Red Car!

Scott and I took a big step--WE BOUGHT A CAR!  Did I mention that it's red?  It's red.  It's a used 2010 Hyundai Elantra, and we're pretty excited to go from getting 17 miles to the gallon to 34 on my 60 mile daily commute.

I'm alive!  And yes, I have decided to blog once again.  Here's a little rundown of our winter.

First of all, winter without snow/ice/temps below 40 is absolutely wonderful.  I could definitely get used to this.  All I've got to do is find a job for Scott and we're good to go.

However, winter with a husband studying for boards is not absolutely wonderful.  Scott started studying the day after we got back from Utah for Christmas, and boy did he study!  He had originally planned to take them over spring break in March, but after studying for a few weeks he decided he'd rather cram and take them the end of February.  And he passed!  He's a champ.  I was so impressed with how hard he worked, and really I have nothing to complain about because he took them so early I didn't have to be lonely for very long.

The day before Scott took his boards, we took a little break

and went up Mt. Baldy to see some snow!

He passed!!!!!

In February I was invited to be in a bridal faire.  I also played the harp at a wedding in March.  It was an outdoor reception, but it ended up pouring rain all day!  Needless to say, my fingers were quite numb.

 My booth at the bridal faire

February also brought the first Valentine's Day of our marriage.  Since Scott was studying for boards, we postponed most of our celebrations.  However, I made Scott breakfast and he heart attacked my car.  Of course, I also made my grandma's chocolate heart cookies.  A couple of weeks later, we went to Red Robin (which I loved as a child and have rediscovered with Scott's help--they have the best chicken strips ever).  We also stopped by a tropical fish store just down the street.  It's like an aquarium for free!  They had a lot of really cool fish that I plan to buy for the fish tank that I would like in Scott's future dental office.

Around March we took a big step and decided Scott was confident enough on his motorcycle to let me ride on the back.  I was a little nervous the first time, but now it's fun to go on SHORT rides.  (I'm not quite sold on his idea to ride it to the beach.)

Next I would like to announce our most exciting purchase of the winter.  After much debate, we finally threw out all financial wisdom and bought Disneyland season passes!  I'm happy to report that so far they have been totally worth it.  We've been about every other week, and it's a good time for us to get away from life and just spend time with each other (and Mickey, of course).

In April we took a couple of crazy trips to Utah within just two weeks.  One weekend we went to St George to watch my brother in a tennis tournament (which he won!), bike, and spend time with my family.  Then, two weeks later, we headed to Provo to see the BYU Ballroom Dance team in concert and to spend Easter with Scott's family.  It was very fun, but I hope to never make that quick of a trip to Utah again!  Unfortunately, the only picture I have of these trips is Scott and me eating J-Dawgs.  At least I got the most important part!

We also started a little Rubbermaid garden this spring and have enjoyed watching it grow.  When we bought the plants Scott looked at me and said, "You know someone is going to have to water this, right?"  He had noticed my neglect of our house plant.  Luckily, he has been faithful in watering the garden everyday.  I think he is concerned for the welfare of our future children since I can't even remember to water a plant.

A couple of weeks ago, Scott was honored for getting a scholarship and for being on the Dean's List last spring (while we were engaged)!  He works so hard and I am grateful for his dedication!

Scott and the Dean

Earlier this week, Scott's brother and sister-in-law and their cute little boy stayed with us.  We had fun hanging out with them.  We miss living around family!

And, finally, last night Scott and I went to his end of year dental school banquet.  We're so excited to be half way done!

Last but not least, I want to include an update of what we do when we're not out having fun in SoCal.  Scott is still busy with dental school, and is preparing to start seeing patients in June!  This year, he has learned how to do crowns, dentures, and root canals.  He has even learned how to give injections (scary).

I am on a new project at work which will include training 9,000 physicians/MAs/nurses to use an electronic medical record program called EPIC.  There are four trainers and the project will take a little over a year.  I've been learning the new program for a couple of months, and after passing a couple of tests (including presenting in front of a very critical panel) am officially an Epicare Ambulatory Credentialed trainer!  We start end-user training tomorrow.  I have really liked this change and am enjoying being really busy.

Well, that's winter/spring 2012 with Scott and Kathryn.  It's almost our first anniversary!  Time flies when you're having fun!

Miss America Party

The Miss America Pageant is one of my guilty pleasures, so I invited some girls over to watch it with me. We had lots of fun playing Miss America Bingo, choosing our personal Top 10, eating treats, and critiquing the dresses.  (Scott opted to watch Fast Five in the bedroom instead.)

This crown was awarded to the person who got the most of the winner and runners-up correct.

I went to the dollar store and got some princess party plates.

Miss America cake!  (Thanks to Scott for helping with this one!)

All of us with our beautiful tiaras.

