I Don't Want to Grow Up!

I don't want to grow up for more than one reason...

You can't play dress up (but from the pic. below I guess you still can). I know this is old news, but for Halloween my brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews came to town and threw a Peter Pan Party. You get to sleep more. We played all day with Spencer and pretty much wore him out. The whole day he continued to say "I go BYU." He was so stoked for the game, but sadly just didn't see much of it. You can't be silly (well maybe that's not true either).
You have to go to school. I just finished my student teaching and am done with school... NOT! I just accepted a job offer as a Kindergarten teacher and am so, SO excited!

Somethings never change and I guess growing up ain't too bad.

Happiness

HAPPINESS

Lately, I can't help but smile and have been bursting with happiness. Why? Because of simple things. 1st. Every morning Jordan goes to work out, he comes back when I am getting ready and always yells "I LOVE YOU!" 2nd. Familiar Faces. Yesterday I probably ran into 5 people I have not seen for awhile. 3rd. Driving home from student teaching I saw this...
That child could not have looked happier. 4th. While teaching 1st grade I did a treasure hunt on the playground, one of the boys said "This is the BEST day of my life!"

Why don't we find more happiness in the little things? Challenge: Laugh more, Smile more, Love more!

October Fun

During the month of October there are always a few things that you NEED to do... those being...

1. Carve Pumpkins
2. Eat doughnuts (preferably from a string)
We were able to get together with a bunch of my old roommates and their "significant others." I really couldn't ask for better friends and sisters. We decided to do some october festivities and made homemade pizza, carved pumpkins, and ate doughnuts from a string. We had so much fun, we decided to make it a tradition. Love you guys! Thanks so much for a great date night :)
3. Celebrate our 1 year anniversaryWe went to Park City for lunch and ate at the same place where we ate on our Honeymoon. Then we went to SLC and Lagoon. Man it has been so long since I've been there. Jordan gave me some gorgeous flowers. The next morning we had room service. Man, that is the life! We also had the opportunity to do sealings in the SLC temple on the exact day we were married one year ago. We even got to see the room we were sealed in. I am so thankful for the temple and the knowledge that we will be together forever. I have learned so much in this first year of marriage and I am so happy to have this handsome man with me for all eternity. He knows how to make me laugh and make life exciting. Together forever, no matter what!!

Graduation

So I know this was forever ago, but I thought I still should show some pictures and look back on some happenings during the last month. This is Jordan graduating from the Manufacturing Engineering program.Him and the the guys

Through a very long process Jordan is a part of the Product Development program, which is a double Masters of Engineering and an MBA. I am so proud of him! Thanks for all the support from everyone. We were so lucky to have Dallin, Mark, the Stradlings, and my parents travel to come for graduation.

HATE is a strong word... but i'm going to use it anyway!

So for all of you who used to have your parents always say "hate is a strong word", well I used and am using it now! I HATE spiders! A couple of nights ago I woke up at 4:30am to use the restroom (who does that?!?) anywho, I debated turning on the light b/c I knew I would only be a sec. when I finally decided to turn it on, only to see a ugly spider crawling down the wall. I HATE killing spiders, but can't sleep knowing that thing is running around. Growing up my mom just took a tissue and squished it; Jordan on the other hand kills it with a shoe and then picks it up. Well, I went for that approach. I attempted tonz of times, chickened out, and then tried again. Finally got the courage and got it. I felt so proud of myself! I got my tissue, went to grab it and as I did it jumped down and crawled off into the darkness. I screamed (of course) and Jordan came running in. So yes, mission not accomplished and well... spider nightmares all night long b/c that spider is crawling around somewhere. So yes, I HATE SPIDERS!!

Random 1st grade quotes from my class:
Me: "What do you put in an envelope?
Student: "Tithing!"

Student: "I'm allergic to smelling sanitizer"

Student: They had to make 4 pictures of what they like/ love right in the middle it said "Jesus"

Students: My name consists of "Mrs. Ellingson, Mrs. Allison, Mrs. Ellison, teacher, hey you!"

Remember When...

School starts on Monday and campus is packed full with freshman and parents galore, it made me reminisce the "good ole' days". Remember when you moved up from middle school to high school and were terrified that you would get lost and then you figured it out within a couple days. Remember when you then moved on up to college and also thought you were going to get lost and that everyone talked in code (SWKT, JFSB, WILK) Remember when you met your roommates for the first time wondering what they were really like and if you would get along. And then you end up sticking with them for years. Remember when you finally realized you are an adult and learned responsibility the hard way by staying out until 2 AM and then getting a C on your first college exam. Remember staying away from RM's because you were not ready to get married during the Freshman year. Remember how in the end, you now can talk in code, you're the one giving others directions, and you have been here for 4 years and are now calling the place home. Okay so I know I still have one semester (super senior= me) but it was still fun to remember. Onward for new adventures!

