New Posts on the Russell Blog

http://tarussell.blogspot.com/

Formals, Bridal Shower, and Bachelorette Party!

Farwell to the Bologna Blog

So, it's finally happened. I am getting married and my single life is coming to an end. Which means this blog is coming to an end. I have written 109 post over the last 4 years! It's been a fun run!

Our new blog will is tarussell.blogspot.com! It's not completely finished but it's a start!

For updates from me don't look here anymore! Adios!

Men's Rules

This was shown to me by my boss at work. Apparently I have a thing or two to learn. to learn Baha haha .... sad thing is, most of these actually fit.

These are our rules!
Please note: these are all numbered '1 '
ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.
1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.
1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.
1. Crying is blackmail.
1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!
1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.
1. Come to us with a problem ONLY if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done.
Not both.
If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.
1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.
1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have NO idea what mauve is.
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!
1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

I am itching for a change!

I need some opinions. If you like my first options do you have any ideas of how I can still do a change without cutting it....Ah...

My current hair Style.... I love love love long hair but it's hot and a lot of work! I am kinda just lookin for a change....

Here is the option I have been debating. I would probably do it a little longer than this, so I can still pull it up. (Link to another style that I can do with this cut) If you have seen sweet home Alabama it would be like that!

Russell Reunion

I tagged along with Tyler's family to Duck Creek Village (near Ceder City) for their family reunion this year. Our cabin was about a half hour from Zion and Bryce. It was so much fun. Here are just a few pics of the trip. I took a ton of pictures but I only like a few.

Bryce Canyon

Zions River

Bryce

Tyler's Family (part of them)

Me and Tyler at Bryce

:) Tyler

I like it

Family Home Evening Light Painting

Grant

ha ha

Tyler's parents

I was having issues.

I love these pictures!

So, my dear friend Susan had a evening wear birthday party! It was a ton of fun. I wore my awesome Egyptian dress from high school but actually wore it for it's purpose! Of course we took pictures and here are my favorites.

Me and Tyler- I LOVE THIS PICTURE

He he-

I like this one too!

Full length shot of mine and Jenny's dresses.

My cute roommie Jenny!

Date Night

I love date night! I went to Provo Beach Resort (highly suggest it) with Tyler, and had so much fun. (I go into more detail on my picture blog) Anywho, we watched while you were sleeping after :), and it was just a really fun night! Tyler is great! ...... Look how cute!

Vignetted Me

Okay- So, I have been wanting to do a photo a day blog for some time now, and hooray for me I finally did it! I am only five days into it but I am excited for it all the same...

You should follow it! :)

www.vignettedme.blogspot.com

Motivation

- Disclaimer- The point of this post is not to get compliments, or false motivation to do well. This post is simply my thought process of what I am doing with my life.

I have been all sorts of confused and stressed lately. Poor Tyler gets to deal with it.

It was a year ago that I was up at Utah State going into education and really enjoying the prospects of being a teacher. I enjoyed the subject I was studying but I don't think that it was the right field of study for me. I didn't feel like a had the skill set necessary to succeed in teaching that subject... I loved photography and learning more about it, and ultimately that is the main reason I switched schools. I had the drive to excel!

So, now here I am at UVU going into digital media, and I honestly feel so under qualified. I have a passion for photography, and love learning everything I can about it. I want to continue to learn more, and really become a great photographer. I love talking about it, and explaining how it all works.

But... I am looking at the work that I have done thus far, and yeah sure it's good but I don't know if I have the talent necessary to achieve the goals that I have set before myself. I have the passion to push me there. But- I am looking at myself, and my work and really wondering if I have what it takes. I look at my photos from two years ago and there is no question that I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was before but is that enough. I don't put myself in the category of, "wow, look at her photos; she is great."

I knew that when I switched to this career it was far from stable, and so that is another consideration I have been thinking about.... I have thought about going into education to get my teaching certificate because I think it would be so much fun to teach photography and hopefully spark a passion for photography in someone else.

