Express Christmas in Saint George.. :]

I don't know how many of you watch the show Modern Family, but just in case you don't I will explain the blog title a little... On a recent episode, everyone realized December 17th, was the last day they would all be together until after the holidays, so they had an express Christmas...

Well, this year, the Baumgartners sort of had the same idea. We left for Saint George last Thursday and had an express Christmas in Saint George since that would be the only time we could all get together considering Drew works on Christmas and I work Christmas Eve. Drew and I had finals that day and left right after we took all of them. So of course, as soon as I was de-stressed, I got ridiculously sick. I was fevered for three days straight.. tylenol couldn't even keep the fevers away. Oh it was awful, and then the rest of the sickness set in. I was too weak to walk anywhere for about 4 days and still have a plugged up nose and an extremely annoying cough.  All in time for the real Christmas celebrations! BLAH! I guess I shouldn't be surprised seeing as how this happens every year, last year started after Thanksgiving Break, so I guess I should be grateful! Anywho, besides the impeccable timing of sickness, we had a blast spending a little vaca with the Baumgartners. Here is some of the fun...

We spent the first few days shopping and spending time together.. On Sunday we had our Express Christmas where we opened presents and of coursed played with all of our new toys! Drew and I were so blessed this Christmas because his parents helped us buy a brand new desktop computer for my photography! It has already paid for itself and then some and we are constantly using it. In fact, Drew and I fight over who it was really for! :] Some of our favorites this year were the giant Book of Mormon with all the pictures inside for us to use when we have little ones, I LOVED all the jewelry I got from Nancy, and Drew thinks his new ReBok ZigZags are the coolest thing ever! We (even though I am not in the book) loved getting the "Baumgartner Bible" from 2009. Every year Nancy puts together a book of everyone's favorite memories and pictures from the past year. (she is a little behind due to everyone being uncooperative) but I think it is the neatest tradition to have. How fun will it be to pass down to later generations! LOVE IT!

 On Monday we had family pictures taken which was a battle! It took me forever to hike up to the place we were taking pictures.. and it wasn't even that far!!! Stupid Fevers! Here are a few of the pictures...

On Wednesday, Drew, Me, and Kyler all woke up early and drove down to Vegas for the day! What a blast! I honestly can not remember a time where I had that much fun on the strip and shopping! (yes,, I did say shopping ;0) Our first stop was the Coca Cola factory... The bear was out taking pictures with people so naturally I made the boys smile and take one. We ended up buying the prints so I will have to scan those in, but here is a glimpse of the fun!

We also went to the M&M Factory and bought a Christmas Ornament! Drew and I buy/make one each year to describe our Christmas, so this year we decided a memory of our trip would be perfect! I love it!!

Roger, Matt, and Alexis ended up meeting us down in Vegas for dinner and a little more shopping! Our first stop was the Nike store where Drew got a brand new pair of tennis shoes that look SAWEET! And Nike we was having a ridiculously awesome sale so they were super cheap! Woot Woot! Drew's Christmas present to me was a new outfit so while we were down there I got new earrings, sweater, belt, and leggings! I can not wait to wear them all! He sure does spoil me!! 

After dinner and shopping we went to see the Lion King thanks to Nancy! It was my first broadway show EVER! and I LOVED IT! I have already made plans to see Wicked! It was so good and we honestly had the time of our life!! 

Here is a picture of us during intermission! Ahh I can not get over how awesome it was! 

At the end of the show we walked out to our car to realize that Drew had left his phone in the theatre! AH so we ran back as fast as we could, Drew fuming of course, but luckily we found the phone hidden under the seat! PHEW! When we finally got back to Saint George it was 1 o'clock in the morning and we were pooped. I did not want to wake up the next morning! We had such a fun trip and are excited to keep these memories forever! 

A much needed update...

Wow! I have been slacking in the updates! Needless to say, we have been busy as ever. Finals start next week and we are more than ready for the semester to be over! We officially started selling my photography and had a big "kick off" party to see how successful we might be... the results were shocking! We were way more successful than anticipated, in fact, I had to email everyone and say they wouldn't receive their order for a few more days. I was so blessed and am so grateful for the love and support we were given. We actually have another big party tomorrow night, which should go well.. hopefully!

Because of our recent success, we have decided to make a few big changes. WE ARE MOVING TO COLORADO after the summer is over! I am THRILLED. Beyond EXCITED. Oh words can not even describe!!!!! I am not ready to quit Red Robin yet, so I am going to try and work hard on photography as well as work every day. I have a feeling I will be cutting back on the hours I spend there though. Drew has also decided to make a few changes in work. He is now a sales member for Vivint. He is going to start doing all the preseason sales and what not and then in May, we will either be going to New Mexico, Texas, or Oklahoma... (there was talk about Vegas... but I doubt it). Drew will still work at Heritage schools, but more on an on call position, so he will work whenever he has time. He loves the boys and everyone he works with at Heritage, so staying employed there is more of a hang out for Drew.

