Christmas Time

Christmas has come and passed already. How did that happen?

Well.. I'm sorry to disappoint you but I didn't take a single picture.

The last day before school got out was a blast. We had a PJ party and ate treats all day. I got lots of fun presents and cards from the kids. I loved it but was ready to say goodbye to them for a little break. A SEVENTEEN DAY break.

The Christmas season really started with me with my first party.. the Muhlestein party.

For Saturday the 17th, my Grandma M bought everyone a ticket to the play "The Christmas Miracle of Johnathon Toomey" or something like that.

We went and watched this play with my family (minus Rob who was sick because of me.... poor guy).

After the play all the Muhlestein side of the family went to my Aunt Ami and Uncle Brent's house in Lehi. We ate dinner and did a white elephant exchange. It was all super exciting!

On Wednesday, I was able to open up presents with the cutest little girl I work with. I love her and her family so much. I want to just keep them all. Since she is in a wheelchair, its hard to put a jacket on her. So her grandma made her some ponchos a few years back. 

I found her the cutest one ever at Ross and HAD to get it for her.

She loved it!

I also got her and her family Don't Break The Ice (HHUUGGEE hit) and Trouble! (another favorite).

She is constantly asking to play games so it was fun to have some new games to play.

They were so nice and got me a gift card to Cafe Rio and some delicious chocolate covered oreos (I didn't think they sounded very good until I tried them. YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMY.)

Then, on Thursday I had a fun work party with the cute girls I work with and their men/Ashlyn.

We had authentic italian pasta made by Brittney and it was super yummy. 

[Everything was authentic besides my "homemade" Pizza Factory Alfredo... hehehhe]

We chatted and did a little Secret Santa exchange.. super fun.

Christmas Eve- On Saturday night Rob and I went to go over to my house for a little get together but as we were walking out, I was some red lights. I asked Rob what they were then realized it looked like a perfect candy cane shape of lights up on Mount Timpanogos. We decided it was a good idea to chase these lights.

Our mission failed, as we got closer to the mountain, the lights disappeared.

So then Rob drove us up to Dry Canyon to look at the valley and all the lights. [closed.]

We couldn't get up the road.

I then had the most brilliant idea, but had no idea what was actually going to happen from it.

We stopped at a gas station and got some hot chocolate then drove up to south mountain (traverse mountain).

It was the most gorgeous view I've ever seen. I thought you would see more colors from the christmas lights, but you couldn't really make out a difference. The view was amazing. 

Words cannot describe what we saw.

After looking at the view with each other and trying to keep warm we headed back home and opened up our christmas PJ's with my family.

Then it was off to bed. 

Christmas Morning/Day- My family decided we were opening presents at 7:00 which really meant like 7:30. I had to wake Rob up and force him to get ready because it was so early.

Once he was ready we drove back over to my house and opened presents. It was so fun to have the whole family there, including Grandma Muhlestein who had slept over the night before, as well as Kacee and Mattie (with their two dogs: jack and cori)

We were too spoiled, even with it being a "smaller" christmas since my dad has a lower paying job.

Around 8:30 we headed back to Rob's to have a nativity scene acted out by his family while I recorded it...

We then watched Rob's nephews and niece open some presents.

By around 11:30 we finally headed downstairs to do the rest of the family present opening. 

First we opened our stalkings. Rob's dad is really funny with stockings and does some funny things. This year, we got some pickled pigs feet. Disgusting.

We also got TONS of candy. Too much candy.

Then of course we were also spoiled with tons of clothes and cute fun things.

It was a good Christmas.

By 4:00 I was asleep on the couch with a migraine though and just was exhausted from the day... up really early and not eating anything nutritional.

At 5:30 we had a Christmas turkey... [more like just mashed potatoes and rolls for me] and played some fun games.

It was a super fun day and nice to spend time with family.

My only regret is I wish I could have spent more time with my family instead of opening presents and running back over to Rob's in time for the nativity. 

Next year we'll have to do better planning so that we get an equal share of time with both families.

How was your Christmas?

Thanksgiving

I'm a little behind here guys...  I can't help it. Someone yell at me!

Thanksgiving came at the perfect time for it.. it was a much needed break from work.


I started out first by going over to my Grandma and Grandpa Harris' in Saratoga Springs. I ate Lunch/Dinner with all the cousins...
[fun fact: my mom has 9 siblings, that makes 10 kids including her. 8 live in Utah. Everyone has at least 4 kids... that is a lot of cousins.]

But this year only 3 families showed up. It was a super small affair.

After eating yummy potatoes and rolls I had to head over to Rob's house to do Thanksgiving with his family.

