The Best and Worst Gift....

I surprised Jesse with a Kindle 2 this year for Christmas. Do you have one of these? Or seen how cool they are? Seriously. Check them out.

There is good and bad to this gift. Good - Jesse loves to read and has been drooling over the Kindle for a couple of years now. Bad - once he starts to read a book, he goes MIA. Jesse, we love you and will see you when you finish your book...or the next...or the next....

Outfit of the Week....

I had a hard time picking which outfit I loved best this week from the diva....

This one was a lovely combination of pajamas covered by a furry vest. Both are pulled together by a ruffly reversible skirt. The leather boots add so much to the outfit. It is all topped off by a glitter headband.

This one truly is a classic. Not that you really wanted to know, but Emma's ensemble is actually lingerie. Let's just leave it at that.

Christmas Recap...

Christmas Eve dinner was SUSHI - we were all in heaven....


The first gift that Emma opened was from Gabe - a "flapper" costume. She immediently put it on....it is still on....



...we also got a Karoake machine. Ironically, none of us can carry a tune!

Gabe loves his new DS Game and legos (he is currently STILL playing the game)....

Breakfast was with our sweet neighbors, the Schmidt's. We enjoyed spending time with Stephanie and her funny boys - they keep us laughing!

Weekend Fun...

We decided to take a much needed break and head to Midway and Park City for the weekend. We stayed at Zermatt Resort, which the kids think is pretty cool. Midway is one of our favorite places to visit. The beauty is breathtaking.

We saw "The Princess and the Frog" - so, so cute!

There was a little shopping, good food (Gabe has discovered sushi!), and onto the sledding hill - Soldier Hollow....

What's not to love about being pulled to the top of the hill? The only way to go!

Our Fashionista...

If you have (or ever have had) a three year old, you understand the constant changing of clothes. I had no idea, as I am quite positive that my mother NEVER let me do this. To give you a sneak peek into a day at our house, here a few of the interesting combinations that our Emma has come up with:

We accumulated quite a few beanies after she decided to cut her own hair. The pink sparkly top is a slip. Nice.

Going to her own wedding.

Another hat to cover the bad hair. Layering is the style of choice today.

She has requested to be referred to as "Butterfly, the Cowgirl." Yep.

I SO love this little girl! She makes me (and everyone who comes to the house) laugh!

On a side note, I didn't find my battery charger, but did break down and bought a new one. I am sure I will find the old one this week. More pictures to come!!

For My Mom.....I know, it's about time...

By the amazing and talented, Becky Kimball

**more on the sidebar

Beautiful...

Check out THE cutest little girl here! I can't wait to see the rest!! Thanks, Becky, for always capturing the true personality of my family!

Scarlet Pimpernel...

The Hale Center Theater is now showing the Scarlet Pimpernel through September 26. If there is any way you can get tickets and go - YOU MUST! It was superb!! The costumes were exquisite, the stage was magnificent, and the singing was amazing! Loved it!!

I know, I know...

My sister Paula made a comment on my previous post that I needed to post pictures of the family. I would, really, if I could find my battery charger! The last pictures I took of my family and posted were in JUNE. What?? Please let me know if you find my battery charger or would just like to buy me a new (really nice) camera. I would like to keep you updated. (updated = at least once a month.....ha!)

Check it Out!!

Go check out our new website here!

L is for...

....loser, lame, lazy blogger...you pick, it will fit! What a crazy summer! I was feeling so bad that Gabe and I hadn't spent much time together this summer (L would also work for Latchkey child!) I know that money can't buy happiness, but he said he wanted to spend a day just me and him. So, I planned one of those spur of the moment trips to surprise him with - something I have ALWAYS wanted to do! And where did we go? Guess....

That's right - we went to Disneyland, just the two of us, and it was SO much fun! We loaded him in the car early one morning and told him Dad had a business trip. When we got to the airport, Jesse gave him a list of chores to do while he was gone. At the bottom of the list was "go to Disneyland with Mom". He laughed and smiled and then climbed back in the car! Jesse and I were laughing so hard! Then off we went - just the two of us :) Thank you to my sweet mother in law who stayed at our house to watch Emma and clean my house from top to bottom (it SO needed it!) I don't think she slept a wink for 3 days.

Love you Gabe - let's do it again!

Cowabunga Bay!

So, we gave it a try today..... And it was a hit! We really did enjoy ourselves. The kids LOVED the new water park - Gabe enjoyed to big slides and Emma couldn't get away from the little slides. I even got a little nap on the grass in the warm sun. We will go back. The only drawbacks: Crowded - but we were expecting that. And this is more of a personal problem....I cannot stand public restrooms at swimming facilites. I gag just thinking about them...don't you?

Date Night with Gabe...

We try to go on a date once a week with the kids - we alternate who gets to go with who....we have been slacking in the weekly kid date area as of late. Until last night. Gabe and I went to see UP. Very cute! Highly recommended!

