Chris & Steph Est 2006

Seriously, So Blessed!

2009-04-13T15:51:00.003-06:00

After going through so much the last few months, I feel like I've finally caught a break. I started the best job ever today! Sooo excited about it! I'm feeling extremely blessed. Not only am I in a great job that I LOVE, but I'm at a great family oriented company, and I get to work with one of my bestest friends! Thanks to her, I get to work in the accounting department at Omniture. For those of you who don't know, my major in school is accounting, so this job is a wonderful "foot-in-the-door" opportunity, and I'm so grateful that I've been able to receive this blessing.

What's In A Name?

2009-03-23T17:27:00.002-06:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. I'm sorry. I just haven't had anything to report about! Hopefully that will change soon. Finals are coming and a new semester! Plus, I have a feeling I'm going to get a calling soon... I just feel it. Anywho, I found this on someone elses blog and I thought it was funny. So, enjoy!

1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother and father's middle names)

Carnes Blackburn

2. NASCAR NAME (first name of you mother's dad; father's dad)

Wilson Frank

3. STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name)

Muhst

4. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born)

Lynn Juneau

5. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning)

The Blue Strawberry Lemonade

6. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name)

Stin

7. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name)

Koda Melanie

8. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on)

Trixie Rainbow

9. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle)

Steizzle

10. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy)

Happy Snickers

Wasn't that fun?! :)

Carolyn Chase Muhlestein

2009-02-18T23:17:00.007-07:00

On Tuesday, February 17, 2009, Chris’ sweet mother passed away. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease when Chris was only 10 years old. Carolyn fought this debilitating disease with courage and strength. I greatly admire her determination, her compassion, and her beautiful spirit.

While we know that she’s no longer here with us in body, she will always be with us in spirit. Finally, she is no longer suffering. We are so grateful for the knowledge of eternal families. We know we will be with her again.

Mom,

We are so happy for you. Thank you for being a constant reminder of strength and courage. Thank you for paving the way for our family. We love you so much.

Love,

Chris & Stephanie

Locks-Of-Love

2009-01-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to get my hair cut for a very long time. I just haven't had the time to do it. I've been growing my hair out forever so I could donate it to Locks-Of-Love. If you're not familiar with that organization, it's the best! They take donated hair and turn it into wigs for children with cancer! How amazing is that?! Anyway, I've got some before and after pics from my adventure today!

All in all, I do believe we chopped a good 12 inches off. So exciting! I'm so excited to have cute shorter hair again!

A Belated Birthday Dinner

2009-01-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

I know Chris' birthday was forever ago, but we wanted to post a few pictures from his recent birthday dinner. We had to celebrate it a little late because of school schedules. However, we still wanted to share!
My birthday boy! Showing off a few of his presents. (sweatshirt, watch)

Chris and I at dinner! Yay for La Dolce Vida. Sooo good!

Dad D. eatin some yummy food!

Mom D. and Tara. Poor Tara didn't feel well.

The freakin ridiculously good chocolate mouse pie. Oh heavenly!

Happy birthday, again Chris! We love you lots!

Finally!

2009-01-15T23:02:00.001-07:00

The semester is finally over! I'm so excited I can hardly stand myself! This has been one tough term. Through it all, Chris and I managed to stick together, lean on one another, and use each other for support to get it done.

This semester, Chris took 2 classes, and I took 4. Not to brag or anything, but I'm going to! We've had a really tough time lately with a crud load of junk going on, but we've managed to put education first. Our final grades are as follows:

Chris

Office Essentials----------A
Marketing------------------A

Stephanie

Office Essentials----------A
Advanced Computers----A
Finance---------------------A
Intro To Business---------A

I would like to say how proud I am of Chris! He's had some crazy health problems going on lately, (1 ER visit, 3 hospital procedures, 2 specialists, and a surgery) and still managed to get straight A's! Sooo proud! I love him oodles!

Thankfully, we get a nice break from the daily grind with this 3 day weekend coming up. Totally could use it!

Twenty-Two Years and Counting

2009-01-13T23:32:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Babe!

Boys & Their Toys

2009-01-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

For Christmas last year, Chris got an XBOX 360, Halo Edition. He was over the moon about it! I wish I had his reaction on video. He jumped up and down, and screamed like a cute little kid! This year for Christmas, one of the things he wanted was a brand new game that just came out. Needless to say, Santa loves him alot because he got it. Evidently he wasn't the only one excited about this new game! Chris' brother Matt thought the game needed to be broken in a little. So, Matt called yesterday to see if Chris would be able to play today. Chris was very excited about this play date with his brother, so of course said YES! I made dinner, and treats, and the boys played with their toys.

