the busiest time of the year!

I hope everyone out there in blog world had a wonderful Christmas! I know that we sure did! It was quite the busy week, but we've made it through and couldn't have had a better time! As you know from our last post, we got home from DC on Monday. Tuesday was a normal day for us, with a day of work and a special home cooked (mmm...home cooked!) meal that I made for the two of us. (you can find the recipe here http://kristindahlskitchen.blogspot.com/. Then Wednesday is when the festivities began, Ryan worked until noon, we ran a couple of errands, then headed over to the Doyle's for Christmas Eve. We discovered that Daxon is the only Dahl boy that isn't scared of Tillis:

We had fun playing with the boys:

and Ryan surprised me with Mario Kart for the WII for my Christmas Eve present. We played it all night long! The boys loved "playing" it with us, and we even found out the Maddie likes the WII too!


After we were all WII'd out, Ryan and I headed home for the night, and then came back in the morning to open all our gifts, this was my stack. I got everything that I'd asked for! I felt very spoiled!

After we'd had a delicious breakfast and presents with the Doyle's, we headed down to my parents house for the afternoon. This year we got our present from my parents early. They bought us our bed back in October and we LOVE it! So for all of you that have been waiting for the picture of it (Nat....) here is is finally:

we love our bed so much and couldn't be happier with it! I think it's so pretty! The rest of the day we spent hanging out with the family and enjoyed watching the little kids open their presents, they were so cute!


Ryan also found that Santa/Anna had one more present that had been dropped off at the wrong house! My mom helped me out with this one, Ryan has been wanting a USU banana chair to sit in while he plays the PS3, so I got one and left it at my parents house, and mom had it all set up for him when we got there, he found this "to/from" tag and followed the string down the hallway and into the bedroom where the end of the string was tied to the chair...he was so happy!


Christmas night we got snowed in, and Sardine Canyon was closed, so we ended up staying the night in Ogden. On the 26th was the Broadbent family Christmas party which is my dad's side of the family. It was Ryan's first time attending and I think he had a pretty good time. We had delicious pizza made my Uncle Dave's pizza place and had fun playing human foozball and of course...the family picture! It was all a fun time. Afterwards we were on our way "home" and when we got the the freeway, Ryan turned onto the southbound on-ramp instead of northbound on-ramp to Logan. I was really confused at first, but Ryan had it all figured out! My birthday was the next day on the 27th, so he had booked a hotel suite in Salt Lake for the night and then took me shopping at the Gateway all day the next day. It was SUCH a great surprise and it was so much fun! It was a perfect birthday! After shopping we headed back up to Ogden to go out to dinner with my parents at Rooster's on 25th Street in Ogden. (If your from the Ogden area and never been, I highly suggest you go...it's SOOO good!) Then we went back to their house for cake and presents. The only birthday picture we got was of my cake...angel food cake, I have it every year, it's my favorite!


So as you can tell, we had a great holiday week and are looking forward to the new year! bring on 2009!!!!

Washington DC

this past weekend Ryan and I were in Virginia staying with our friends Tanner and Kirsten. We had so much fun while we were out there! There wasn't a dull moment, and we were always out doing something really fun! We landed at midnight on Thursday night, and fell asleep easily that night! On Friday, Tanner took Ryan on some errands with him. They went the the Washington Redskins practice facility and Tanner introduced Ryan to the whole team, then they went to lunch with Chris (Tanner's brother) and Colt Brennan. That night, we went to the Washington Wizards vs. the Philadelphia 76ers game, we sat in a suite, then later moved down to our seats on the 3rd row behind the basket.


On Saturday, we got ready for the day and headed out to see the sights! We started with the two of the Smithsonians:, the Air and Space Museum, and the Museum of Natural History. Then we went to the Washington Monument, the Capitol, the WWII Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the White House.