Thoughts though- How would I go about doing that? Would I be qualified (I do NOT want to be one of those teachers that fit under the category of "those who can't do, teach") Also, how much more school would I have to go through to become a teacher? Is that really what I want to do, or am I just using it as a copout?

So, school-work-goals-photography-life are all spinning around in my head. I have my main goals of having a family, and having that as my main priority but how do I work in all of my goals together? How do I make it all come together with the idea of eventually becoming a mom.. hmmm

I am a bit lost in a lot of things. I need to find the motivation to figure it out, and move forward with my life confidently! Now, where to find it!?

1st Grade

I was finally a big kid; I stayed at school all day long, and had an actual number for a grade. As cool as that was, I didn't really like first grade; at least from what I can remember. The only memories are educational or not that pleasant.

I had Mrs. Burnah for my teacher at Salem Elementary. She was a pretty nice lady; she was in my ward as well.

Lets see what do I remember...

One morning our teacher had the class sing the alphabet as fast as we possibly could. After singing it about three times as fast as we could and we still weren't saying the letters fast enough. Mrs. Burnah taught us how to say the letters the "short way" (as in phonetically).

I peed my pants in the first grade too. Not really my pants; I was in a skirt! I was wearing this ugly jean skirt that had sunflower patches on the side. I remember it with detail because Mom really did not like the skirt, and when I peed in it mom made the statement that it must be a sign that I should never wear the skirt again.

The tire swing was probably the coolest part of the playground. I would eat my lunch as fast as I could so I could get out to the playground very first. I don't remember the teachers name but I remember going to drop off my food in the garbage and send the tray down the shoot when the teacher gave me the scariest look and told me I hadn't eaten enough of my food and I needed to go eat more. She was completely right but I was sourly disappointed because I didn't get to play on the tire swing.

We had a stop light in this school. If the light was green it was okay to go outside, red you had to play inside, and yellow it was up to your teacher (usually you had to have a coat). It was right outside the lunchroom door. There was one time in particular that I remember looking up at the light being excited that it was green and then being devastated because all of the buttons on the front of my shirt were undone. Who knows how long it had been like that.. Good thing I was only six!

This was the grade when I was introduced to all the cool things about grade school. Like those boards with pegs that you could make designs with the rubber bands. Or the really cool pattern block things.

... Not to mention recess!

I didn't have any friends but it still was fun. I don't have many memories of recess. The only two I remember really weren't that great.

1-I would always watch the older kids run up the slides the wrong way and look so happy when they made it to the top. I wanted to be like them. I ran across the gravel and made it about half way up the slide before I tripped and face planted it right onto the shiny metal surface. I of course started crying, and my nose started to bleed. I was too embarrassed to tell anyone what really happened. I lied and told them I ran into a tree...So much better!

2- Remember the statement from above- the "I didn't have any friends" comment. Well, when I tried to make friends I got myself into trouble. Making grass nests became a pretty big deal. But we didn't have real eggs so they were always filled with gravel from the playground. In attempt to make more friends I lied to all the kids and told them that I had some eggs we could put in there- that way the birds would be confused and come and live in our nests that we made.

I didn't really have any eggs but there was a teacher who had some on display in one of the hallways. Yep, I stole an egg and lived it up for one whole recess. I remember Jessica Eggbert took the egg to class with her till we went out again. Her teacher recognized the egg and it got turned back on me, and I was caught. Once again I had the horrible guilt feeling of being ashamed when my sweet teacher looked at me all disappointed like and asked my why I stole the egg. That would have been a good enough punishment but I got into even bigger trouble when I got home. Dad said he wouldn't look at me because he didn't want to be friends with a liar. :( I hugged me eventually, and we were friends again. Spankings and a month grounding was included!

So This One Time!