Red Paper Airplanes

One year ago yesterday Jordan and I got engaged. One year ago Jordan told me we were going to go on a rememberance date. We started by going to the JFSB on campus to fly some paper airplanes (my favorite date). We made them and flew them from the balcony, so Jordan said let's go get them. So right when we got down to the bottom Jordan said, "whoever finds the most airplanes wins". So naturally I book it, because I have to beat Jordan. I passed a red one, but we flew white airplanes so I kept running. Jordan takes me back to the red one and I just pick it up and keep running, Jordan says to open it. At first i thought it was someone's homework. I open it and at the top it says 100 Reasons Why I love Kaitlin. We continued to pick up more red airplanes with more reasons. I just thought this date could not get better. The last airplane I opened said 1. She just might say yes! I still was clueless. He pulls some flowers out from under a bush and then got on one knee and asked me to marry him. My first response was "Did you ask my dad?" (Mainly b/c the night before I thought Jordan was getting cold feet on the decision to get engaged). Then I finally said yes! We then went to Fuddruckers (our 2nd date) and a concert by Ryan Shuppe and the Rubberbands (our 1st date). And now we're married! Sorry for the novel.

Running... but not what you think!

Summer is always so busy running from one thing to the other. Well, we passed another thing on our summer list of to-do's, but sadly I don't have any pictures.

#1: Go Camping- On our trip for this year we went home to Flagstaff and Jordan's family decided to do their camping trip close by so we could go spend some time with them. We camped just a day and a night. We shot some 22's, went paintballing, made some jewelry, watched a movie in their trailer, and a lot more. It was so much fun to spend time with them.

On our way to Flagstaff we took a slight detour and stayed the night in St. George, taking the more scenic route home. We had the opportunity to attend a session in the St. George temple and loved it. That was our first time to that temple.

After spending time at the temple we were able to visit Brigham Young's winter home and even found that the town was having a movie night in the park so we enjoyed the beautiful weather and watched a movie. We finally made it Nielsen's Frozen Custard, which I have been dying to try except for the fact I wasn't feeling too good... I'd say I'll need to try it again sometime.

Once again I didn't take pictures, but Jordan and I loved all the time we were able to spend with my mom and dad. My dad took Jordan golfing for the first time and he loved it! Watch out Angie, he's good ;-) I got to go shopping with my mom and we also enjoyed roasting marshmallows around the grill. It was the perfect vacation!
This beautiful girl Audrey (my bestie) got married in the Draper temple. Jordan and I were able to attend the ceremony. It was beautiful! It is the perfect way to remind us of our marriage covenants. Jordan asked, "Can we get married again?" We love that feeling of overwhelming happiness. We are so excited for them.At the dinner the night before the wedding we loved seeing all of our friends and roommates!

UPDATE: Our garden is growing like crazy! We tasted our first thing from our garden yesterday which were the snap peas. They were wonderful! We also have lots of green tomatoes, small cucumber growing, and lots of corn. Life is great!

check and check

The list of To Do's continues and we continue to check them off...
#4 Go to Timpanogos Cave (well we changed this and headed off to Mt. Timpanogos temple) This was a first for both of us and it was so beautiful!

#5 Go Rollerblading

We went rollerblading around the neighborhood and down some hills. I even learned how to better use my brakes.

#9 Play Racquetball

Jordan was able to play with his two brothers. This is his new favorite thing to do.

#12 Go frisbee golfingOn the 3rd of July we were able to go play a little frisbee golf. Jordan was either a born pro or it was a beginners luck ;-)

Other things we have been up to...

Some friends in our ward did a huge slip-n-slide. At the end of the slide you slid across the grass and landed in a pond. It was a blast!We also had some free passes to the movies so we went and saw Toy Story 3 and loved it!

Summer Fun

So about a week ago I asked Jordan if we could make a list of things we wanted to do this summer and it could be anything... totally brainstorming. We have been super busy and haven't done a lot but we have done

#2 Go to Burley, Idaho- we helped Jordan's sister and her family move into their new house. It was so great to see them!

#7 Plant a Garden- Yes! Our wonderful landlords gave us half of their garden this year! So here it is, well more like dirt right now, but you just wait. The whole plot is ours. The mural was painted by our landlord. But any who the corn is on the right, then snap peas, then carrots and for FHE we planted our tomatoes.The Ellingson's are now gardeners.

Oh boy!... oh MAN!

Graduating. Yes, believe it! So Jordan is amazing and is just finished taking his last undergraduate final at BYU. I am so proud of him. He works so hard to accomplish any task he has in front of him and he DID IT! You are looking at a new and soon to be graduated man with diploma of Bachelor's of Manufacturing Engineering in his hand in August. So proud of him. Time to party on... or at least until September when he starts Grad School (once again following a dream) Amazing? I think so!

