Thursday, December 18, 2008

Health Literacy

So I was reading this article today and I had to stop and laugh out loud because it reminded me of something that had just happened at work. To preface my story, only 13% of Americans are considered to have proficient literacy skills and of those, few are proficient in health knowledge (were not just talking about reading here). I guess this never really dawned on me since health and nutrition is all I breath, think, eat and talk about (especially with finals). Ok so my story...

A boy, who will remain unnamed, at work is sort of a "know it all", is having a conversation with another boy that I couldn't help but overhear :). They were talking about fried rice and he asked "Well what is rice? Is it roughage, like lettuce?....I figure it's not bad for me, but is it? What is even in rice?" His friend responded with, "I think it might be a grain." It's a good thing they couldn't see me because I was trying so hard not to burst into laughter! Roughage? Lettuce? Y0u've got to be kidding me.....this may not be funny to you, but girls in the program who read this, I hope you laughed!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Thanksgiving & Chris' 5th Birthday!

We spent Thanksgiving with Russell's family again this year, as traveling to WA was too far for the few days we had off. We had a great time and ate lots of yummy food, of course! Here are some hi-light pics!

Chris, Spencer & Russell: Being boys!
They stopped wrestling for about 10 seconds so I could take this picture

After taking a long nap!

Black Friday! The rain did not stop us from getting up at 3am!

Christopher's Birthday

Christopher is our oldest nephew! He turned 5 yesterday! We made gingerbread houses in celebration...

Spencer is our youngest nephew-age 3

Russell is my one & only husband-age 25 :)

I forgot to get pictures of everyone's houses but this is Brian's Treehouse!

"Aunt Mandy, your house is so big" Yes, Russell and I made a mansion gingerbread house. Complete with car, garage, wraparound porch and a hot tub in the back! Oh and the trick to these graham cracker houses...use a glue gun and then decorate with frosting! Who would have known?

Sophia & Tylee update! I can't wait for them to start crawling!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Unbelievable

If you didn't already see this in the news, it's definitely worth reading. I was termed an "Exercise Nazi" a few years ago by my cousin, but I have never and will never be like this man. Truly amazing and a little nutty!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Twilight


Liked it, didn't love it. Had a migraine. Will see it again!
P.S. My husband even took me to see it...

Monday, November 24, 2008

Happy Belated Halloween

I was informed awhile ago that I was posting backwards! I never posted Halloween or Russell's Birthday pictures...so here they are!


Pumpkin Bowling (Russell beat everyone!)
Russell wore his Great Uncle's World War II Navy Uniform and I wore his Grandma's 1950's skirt that was about 5 inches wide at the waist! This eating contest didn't go so well for me, I went to the bathroom to puke!

The cake that took hours!

Opening presents!

Happy 25th Lovey!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"I'm Smarter Than A Cookie"

My name is in print! Check it out here! The online version isn't as fun!

Get Ready...



I have never been so excited for a season!
I absolutely love Jason and his little boy Ty!
Premiers January 5th on ABC

Monday, November 10, 2008

Thielen's come to Provo!

My mom usually comes to visit every November and we do our annual Christmas shopping so it's out of the way. But my dad wanted to come down for a BYU game so they both came! We didn't take as many pictures as we usually would when my parents come visit...mainly because we spent the whole time shopping! As well as eating, touring the conference center and spending time at Temple Square!


All of us at CPK!


Brent & Nicole

At the Creamery

Ready for the BYU game

A must on our To Do List: Jdawgs!

Please excuse my "bum" clothes!

I'm posting as my study break from Geology...this test just might kill me! Stupid GE's!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

August Addendum

It took my parents flying all the way to Utah to get these pics from their camera! Here's a very belated update...Whistler & WA Vacation 2008

Go Karts at my cousin Mike's

Chewy & Katie's Wedding

Olympics 2010 Ski Jump

Loaded down

Canoeing

I was not excited

And we're off!

Top of Whistler

Peak to Peak Gondola opening in December...can't wait!

Russell's first time at the top, too bad it was cloudy!

Lunch at Mongolie Grill...mmmm

Hiked in the rain to an awesome waterfall

Hottest day we were there
Before leaving to go white water rafting

Riding bikes around the Village

Sorry for the incredibly late post...blame my parents! haha



Saturday, November 1, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBY!

Today is Russell's 25th Birthday! He came home from his interview in Indiana (which went well) last night and it's so good to have him back! Lots of birthday plans so gotta go....pics to come later! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Fat & Happy is Out

I've been thinking lately about the obesogenic environment we live in (and yes that's a real word, I learned it in class!) I've especially noticed it where I work and have been thinking of things I can do to help create change. We have an electronic suggestion box that is actually taken seriously, so I think I'll write something up and send it in. If you aren't aware obesity has become an epidemic in our nation and is on an extreme rise in children. This article caught my eye today and I'm glad Alabama has decided to start doing something about it...click here.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Cultural Foods

In my community nutrition class we split into groups to better understand different cultures in America. My group was Asian & Pacific Islanders. We chose to present on the Indian culture (as in those from India, not Native Americans). We put on a good show...
My first experience being "pregnant" lol! It actually hurt my back!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Nicolitalia Pizzeria

I had a HUGE party last night for work and we assumed they'd have food but they didn't! I guess they figured giving away two cars, $60,000 and about $100,000 worth of prizes was enough...we left before it was over (I better get my prizes at work tomorrow!) because we were starving! We ended up at Nicolitalia at 10:00pm and ordered an XL Margarita pizza...yes, we were that hungry....


The last piece...

And then I ate it...Russel stole half!

(Mom & Dad, we think we'll take you here when you come visit...2 1/2 weeks!)

Recent Projects

Here are the projects I've finished as of late. We still haven't tackled our biggest one yet but we're working on it!

These framed used to be oak, they bothered me long enough that I stained them black. Every picture I tried to take turned out something like this....oh Russell!


I couldn't get the flash to stop glaring but I think it's legible. The stupid T is crooked but it was my first time using vinyl letting like this.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Cabin Sweet Cabin

We went to Russell's Grandparents cabin over Conference weekend! It was really nice to get out of Provo and enjoy the fall in the mountains...except we woke up to snow Sunday morning! Russell and I went four wheeling in between the sessions on Saturday and saw Utah at it's finest, so beautiful-the pics dont do it justice! And Russell's mission president spoke in the afternoon session on Sunday...it was amazing...This man does not speak English!! At the reunion this summer he spoke Enlglish for literally less than a minute and said that's all he could do. He did so great and we were blown away by how well he spoke-the Lord truly helps those who serve Him.





Lil Sophia is getting bigger!!