So, I don't think that you realize what has happened. I know you all pay very close attention to the details in my life, and make mental notes of major events that happen, BUT even with that in consideration, I don't think you understand the magnitude of the situation we have at hand here. It's as big a lion, as small as a San Man, as cool as an amazing photograph, or blah blah blah! Basically it's a big deal.

It has been one year since I completely flipped my life upside down, and went in a completely different direction. I know you are all just as shocked as I was when I first thought about it- your minds must be just racing by the significance of that decision. As I have been thinking about it I think I have decided that the year of 2010 has probably been the most eventful year of my entire life! (I'm not that old but I don't think that it is going to surpass this past year anytime soon-as in the amount of big events)

1-I started the year with the crazy idea of switching schools and not being an Aggie anymore and then I actually followed through with it. Not only did I switch schools but with the help of Richard I managed to pull it off in a three day period of time!

2- I got into a major that I absolutely love and have made some wonderful contacts, and friends in the process.

3- I moved into BYU country and actually really like it here.

4- I WENT TO AFRICA-- I think this one should be on my list at least three time because of how cool it was.

5- T.V. got home from his mission (different turn of events that followed that were completely unexpected and really twisted around)

6- I bought a new camera to help me in pursuit of my photography

- I got my website up as well.

7- I started dating T.R. which has been amazing!

8- Relationships have definitely been more roller coaster like than any other year.

9- I finally got to live with the coolest people ever. my dear cousins!

10- I am in one of the best wards that I have ever been in, and have made some amazing friends.

11- Oh, and I have a trophy above my fireplace that I received because we got second place in my bowling league. It even has my name on it; it's pretty legit ;)

So, now it is January 2011 and I am happy to report that my life is pretty average these days. It of course is wonderful but thankfully uneventful. Eventful doesn't always mean enjoyable.

OH! I also quit my job at Sears. *Insert happy dance here*- and considering I can't dance it's more of just wiggle in my chair :) but no really. I have liked working at Sears but I don't know what it is I have really just hit my point that I can't handle it anymore. It's also not giving me the hours I need to even make it close to making it above water.

So, it's January and life is simply good.

My Cheeks Are Killing Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAYoiCrYvAU

You know how sometimes when you have to take a ton of pictures in a row your face starts hurting because you have to keep smiling so much. Well, life has been that way for me lately but not because of pictures. Life is just good. The Millers are in town, everyone has been here for Christmas, Tyler is home, and I was able to manage not working a ton this week at the studio. :) So, I have really been able to enjoy the last few days!

With how crazy life has been this last little while I am ready for a nice break, and to have my life back to normal. Okay not my normal- my normal is nuts. So, I guess just less all over the place. I like that idea. hmm....

:)

MY FINAL MOVIE!!!

Semester Update

I am half way done with my fourth year of college!! That is just crazy to me. I always thought I would feel so much older when I hit this point but I don't feel that old. I can see I have definitely grown from my freshman year and I am growing up, but in so many ways I still feel like a kid.

This school year has been one of my very favorites. My ward is amazing, and I have made some really really good friends here. I really have been blessed with where I am at in life. I actually feel like I fit in here- (I am actually one of the younger girls in the ward. most the girls are RM's, and we don't have any PreMi's)

I think back on this past semester and it's been the biggest emotional roller coaster I have ever been on. I am grateful for where I am though. When it comes to relationships I don't think I have ever been so stressed out in my entire life! I am happy with my life the way it is right now though.

Anyways, here are some pictures from our ward Christmas party!-

Oh, I also just finished my bowling league for the semester. I was horrible when we started but I am actually not to shabby now. I bowled a 146 tonight.

New Favorite Picture!

This one is close to being my favorite- On a normal scale I would say this one wins but the other one is just well... it fits!

Add Byron and Mike to this picture and you will have our main group- We have Me, Tyler, Trent, David Dekker, Ben, Jenny, and Curtis. These are my boys!