After all of that, we were pretty exhausted, we felt like we had walked for 100 miles! We went to Macoroni Grill (my favorite!) and then headed home to bed. Sunday morning Tanner made us french toast, we got ready, headed over to pick up his mom and packed up the car with yummy tailgating food! Then we headed to the Redskins game! We got to the field and parked in the players parking lot, ate some delicious food and met some of the other team members families. We watched all the players roll up in their AMAZING cars! (3 Range Rovers, Bentley's, and even a stretch limo!) then we went into the game. For the first quarter, Ryan and I were behind the endzone, then for the rest of the game, we moved up with the rest of the Cooley clan. I was freezing cold, but luckily we were prepared and stayed pretty warm! The Redskins played the Eagles, and won 10-3! Chris even made the first catch of the game! Afterward, we headed back down, grabbed some dinner and watched as the players drove away.





We had such a great time! We couldn't have done it without Mike and Katie, thanks for the plane tickets....Tanner and Kirsten, thanks for the place to stay and all the AMAZING hook ups....and Chris, thanks for the tickets to the game. we had so so so much fun!

in one week...

we will be here.


with them.


watching them.




AND WE JUST CAN'T WAIT!!!

the most wonderful time of the year!

i love love love Christmas! Every single little thing about it..the smells, the decorations, the spirit, the happiness, the family it brings together, the lights, the trees, the food, the sparkles, the whole reason for it in the first place! I even love the shopping believe it or not! I thrive off of this time of year! AND not only does it bring Christmas...and New Years, my birthday is right in between the two! So, December is my favorite month (as you could have guessed) and waiting until Dec 2 was too long for me to wait to put up the tree! I got all the other decorations up on Saturday, but we didn't have a tree until today! We actually got hooked up with an amazing offer! Our friends the Davis' have friends who ended up with two real trees this year, and then needed to get rid of one for lack of space, well the Davis' knew we, (and when I say "we" I mean "I"), have been wanting a real tree, so they offered it to us! We went and picked it up, trimmed the edges, spent awhile moving around the furniture to make it fit, and finally, WAH LAH!

I love it! It's the first real tree I've ever had and I coudn't be happier with it! It means that the holidays are officially here, and I better not let time go too quickly, cause then I'll have another 364 to wait!
Also, here is a picture of the garland going up the railing, I think it's real cute so i had to share it too!

Spider Bite!

i have NO idea where this came from! i noticed a slight red spot on the side of my hand as I was getting ready for bed on Tuesday night, but I didn't think twice about it. Then Wednesday morning, it looked like a mosquito bite, so I put some anit-itch cream on it, and headed off to work. By about 1:30, I noticed it was definitely spreading, so I asked some girls at work about it, and they suggested drawing a circle around it so i could track how big was getting, and how quickly, so I did so. I also drew around the line i noticed coming out of it and heading up my arm) that was what I was most worried about...the infection getting into my bloodstream). And so, I came home from work, and went about my daily activities, when I needed to wash my hands, i pulled up my sleeves and noticed something bad. All afternoon, I'd been watching the small little one inch line on the top of my hand, waiting for that one to spread further, but I didn't think to pull up my sleeve and turn my arm over! to my dismay, this is what I found!

So we headed off to the Insta Care, got some anti-biotics, and now I'm feeling much better. It was really swollen yesterday, but the lines a=on my arm were gone. and today the swelling has gone down and i'm just waiting for the redness to go away. I'm feeling much better, but still wondering what it was that found me so tasty!

High School Tag

1. Did you date someone from your school?
Anna- Yes, but not just one for a long time
Ryan- Yes

2. What kind of car did you drive?
Anna- 92 red jetta
Ryan- 89 nissan stanza

3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try?
Anna- Yes
Ryan- Sure did

4. Were you a party animal?
Anna- heck no, i hated stomps and stuff like that
Ryan- I was the party

5. Were you considered a flirt?
Anna- most likely
Ryan- I don't think so

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Anna- no
Ryan- No

7. Were you a nerd?
Anna- No
Ryan- No

8. Were you on any varsity teams?
Anna- Yes, drill team
Ryan- Yes, basketball, baseball and football

9. Did you ever get suspended/expelled?
Anna- yes. sorry no details.
Ryan- no

10. Can you still sing the fight song?
Anna- Yes
Ryan- Yes

11. Who were your favorite teachers?
Anna- Bambi, Mr. Wilson, Ms. Kiem, Mrs. Reed, Sims, Mrs. Hall
Ryan- Toph, Coach Baldwin