Class of 1994

I had my 15 year class reunion last weekend. I grew up in a very small town in Idaho and only had 86 classmates. The unique thing about growing up in a small town, is that my class literally went from pre-school to high school together! It is more like a family reunion instead of a class reunion. It was so great to see everyone and pick up right where we left off! Love you guys!

Class of 1994

On this day...

...33 years ago, I was born! This post is a THANK YOU to my parents who made the choice to bring me into this world. To teach me. To love me. The first year that we were married, Jesse sent my Mom flowers on my birthday with a note to thank her for having me. I have always looked at my birthday a little differently since then. So, thank you mom and dad for EVERYTHING! I am who I am because of you and hope to develop more of your characteristics this year! Love you!

Flashback Friday...

1998 - ISU Graduation
Bachelors of Science

Me and Jesse Shenell graduated that same year

Dad, me, Mom, Nell

Randomness...

I have the cutest neices! One of them, Nicole, came to stay with me for a few days to help me keep an eye on Emma. Emma actually let Nicole do her hair and change her "uniform" every day! This is a big deal at our house!

Our garden is growing....

Note to Self...

Miss blogging...
post more often...

My New Favorite...

I have never been big into perfume. I've always been more of a body spray girl. But, I decided to step out of my box and try an actual fragrance. This is now my favorite - Hana Mori Paris "Butterfly". So soft and pretty...

Girls Night Out

*click to enlarge

Giveaway!

No Biggie is doing a Giveaway...and it's a good one. Check it out here.

Emma's Birthday...

My sweet baby girl is 3 now....we spent the special day as a family.

Me and my BFF at dinner:

Build a Bear and her new puppy, "Olivia"...

There is this great dessert place in American Fork called "Dippidee". I love, love, love their cupcakes! They made this cute cake...

Cake time with Gabe and Andie...and Olivia...

Girls Night Out!!

GET THE LOOK WITHOUT THE SURGERY!!

GIRLS NIGHT OUT FITNESS PARTY!
Ivory Ridge Tennis Clubhouse located East of Traverse Mountain

Date: June 25, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 6:30pm LIVE THE LIFE Info Session
6:30pm - 8:30pm LIVE THE LIFE Presentation

LIVE THE LIFE Info Session: Free to all women to answer questions about the LIVE THE LIFE 12 week program before the presentation begins.

LIVE THE LIFE Presentation: Learn the principles of nutrition, exercise, and accountability that will set you on the course to your new lifestyle.

PRICE OF PROGRAM: $100 +tax
That is only $8.00 per week!

LIVE THE LIFE Program may cause side effects including washboard abs, untouchable thighs, tight buns, and unbelievable definition. Please consult with your Fitness Queens.

RSVP required by Monday, June 22, 2009 to info@kristiapproved.com


CLICK HERE FOR YOU TUBE VIDEO OF THE FITNESS QUEENS

Taking this show on the road...

Kristi Approved is heading to Idaho this weekend! We will be in the Rexburg area Saturday evening if anyone wants to join in the fun :) Call me or leave a comment if you would be interested in joining a group up there. This is your chance for all those who wanted us to travel! Get ready - here we come! (801) 318-5644

Guess who has a birthday this week?

Little Turkey
**click to enlarge to see snot coming out of nose**

Late Nights...

My little sidekick loves to stay up late with me. This is where I found her tonight....

17 Again...

Cute....I liked it! A little over Gabe's head, but he still laughed out loud!

I promise I am still here....

What a ride I have been on the past 2 weeks! I posted the blog about the new business venture we started with our friends, and had no idea that I should have already had my running shoes laced up and ready to go! It has been an amazing past 2 weeks! The women I get to work with are inspiring and wonderful. I should be inspiring and motivating them, but it seems to be working the other way around. I leave each meeting feeling uplifted and wanting to be better. So to all of you who have signed up for parties - THANK YOU! And for those still wanting to, don't wait! We are already scheduling in June. I can e-mail you a new flier as some things have changed. Just e-mail or call me. And to all of those who have been raising my children for the past 2 weeks...you are doing a wonderful job!

Opportunity!

Many of you have expressed interest in doing a Kristi Approved Fitness Party, but didn't have a group to go with. There is an opportunity tonight @ 5:30pm in the Draper area! Call me if your interested. I know it is short notice! 318-5644

Gabe is in a ....

Gabe and a few of his friends decided they were going to start a Rock Band in his friends' garage. It is no secret that NO ONE in our family (including Gabe) can carry a tune, so I was kind of surprised when I asked Gabe what instrument he was going to play and his was response was, "I'm the lead singer". They also asked to borrow my Beatles and Def Leppard cd's. Hmmm....this could get interesting.

Flashback Friday...

14 Years ago this month, Jesse left to serve a mission in Brazil....and I continued my education.

At the MTC.

3 of his companions at the MTC...

Holding a members baby in Brazil...