Cheesy Christmas Card- Yes, please!

Me and the Roommies!

Blast From The Past.

So, I haven't updated in a while! BUT it's because I started a new blog. I have been thinking about memories that I have of growing up and I am afraid that if I don't write them down I am going to forget about them. I already have forgotten a lot, and I'm not even old yet.

The posts aren't super entertaining, but I am mostly just trying to get the memories in some tangible form. If you have more information about one of my memories that is wrong or I'm fuzzy on the details feel free to comment.

You don't even have to read it- it's probably only fun for me (unless you are part of it) to read. Anyways, check it out!

THE COOL NEW BLOG-Blast From The Past!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten was great!

There were a lot of great things about kindergarten.

-Singing was always a plus- If you did a really good job at singing one of the teachers would give you a laminated shape to sit on until the end of class when you got to exchange it for a treat.

-You got to trace the alphabet and numbers with all 8 colors from the crayon box- I remember having the hardest time with the #8 for some reason.

-You wore big t-shirts for painting..I still love the smell of paint (not in the bad way), and school supplies.

-You only had half day and then you got to ride the smaller bus to get home.

- Coloring was the coolest...along with other arts and crafts

It was my kindergarten year when I first experienced the guilt trip you can be subject to from teachers. When it was time to clean up our teacher would warn us and then count to ten. By the time she got to ten we needed to have all of our stuff put away in our cubbies, and be sitting on the rug. If you didn't make it to the rug your name would be put on the board as a warning.

I was finishing coloring my picture one day when my teacher told us to clean up. I wanted to hurry and finish before I sat down. I tried to hurry as fast as I could and get to the rug on time but I failed. When I finally made it to the rug my teacher looked at me all disappointed like and put my name on the board. I was absolutely devastated. It was the first time that had ever happened and I just remember the sick pit in my stomach... It's funny how much that affected me.

My first field trip ever was to the Hogle Zoo that year. It was also the first time I had been away from mom for an extended period of time (that I remember anyways). I don't remember much about the trip except for lunch. Mom packed me a little baggy of Whoppers, and my favorite sandwich at the time; a mayo, ketchup, and mustard sandwich. It had been in my bag all day and so it was warm. Sadly enough, I loved it! -- that was also the first and last time I have ever been to that zoo.

I think there was some sort of animal thing going on that year. For our kindergarten graduation it was animal themed. We had a ton of animal songs memorized, and we had animal cutouts for our faces. I wish I could remember the songs because they were awesome.

The only other memory I have of kindergarten was the day I got stuck at school. Mom told me not to ride the bus home that day because she would be picking DeAnna, Kenny, and me up from the school. So, I didn't get on the bus that day. (our bus driver was this cute old man who was super smiley. Mr. Willy I think) Anyways, I didn't get on the bus, but I didn't see my mom anywhere.

The teacher had me come back inside, and wait in the classroom. The afternoon class had already started, and I didn't know anyone in there. I remember the looked like they were having so much fun. It was hat day for them, and I was just sitting on the rug looking at them.

I was so scared. I kept trying to think if I knew my way home if I started walking. Mom hadn't come yet, and I was scared I was going to be left at the school all night.

I don't know how long it was before mom showed up. I don't even know how this story ends but I remember the most random details. I can still picture some of the girls hats, and the design on the rug. It wasn't that big of a deal but for a five year old it must have been because it's stuck in my memory.

So, That's what I remember about kindergarten.

Musical Memories

Growing up in woodland Hills made it a bit difficult to roller blade because of the lack of side walks and the hills (hence the woodland HILLS). This wasn't necessarily a negative thing. My siblings and I just needed to be more creative when it came to the activities we wanted to do. To make roller blading possible we would first clear the three car garage, and sweep all the screws and other potentially hazardous particles to the sides.