12. Where did you sit for lunch?
Anna- in the commons with friends
Ryan- in the hallway on a bench

13. What is your school's full name?
Anna- Weber High School
Ryan- Sky View High School

14. What is your school's mascot and colors?
Anna- Warrior, Black and Red
Ryan- Bobcats, Blue, White, and Gold

15. Did you go to Homecoming and if so, with whom?
Anna- Junior year- Jon Brady Senior year- Thomas Barfuss, and Brandon Kunz
Ryan- Junior year- Mallory Welsh Senior Year- Cortni Godderidge

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Anna- yes, i loved high school, i'm not going to fake it
Ryan- Yes, only for some parts (sports)

17. What do you remember most about graduation?
Anna- climbing the rock wall outside and playing on the giant blow up toys during the after party
Ryan- sitting in the Spectrum for like 5 hours!

18. Where did you go Senior Skip Day?
Anna- i was already on my senior trip to san diego
Ryan- Lagoon, then played in the 4A baseball all-star game

19. Have you gained some weight since then?
Anna- Yes, but then i lost it again.
Ryan- yes, about 20 lbs

20. Who was your prom date?
Anna- Sophomore year- Pat Scales Junior year- Chase Syme Senior Year- Mitch Sessions
Ryan-Sophomore year- don't remember Junior year- don't remember Senior Year- Cortni Godderidge

21. Are you planning on going to your 10-year reunion?
Anna- yes, i think it will be fun!
Ryan- absolutely not.

22. Did you have a job in high school?
Anna- Golden Corral, then the Pointe Theatre
Ryan- just for my parents at the apartments they own

Now I tag: Natalye, Chelsea, and Kylie

Reflections of Christ

Lately I've been seeing a lot of commercials on TV for this book about Christ's life, and they've made me fall in love with it. I went onto Deseret Book's website to look for it, and I found this video which is a slide show of picture from the book, and set to music from the c.d. that goes with it. It just happens to be one of my favorite church songs which makes it even better! So if you have about 6 minutes to spare then go ahead and enjoy, it's beautiful!

Utah Barbies

OK, so as a little girl, I LOVED Barbie's! I'm not kidding you. I lived and breathed Barbie, they came everywhere with me (along with all the accessories, furniture, etc) For instance, When my family went to the cabin for a couple days, i brought every Barbie item that i owned with me. I would spend weekends at my friend Raquel's house and we would play Barbie's the WHOLE weekend...the ate with us, slept with us, if we needed a "break" we would take them to the "drive-in" and watch a movie with them. Ha ha, looking back on it, i realize what an out of control 13 year old I was. And yes, I did play with them when i was that old!
Anyway, so I got an email from my fellow, former Barbie loving cousin, and I couldn't help but make a post out of it! So here you go...enjoy! (and for the record, if any of these dolls were actually real, i would buy each and every one of them!)


'Park City Barbie'
She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade Handbags, a Lexus SUV, a long-haired foreign dog named Honey and a million dollar home. Available with or without tummy tuck and face lift. Workaholic Ken sold only in conjunction with the augmented version.


'Smithfield Barbie'
The modern day homemaker Barbie is available with Ford Wind star Minivan and matching gym outfit. She gets lost easily and has no full-time occupation. Traffic jamming cell phone sold separately.


'Ogden Barbie'
This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, a Ray Lewis knife, a Chevy with dark tinted windows, and a meth Lab Kit. This model is only available after dark and must be paid for in cash (preferably small, untraceable bills) unless you are a cop, then we don't know what you are talking about.


'Bountiful Foot Hills Barbie'
This yuppie Barbie comes with your choice of BMW convertible or Hummer H2. Included are her own Starbucks cup, credit card and country club membership. Also available for this set are Shallow Ken and Private School Skipper. You won't be able to afford any of them.


'Malad (should be in Utah) Barbie'
This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans two sizes too small, a NASCAR t-shirt and tweety bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has a six-pack of Bud light and a Hank Williams Jr. CD set She can spit over 5 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's butt when she is drunk. Purchase her pickup truck separately and get a confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free.


