Running in Circles

We feel so spoiled after this Christmas! 

 Brice got lots of things to distract him from school  keep him busy. A sweet Kindle Fire that the attacked, hacked, and fixed and a DVR so we don't miss any BYU sporting events or episodes of Chopped for me! Within hours of opening his Kindle he changed the programming and added the android system on to it. It is sweet!! He also got two sweet Iowa Hawkeye camping chairs, a Mad-Bomber hat, a new fleece Columbia jacket, and of course some new wrenches.

 What is a Christmas to that man without new tools? 

I feel spoiled to.. my presents revolve around my favorite addiction...Running! Brice got me  sweet Nike running gloves. When I got back from my first run wearing them, I took them off and grabbed Brice's face with my warm hands! That was a big moment for us! I also got a sweet fleece jacket, new running shoes, a fancy food processor, snacks from my momma, the cutest dessert bowls from Anthropologie, lots of crafty goods, and all the wipes I could ever need to clean our car. (One of my biggest peeves is a dirty car- I know I know..wait until I have kids...)

We have a target gift card or two that we want to use to get some new games, so let us know if you want to join for a fun game night!

Thanks for spoiling us with all the swag we can handle!

This Christmas break was exactly what we needed:

too much fun!!!

We played lots of speed scrabble, Skip-Bo, and interrogate Andrew. Brice grew out a nice beard...and I hate to admit it but it is oh so sexy! We visited Amish Country, built all sorts of wood projects in Grandpas' workshop, went on walks in the woods, and baked and ate way too many Christmas treats. Played with Brice's new Kindle Fire (thanks Mom and Dad!!), put my new running gloves and shoes to work, built a wall in the basement, and caught up on some fun reading. We LOVED all the time spent with Craig, Heidi, and Owen. Teaching Owen to say "woot-woot" during the basketball games was my favorite part. We are so glad we got to spend more time with Hannah and Andrew and completely support their idea of getting married in Hawaii! I'm so glad Emily and Matt came into town on our last night  so Quinn and Zack could give Brice a kick in the b-u-t-t!

Doug and Lucinda- Thank you so much for having us for such a long stay! We feel so loved and grateful for all the love and support you send our way. We have loved being spoiled this last week and can't wait to visit again! 

I couldn't resist. 
we're thrilled and I'm "delusional"..

no twin babies around here- just twin cell phones! After a stressful transition, I am no longer on my parents phone plan. Brice and I are seriously independent now. We have matching phones. twins. 

Still deciding on names.
p.s. this post is basically a result of me going crazy over finals. tomorrow it all ends. 

Happy Birthday to my sister Melanie!!

10 Reasons She is THE BEST

10. She has the most beautiful smile

9. She is determined and always knows what she wants and is destined to live out her biggest dreams.

8. She is a world traveler (Europe, Greece, Mexico...honeymoon?)

7. She always says the right thing to me

6. She knows she is a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.

5. She is the only girl I know with multiple fantasy football teams.

4. She buys the BEST Christmas presents for others...oh isn't Christmas right around the corner :)

3. She has come to watch me be sweaty and finish my half and full marathons

2. The girl knows how to buy good shoes

1. She lets me change the music, even when she's driving her car.

Seriously Mel, I could go on forever. You are the best example to me. You have taught me self-love, patience, and faith in the timing of our Heavenly Father. You remind me constantly of my potential and don't let me have self-pity parties too often. You remind me school is important, and you like the way I decorate. Thanks for making me feel good- but today is all about you! Hope you have a great day!

Treat her right Kris Sorensen :)

Here at BYU, intramural sports are kinda a big deal. 

We've both played on several teams including soccer, kickball, ultimate frisbee, and flag football. Brice has been lucky enough to play in 3 championship games but never walked away with a shirt. Today was a good day. The wards' flag football team left with a victory and the most coveted shirt on campus- an Intramural Champions shirt! It was a lot of fun to watch the boys play throughout the season..boys working hard..wives chatting it up with hot coco on the sidelines. 

Today, my soccer team also won our semi-finals game so Weds we play in the championship. How lovely it would be if we both got shirts this time around! Good Job Hershey's Kisses! 