Check out their faces! This is seriously intense stuff we're dealing with! :)

My Crafty Side

2009-01-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

My super sweet sister-in-law Jenny Lynn is having a baby girl in February. In celebration of the bundle of joy currently growing in her cute tummy, I made her a blankie. I'm pretty stoked about it, I'm not going to lie! I think it turned out fabulously!

All spread out. It's 3' x 4'. Perfect crib size

A close up of the pattern. Yay for cute girl fabric!

We're so excited for this new little addition to the Muhlestein family!

Congratulations Jenny and Andrew! May 'Bertha "Crusher" Rudolph' bring you lots of joy, happiness, and love!

New Year's Tag

2009-01-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Celebrated our 2 year anniversary!
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I kept a few of them. I will definitely make more resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Nope
4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes
5. What countries did you visit? None
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2008? More money!
7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? November 2; the day the U.S. went to pot.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting a 4.0 in college
9. What was your biggest failure? It's a tad personal.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had the flu a few times. That's about it.
11. What was the best thing you bought? Our SUV
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? That's a tough question. I'm not sure.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? That's a little personal too.
14. Where did most of your money go? Debt
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Twilight the Movie, and Breaking Dawn's release!
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Disturbia
17. Compared to this time last year, are you
i. happier or sadder? Sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Travel
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Spend money
20. How did you spend Christmas? With wonderful family
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes. I fell more in love!
22. What was your favorite TV program? Lipstick Jungle
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is a stong word. Dislike, yes.
24. What was the best book you read? Leven Thumps
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I don't think I have one.
26. What did you want and get? Nintendo DS
27. What did you want and not get? Peace of mind
28. What was your favorite film of this year? Not sure
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old? Had a small family party, went to dinner. 22 years old
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Chris' health
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Comfortable
32. What kept you sane? My mother
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you admire the most? Sarah Palin
34. What political issue stirred you the most? There's a few.
35. Who did you miss? My Alaskan family
36. Who was the best new person you met? I don't know
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008: Never count your eggs before they hatch
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
What you got if you ain't got love
The kind that you just want to give away
It's okay to open up
Go ahead and let the light shine through
I know it's hard on a rainy day
You want to shut the world out and just be left alone
But don't run out on your faith'

Cause sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
Forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small

It's so easy to get lost inside
A problem that seems so big at the time
It's like a river thats so wide
It swallows you whole
While you sit ‘round thinking ‘bout what you can't change
And worrying about all the wrong things
Time's flying by
Moving so fast
You better make it count 'cause you can't get it back

Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand
What you've been up there searching for
Forever is in your hands
When you figure out love is all that matters after all
It sure makes everything else
Seem so small

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

We would like to take a moment and wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Sooooo.....

Merry Christmas!

We had such a great day! With lots of family, yummy food, great movies, and gifts to share. You couldn't ask for a better day. However, it's soooo important to remember the 'reason for the season'.

I'm so grateful to my Savior for the abundant blessings I've been given. I have a sweet husband who loves and supports me in everything I do. I have a wonderful home to keep me warm and comfy. I have amazing family whom I love very much. I have the knowledge of the gospel to guide my life. I have a testimony of my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I live a truly blessed life.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and got everything they wished for! I'll close with a few pictures of our stunning sunrise, the tree, and our stash!

I love you all!

The sunrise this morning

From the front door

Our tree, close up

With all the presents

Chris' stash

Steph's stash

Fantabulous Break!

2008-12-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

So, we're out of school for Christmas break! Woohoo!! We don't have to go back till January 5th! I'm super excited about that! This semester has been very challenging.

I'm taking 17 credits! I've got some intense classes, that I knew nothing about when I started, so I had no advantages! Thankfully, after mid-terms, and a TON of studying, I've got straight A's heading into Christmas. The semester ends on January 18th. So, if I can keep up for a few more weeks, I'll be home free!

Chris is also doing very well in his classes this semester! He's taking 6 credits, and he's got an A in one class, and a B+ in the other one! So proud of him! Through all the health challenges he's had lately, he's managed to stay on top of his studies. What a stud. I sure love him!

I know I usually do pretty long posts, but not this time. I'm keeping it short but sweet. Just wanted to share the excitement we have over our 'Fantabulous Break' from school!

Love you all

Christmas Traditions

2008-12-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with a few friends and family members about their different traditions during the holidays. There are so many great traditions. Since Chris and I are still a young little family, (we have no human children) it'll be fun for us to observe different holiday traditions so we can create some of our own! I've compiled a list of the various traditions from my loved ones I'd like to share with you.

