My Miller Family Bridal Shower

The Miller family threw my first bridal shower for me on Saturday and it was so fun! I loved being able to meet more of Tyson's family and get to know them better. My mom and sisters were able to come as well so that was nice. A big thanks to Amber for taking these pictures!

I'd also like to thank Julie, Kristi, Angie, and Erika for throwing this shower for me. Thanks so much! It was great! And thanks to all those who came, it was so fun seeing you!

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Pictures from the Miller Family Bridal Shower

They had these cookies made for everyone to take home, and they turned out so cute!

My super cute sisters abd mother-in-law Erika, Angie, and Julie, along with other family members

And like always, I was completely spoiled. Julie and the girls gave me some of our plates we registered for and some linens with linen rings.

She also gave me some jewelry. They're a jewelry-giving bunch!

Grandma Hill gave me this awesome stock pot along with some spaghetti and spaghetti sauce.

Tacie (another sister-in-law who lives in Washington and couldn't make it) gave me this adorable snowman cookie jar. I guess I'll just have to bake my chocolate chip cookies and keep that thing filled!

Opening part two of Tacie's gift...

...a snowman plate that matches the cookie jar! So cute.

Erika provided us with a whole bunch of stuff off our registry, including this roasting pan. Awesome!

Vickie and McKenzie gave me this matching serveware. I love it, and so does my mom!

A cute clock from DeeAnn and the girls

They also gave me this fun apron that looked like lingerie when I first opened the box. That's probably why I look so red in the face ha ha.

Mom and I organizing the bags

Amy and I during the shower

A Christmas Tag

I love Christmas! And to start off the month of December I thought it would be fun to post a Christmas tag. Normally tags aren't my favorite, but this one makes me think about what I like to do at Christmas time so I enjoyed it. And I hope you post this as well!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
I've always been very traditional and wrapped presents in paper. Sometimes I will do the gift bag if the present is an awkward shape. But if I can help it, I'd rather wrap them.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
i loved having a real tree when I was younger and would still love to have one! But it is nice having an artificial tree that lasts so long. Tyson and I have a pre-lit artificial tree and it is so cute. Plus, I'm a little bit afraid of putting up a real one and killing it!

3. When do you put up the tree?
the day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually we take down the tree the first week of January. Although, I'm not too sure what Tyson wants to do...

5. Do you like eggnog?
Heck no! I can't stand the stuff.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Amber and I received a HUGE Barbie house for Christmas one year and it was awesome! It had had a ton of rooms and stairs...it even had an elevator. We pulled a string to make the elevator move. It was great.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My brother, Aaron. Tough!

8. Easiest person to buy for?
My mom is pretty easy. So are my sisters. Tyson hasn't been too hard to buy for either.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
I have a small one that I can't find! But word on the street is that Tyson and I will be getting one from his parents. I'm so excited!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I'm all about tradition and like to mail them.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
When I was in seventh grade my friend gave me a yellow duck candle for Christmas. It was a big, yellow/orange duck with a wick on it's back, and it was by far the worst gift I have ever received.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
Home Alone or Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
All year! I love finding creative gifts to give to people!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Nope. Ok, I lied. I used the duck as a white elephant gift. I had to pass on the madness to someone else!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
I have two favorites: honey-glazed ham on rolls and fudge

16. Lights on the tree?
Of course! Ours are white.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
I can't pick a favorite, I love them all! Except for "Dominic the Donkey." That one is horrible.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I love staying home at Christmas time. I'm glad mine and Tyson's families live so close so we don't have to go very far.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Of course! You'll just have to believe me on this one.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
We have a star on top of our tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We were all about Christmas morning in my family. I don't think we've ever opened a single present on Christmas Eve. Tyson and I will start our own traditions that could involve Christmas Eve presents. Who knows!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
The stress. Everyone seems to get ultra stressed during the holidays and it would be nice for everyone to remain calm.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I just love red on a Christmas tree. I'm not a huge fan of the crazy colors. Our tree has ornaments from Tyson's grandmother. She has given him an ornament every year since he was a baby so it is really fun to see all the different kinds. The styles have definitely changed! We also started our own tradition of giving each other an ornament so those are up there too.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
honey-glazed ham with rolls and potatoes

25. Favorite family Christmas tradition?
We read from Luke on Christmas Eve, I've always liked that. I also just like the the entire month of December because my family loves to get together and play games. I love my family!

Happy Holidays!

'Tis the Season

It has been so nice being home! Next week is my last official week at Richter7 so I'll be moving home next weekend. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! It is a bitter-sweet situation, that's for sure. But I think the majority of my feelings are going toward being home wtih my family and fiance'. I'll definitely miss my friends at work and my family I've lived with, but I'm ready to be home.

Thanksgiving was great! Tyson and I went to his aunt and uncle's house in Rexburg with the rest of the Miller side of the family. It was fun being able to meet new members of the family. Everyone was so nice! Tomorrow the girls are all throwing me a bridal shower and I'm really excited. Having a bridal shower really makes getting married a reality. After dinner we went to Grandma Murri's for dessert and games. The Murri side of the family had Thanksgiving at their house, and it was definitely a party. Lots of people, pie, and partying. We stayed for a few hours before leaving. Then we went back to Ucon and played games with Tyson's brothers and their wives. I love that we all get along so well! I have a lot of fun with those guys.