Thanksgiving for me is a little pathetic. I don't like turkey, I don't like sweet potatoes, and it depends on my mood for stuffing.

I was already pretty full so I only ate a little bit at his house. I had to restrain myself too because Thanksgiving is in November .. which was no sugar month for me.

I couldn't have any pie.

Not that I'm a huge pie fan... but I didn't even have the option for it.
It was so sad.


After everyone was done eating, Rob and I were big party poopers and decided to watch Lie To Me in his room. Very anti-social of us, I know.

It probably is the reason we started not liking Lie To Me... it definitely changed from what it was.
[Anyone watch it? We were on the last season on Netflix... does it get back to good? Should we just keep watching?]

But anyways, Its completely my fault for not remembering anything else about Thanksgiving since I decided to wait until a month later to write about it.
So Sorry.

Never Again.

Old Students

Its been a long time.

How have you been world?

I've been crazy as usual.
Not knowing what to do with myself I'm so busy.


Tonight I went with Sydney and Maggie (a teacher I work with) and visited an old student.

This girl was at Canyon View when I started and she was just in 7th grade. We were both just getting the hang of things.

I grew so close to her.

This year was her first year of high school.
Can I tell you how much I miss her?

I don't think I could.


Sometimes, I get tears in my eyes thinking about her.
I'm such a baby.


Anyways, tonight her mom let us go and see her.

I loved every minute of it.

No she didn't talk to me. But she did dance with me.

And we got her cheap-o little gifts, but ones she loves.

So we played with them for the night.


And her mom shared stories and stories about her.


Then I got home and wanted to cry and just go back.
[Again, I'm a baby.]



This is what I'm supposed to do.
I need to work with kids with disabilities. In some way.


Maybe not in a classroom, but some way, some how.

I have to work with them.


I wish I could just work with this one girl all day every day.

I would seriously have the funnest time.
We would dance, listen to music, eat crackers and cheetos, and probably just play all day.

Shhhh

I finally found a personal gift to use for both Rob and my secret santa this year......

I'm so excited to go and purchase other things to go with it....

Now, I just need to make the rest of my list!

Breast Cancer

In case you didn't know, October is breast cancer awareness month.

A few years ago I ran in the Race for the Cure up in Salt Lake.

My friend Amber got me into it since we had volunteered for a school project the year before.

I loved that it was for a good cause.

There was a lovely lady named Kari Mason that I had the privileged of knowing. She had a tough trial of fighting cancer, but through it she was able to still have a miracle baby.

After Ellie was born, only a few short years later Kari was taken by the cancer.

I ran that race for the cure for her.

I was in completely shock when I found out that my grandma had breast cancer.

I went completely numb.

Luckily, they had it quick enough that with surgery and then some radiation they were able to take care of it.

But still, its the scariest moment to find out someone you love has cancer.

No matter how minor or major it might be.

I love my grandma more than anything. I've always been able to talk to her and she's always been there for me.

With everything she's been through, I couldn't believe that I was hearing she had cancer.

She is lucky enough to still have her life and be cancer free.

I couldn't be more thankful for that.

So I tell you this so that you can support breast cancer awareness month this October.

[And really any time of the year.]

Donate to a charity. Go buy some earrings from Payless Shoes. Do something.
And hope that you or someone you love doesn't have to go through the trial of having breast cancer.

Dear Robert

It was your birthday this week.

You're an old man.

But I still love you.

[I think..]

Anyways, I wanted the whole world to know how much I love you.

And I would yell it off the roof, but someone might call the police...

So I'll share it will the whole internet world. Close enough, right? [right.]

I love your sense of humor. You can always make me laugh.

[Number one joke for when I'm sad (or crying, or both): What is black, white, and red.. and goes on the ceiling?..... WHAT?! ............. nothing.] it gets me every time.

Your confidence. You could rule the world and probably not even second guess yourself.

Your ability to still make me feel twitter-pated.

Your smile.. its the best one in the whole world.

I love how caring you are. You will put up a tough front, but are always there for people when they needed and are really a softy at heart.

I love how you warm up my toes when we watch a movie. Your bum is just the perfect place for them!

I love spending every minute with you. I could never see anyone else ever and be okay with it. But let's not go to that extreme quite yet.

My favorite is dreaming of you and then waking up on the couch and there you are, even better than you were in my dreams.

Your sense of family is something I've always been envious of. I wasn't super close with my sisters growing up, since we were always fighting. Its been a whole new world with your family.

I love that you include me in your family and make sure they treat me as your family.

You will always fight for me, even if I'm wrong.

The list goes on and on but I'm quite tired.