Graduation

After a very long semester of working full-time, working as a graduate TA, finishing my thesis project and portfolio, and serving as Primary President, I have finished my Master's Degree.  You may now call me Master Peterson.  This semester has been crazy busy and stressful, but I'm so glad to be done with school forever.  Now I have time to support my husband, who is studying for his second year dental boards 12 hours a day :/

I borrowed a Master's robe and my mom and I went over to USU and took some pictures since I probably won't make it back for graduation in May.

We're so happy I'm done!!

We took this one with the temple while we were up there.  It's such a cliche picture spot, but it's just so pretty!

Primary

Well, I'm still surviving as the Primary President.  I can't say I've gotten past feeling stressed and running around during the entire two hours, but maybe that's just what kids are like?!  With Scott's help, I've been training myself to think more about what the kids would like and not be quite so practical.  Our conversations go something like...

Me: "We ran out of the little bracelets they used to give kids when they're the spotlight child.  I think I'm just not going to buy any more because it would save money and they just lose them anyway.  It's not very practical."

Scott: "Whatever, they need a prize!  Just think about how much you loved getting stuff like that when you were a kid."

Me: "Yeah, but then I lost it."

I'm working on thinking of what the kids would like instead of what I think is practical.  Maybe by the time I have kids I'll understand this concept and it will make me a better mom.  (Although I still refuse to buy Christmas presents for a one-year-old.  All they want is the box anyway).

Here is an example of my developing Primary-ness.  I made these hats for the new Sunbeams today (the white paper went all the way around their heads).  Right now the hats are probably floating around the hallways of the church or in a garbage can; but you should have seen the look on those kids' faces when I put them on!

First Christmas

We're basically the most unromantic couple ever.  We have no pictures of us in front of a Christmas tree, in our pajamas opening presents, or cuddling in our matching PJs.  I even have a really cute frame for our "First Christmas" picture!  Maybe next year we'll take a picture and pretend it was our first Christmas.

It should be noted that I at least tried to be romantic and made us matching  pajama pants.  However...when he tried them on they were skin tight!  I'm surprised I didn't cry because it had been a lot of hard work to make them and keep them secret, but they looked so funny I just couldn't stop laughing!  I guess next time I shouldn't be quite so secretive so I can take his measurements :)  I also got him a camera (if you remember, his got dropped off a ride at Six Flags) and he got me some Puma shoes, a scarf, a bathrobe, and a cute sweater.  We both loved our presents!


I took a whole week off work, and we had so much fun with our families!

This may not look like it, but it is a very monumental picture.  It's us on an airplane TOGETHER!  After a year of flying back and forth to see each other, it was so nice to sit in the Ontario airport WITH Scott, and not crying on a bench by myself (which I may have done once...).

We went snowshoeing up Logan Canyon, made caramel corn, played games and played lots of tennis with my family.

Stuart had his Eagle Court of Honor while we were there.  We didn't get any pictures with Stu...just of the cake...

We went to Hardware Ranch to see the Elk, played tennis, ate at Golden Corral, had an awesome talent show, celebrated the new year, and played lots of games with Scott's family.

Here's a video of our Christmas "talent." Scott learned how to play the Ukulele from a kid from the Sunday School class he teaches, and I taught myself how to play both the soprano and tenor kazoos. Enjoy!

Christmas Parties

Our December was full of festivities!  The month began with our stake's Creche Festival.  People bring their nativities to the stake center and set them up for people to see.  There were over 1,000 nativities!  Musical groups such as high school choirs, local musicians, etc. play every half hour to bring in the Christmas Spirit.  I played the harp and helped the primary kids sing.  I bet I'm the only one who got ecstatic thumbs up from the missionaries!  We went to support their missionary choir too.  They were so good!  I think I like being friends with the missionaries because they're like my connection to my brother Mark :)

The next weekend was our ward Christmas party, and I learned how to plan a large craft project.  Rule #1:  Do something simple (I glued popsicle sticks together to make 100 stars).  Rule #2:  Glitter is a bad idea.  I learned that after four of us spent a half our vacuuming the entire church.  But...the star ornaments did turn out really cute.

The next weekend was an Ugly Sweater Party with some of our dental school friends.  I got our sweaters at the DI, but they weren't really that ugly.  However, Scott and I got second place at the newly wed game!  (Sadly, the question that made us lose was "How does he like his steak?"  I've never wanted to spend enough to buy steak, so how should I know?!)

I had an adventure making snowflake cookies to thank the Primary teachers for all their hard work.  They are drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with crushed candy cane.

Just a couple of days before we left, we made gingerbread houses with some friends from our ward.  We made it from scratch!

Last but not least, we decorated for Christmas!  My fears of not having any decorations were put to rest by some relief society crafts, good friends, and two mothers who helped me out.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, my mom and I made a table runner to put on our coffee table.  My friend offered us a garland with colored lights, which I strung on the entertainment center and decorated with ornaments.  However, I soon had a phone call from Mom P. saying that "Just won't do," and that she had put money in our account for a tree.  So...two nights later we decorated our Christmas tree with ornaments I've collected over the years and a few more that we purchased.  Our little apartment ended up looking pretty festive!