What is maybe worse than the fact that I haven't told you anything about my life in forever is the fact that I haven't really taken any pictures in forever.  So I'm now 0-2.  Boo.  Anyway, I suppose the biggest news is that I'm officially moved back to Oregon now!  Yay!  The move was pretty uneventful.  My dad and Bryan drove over with a u-haul to get all our stuff back, which was great!  I spent that next week, the week of Christmas, settling back in to my room.  It was (and is still) quite a task; I have been going through "memorabilia" that I have been boxing and putting in the attic, but it's still sort of an ongoing project.  At least it's one less thing I'll have to do when Bryan and I get married! 

Bryan and I at my grandpa's birthday party a few days after I got home.

From left to right:  Me, my sister Madeleine, my sister Emma, my brother Jonny, my cousin Stephanie, my cousin Sarah, my sister Rachel, and my cousin Ryan.  And grandpa in the middle!

Anyway, Bryan went to Sunriver with his family for Christmas so we were apart for the holiday.  =(  On Christmas Eve, I went to communion service at Praise and then had potato soup dinner and opened presents with my immediate family!  My mom makes homemade potato soup every Christmas Eve.  Yum!  Christmas day we woke up, opened stockings, and went to my Grandma and Grandpa Green's for brunch.  We opened gifts and stayed there until about 3:00, then headed back down to our house because everyone from my mom's side of the family came over for dinner!  It was pretty crazy, and with the size of that side of the family (20+ people), we didn't get through with gifts and everything until around midnight!  It was a very busy couple of days!

Madeleine opening something on Christmas Eve

Me on Christmas Eve!  And my dad...and Emma doing something.  And Jonny trying on the OSU jersey I got him for Christmas.

Jonny and Emma.  I'm opening something in the background.

Rachel and Josh

My cousin Hillary and I wearing our Christmas presents from grandma!

On Saturday (the 26th), I picked Brittney, Tanner (Bryan's brother)'s girlfriend up at 9:00 AM and we headed over to Sunriver to join the Hall family!  We reached Bend around noon and met Sue (Bryan's mom) and Jenna (Bryan's sister-in-law) at the Old Mill shopping center.  The boys were snowboarding all day, so we spent the day taking advantage of some after-Christmas sales.  That night, we hung out at the house they had rented in Sunriver with the Halls and they Hayses (Bryan's aunt, uncle, and three cousins).  We hot tubbed, watched a movie, and just relaxed.  It was really fun!  I was bummed that we had to leave the next day, but what can ya do?

Jenna, me, and Brittney shopping at Old Mill

On the following Monday (the 28th), I started working at the OSU Payroll office again.  I am excited to be back at work mainly because I'm so poor!  I mean, really.  I worked all that week (well, until Thursday anyway).  On Thursday, New Year's Eve, I went with Bryan's family (and Brittney!) up to Kyle and Jenna (Bryan's brother and sister-in-law)'s house in Beaverton.  Jenna's parents and sister had been at their house that day for their Christmas, and we all spent the evening together playing games and watching TV.  It was really fun!  We all stayed the night there (11 people in a 1500 square foot house...yeah).  It was a bit crowded, but I'm a good sleeper so I didn't mind sleeping in the same room as two snorers (one of whom I'm marrying).  On New Year's Day, Bryan and I went shopping in the morning.  Nothing big, he just wanted to get a new pair of jeans at Old Navy.  We then headed back to Kyle and Jenna's to watch the Rose Bowl.  I had to watch the game with a bunch of Duck fans.  Ugh.  Not that I didn't want the Ducks to win, but let's just say I wasn't too upset that they didn't.  After the game, we headed home.

I spent last Sunday getting mentally prepared to start school this last week.  It didn't work, but it was a decent attempt.  I am only taking two (easy) classes this term since I'm still relatively undecided about my major.  Because of this, and the fact that OSU will still only let me work 20 hours a week, I am picking up two shifts at the Grocery Outlet every week.  What sucks is that Monday and Tuesday both I am working/in class/doing SOMETHING from 4 AM - 10 PM.  Last week I was SOOOO tired!!  If I am still barely surviving this week, I may have to change which days I work, but I hope I can make it! 

I am sure I left some crucial details of my life out, but I have to wake up in six hours so I have GOT to go.

