celebrated in September, I've decided to make my resolution list (like the one people usually make on New Years Eve). One of the goals I put on my list is to make more Russian food, actually it is more like re-learn how to make Russian food. So far I am making a great progress, one dish each month. I present to you my little creations:

- October: Black Bread. I great up eating this bread pretty much with every meal. I smelled and tasted so good. I will change few things next time. This bread is good but I'm not sure when I will make it next time. It has 17 ingredients in it!!!! It was easy to make but it tool a long time. It was worth it!
- September: Stuffed Cabbage. This was SO tasty! I doubled the recipe and it cost me $13 (and some cents). I fed 12 people and had left overs! This dish is something my grandmother used to make and it is so filling! The stuffing includes lots of veggies, rice, and ground beef. I will be making this again soon.
Stay tuned to see what November brings.

So.....

..... there is a possibility that I've been having way to much fun to keep up with my blog. Its true. Fall is almost here and I am slowly catching up!

*May*

1. Natalie and Andrew got married and I got to attend their sealing! Love these two! 2. Brandon and I discovered the best shaved ice known to men! It was the best! Thanks Sarah for telling us about it.
3. Celebrated my beautiful mom's birthday and Mothers day! Got to talk to Sam
... and Stephen. I absolutely love my little brothers! They are incredible!

4. Alyssa and Randy got married! Brandon and I were able to attend their sealing. Brandon was the best man!

5. This handsome guy turned 24!!! I love him with all my heart!
Just few little notes as to why Brandon is pretty much the coolest:
- He has the best dance moves.
- If my Mac ever gives me any trouble, he can fix it right away and knows how to.
- He is super active and we have lots of fun hiking, swimming, going on bike rides, and lots more.
- No one has ever been able to make me laugh as much and as hard as him.
- He is sweet and kind!
He is my best friend! Happy Birthday mister!

~April~

1. Lots of work, massive conversion/ merger at work. Busy, busy, busy
2. Went bowling with my work, and it was awesome!3. I met mister B a year ago. We celebrated and went out to yummy dinner.
4. Put braces on my teeth, I know I looked like I was 14 again. It was worth it. Plus it was only for two months.
5. Moved out of my parents home and moved to Provo.

Cross That Off My List

On Saturday I got to cross something off my Bucket List! I finally attended Holi Festival of Colours. It is an Indian celebration of Spring and other interesting little things. We got together with friends, dressed in white t shirts (Brandon and I made a little stop at DI) and headed out to the festival. There were so many people there! Seriously! It was so much fun. Lots of music and people, and the best part colored chalk! We got there just in time before they started to toss the chalk and we got our nice white shirts and clean faces smothered with all sorts of colors! People toss the powdered chalk in the air and at people, it gets everywhere! I had to cover my nose in order to breath. Once the colored dust settled this is what was left:
Everyone was covered in color!
Being silly! I washed my hair 4 times after that to get all that chalk out, it was so worth the fun!
Jaclyn and Brad! Love them!
Monkeying around before going home.
I was having so much fun I didn't want to go home, so Brandon carried me away.

Jackson Paul

This little family of 3 just got a tiny bit bigger!
Handsome baby Jackson Paul Stringham finally decided to arrive on March 19th. He is so cute and I am head over hills in love with him!
I can't get enough of this cuttie! Congrats Jack and Melissa!

Road Trip!

Brandon and I decided to go on a road trip to Idaho to see our friend get married! We packed the car and headed out with a car full of good friends. I've never actually been to Idaho but I've driven through it. When we got there I was so disoriented and I missed my trusty Utah mountains, I couldn't tell where east or west was. Thank goodness Randy our awesome driver had a GPS, it got us safely to out hotel. We packed close to 10 people in out tiny hotel room and it was so fun! There were people everywhere! I couldn't step on the floor without accidentally stepping on someones arm or leg. We attended wedding dinner on friday and a beautiful sealing ceremony on saturday morning. I forgot my camera so I didn't catch any pictures of the beautiful bride and groom. As most of you know, Idaho is pretty flat right? Well we were driving in Twin Falls and all of the sudden there was this huge gorge! So we all decided to go and check it out and kill some time before the reception.Brandon and I grabbed our blanket and went and sat on the dock. I enjoyed my Vanilla Coke. I haven't had one in forever and it was delicious.
Brandon dared me to dip my toes in the water, I did and the water was freezing!
Thanks for a fun road trip!