We have so many fun and exciting changes coming up and this is a boring blog post because there is no pictures, but as soon as I can catch up with my orders, I will edit a few pictures of our recent happenings and get those posted on here.

Makenzie's Wedding

My cute cousin just got married last weekend and she looked BEAUTIFUL! Her photographer was her sister-in-law, so they asked me to take a few pictures outside of the temple so the sister-in-law could be in them. Here is a sneak peek of her wedding... 

She looked absolutely gorgeous! Congrats Miss!

a look into our future...

Our nephew, Adam, worships Drew. Every time we go over to their house, Adam has to be center of attention when it comes to Drew. It is so cute to see the two of them interact. The other day, we stopped by before going to take pictures at a few temples and as we were leaving Adam became so upset and would not leave Drew's side. So, we decided to take him with us. Drew loved it just as much Adam did. As I was going through all the pictures I took, I stumbled upon this one. Drew is going to be an AMAZING father. and for that, I am eternally grateful. 

 Adam was telling Drew all about the temple and pointing everything out! 

The best of friends!! 

updates...

Drew was looking at our blog the other day and turned to me and said "Last time you posted was in JULY! you need to get on it!" haha. We have both been so busy and life is flying  by for us. Here are a few updates..

1. We went to Colorado for a quick trip home. We drove out for Dillon's farewell and to help my mom with all the party planning. 

2. My little brother left on his mission :[ I bawled. Long story short, I absolutely HATE the MTC. Worst experience ever! Sorry Tanner and Spencer, I am NOT taking you to the MTC. However, Dillon is doing great and learning the language quick.

3. We both started school. I postponed my graduation a semester so that I can focus on my health and not being so stressed all the time, so my new graduation date is in April. THEN I am finished!!

4. We are finally "going for it" and starting up my photography "business." I have fallen in love with taking pictures of the temple and everyone seems to think I should share my pictures. So be expecting a website soon and all that jazz. Here is a sneak peek... 

5. I work at Red Robin in Provo and am loving the extra money right now. Drew is still working at Heritage schools and is also loving his job. He gets to watch tv, play sports, hang out... and all be paid. Lucky duck! 

6. Daisy is getting bigger and bigger. She now has two retarded ears. They want to stand up (the Yorkie in her) but her ears are to big (the doxin in her) so- they stick straight out to the side. And yet we still love her. She loves watching tv and will literally bark when it is a scary part. She pays attention to what is happening. It is HILARIOUS. 

7. We are loving life and each other. Staying busy. and keeping up with work, school, church, and our marriage. 

Pioneer day Celebrations

This year, Drew and I renamed Pioneer day as "Megan Day" haha. I really wanted a certain purse, so I told Drew that it was officially "Megan's Day" just so he would buy it for me! Little did we know it would end up me buying lots of new toys! and oddly enough.. no purse.. 

I am experimenting with new hairstyles, so this morning I began trying to learn how to do some cute quick hairstyles. This was today's creation.. (it is a little messy and my head looks like a square.. but you can thank my dog for that doing...) I twisted the hair around the side and into a messy bun.

Not only did I end up getting a lot of new toys, Drew was AWESOME and let me decide what we did all day long! Since I am trying to relive my childhood, I insisted we start the day off by going to the Fiesta Days Parade! We woke up at 7am, got ready and headed out to the parade! I was soooo disappointed! Seriously, what happened to being creative and making your own floats... everyone just rode inside of a boat. Super lame. But Daisy sure enjoyed every minute of playing with the couple behind us and chasing the kids next to us.

Next, I needed a nap (I am NOT the morning bird) So, I took a nap while Drew worked on his Physics homework.. I swear that class is taking over his life.. and our marriage! I can not wait for this semester to be over! After our naps and homework, we got ready again and headed out to the mall for some lunch. On our way out we stopped by the AT&T store to see when I was eligible for an upgrade because I hate my phone! Turns out I was eligible for one today! So, we talked the guy into giving us a $100 phone for 50 BUCKS, waive the upgrade fee, and change my unlimited plan to a cheaper unlimited plan. My husband is quite the sweet talker!

After that, we headed out to Spanish Fork again to walk around the craft fair and carnival. It was so much fun! Drew bought me new sunglasses, earrings, a scentsy candle warmer, and a glitter tattoo on my foot! 

We also came home to some delicious brownies our neighbors had dropped by!

Then we went to the Rodeo! Boy do I love rodeos! We shopped around the vendor tents there too and ended up buying a lime green roping rope! Drew was so excited and practiced the entire walk back to our car! When we got to the rodeo, a HUGE storm came in and it honestly felt like we were in a tornado! After all the wind left, it poured rain throughout the entire rodeo! It was still so much fun though.. luckily we got a picture before the huge storm came in!