I Haven't Blogged Since Last Year!

Yes, it's true.  I haven't blogged since last year.  And this post is not an update on my life, it only serves to make that point.  I have been ridiculously busy.  I apologize.  I'll make an effort to talk about my ultra exciting life within the next few days.  I will have to leave you in life-altering suspense until then.

DONE!!!

Oh my goodness! I haven't written in a while for two reasons: nothing has been going on, and I was busy studying for my final. Which, as of yesterday, is OVER! So now I only have four days until I move home! Yay!!!

Since the last time I blogged, not much has happened. The highlight of that time was the fact that it was FREEZING outside! Actually it's technically been freezing for like two weeks. I couldn't tell you the last time that it was above 32. But last week there were a few days that it didn't get above zero! It was CRAZY! I thought I would die every time I went outside. Especially since it's really windy here, so it was -20 after wind chill. It was pretty awesome. Not. Anyway, we're back up into the 20s now, and we have SO MUCH SNOW! Over the last couple of days we have gotten about a foot of snow. At least. I don't know, I'm not too good a judging that.

Rae's & my cars. The tire tracks in front of my car are where I had driven out a few minutes before. Such deep snow!


Down our street.


The front of our house (buried walkway!). Sorry for the crooked photography.


The mountain behind our house!

I also did some Christmas shopping last week. Nothing major, but it was fun still. It's not quite as enjoyable when you have absolutely no money! Oh well.

So I had my final yesterday at 8 AM and I am SO glad to be done!!! Now I have to spend the next few days packing. I don't have any boxes because I stupidly forgot to bring them from my parents' house after Thanksgiving, so I need to call some grocery stores to see if they save boxes for poor people who are moving (like me...). Hopefully I'm successful! I really don't want to pay for boxes. I guess at the absolute worst I could put my clothes in grocery bags; we have plenty of those. LOL. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

So, my dad and Bryan are driving over here on Friday. Fun for them! That's about all I have to talk about for now...I'm sure the big move will provide an entertaining post next week.

FYI--10 days until Christmas. WHAT!?

Thanksgiving

I have been hesitant to write this post because I COMPLETELY forgot to take any pictures over Thanksgiving weekend! Crap!!! So I'll try to keep it short because, let's face it, no one wants to read a blog without pictures.

Tuesday afternoon at about 1:30 Rae and I headed out of Missoula, Oregon-bound. The mountain passes were clear, except for a few spots of ice. Yay! We got to Albany at around 10:00...I think? Wednesday, I went to get my traditional "I'm in town" brow & lip wax from my Auntie Heather. It could be the reason I come to town...lol. Then I headed over to the Halls' and pretty much spent the rest of the day there hanging out with the fam.

Thanksgiving! Thursday, I headed to the Halls' around noon, and then we all went on to the Hays' for dinner at 1:00 pm. I stuffed myself, and I had such a great time with Bryan's family! I love them. =) Then Bryan and I headed to my parents' house for dinner part deux at 5:00 pm. Lucky for us, my family has no real concept of time, so dinner was closer to 6:30 or 7:00 pm. I'm not often thankful for the lateness, but I was that day! And how fitting, on Thanksgiving. We spent the rest of the night at my house, and Bryan left at around 1:30 am after we finished watching the movie "The Taking of Pelham 123" with my dad.

On Friday, Bryan and I did some shopping, although not until noon! We just browsed the sales, nothing major. We just hung out at his house the rest of the day, then had pizza and watched the Blazer game with Tanner and Brittney at night.

Saturday, Bryan and I had to go to Shane Co. because I found out that the center diamond in my ring was loose! We had that fixed (and got it cleaned as well--I had forgotten how sparkly my ring is!!), then headed over to Kyle and Jenna's house for a visit. They were having a lazy Saturday, and we crashed it! We just hung out and chatted for an hour or so. I don't know! Bryan and I then had lunch at Panera Bread in Cedar Hills. (We originally headed in that direction because Bryan wanted Jamba Juice, but we never ended up getting Jamba. Oops!) We then hung out at my parents' house for awhile, and that night watched "My Sister's Keeper" with Sue and Brittney. Tanner was the lame boyfriend and only came in like halfway through. Haha!