Once the garage was cleared we would get the big tape player, and skate till we were too exhausted to skate anymore. We listened to the same two songs over and over again. The theme song from top gun, and Danger Zone. Anytime I hear one of those songs I can't help but smile and think of the cold garage and skating in the never ending circles.

(this paragraph is from a paper I wrote for my english class)

Ever since before I can remember the song "The dance," by Garth Brooks has been a large part of my life. I would sit cradled in a ball on the floor and just watch my dads fingers flow from sting to string. This didn't happen very often because my dad would always declare that he couldn't sing and one of the boys should play instead. Even with that declaration I always loved the sound of my dads voice and the guitar.

Ray Lynch (celestial soda pop) , and Enya will forever remind me of mom sewing and family vacations. We listened to that music over and over again in the car on our way to Missouri. I was too little to remember much about the trip but I still love the music.- Mom would also listen to it as she would sew.

I don't really know how this song really goes but as I was thinking of songs from my childhood this song kept coming to mind. "Too high you can't go over it. Too low you can't go under it. To wide you can't go around. Oh bless my soul. Bless my soul in...somthin somthin abraham."

"Love is spoken here" Is still one of my favorite primary songs because I would always sing it with Kenny growing up. Usually when we were home alone.

If Kenny was in a nice mood we would sing that song. If he was in a "funny, scare Alishia half to death mood" he would first stare out the window all creepy like, and then start pounding on the low keys of the piano. For some reason that would scare me half to death.

Other things I remember: Meet Joe Black soundtrack, Billy Joel, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Andrea Bocelli, Ace of Base, Beastie Boys, Smashmouth, Dido, and well a lot more but these are the big ones.

More songs became a big part of my life as I hit middle school and on, but from when I was a kid these are the main things.

Cousins

I love my cousins! I didn't get too see them too often growing up so, when I did get to see them it was always a party. The three cousins my age were Nikki, Brooke, and Emily. There are so many memories that it is hard to pick which memories to write down.

Ha ha Proper Ladies- Brooke, Nikki, and I started the club proper ladies when we were probably around 9ish. No matter what we were doing (eating, playing, whatever) if one of us would say proper ladies we had to act very proper and good. Sit up strait, take very small bites of our food, try and speak in a british accent (because that was more lady like). In reverse to this, I don't remember the word we used, but we would say something like gross kids and we would go to the other extreme end of the scale. We would eat all gross, snarl, and just be random like that. It was fun though.

Nikki- Nikki and I would spend hours and hours on the phone just talking. Brooke wasn't in our area code and so it was long distance to call. So, Nikki and I would talk on the phone and write book identical letters. We always had so much fun playing together growing up.

Random thoughts/memories:

For some reason I always seemed to get a bloody nose when we were at her house.

We would always walk up the stairs super bow legged with our rear ends sticking out all funny.

I was wanting to get into yoga one summer and tried getting Nikki to watch a video with me. The video was a joke. The lady was more into the bad spirits getting out of you than anything else.

We came up with the most random random games to keep us entertained.

Veggie Tales!

Brooke- Brooke's house was always super fun to have sleepovers at. Auntie Ellen had awesome food and tons of games for us to play. She really knew how to throw a party, and make it the cool place to be. Brooke and I would write letters back and forth growing up. They would get so long- and there really wasn't much too them.

Along with all sorts of games we (brooke, aubrey, kenny, and me) always played house. Kenny and Brooke were the parents, and Aubrey and I were the kids. For some reason every time we played Kenny ended up dying in some way.

Other things that come to mind: Muppets Treasure Island, Scamper, Super Nintendo, New Years Eve Parties, Throwing up on the way to their house, and so so many more.

Emily- Emily wasn't allowed to have sleepovers growing up but we were still able to play at park days occasionally, and at family reunions. She was always a sweetheart, and would put up with the rest of fighting. We (the four girls) had a sleepover at the Duncan's one weekend. We were all about thirteen or so. We were so set on sleeping outside, but it was raining. After maybe a half hour of trying sleep under a tarp/fort on the deck we ended up all inside brushing each others hair, and talking till Uncle Brent had to come out for probably the 4th time to tell us to go to bed.

