Still alive over here...

WOW. It has literally been 3 months since I posted a single thing on here. I guess I just didn't really have much to say for the last little while. Lots of wonderful things happened. Also, lots of prayer and worry for what would come next for us. It's easy to post when we were living in England or spending a summer in Africa. Those things are exciting! That's what the world tells us is worthy of writing about or reading. But to be honest, it was a wonderful 3 months. Not very eventful for the most part. A few exciting things here are there. Marcus got engaged! (Olivia... *In "She's the Man" Voice* ;)) My parents moved to Washington - RIP Bull Mtn house. Most of all we loved to spend time at home with our families. Sunday dinners. Game nights. Ping pong tournaments. Star Wars movie marathons. It was all so great. More than great actually. I cried when we left. I'm slowly been turning into an actual female that does that sort of thing.

So since the "transition" period is over it must mean we have found our next step. Right you are! Just a short month or so ago Austin was offered a job doing international development with an electronics company in Utah. I know, I know. As we were driving here Austin's literal words were, "I cannot believe we are moving back to Utah..." It's funny how the Lord's plan works. We're here though, and we are embracing it. We will have a home base here, but we will most likely be shipped overseas (so us, right?) in the coming months for extended periods of time.

Also, we got a new camera for Christmas! We still have no idea how to use it, but hey, we'll get there.

THANKSGIVING!

This year for Thanksgiving we got together with a group of Americans from our church. It was wonderful. I hope you all enjoyed the food day as much as we did.

In light of the season I would like to present a list of things I am especially grateful for...

Our Savior, Jesus Christ

Austin <3

Our families

Thoughtful friends

Music

A home

Rain

Delicious food

Prayer

Warm showers

Medicine

Colors

Make up (ridiculous? Yes.)

Tomorrows

Slippers

Skype

Sports

Candles

2.14

In our cozy apartment we have very limited counter space. We have a small roll out island that we put in the middle of the kitchen that has a wood surface.  I use this as my main counter space in the kitchen. I always put hot pots and pans straight from the oven or stove directly on it. My husband always warns me that I am going to burn the countertop or even worse, our house down.

To solve this problem we made Valentines theme trivets! We found them in packs of three at IKEA- here- for like 3 bucks. We thought it would be cute to do conversation hearts. 

1) Cut out contact paper to use as your stencil. We are lucky enough to have a friend in our craft group that did this for us with her craft machine. 

2) Stick the stencil on the trivet and then use Mod Podge to seal the edges.

3) Once dry, paint over the stencil and wait for it to completely dry. (The middle one was supposed to say "Hot Stuff" but I was impatient and didn't wait long enough for it to dry. I peeled it off and will just keep it as my year round trivet.)

4) Peel off the stencil and finish with a paint sealant.

The finished product:

Keep in mind these are 7" trivets.  Much bigger than a drink coaster. 

Home for Christmas

12 Reasons Why I Will Always Want to Go Home For Christmas:

1) After a snowy 15 hour road trip we walk into this....

2) We win the most coveted prices at the white elephant exchange...

 3) We get to go to killer sporting events...

 4) Even though BYU lost... Go Cougs!

 5) Every Blazer game is on TV....

 6) My mom has Spidey senses for gifting I swear...Are these not beautiful??

 7) I get to watch my husband do what he loves...

 8) And celebrate his Birthday with all the people we love...

 9) And sing to him because we know he LOVES the attention... ha

 10) Spend time with strong, caring, protective, role models like these....

11) Take pictures like this that make we want to cry...

12) Yep. 

 Christmas is about our Savior, Family, and Love. I love going home for Christmas because those 3 things are always the center. 

Early Bird

I honestly used to hate it when people started celebrating Christmas early. Then one day I realized that Christmas makes me happy- the decorations, music, food, love, and just the whole spirit! Why can't I start celebrating it now?? Is that a crime??

Here is a little craft I made to kick of the celebration of the season. Don't hate me for bringing the spirit of Christmas early :)

But really... let's remember what it is truly about. 

An excerpt from our loving Prophet, Thomas S. Monson's address "Because He Came."

"There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him, in bonds of brotherhood and love."

There is a reason why this season is special. Let us not forget that.

I Love You Day!

Valentine's Day gets much better when you are married people. I promise. It was great to have solid plans and feel extra loved all day. Even though I know he loves me everyday ;)

Here's a little snippet of our evening... better late than never, right?



Side note: We had reservations for La Jolla Groves. We got there early and there were at least 50 people in the lobby waiting for their table. Needless to say we left... annnnnnd went to Tucanoes. End result: NO wait, FREE chocolate covered strawberries, & a rose! Fabulous day.

Yay love!

Our First Christmas

We had the most lovely Christmas Break!

Short Version:
We got to attend two blazer games. We had Meyers Leonard over for dinner. If you don't know who he is... be a better Blazer fan. We had lots and lots of game nights, tons of family bonding time, and a ridiculous amount of food. SO GREAT. This was the hardest time I have ever had leaving! It was our first Christmas and I LOVED it! Having two families is the best. It's fun to be in this new stage of life. Still newlyweds just enjoying it and making memories.

Get ready for a photo dump!

 Meyers!!

 Meyers gave Chadd signed shoes after the game!

 Opening stockings/presents at the Russells! Yes, we get cereal in our stockings. Sorry, I didn't take many pictures of this.

New Years with these handsome men. Notice the pea coats.  Also, Casey made that headband for me. I swear it looks much better when I look like a normal person.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!! New Years Resolutions to be posted soon...

Zoo Lights

This weekend we went to ZOO LIGHTS! First of all just let me say, if you have never been to the Zoo Lights, you need to go. What is better than the joy of Christmas at the zoo?

Nothing.

Aust and I went to Zoo lights last Christmas at the Oregon Zoo. I always tell him that is when I knew I loved him. Christmas time :) It may or may not have taken him a little longer to realize that he loved and wanted to marry me. He was worth the wait though.

Yay Love! 

On to this year's adventure at the Zoo. We saw elephants, leopards, sea lions, monkeys, snakes, turtles, and even alligators! I also got to see my long lost friend Abby, who I see about once every 345,643,534 days. I'm obviously not bitter. Kidding. Love you Abbs :)

I think we'll make this Zoo Lights thing a tradition in the Cornilles family. 

Enjoy!

Sorry about the crazy eyes...

Tigers!

This HAD to happen.

Christmas card?