Introducing the cutest puppy ever....

Drew called me on his way home from work one night and said, Lets get a dog. I want one. Start looking. I just laughed and said ok! I narrowed it down to two-three puppies and let him pick (well I put in my opinion which may have swayed the decision process a little...) but, we decided to buy a Yorkie/Doxin mix. We found a family in Ogden that had just had a litter of puppies, so the following morning we called the guy up and headed up to Ogden. We got pretty lucky 1. she technically was already sold, but then something happened where they couldn't pay for her anymore 2. we talked him down in price a little 3. we got the cutest puppy ever... that everyone loves to death (they don't have to be with her during her crazy hours though)

Here she is the day we picked her up..

Her latest hobby... she is so incredibly naughty! 

Just a cute picture of her... she never leaves our side, as you can see with my foot in the picture.

She is so crazy, snuggly, and thinks she is human. She will only eat people food (we have to force her to eat her puppy food) and does not like the toys we buy for her... instead she has claimed Drew's yoyo, any and all shoe laces, straws, and of course paper... We absolutely love her to death though. Drew is way more attached than I am... but she is sure growing on me...

Rodeo equals Summer Love

Boy do I LLLLOOOOVE rodeos! Unfortunately, Drew and I work and study our lives away, so there is not much room for free time or even date nights, but somehow we managed to sneak away from life and spend the night together at the Strawberry Days rodeo! Before we went to the rodeo, we needed to buy Drew a cowboy hat... which ended up me getting a brand new hat as well! We had so much fun and Drew even ran into an old mission buddy! Oh how small the world is when you live in Provo, Utah.

8 Months. Woot Woot

Drew and I have made it 8 whole months! haha. I love him so so much! He is awesome and always so loving towards me. Marrying him was the best decision I ever made! But, before I make you all throw up from the mushy gushy love talk, here is a picture of us two! My mom was incredible and took us out to take a few snapshots for our house! Thanks momma! You da best! ;]

I hope they call me on a mission...

... When I have grown a foot or two...

I am still waiting to go on a mission, but the whole growing part, isn't really happening :]

BUT

My little brother, Dillon was called to serve a mission in the Baltic Mission, speaking Lithuanian!!! He will serve the countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania! I am so proud of the man he is becoming and for the sweet spirit he has always carried with him. He has always been an incredible example to me and have looked up to him in more ways than one. We are all so proud of his decision to sacrifice two years of his life to serve our Savior, Jesus Christ, and share with the people in the Baltic the gospel that has blessed my life in so many ways! Dillon will report to the Provo, Missionary Training Center on the 24th of August! I LOVE you Dillon!! 

Our Honeymoon to Cancun!!

Tonight for Family Home Evening, we decided to FINALLY develop our honeymoon pictures... 7 months later.. :] anywho, we were so lucky! Drew's parents spoiled us rotten with an all inclusive honeymoon package! We had spa days, a romantic dinner, fresh flowers every day, well.. and wine.. but it didn't get much use, and so much more! Well, to explain the pictures... Drew and I both forgot our cameras! YES! LAME! We were so bumbed out. and then, we didn't even go buy a disposable camera until the second to last day! We are the biggest MOMOs! I am a little sad we don't have more pictures, but love the few we have! 

Oh the beaches in Cancun! When you walked out of our room, you walked right out onto beach front! Talk about AWESOME! 

gotta love the water spot. I started to edit it out, but the quality of disposable cameras isn't to great... so, the water spot stays!

Ohh... sooooooooooooooo in love!! 

haha, boy do I love him! :]

walking up to our romantic dinner! At the very end of the pier was a table for two (with lots of wine and champagne.. haha which the waiters thought we were crazy when we denied it) with 2 personal waiters and a four course meal. It was so romantic because they scheduled the dinner right before sunset, so we were able to sit and watch the sunset as we ate! 

all dressed up for the romantic dinner!

... so handsome!

The two of us!! Still totally on cloud 9!

us again...

 Our view!

All you can eat free food!! :]

We got to swim with dolphins while we were there too! TALK ABOUT COOL! We have printed pictures of us and the dolphins, but nothing digital.. I will have to get on that! 

We also got henna tattoos.. woot woot! they were pretty cool, except I wore flip flops to class after we got back and got some interesting looks and comments at BYU.... whoops. haha

my macho man showing off his muscles :]

 Yesterday was our 7 month anniversary! Wow, time really does fly! We have had so much fun the past 7 months and have learned even more about each other. FHE tonight took us back to the days when we had zero responsibility and still had that lovey dovey dazed look in our eyes. It was a definite reminder of how in love we truly are! and I will always be grateful for the love we share! (cheesy I know :])