Anyway, Sunday, Rae and I had to head out early. We left at around 9:30 am. I am sad to be back but glad that I'm in the home stretch of living here! Only 16 days until I get to move home! =)

SORRY that this didn't actually end up being a short blog, and if you've actually read this far, I commend you. I should've known that I couldn't possibly NOT be wordy...sigh.

Snow!

I didn't do much this past week, and I was feeling pretty sick Thursday and Friday. Not any actual sickness or anything, I just had a several-day-long headache and felt pretty "blah" in general. Anyway, I'm pretty much over that, although now that I mention it I do have a subtle headache! Ugh...I think it must be a migraine. Besides that, things are fine! It snowed a bit this morning, so Rae and I went on a three mile walk to the river that's near our house and back. It was really fun, actually! Although it was FREEZING, it was really pretty outside and quite nice to get out of the house (I had been bumming around for a few days due to not feeling great).

We were cold! =)

Besides that, Rae and I are heading home for Thanksgiving Tuesday afternoon! I am so excited to be going home! Since it snowed quite a bit today, the two mountain passes we have to go through on the way home aren't looking too good. We're just hoping they'll be cleared up a bit more by Tuesday! Pray for our safe travels!!! =)

"Thanksgiving" on the Farm

This weekend, I got to go to my family's farm in Conrad, MT. It was so fun! My cousin Anna and her husband Andy are going to be at his family's house for Thanksgiving this year, so they were at her parents' this weekend celebrating Thanksgiving. Rae had to work Saturday, so we couldn't head over there until about 6:30 Saturday evening. We arrived at the farm at 9:30, which I'm told is very impressive. I'm also told it's because I drive like a Green. Who knew? Anyway, we were welcomed with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and all things Thanksgiving! It was spectacular! We chatted for awhile, then headed out to the hot tub. It was a perfect hot tubbing night---completely clear! And of course it's so dark out at the farm, and you can see forever (big sky country and all), so I'm pretty sure I saw stars I didn't know existed! It was a whopping 15 degrees outside (apparently that's "nothing." HA!), so our hair turned to icicles. Rae and I were pretty entertained by that! When our ears felt like they would freeze off, we headed inside. Then we just hung out and watched TV until 2:00 am! Oh, and ate more pumpkin pie... =).

Sunday morning, I woke up at 8:00 because I don't like to sleep in! I was the first "young person" awake, so I got the privilege of watching "U.S. Farm Report" and drinking coffee with my Uncle Dan. He said he has to get up reaaally early Sunday mornings because all of his favorite shows are on then. I guess U.S. Farm Report is one of your favorite shows when you run a farm! I just thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. My cousin Jeremiah arrived at around 8:30, followed by my cousin Joe. My aunt and uncle don't have any kids left living at the farm, but Jer and Joe don't live too far away! They were running around all over the place because it was the last day of hunting season. Jer and Uncle Dan were trying to shoot something, and Joe apparently tries to save the deer. It was quite funny to observe! Shortly after they got there, everyone else woke up. My Aunt Nancy made homemade cinnamon rolls and frosting for breakfast, which were FANTASTIC! Then Rae, Anna, Andy, and I all went for a walk down to the "neighbors'" house, which is about 3/4 mile away. It was a beautiful morning! After our walk, we all sat down for a game of Trivial Pursuit. Rae and I won! I was shocked, because I'm usually horrible at that game! It was really fun though. Then, we had lasagna, garlic bread, and salad for lunch before going outside for the annual "Thanksgiving" football game! The team I was on won...I think? It was pretty messy all around, but really fun! Then we had Nancy's huckleberry pie (YUM) with ice cream. At that point it was about 2:30 and Rae and I had to head home. We wanted to drive home during daylight, since it had been dark on the way there and the scenery is great. And it was great! Of course I forgot to take pictures the whole time we were there, but I took some on the way home so I will just post some of those!

This is from our walk around the farm.


Pretty mountains!


Love this!


Sun setting over the Rockies. I'm kicking myself for having auto-flash on and not just having the flash on; this would've looked so much cooler! Oh well...

Anyway, I had a great weekend and was really glad to spend time with family! This coming week holds absolutely nothing exciting...but I'm heading home for Thanksgiving a week from tomorrow! Woohoo!

Disney, Wedding, LIFE!