Jessica L.'s family makes "chex mix" when family comes into town.
Emily L.'s family gathers at her parents house, opens all the presents on Christmas Eve and spends Christmas day at their own home with their families. They also have a huge turkey dinner.
Tiffanie H.'s family has tons of relatives in Australia. Because Aussie's are a day ahead, they open gifts from those relatives on Christmas Eve so they can spend "Christmas Day" with them. Then they sleep over at Tiff's parents house, and open the rest of the gifts in the morning.
Kesliane L.'s family has a big party on Christmas Eve with homemade eggnog, yummy food, and they share their talents.
Jessica M.'s family opens one gift on Christmas Eve, always jammies, then with money they get from Grandma, they buy games and play all night. They also make gingerbread houses, decorate cookies and new stockings, and eat yummy food.
Jaimie S.'s mom buys a Christmas pop-up book every year. They then read the book together. They have quite the collection. Jaimie also gets together with all her best friends at a local restaurant and exchange gifts and chat for hours. Always fun! Mama Mia's was yummy!
Rochelle O.'s family growing up, would make home movies of Christmas day, and mail them to Grandma so she could be part of the fun times! They would also have clam chowder and cornbread on Christmas Eve.
Tammy M.'s family packs into the family van and drives around looking at Christmas lights.
My family heads to my aunts house on Christmas Eve for a family shindig. We eat yummy corn chowder, breadsticks, and various candies. From divinity, fudge, and peanut brittle, to fruit cake and popcorn balls. Then we open one gift on Christmas Eve. The rest on Christmas afternoon. We also have a huge family dinner. It's pretty much like Thanksgiving part 2. So yummy.
Chris' family growing up would wait to build the suspense! They'd open all their presents on Christmas morning and spend the whole day sharing and playing with their new things.

So many wonderful traditions! I'm so excited to have fun things like these for my own children to enjoy one day.

One of my favorite things about the holidays are the yummy treats. I have a super yummy recipe for a Pumpkin Roll Cake.

Cake:

3/4 cup cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
6 large eggs, separated
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup golden brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup canned pumpkin, packed
1/8 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

Filling:

1 cup whipping cream, chilled
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
6 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup English toffee pieces for garnish
Additional powdered sugar, for garnish
1 1/2 cups purchased caramel sauce, warmed, for garnish

Directions:

For the cake:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Line a 15 by 10 by 1-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift the flour, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice into a small bowl.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until very thick.
Add the pumpkin to the egg mixture and combine at a low speed until incorporated.
Add the dry ingredients and beat at a low speed until mixed.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and salt until stiff but not dry. Fold into the cake batter, with a spatula, until most of the white streaks are gone.
Spread the batter onto a baking sheet and smooth out.
Transfer baking sheet to the oven and bake until a tester comes out clean, about 15 to 18 minutes.
While the cake is hot, dust generously with powdered sugar. Loosen the edges and turn the cake out onto a kitchen towel.
Fold the towel over the edge of the cake and roll up. Cool completely, edge down, for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

For the filling:

Beat the chilled whipping cream and powdered sugar in a large bowl until peaks form.
Fold in 6 tablespoons English toffee pieces.
To assemble, unroll the cake and sprinkle with 4 tablespoons of English toffee pieces.
Spread the filling over the toffee. Start at 1 long side of the cake roll and, using the towel as an aid, roll up the cake to encase the filling.
Place the cake, seam-side down, on a platter.
Trim the ends of the cake at a slight diagonal.
Dust the cake with powdered sugar.
Spoon some warm caramel sauce and the remaining toffee chips over the top of the cake.
To serve, use a serrated knife to cut the cake crosswise into 1-inch thick slices.
Drizzle more sauce on each slice and serve.

Make sure you have a tall glass of milk! This bad boy is super sweet! Enjoy!

Christmas Tag

2008-12-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Gift bags. They're so much easier to handle.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real all the way! I love the smell!

3. When do you put up the tree? Usually the first week of December.

4. When do you take the tree down? February! I'm not gonna lie, we actually didn't take our tree down from last year! So, we're ready to go! :)

5. Do you like eggnog? Ewww! Gross! I hate it, but Chris loves it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My pink teddy bear from my big brother when I was about 4. I have a picture of me sitting in his lap on the floor in front of the tree hugging it.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Chris! He acts excited about anything I buy him! Even if it's the lamest thing ever. I love him!

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I sure do! I think I have like 4 of them.