Today was a busy day, and of course I went out shopping. But none of that crazy 4 a.m. business. I did that once and I'll never do it again! I ended up going around 1:00 with Mom and Amy, and I was able to get Tyson a few more things for Christmas. This morning I had another dress fitting that went really well. I was able to find a pair of purple high heels to wear under my wedding dress, so now the dress doesn't need hemmed. Thank goodness! It was going to be a pain. We also got the house decorated for Christmas this morning. Technically we started last night, but we got it all done today. It looks really festive at the O'Connor's!

After getting home from all the shopping, it was about time to get ready for mine and Tyson's date night we were having. We decided it would be fun to take dinner home and decorate the house. We put up the tree and it looks great! I'm so excited for us to have our very own tree. I took a bunch of pictures, but I will post them later.

That has been my weekend thus far. It has been so much fun! I don't want to leave on Sunday. I'm just glad it will be my last time leaving everybody. Next Saturday I'm back home, and I can't wait!

A Little Thanksgiving Humor

It's 9 a.m. in Salt Lake City, and Megan and I are sitting here in a near-empty office. Most people took the day off to start their Thanksgiving celebrations a little early. So while I'm here in almost complete silence, I thought I would entertain you all with a little Thanksgiving story that my friend Patti sent me. It's a cute little story for the holiday. And if I don't post again till after Thanksgiving, I hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends this weekend! Be safe shopping, and enjoy all the turkey and potatoes!

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A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled
back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.

Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly open the door to the freezer, the parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior."

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"

Remembering to Enjoy Life's Busy Moments

Life has been ultra crazy the last couple of days. I have been at the point where I have to remind myself that I'm going up to Idaho on Wednesday to enjoy a fun-filled Thanksgiving holiday with Tyson, my family, and his family. I can't wait!

We just finished a busy appointment at work that seemed to cause me a lot of stress over the last few days. Even a few tears were shed in preparation! But when it was all said and done, I thought about how it was all over just like that and how I didn't really take the time to enjoy the experience. It turns out we'll be doing the same thing next Tuesday for the same client so I'll have another opportunity. But it made me realize how much I need to remember to enjoy life even when I'm super busy. Those moments are still minutes in our lives being used - and most of the time they build character.

Within all these moments of thinking I remembered hearing the following quote that seems to fit:

"Know the true value of time! Snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no procrastination. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today."

--Philip Chesterfield

I think this is good advice that I know we've all heard before. The tricky part is practicing it. But it is doable! And that's the beauty of it. We can do it. And the best time to start is now. We only walk this way once. So why not enjoy the stroll?

And as author Susan Harrow once said:

"Life is a rush into the unknown. You can duck down and hope that nothing hits you, or stand as tall as you can and show it your teeth, saying 'Dish it up, baby, and don't be stingy on the jalapenos.'"

Enough said!

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And Holly tagged me!

Seven Things I Can Do:
1. I can play the piano.
2. I can sing - I especially love singing with my sisters.
3. I can write papers really well and quickly, and at last minute.

4. I can give myself manicures, and they actually look pretty good!
5. I can get ready for the day really fast.
6. I can bake. Especially chocolate chip cookies!
7. I am a great hostess. I can't wait to have people over when I'm married! (Time to party, Tys!)

Seven Things I Can't Do:
1. I can't eat cream cheese or cottage cheese. Or rather, I WON'T eat cream cheese or cottage cheese ha ha.
2. I can't do a cartwheel.
3. I can't speak another language.
4. I can't drive a stick shift.
5. I can't go a day without talking to my family and Tyson.
6. I can't play baseball worth crap.
7. I can't bring myself to admit that chocolate isn't a food group.

Seven Things that Attracted Me to Tyson:
1. His dashing good looks
2. His sense of humor
3. His love for music
4. His love for his family
5. His work ethic
6. His testimony
7. He always had great date ideas and actually planned them. Even now he always has a plan!

Seven Things I Say Often:
1. "I love you"
2. "Seriously?"
3. "You have GOT to be kidding me."
4. "Remember that time..."
5. "Have a great day!"
6. "Oh!"
7. "Woo hoo!"

Seven People I Admire:
1. Tyson
2. Dad
3. Mom
4. Grandma O'Connor
5. Grandma Murri
6. Grandpa Murri
7. Amber

Seven Favorite Foods & Drinks:
1. Diet Pepsi (regular or wild cherry)
2. Thanksgiving dinner
3. Italian
4. Salad
5. Breads
6. Baked sweets (brownies, cookies...)
7. Mexican

Seven People I Tag:
1. Amber M.
2. Erika M.
3. Deidre R.
4. Katie H.
5. Lindsey G.
6. Ashlee C.
7. Megan H.

"It's Alright 'Cause I'm Saved by the Bell"

Yes, you are seeing correctly. That is a picture of me and Mr. Belding from "Saved by the Bell." Back in the '90's when I would rush home from school to catch "Saved by the Bell" every day I never once imagined I would get the chance to meet Mr. Belding! I had the opportunity to attend the Argosy University Grand Opening in Draper on Friday night and Dennis Haskins (Mr. Belding) was the celebrity guest for the event. It was a great night! Richter7 has spent the last few months helping with the preparations for the event and getting things ready to go. It turned out to be a very successful event and a lot of fun.

I have really loved my internship this semester. And not just for helping with events like these, but I've been able to make some great friends (like my PR friends seen above) and have other neat experiences. I've been very grateful for this opportunity, and it will be something I will never forget.

Thanks to Michael, the photographer at the event, for this photo of Mr. Belding with the girls!

Welcome to the grand opening!

Abby taking a picture of Tim and his son, Peter, with Mr. Belding

The university president and others cutting the ribbon

Dave and Mr. Belding

The presidents of Argosy University (Draper and national) along with two area mayors and Mr. Belding