The "Ultimate" Update

Usually for Christmas someone in my family gives me a calendar for the next year. This year I didn't get one and so Jordan got me one that has a new recipe for every month. I decided to attempt to make the lemon pull-aparts. Here is what they are supposed to look like and what they did look like. They were actually really really good!

For a ward activity the RS put on a ward date night. Each table worked together to have a theme and then to each bring a food item. Our table was western with corn on the cob and pulled pork sandwiches. We decided we wanted to dress up.
A little smootch behind the hatCowboy up!
Yesterday was Jordan's 25 birthday! Can you believe it? To celebrate he got a free meal at Tucanos so we stuffed ourselves silly!They even gave him a free dessert and luckily I also got to reap the rewards.

There was a really cool fountain we played in after!

Good lookin' couple

Probably the highlight of Jordan's birthday was the Ultimate Frisbee game. Our old singles ward has 2 teams and he plays on one with his cousin and brother. The two teams played each other. It was a blast to watch. He really loves the sport... and he is good at it.Jordan and his old roommate Mike (TOUGH GUYS)The winning team!

Ode to Mom

Happy Mother's Day! I am so grateful for my mom and for all women on the earth. In our married student ward new couples are invited to attend the celestial marriage class for at least 6 months, because of that I have had mother's on my mind a lot. I am so grateful for the role of women and of motherhood. I have learned so much from my mom as I know she learned so much from her mother. As I look forward to someday being a mom (no, not an announcement) I am terrified and am so excited to fulfill this role to nurture and love. This is just a list of many of the things my mom has done for me as I'm sure yours have done for you.

1. Taxi driver
2 #1 fan (for soccer and dance, rain or shine)
3. Best listener
4. Advice Giver
5. Knows when to agree when I had trouble with boys and when to express her frustration as well
6. Patient
7. Cook
8. Referee when little (2 boys and 1 girl, she solved the problem).
9. Loving
10. Supportive and Encouraging
Not only am i grateful for my mom, but for my grandma, who taught my mom so much. I hope that I can also teach my future children the right. Love you mom!

Grateful!

Lately, I have had a lot on my mind. I am so grateful for the life that I live. I consider myself to be the luckiest person. I am married to a wonderful man who cares and loves me so much, even when I don't deserve it. Best of all he makes me laugh and keeps the stress level down! I know that being married and going to school can be rough and has its challenges, but I wouldn't have it any other way. My life is perfect and it is just the way I want it to be. Lastly, I am so grateful for the Savior and for the gospel. I have seen friends stray from the truth, but while singing a song at the beginning of one of my college class (gotta love BYU), the song ended with "those that reject this glad message, shall never such happiness know". It is so true. The gospel has brought nothing but happiness, love, peace, and comfort into our lives. We are GRATEFUL!

A little Ellingson fun!

A little update on us! So for our wedding we got a bosch mixer and then for christmas we were given a wheat grinder. I have been scared out of my mind about attempting to make bread, but I decided I had waited too long and so here is the finished product...So the weather here in provo has been so dysfunctional. One day it decides to be beautiful with birds singing, blue skies, and sunshine. The other days it decides to snow (like crazy). So while at work (Jordan and I work 6-10pm) every night, we noticed it was snowing. So here is a little peek into what we decided to do AFTER work was done.

b-day, v-day, b-ball day

So I realized that I didn't write about any of the super fun happenings of February. So first there was Valentines day. I attempted to make a large cookie and write on it all cutesy, but as you can tell it looks like a 5 year old did it (the pen was runny). Jord spoiled me and made me chocolate chip heart-shaped pancakes in bed with flowers. (I set my alarm 30 min. later hoping to make breakfast for him, but unfortunately he set his earlier and beat me to it).

Sorry about the gross pic. of me

Next, I had my birthday. I can't believe I'm 22! Even though I can't do anything different than when I was 21 I feel so much older. It was a great day! Jordan and I did a habit for humanity project for the "Give a day, Get a day" Disneyland giveaway. We are hoping to go in the summer. Then we went to a pizza, salad buffet and stuffed ourselves until we felt sick. It followed that night with a chocolate pie. It couldn't have been a more perfect day. I was so glad to be able to spend the whole day with Jordan.

We still love rollerblading and this particular day we got all ready and discovered that it was raining, so we bladed around in the little covered part of our "garage". We also still enjoy basketball, even when we don't win (New Mexico vs. BYU).This is us at the basketball game. Jordan stood in line with my old roommate Tiffany to get good spots. They gave them these awesome glasses. It is our "new look".Lastly, everyone is growing up and moving on so we had a get together with all of our old roommates! It is so great to see everyone! We ate chocolate galore and simply laughed, talked, and screamed (you know what girls do!)(from left to right) Heather, Siri, Kat, Tiff, Audrey, Chantelle, Me. Man, we have been through thick and thin and spent a lot of years together... most def. some of the best! So glad I have each of them in my life. Love you all!