10. Best Christmas gift you ever received? My Harry Potter collection. Sounds weird I know.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I don't think I've ever gotten one that I didn't like actually...

12. Favorite Christmas Movie (s)? I love the Family Channels 24 days of Christmas on tv. They show some great movies!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I usually try to find things all year long, that way I'm not as rushed as everyone else at the end of the year. Plus, I get some super good buys!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't know of one person who hasn't.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Turkey and my mom's southern cornbread stuffing!

16. Lights on the tree? Clear/white

17. Favorite Christmas song? Josh Groban's NOEL cd. Best CD ever!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I think I like staying home better! Our first year of marriage, we went to Disneyland for Christmas. It was a little too crazy.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Sure can!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I have a star on my tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas afternoon. We're not little anymore, so we know how to sleep in!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? All the rush rush rush! People don't seem to know how to relax and have patience during the holiday season.

23. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey!

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Health and happiness for my friends and family!

I tag... anyone who reads this! :)

A Little Intro

2008-12-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

Chris and I met in January 2005. We met through a mutual friend. Well... to be perfectly honest, I kinda dated that friend for a few months. But anywho.. We met in January, began dating in May, and were married a year later on the anniversary of our first date! May 6, 2006.

We honeymooned in Alaska, at a family friend's fishing lodge, Doc Warner's Alaska Fishing. Such a cool place to be! Chris had never been outside the state of Utah! WHAT?! NEVER?! That quickly had to change! So to Alaska we went!
Once we returned home, we moved into our tiny house in a cute little town surrounded by beautiful trees.

Not long after we returned home, we decided to adopt a few babies! We now have 3 of them.

The oldest is Teddy. He's a 12 year old Yellow Lab that Chris has had since he was a kid. You'd never know he's a tad on the old side. He has more energy than any dog I've ever seen! He will literally drag you down the street when you take him for walks. He's very temperamental. He doesn't particularly like me too much. He tends to growl at me if I come too close to Chris. Unless, I have a dog biscuit. Then we're friends. But as soon as the treats are gone, he's back to growling at me. I feel so used! Crazy dog!

Our middle baby is Koda. She's a 5 year old black domestic long hair cat. She LOVES everyone! If you even think about petting her, she's your best friend for life! She is also very territorial, especially if it's concerning Chris. (I think I'm sensing a trend!) If I happen to be sitting too close to him on the couch, she will come and sit between us. She will wiggle and wiggle and wiggle until she's right in the middle of us. She will put her head on his lap and stare at me.... giving me the eye! Drives me nuts!

Our youngest is Banks. He's a 2 year old black domestic long hair cat. His biological mother is Koda. He's a very shy and skittish kitty. He only likes Chris. (Definitely found a trend!) Evidently, my cleaning his litter box, filling his food dish, and buying him toys, does not make him like me. However, he is very sensitive to peoples feelings. If I'm sick, he will come and lay on the end of the couch with me. He's faaaaar away from me so I can't touch him, but hey, at least it's a sweet gesture! I suppose I should consider myself lucky!

Some random things you may not know about Chris.....

Can eat an entire pack of Oreos without realizing it
Loves anything with cheese
Loves to play sports, especially basketball
Favorite color is blue
Has a crazy sense of balance
Loves watching 'old school' cartoons, X-Men, Spiderman, Rugrats, etc...
Favorite TV show is Heroes
Favorite food is anything Italian
Favorite drink is Sprite
Loves to cook

Some random things you may not know about Stephanie.....

Favorite show is House
Favorite color is green
Hates being cold
Loves anything Apple Cinnamon
Can sing
Home schooled during high school
Favorite food is Mom's southern cornbread stuffing (ssssooooo goooooood!)
Loves to bake
Can be quite crafty
Loves to fish

Chris and I are both current college students. We both happen to be majoring in Business. Chris wants to open his own business, so he's soaking up all the info he can about business management. I am emphasising my degree towards accounting. I am going to be a CPA! Making money! Woot woot!

I do believe that's quite a bit of information! I will now have to think of something fun to post about next time!

Until then.......

Posting Numero Uno!

2008-11-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

After being harassed by many friends and family members, Chris and I have decided to try our hand at the wonderful world of blogging! Because we are new to this little adventue, we'd appreciate your patience while we learn!

I, Stephanie, will try to update with postings and pictures as much as I can. Because of our super busy schedules, that may be quite a challenge. But, alas! I will do my best!

If any of you feel the sudden urge to help me become more "blog-friendly", PLEASE by all means, help me!

Until next time!