(Our Bishop is Blair Hershey, so Brice used his wit and came up with the name.)

Well this is what my New Years Resolutions looked like for the year. In case you can't read them, they say:

1. Be more Christlike

2. Exercise my mind & body each day

3. Be quick to serve others

4. Journal

5. See people the way Heavenly Father sees them

6. Marathon year :)

7. Eat a balanced diet

I think these goals really helped me to not feel discouraged if I wasn't perfect. Everyone knows I eat too many M&M's but I tried to eat better, exercise more, serve others, judge less, and keep a journal blog. I suggest making the columns "Essential", "Necessary", and "Nice to do" to keep your life less stressed and to make sure priorities stay priorities. School is only necessary...it is not an essential.

Hope everyone can look back and say they enjoyed 2011 and felt improvement somewhere in their lives.

-Breann

Dear Santa,

  We have been very good this last year! We both tried hard in school and have continued working. We play nice on our intramural teams, try and make new friends at church, and try not to get frustrated when certain neighbors leave their laundry in WAY TOO LONG!! We're not perfect, but I'd check us off as Nice not Naughty. If I were really lucky to write Santa here is what I think our lists would look like...or in other words:

ATTENTION Family Members: Here are our Christmas Wishes :)

Brice:

- XBOX 360

- external harddrive

-mad bomber hat

-fleece lining for his columbia jacket

- camping chairs (2)

Breann:

-CHI Flat iron

- Cuisinart Food Processor

-Vacuum

-Gift cards: Forever 21, Ikea, Home Goods, Target

-money towards a Canon Rebel SLR

- gold rose watch

-nail polish

-massage gift certificate

- unlimited time on pinterest

- football season to be over

It seems like things have been less than exciting around here the last few weeks. So many school assignments, hours at work, intramural games, and working out. We are happy and healthy though- and both really looking forward to the break from school and work this week. We are heading down to So Cal for Thanksgiving with my family. Looking forward to a week of food, family pictures, bike ride to the beach, shopping and crafting with my mom, and watching my little sister, Chelsea, play in a soccer tournament. I'm sure there will be some football watching, Christmas shopping, and game playing as well. Also exciting: We are welcoming Melanie's boyfriend, Kris to Corona for the first time too! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

                                                             

Brice is back! woo-hoo! While he was hitting up a fancy schmancy convention and playing on Bourbon street..I spent an entire day shopping at IKEA, Home Goods, and TJ-Maxx. I finished up a few "decor projects" I've had in mind. I am learning that I really like decorating and find it a fun creative outlet. Also, probably ran too much while Brice was gone...60 miles last week... and am sore today after 12 miles and pilates. Welcome November...in 3 weeks we'll be in California!!

Living Room: Before

If this really were my personal journal, all I would write tonight is:

 I miss Brice. I am ready for my husband to come home. You would think 5 days would be a cinch after 5 months apart, but the truth is one day apart now is harder than being apart in China. Back then, we were so in love and looking forward to everything the future held. We were so excited to be together forever, looking forward to our wedding day and honeymoon, to celebrate with friends and family. But today, Brice is my family and I miss him. The truth is, we have a home together and without him here It just feels empty. I really feel like half of me is gone. Brice thinks I'm tough and does a good job of reminding me that we will be together soon enough, but really I'm a wimp. And I miss you babe. -B

We had such a fun Family Home Evening last night with our friends, Kyle and Crystal Sherman and their cute kiddos Trey and Kajsa. We made caramel apples with lots of different goodies on top. I favored the mini M&M's and Brice went for the Reeses peanut butter cups. They don't necessarily look so pretty, but they tasted really yummy! Trey mostly just snacked on all the treats :) 

We also worried about the right way to melt chocolate over the stove, taught Trey the 'Hokey-Pokey" and watched our neighbors throw pumpkins off our porch for a movie scene they're were filming. For a Monday night, we were busy and wouldn't have had it anyway. these kiddos are so cute. Trey always calls Brice "Brice-y" and I hope he never stops! 

Thanks Shermans for coming over. - Breann