'St. George Barbie'
This collagen injected, rhino plastic Barbie wears a leopard print outfit and drinks cosmopolitans while entertaining friends. Percocet prescription available as well as newly built high rise condo.


'Brigham City Barbie'
This tobacco-chewing, brassy-haired Barbie has a pair of her own high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased beer-gutted Ken out of Tremonton Barbie's house. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, and a see-through halter-top. Also available with a mobile home.


'Logan Barbie'
This doll is made of actual tofu. She has long straight brown hair, arch-less feet, hairy armpits, no makeup and Birkenstocks with white socks. She prefers that you call her Willow. She does not want or need a Ken doll, but if you purchase two Boise East End Barbies and the optional Subaru wagon, you get a rainbow flag bumper sticker for free.


'Tremonton Barbie'
This Barbie now comes with a stroller and 2 infant dolls. Optional accessories include a GED and bus pass. White boy Gangsta Ken and his 1979 Caddy were available, but are now very difficult to find since the addition of the infant.


'Provo / BYU Barbie'
She's perfect in every way, mainly due to the high levels of antidepressants in her system. We don't know where Ken is because he's always at church meetings.

8 Things I Am Obsessed With Right Now:

1. blogging...if you can't tell.
2. cleaning
3. buying decorations for the house
4. crafts
5. trying out new recipes, if we have the ingredients (which we usually don't :(
6. Ryan!
7. snow/rain for the time being.
8. our big, pretty, giant, comfy new bed!

8 Words Or Phrases I Often Use:

1. "bye, have a good day"
2. "i love you beby"
3. "RYAN!!!"
4. "stop tickling me!"
5. "guess what!"
6. "beby.....(Ryan asks "what")....i yuv you."
7. "what do you want for din?"
8. "adieu" (that's how we say goodnight, weird i know)

8 Shows That I Love To Watch Right Now:

1. Greys Anatomy
2. Biggest Loser
3. Oprah
4. Jon and Kate plus 8
5. CSI, (any of them)
6. Seinfeld
7. So You Think You Can Dance
8. the news I guess?

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Went to work
2. made dinner (honied chicken terriyaki...yum!)
3. put away dishes
4. printed off the pictures we just got taken
5. got REALLY frustrated when the last picture of 8 was printing, because I'd just realized all of them we printed as 7.5 x 10, not 8 x 10. UGH!
6. had some delicious diet Dr.pepper with cherry and vanilla and some kettle corn to calm myself down.
7. watched the 49er's game
8. washed my face and went to bed (adieu!) haha

8 of My Favorite Places to Eat:

1. Chili's
2. Macaroni Grill (that's where I am in the picture)
3. Wingers
4. Center Street Grill
5. Blackstone
6. Hamilton's
7. Great Harvest
8. Burger King

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. Thanksgiving with our families!!!!!
2. the first big snow storm of the year!
3. going to visit Tanner and Kirsten in D.C. in December
4. CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!
5. my birthday...big 21!
6. Twilight to come out in theatres!
7. weekends
8. in the far distance...babies!!

8 Things That Are On My Wish List:

1. curtains
2. Dance Dance Revolution for the PS3
3. bedroom decor
4. a Nikon D90
5. a rug for the kitchen
6. a spa day
7. a happy husband forever and ever
8. a new wardrobe...haha!

Yes We Can.

(you'll have to mute my music at the bottom before you watch this...)
OK, so I'm not going to lie about it...I didn't vote. But i did see this video dedicated to our new President, Barack Obama, and I thought it wasn't only really cool, but also really inspiring. I love things like this. the rapper Will.I.Am put it together on Tuesday night, the night of the election, and it's spread like wildfire (it was even on Oprah...so of course I'm going to love it!) Anyway, here it is, enjoy it and tell me what you think.

family pictures

A couple weeks ago Ryan and I had our pictures done. I LOVE how they turned out! Here are just a couple of our favorites! my top two favorites are: the silhouette one, with the sun in the background, and the one with both of us sitting on the railroad tracks. My friend from work Britney took them, and she's amazing, check out her blog at www.bebeautifulphotography.blogspot.com