I have so many memories of these guys growing up. There is no way I can write them all down. I am sure I will remember more but these are the one that come to mind right now. Sleepovers with sugar water, eating way too much food, whipped cream fights (i'll probably do a post on new years parties), being scared to death of getting in trouble, fake sleeping, and well lots more.

Aubrey, Kelly, and Connie were a couple years younger than us but we still played with them quite a bit. Me and Aubrey were "Two bugs" forever, and I sadly made her play barbies with me for much longer than normal.

Danny was two years older than me but he was still awesome. When we got to hang out with there family it was always fun :)

We are all still close now too. I lived with Brooke and Nikki this past summer, and stay in touch with Emily here and there. I love my family.

Nikki, Emily, Danny, Brooke, Me

Bubble Gum

I absolutely loved gum growing up. I liked other candy sure but if I had a choice I would always choose gum. It wasn't a secret that I had an obsession with this candy. I still get bubble gum every Christmas/Easter/Birthday from my cute mom who always remembers the small things.

Growing up there were so many options to choose from. They had the Zebra Gum, Bubblicious ( my personal favorite, especially watermelon), Bubble Jugs, Gum balls, Bubble Tape (I had a weird habit of always swallowing this kind of gum, and going through the roll in a matter of hours), The gum in the band aids box, double bubble, and so many others.

I was always excited when I was able to have some of the specialty kinds. They had gum that was in the shape of checks, or bills. The gum was thick strips of original flavored bubble gum in a small package.

I remember that I didn't get this kind of gum very often but when I did it was very exciting. I don't think I was ever able to chew a pack by myself though. I have a very distinct memory of being in the kitchen in Woodland Hills, and having Kenny try and convince me to give him a check of gum (there were only like 3 checks in a package). I did not want to share! When I got this gum I wanted to save it for as long as a could, and I did not want to have to give him a whole piece. I was willing to give him a piece but not a whole check.

I lost the battle of having the gum all to myself. Kenny threatened to never be my friend again, and as it was I was so scared of that actually happening that he ended up with a whole check of my gum....Kenny won a lot of arguments that way.

When I was younger the Wrigley gum was the grown up kind of gum. Mom always had the dark blue kind. She always had that gum in her scripture case at church, and without fail I would ask for a piece every Sunday. My siblings would be annoyed, and I am sure Mom was too, but she gave me a piece anyways.

My favorite grown up gum was any kind of cinnamon gum. I think it was cinnamon because it was my dad's favorite. My dad loves cinnamon, and I wanted to have something the same. So, I think subconsciously cinnamon became my favorite.

Aunt Ellen (lee) always gave me gum when I saw her. I remember we were gum buddies. I wonder if she even remembers that. Probably not- I knew she would give me gum if I asked for it. So, I probably just tagged her has my gum buddy.

........

I still like gum but I actually rarely chew it anymore..hmm?

My Dad!!

So, I love my Dad! This past week I went and took some pictures for Dad at work. It wasn't anything big but I had a good time doing it. I had lunch with Dad and his guys afterwards and overall it was a fun morning.

As I was going back through all my pictures of the day I found this gem. I told Dad to look happy in his picture because the previous 6 or so were very serious faces. This was the result. I love this picture. Every time I see it, it makes me smile and think of how much I love my Dad.

There is plenty I could talk about of why I love him and all that great stuff, but I wanted to keep it simple this time.

PS. My favorite part of the entire session was the picture taken just after this one. I was laughing at the picture from above, and so I tried to explain to him that I was looking for just a pleasant smile but not a big grin. I told him to just think of mom, and the face that followed was the perfect sweet smile. It was the smile I was looking for, and the one that I ended up using.

THE END