Okay so I am officially, really, honestly the worst blogger of all time. I just have so much going on, physically and emotionally, that when I finally have free time I couldn't care less about blogging! Haha...anyway, I'll just start my life updates at Disneyland because otherwise I won't remember what's gone on!

So during the week of October 18-25, I went to Disneyland with the Hall family. I had such a blast! It was great to get out of snowy, cold Montana and spend a week in the heat of Southern California. And getting to spend that week with my wonderful in-laws (and future husband, of course) made it that much better! I won't go into too many daily details, since this blog is going to be super long as it is, but here's a quick recap:
Sunday: Arrival (minus Kyle).
Monday: Disneyland/California Adventure.

Bryan & I at the entrance to Disneyland on Monday

Tuesday: Relaxing day!
Wednesday: Kyle arrived! Disneyland/California Adventure.

The whole family in Disneyland on Wednesday

The (current & future) Hall girls...women?...in California Adventure on Wednesday

Thursday: Disneyland/California Adventure.
Friday: Universal Studios.

All of the (once again, current & future) Hall kids at Universal Studios on Friday

Saturday: Another relaxing day!
Sunday: We left... =(

The Monday after I got back to Montana, I had a (fateful) advising appointment for school. As it turns out, I have some classes that are required for the University here that I wasn't aware of. I had finished all of the general education requirements at OSU, but Montana has a few different ones that I didn't realize. Essentially, the result of that meeting was that I could not apply for pharmacy school until NEXT January (2011). This depressed me slightly, since I was already frustrated to be in Montana but at least had a purpose. In the end, I have decided to move back to Oregon in December because pharmacy school is no longer worth so many years of school and living far away from everyone (aka Bryan) for so long! I don't really know yet WHAT I'm going to do, which stresses me out a bit, but I suppose I'll figure it out! I'm just excited to be going home!

Well, let's see what happened that week; Halloween! I really didn't do anything that weekend. On Halloween Raechel and I watched a movie and handed out candy to little kids. And on Sunday I sat around and ate all of the leftover candy! That's basically the whole weekend in a nutshell.

On Wednesday, November 4th, Tanner turned 17! That wasn't what I was going to say, but I figured I'd throw it in there. Anyway, on that day I flew home for my sister's wedding, which was on the 7th. I was home from the 4th until the 8th, but it hardly felt like any time at all! I was super busy every day, pulling together last-minute wedding details. Then every night was spent setting up/decorating, rehearsing, etc. The wedding actually ended up going very well, which surprised me due to the short-term planning! (I think it was all planned in two months, give or take a week or so.) It was pretty fun, although exhausting! Sunday, the day I left, came all too soon, but I was glad Bryan and Sue took me to the airport since I had hardly gotten to actually hang out with them since being home! I spent a lot of time WITH Bryan...setting up and cleaning up. But not actually talking! So that was fun. I of course made a scene at the airport, being all weepy and everything, but I'm a girl so I figure it's fine. Whatever--I'm moving home in a little over a month! =)

(I don't have many good pictures of the wedding. I was too busy doing other things to take pictures! I will have to post more when the professional ones come back!)

Rachel's dress

Me; photo courtesy of Jonny


Bryan & I! Our height difference is so severe that it's difficult to get all of both of us in one picture HA. The worst part is that I was wearing heels! Sigh...we can just hope that our kids get his genes!

AND for the last bit of exciting news, we have FINALLY set a wedding date! Yay!!!!! It is March 19th, 2011. It's forever away, which is sad, but I'm just glad to actually have a concrete date to plan for! It will be perfect because Bryan will actually be done with school then. (I don't mean actually in a snide way, but in a finite way. He wants to be done with school before we get married, and we can be sure he'll be done by then!) I will still be in school, but the 19th is the Saturday before spring break, so I will be able to have a week off for our honeymoon! We are so excited!

I'm hoping to be able to go to my family's farm in Conrad, MT this coming weekend. I have nothing going on, and my cousin Anna (who is my age) and her husband are going to be visiting there from Billings, MT this weekend, so it would be nice to coordinate visits! I want to take Raechel because she NEEDS to experience that part of Montana, but she is scheduled to work. So as long as she can get a few shifts covered, we can go! I'm crossing my fingers!!