I'll have to keep adding to it tomorrow.

Sweet dreams babe.

Happy late birthday!!

Love, Bryl

Lanyards

Once upon a time, in March, I made a few lanyards. I don't think I ever actually made a post about it.

They were super cute though.

My mom's sewing machine was the only one I had to use, so I used it.

Too bad the tension was all off and they're falling apart now.

So it was time to make new ones.

These ones were all one fabric but they're definitely sturdier.

Now I can rotate for every day of the week and coordinate with my outfits at work!

Quilt 3

I made this quilt a long long time ago. Not too long, probably a few months.

All my other quilts when I was nearing the end I was done with it. I didn't like them anymore and couldn't wait to start my next one.

I don't feel that way at all with this one. I love it and am completely satisfied with it

This is actually my favorite part of the quilt. I hand embroidered "Love Always".

My inspiration for the quilt was a smaller version made for a baby. The embroidered the baby's name. I didn't want to put my name so instead I used this phrase.

I was lucky enough to find the squares pre-cut and for sale in a set. They were larger than I originally planned at 12x12, but I love the end result!

Just plain sick

I'm so tired of letting myself go.

I need to be held accountable for it.

So, instead of just reporting to myself. I'll report to the world of whoever reads my new blog.

Feel free to stop by and help motivate me or offer suggestions.

Really anything would be appreciated!

b-muhlestein-ttl.blogspot.com

Hello, its nice to see you again.

I feel like I never have any time for myself anymore.

Things are just a little crazy.

Anytime I do have for myself, I find that I want to spend it all sleeping.

Rob is in his last semester for his associates. Hurray!

He isn't really sure what he wants to go into but to at least be half way will be way nice.

He is currently taking a bowling class (long story...) and that makes it so he has to work late Mondays and Wednesdays. I hate it.

He is also taking an art class, biology, english, and nutrition. Its quite the amount of work but we're both excited for him to be done.

I'm just working like crazy right now. I'm back and Canyon View, and even though its probably the easiest year yet, I'm still exhausted.

On top of working in the classroom all day, I also work with this cute little girl through Rise. I go over twice a week and I love her so much. Her and her family are so much fun to be around and although its long hours I really love it. (When I work with her I work from 7:30 am - 8:00 pm.)

Rob's birthday is coming up and I'm super excited. He'll be 26 on Tuesday. When did we get so old? I've now known him for 5 years... how the time flies.

I'll have to let you know how the day goes and hopefully its a success.

Planners

I love to be organized.

I just love it.

I also love to be organized in a cute way.

So while browsing Pinterest (best website ever!), I came across a few printable planners.

The problem was, they weren't quite as cute as I would want, or wouldn't have enough space.

So I spend the last few hours or so creating my own planner printable. And now I am going to print them out and have a cute little planner! YES!

Anyways, I thought I would share with you all.

More room to write because its spread over two pages.

Less room, since its all on one page. Could print it out so I only had the weekly schedule and use less paper.

Basically, they're the same one, just spread out more.

But I love them and can't wait to print them out and put them to good use!

crafts and more

Live laugh love sign.. I bought the board at Robert's craft, painted it cream, glued down the scrapbook paper, then painted the wood words from Joann's. I love how it turned out.

A few weekends ago we had a yard sale and these vases just didn't sell. I remember a while back, my friend Erika from Oops I craft my pants colored her vases. I totally copied her idea and loved how they turned out. Especially the teal one.

I meant for this to turn out different, I can't decide if I like how dark the brown is. I purchased the letters from Joann's and the board its on from Robert's. I then just glued some scrapbook paper onto the letters to give it some more color.

My first quilt I made. Plus my cute lamps... I made rob put the quilt on his bed even though it might be too girly. Oh well.

My second quilt. I can't decide if I am satisfied with the results.
I love the grey back though!

I attempted to make a clock like TaylorMade's color wheel clock. That failed and I pulled out my cricut and did it on paper. Then of course, with the clock gears and everything, it didn't work out too well. I'm going to make another similar one with a board behind it.

Third and Favorite Quilt yet!

I've used the fabrics before for lanyards I made with Sydney for work. I loved them and turns out I only had half of the collection before! Bring on the next quilt!!

Camping.. way way back

So.. a ways back Robert and I went camping with Sydney and David.

This was like the beginning of July people.

I'm awful.


Sydney made me promise to post like the coolest blog about it ever.
Surprise Surprise, Its going to be a let down.

I put it off too long that I may or may not have forgotten some of the funny stories.

Plus I hate the way that blogger uploads pictures. Five at a time? Really? I have like a million. Plus the fact that its a pain to organize them once they're uploaded.

