My Sister Kristin

Kristin and I met several years ago in a microbiology class. She sat in front of me the first day and I was jealous of how cute her hair was...haha! After a matter of days we were doing everything together and it didn't take long for us to become best friends. We studied, we laughed, we cried, we splept...HA, I'll never forget the time we were both sick and took Nyquil and missed all our classes the next day because we were out cold! She's my best friend and more like a sister than anything else. We've have gone through a ton together and made so many great memories. Here's to many many more...

I LOVE YOU KRISITN

Mt. Timpanogos

At 11,749 feet in the air, we stood atop Timp! It was definitely an adventure to remember. We started hiking at 6 am with our friends Jordan and Hailey and made it to the top just 4 hours later! We didn't take any breaks until we reached Lake Emerald...I could say a lot about the hike but I'll show the pics instead. But the pics definitely don't do it justice!

Early morning on the trail. Hailey and I thought this way just a leisurely day hike...little did we know...

A family of mountain goats

How cute they are on the path!

The view from Lake Emerald

The top was in site

Jordan and the glacier we would later slide down

View from the top of Timp!

Me on the phone to my dad!

The hikers!

Over looking Utah County

Russell jumped to this glacier...video to follow

Under a water fall on our hike down

Here are the videos we took....

This is me sliding down the glacier. We didn't take pics when we had to hike on the snow and we couldn't take any hiking up the rocks..too scary! We brought garbage bags to sit on and decided to wear them like diapers! Too bad I ripped mine before I slid down and Hailey and I quickly learned that wearing running shorts was the worst idea! Sparing the details, our bums our bruised and scratched from the ice!

This is Hailey coming down the glacier! Sorry for my obnoxious voice in the background!

Jordon turn! I think he had the most fun!

I think jumping onto a floating glacier must have been on Russell's bucket list or something because I couldn't talk him out of this...his punishment=I get Zupas whenever I want! Our camera cut off otherwise the video would be longer.

Well those are some highlights from the trip! I'll post some of Jordan & Hailey's pics when I get them. Oh and I think we decided the way down was quite possibly worse than the way up! Our feet and knees hurt so bad. Hailey and I ran the last half mile because we knew the faster we went the faster we'd get to the car!

Draper Days

We went to Draper days with Russell's parents and Even & Becky (plus the kids).
Becky and I picked out the cutest headbands, bows and flowers for Sophia! I can't wait to see her in 'em. But back to the real reason we went to Draper days, the entertainment! We can't remember the name of the band but they are Beattle impersonators (dress, talk, hair, everything)! It was really good and we all had a great time! The boys even liked the fireworks since they weren't so close like on the 4th!

Bisel Family Reunion

This is from 2 weekends ago up in Heber. The Bisel's are Russell's great grandparents, who are no longer living, but their children and children's children still get together. Although we only knew hardly anyone it was still a pretty good time. About 5 minutes away from the reunion site is the house Russell's grandma Gwendolyn was born in (literally). I was blown away, I think you will be too...

Playing in the trees

I think this was a homemade mechanical bull...Russell didn't last long!

Check this out! Unbelievable!

Spencer inside the house

Thielen Family Visit

My parents came to visit last weekend and we all crammed in our little apartment! Speaking of cramming, we did SO much while they were here! We had a ton of fun and can't wait to fly home for a visit in August. Here are some pics from their visit...

The boys golfing

Drinks at Sonic! My parents get them every time they visit since there isn't one in WA.

Russell on the BBQ

Ready to hike the Y


View from the top!




Tai Pan

I introduce my mom to Tai Pan when she came to visit last November. That's my favorite time to go since it's decked for the holidays. I usually gawk at everything in the store, but I'm pretty sure I'll never buy this pig for our house!

Costa Vida

My dad's first time eating Costa...mmm mmm!

BOONDOCKS!



Playing Putt Putt

Russell missed the "chin" memo

Waiting for the go-carts

Provo at Night!


Me and my cute parents!

The Wifey & Hubby!

Thanks for coming to visit Mom and Dad! We had a great time! Love you guys!

INDIANA INDIANA INDIANA

On a happier note (to my previous post) Russell received his first interview for school yesterday. And guess where? INDIANA! I was so excited to text Kim and tell her the news. He interviews right after the in-state kids do, which is really good! I'm SO proud of him!!!!!!! And we thank all of you for your continual support and prayers! Oh and PS. we hope this is one of many interviews he gets (obviously, right?) We didn't expect to hear back so soon, things are pretty great around here!

I pay to run?

Why is running so expensive? I registered for the Provo half marathon and team relay marathon today...as Russell just said "I thought running was the one sport that was free?" Well not anymore! This is the poor college student whose husband is soon to be in dental school accruing loads of debt! AHH! And because I'm angry, I chose not to run today!

A Very Overdue Update!

So, I'm sorry for slacking on the blog! Every time I talk with someone it's "Mandy! You haven't updated your blog in weeks!" My reasons? I am on a computer for 8 hours everyday and when I get home the last thing I want to do is sit down to blog....But anyway here's the latest in our lives....

Russell's Mission Reunion

It's not very common to have a mission reunion in May but Russell's mission president was ordained a seventy in April and was in town for meetings. I've met his first prez but had never met this one...although he didn't speak much english I loved and was honored to meet him. When he and his wife spoke it was pretty neat to see every guy whispering in their wifes ear to translate!

Babysitting Lil Soph

In case you forgot this is our niece Sophia (born on my bday!) We were privileged to watch her while her parents and brothers went to see Wall-e. Isn't she cute?

Fridays At the Park

This is where you'll find us...after work we hit Gandolfo's for sandwiches then head to the park for a picnic. Food, blanket, books and we usually see some interesting entertainment.

A parachuter landed right next to us-crazy!

If you can't make this out, it's a boy tight rope walking...we secretly filmed him, he wasn't very good but I guess that's why he was practicing!

WHAT'S COOKIN' AT THE STEPHENS...

After eating a Papa Murphy's pizza months ago we decided we could recreate it...and oh boy did we ever! All the ingredients are pictured for our Chicken Garlic Pizza (oh except for the chicken)!


Russell makes the yummiest bread sticks


If you want the deets on the pizza ask me-I have so much to post I just
dont have time to post it right now.


-THE CHEF-
I think I was begging to go to bed...at 9pm!


Pool Party

Before Brad & Kim left for dental school :( we had a huge pool party at Kim's parents...we all had a blast and Russell and I miss them very much. They used to live just 10 doors down from us and we're a tad lonely now.

Kim & Me

The BOYS one last time

Wii Fit

Russell's brother has a Wii and recently got wii fit...we were hooked immediately! And I'm pretty good haha...I do hold many records; my greatest feats are the ski jump and hula hoop-my hips don't lie!

We were running. Oh and for those who know about Wii Fit here's our Wii ages:
Mandy-21
Russell-39
(I think you can tell who's in better shape haha, love you honey!)

The Garrett's Visit

I held
Abby almost every second we were with my cousins Jen & Matt...she's much bigger since we met her in February and is oh so adorable!



And I did occasionally share with Russell

As for everything else going on in our lives...my parents fly in Thursday for a visit and we can't wait to see them! Also, we're training for a biathlon later this summer and I'm running the Provo City half marathon in just over a month! Today we did 12 miles and before we left Russell told me he didn't think I'd make it...dont worry, I proved him wrong! Love and miss you all! XOXO