My dad!

Today my dad celebrated his birthday! I seriously have the best dad on earth! He is the most kind and understanding individual I know. I love you dad! Thanks for all the support, long talks about life, boys, work, and little things that matter! Thanks for all the fun trips, for teaching me how to ski and enjoy water sports! You are the best!

My Sweet Grandmother

My sweet grandmother passed away earlier this week. I"m so grateful that she was my grandmother. She always had the kindest and sweetest words of encouragement, she always gave the best compliments! She was a great example to me and how blessed I am to have her beautiful influence in my life. I know that I will miss her and so will everyone else that knew her. I'm so happy to have the eternal knowledge and know that she is happy and healthy with our Heavenly Father. I know I will see her again and I bet she is planting beautiful flowers in heaven!

MARIAN LOIS STRINGHAM

Marian Lois Smith Stringham 5/14/1925 ~ 2/25/2010 Marian Lois Smith Stringham peacefully passed from this life on February 25, 2010, surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 14, 1925 in Ogden, Utah to Edwin E. and Lois D. Smith. She graduated from Ogden High school and the University of Utah in Business and Music and was a member of Chi Omega. She was married in the Salt Lake Temple to her sweetheart, Jack Dunyon Stringham M.D., in 1949. Having been together for 61 years, their love for each other was always present and felt by us all. They were an example of true love, devotion and unselfishness. Her life was centered on her family whom she cherished dearly, always putting her family first in encouraging, supporting and promoting her children's and grandchildren's talents and desires. From her early childhood, music was very important to Marian. She continued to develop her musical talents throughout her life. She was a member of the Utah Symphony until moving with her husband to San Diego and Seattle while he served in the Navy. Later, she played her violin with the Salt Lake Symphony for over 25 years. Marian was known for her beautiful flower gardens. Each summer she and Jack carefully and meticulously planted flowers, creating a haven of beauty for gatherings of family and friends. She loved family traditions, Sunday dinners and get-togethers, especially those shared at Bear Lake, Lake Powell, Jackson, Wyoming and Aspen, Colorado. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints and served in many capacities, her favorite being serving in the Primary with the young children and as a hostess at the Church Office Building. She brought the spirit into many meetings with her lovely violin music and also found joy in sharing her talents creating floral arrangements each week for Sacrament and Relief Society meetings and for many special events both church and civic. Later, Marian found great happiness as she and her husband served in the California, San Diego, Mission. Marian loved people and throughout the years enjoyed association with many wonderful friends who were very dear to her. Marian radiated beauty, grace and refinement and brought joy into the lives of everyone she knew. Though she had many challenges in life, she met them with strength, dignity and a positive attitude, always focusing on the needs of others. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband Jack, and four of their five children, John E. (Jan), Anne (David Jerman), Paul B. (Kim), and Susie (Kent Compton), her brother Ray (Colleen) Smith, 20 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren with #27 on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents and son Stephen. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Park 17th Ward building, 2795 Crestview Drive in Salt Lake City, Family and friends may call Monday, March 1st, 6-8 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 South, and at the church Tuesday, 10:00-10:45 a.m. preceding the funeral service. Interment, Salt Lake City Cemetery, 200 North "N" Street.

My New Favorites

You guys! I've found some new favorites these last few months! First of all I've always wanted to go to a roller derby, so when this movie came out I had to see it. Plus I think Ellen Page is pretty talented. "Whip It" is now on my list of favorite movies! I laughed a lot and they got a great cast! If you are bored one night, rent it!I've also been reading more and last month I finished "Dear John". It was really cute and sappy (what else would you expect from the guy who wrote the "Notebook"?!), but I liked it. Now I have a dilemma: so see the movie or not to see the movie. I think I might wait till red box!
Feel free to share your favorite movies/ books if you'd like. Maybe I'll check them out and let you know what I think.