So you are going to get a butt load of pictures in an order that no longer makes sense. Some of them may be worthy to receive a caption.. but since they're not in order I can't tell the story as they go. :( Lame.

Hopefully I will maybe someday be better - don't count on it though!

Anyways, lets get started:

Friday, July something another (Syd, help a girl out!) Sydney and I started grocery shopping and planning for our overnight stay at the Raynes' family cabin in Hobble Creek Canyon. We bought a million extra groceries (I was hungry at the store, okay!) and got all packed up. This included our 3- 5 gallon water jugs.

That's a lot of water for a one-nighter. Needless to say, we ended dumping one because 1- it didn't fit in the car without Sydney having to straddle it and 2- it was leaking all over. It looked like she had wet her pants.

Once Rob was ready we packed up my car and went down (without David). David would join us later since he had to work late. It worked out that it would be perfect timing to bring us Little Caesars pizza for dinner though!

It took us a while and the cabin was a ways up there, but we finally made it. We had a tour of the amazing cabin that David's dad built. HE BUILT IT! Oh my gosh I can't even imagine. Then we loaded all our stuff into the house and decided to go for a "hike" to find the raging river we could hear.

Well it turns out, this river was just a stream. Like tiny. How we heard it from the cabin I will never know. (probably a picture of it somewhere below.)

On this hike, we found a somewhat bigger river and took a few pictures. We then found a few random tractors and took a million pictures of them. We then went on a long loop hike where Robert let a snake touch my shoe and ended up sitting in the middle of the road to take a break. We then took more pictures.

It was fun to play around and experiment with my camera. It was also fun that Sydney liked experimenting with it so that I could have at least one picture of me. I never have any because I'm too busy taking the pictures.

Anyways.. Once we got back to camp we started to build our fire. Only thing that sucked was the wood was damp from all the rainstorms the night before. Eventually we got it started from all the handy things in Sydney's camp tote (It was like Mary Poppins' bag, but for camping).

After a while of sitting around David showed up and had pizza. It was about time too.. I was about to starve to death. While we were eating, we were joined by some deer... who came super close to us. Like really close. David decided to try and get them closer and looked really funny calling the deer. Eventually David and Rob started to throw rocks at the deer to see who could get closest. Boys.

After some camp fire time with mallows and starbursts (AND a clogged toilet), we headed inside and got ready for bed. We were supposed to play games, but the boys got out their phones (coincidentally, we ALL have the same phone. I might have copied Sydney's clear case, but Sydney and I have the same cover and then David and Rob have the same cover.) While the boys played, Sydney peeled off some gross skin... like tons of it.

Sydney then played Sequence with me and I totally won! Yeahhhh!

Then it was bedtime. I slept awful. Everyone always talks about how well they sleep while camping. I sleep crappy. I wake up wanting my bed.

Plus it didn't help that our air mattress had a hole in it and was deflated in a matter of minutes. And Rob didn't bring a sleeping bag. Dummy. I had to open mine up and we laid on the ground of the cabin (carpeted, but still uncomfortable.)

David stayed up the majority of the night playing on his phone. Like probably didn't sleep at all.

Finally, when we got up we got ready for the day and packed up. It sucked because I had to be to work by 12:30 in Orem.

But before we left, David wanted to show us a bus that was left up in the canyon that hobos lived in. We drove up a death hill, then went to far so I had to go in reverse down a death hill. Finally, we found the road and hiked up it.

Guess what! The stupid bus was gone!!!

Lame.

So Robert and I hiked back to the car while David and Sydney hiked around the beautiful scenery.

And home we went.

It was super fun and my favorite part was that Rob was totally himself. He is usually quiet and doesn't say much around new people.. particularly my family. But he really opened up around Sydney and David and we had a lot of fun.

Firehouse

One of my favorite tractor pictures..

The "river" stream..

Rob climbing on a tractor

The beautiful view

Playing around with the camera shutter on the real river

Another amazing view.. with another tractor

This is what we found on our loop hike. We decided there were dead bodies in there and we tried to walk over to it, but it was too muddy.

This was an awesome weed. I loved it.

The deer that were getting really close.

Rob's sexy pose

Sydney snacking on Fritos while hiking

Me snacking on baked lays

Start of hike two- the loop

Sydney decided to sit down on our hike.. in the middle of the road.

Yeah.. he loves me.

Some humungous dandelion puffers.

Random swing set at another cabin.. no one was there so we decided to try it. It almost broke instantly.

David trying to get the deer to come closer.

Gorgeous sunset

Bus hike

The end.