The older I get the more I realize how precious life is and how time is something that you will never get back. These last two years have been ultimately AMAZING; I married the man of my dreams and we were blessed with living in Paradise (aka Laie, HI) for two years. As we approach a new season in life and get ready to move my heart is in mourning. Life is beautiful and simple here. We have great friends, we live a block from the beach, we can see the temple from our bedroom window, I bike to work, I get to have lunch with my husband almost every day, what more could a girl ask for. Nothing will ever compare to living here!

God, thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating Hawaii.

Even though I am going to be so sad to leave there are some things I am looking forward to:

1. Christmas with family and friends
2. Seasons - yes, I miss the snow. Cuddling up with hubby and a tall glass of hot cocoa, pure bliss.
3. South & Central America
4. Moving to California
5. Living close enough that we can drive to see family

My advice and two cents to the world: Live Life. 

What I mean by this, is not to just go through the motions but really LIVE life. Find, Experience, Discover. We all have ONE shot at this, so make it count! Don't hold back, unleash your dreams! 

I am truly a flower child!!!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

In one Native American fold tale, a grandfather explains to his grandson that he has tow wolves inside him. One wolf fills him with hope and reminds him how wonderful his life is, and the other fills him with doubt and convinces him that nothings is worth the effort. The grandson asks, concerned for his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The grandfather repliers, "Whichever one I feed."

- Roger Gould -

I know pretty much everyone already knows but we wanted to post this so we would have a copy of it :)

Mike not only scored exceptionally well on his OAT entrance exam he got accepted into the school of his (and my ;) choice. Western University specializes in neuroscience which is a field that Mike loves and is extremely interested in. I am mainly excited because #1 It's in California which means the sun and the beach. #2 It's only a 10 1/2 hour drive to Utah. #3 My awesome brother Dan lives only 3 hours away.

Yes, I am pretty excited about this!

Mike decided this semester that he was going to start a Pre-Optometry club so he could put that on his applications to Optometry school. Yes, great idea right? Did I mention that this was on top of taking 17 credits, preparing for his OAT (test you take to get into Opt. school), writing essays and applications, and much more. So in other words I got promoted to the pre-optometry vice president aka the lady who runs the club, lucky me :)

At BYU-Hawaii every semester they have a food extravaganza, where every club (we have over 70) at BYUH prepares and sales food to raise money for that club. This event is a culinary delight it's like traveling the globe and sampling food from various exotic countries. It honestly rocks! 

This is how the convo went down: President Mike, "So pre-optometry, what are we going to sale to raise money? Vice president any ideas? "

.........................Long pause...................

Vice President Nichole, "fine I'll make cupcakes".

She here we are preparing over 500 cupcakes to sale at Food Fest. Anyone who has ever tried to sale anything knows that selling food is all about the appearance (yes, taste is important) but you know what they say, its all about what it looks like.

Showing my fabulous helpers how to decorate the cupcake in a Halloween inspired theme. 

My goal of feeling like a lunch lady with a hair net accomplished!

Q. How many frosted cupcakes does it take to make your arm go dead?

A. Approximately 46

#1 Booth at Food Fest........don't believe me just wait.

Yep, that's me. Some use Halloween as an excuse to dress like a slut or wear out fits that are extremely immodest and down right ugly I prefer to let the inner freak out. 

Halloween 2010 Skeleton Girl

The Cupcakes: Ghosts- coconut cupcakes, coconut flakes, frosting ghost

Spider & web- pumpkin spice cake with chocolate chips, frosting, and spider ring

Eye balls- strawberry cake, frosting, and gummy life saver eye

Worms in dirt- redvelvet cake, frosting, Oreo's, and sour gummy worms

RIP- chocolate cake, frosting, Oreo's, and a chocolate wafer

Seriously we rock it!

And here is our proof, yes that's Mike & I featured on the front cover of the Ke Alaka'i news paper!

I love the Latter-day Saint movie clips!

This one made my heart cry.

I love my Jesus!

As we get closer to the holiday season I am reminded more and more of the amazing sacrifice my Savior gave me. Lets us all remember him more and strive to be more like Christ.

My mom bought this sign the other day, she is hilarious! She has been having a crazy time with work, church callings, and life. What a great philosophy :)

This is what I miss, SNOW!!!

I am so excited to go to Utah for Christmas!!!

My cheerleader screams, 

"You CAN do ANYTHING"!!!

Everyone needs their own personal cheerleader

Sometimes I'm a very black and white thinker, I'm a very logical person. If it doesn't logically fit together or if the pros don't weigh out the cons then it can not be done. There are SO many things I want to do in life that don't logically fit together:

1.How can I get more schooling, open a bakery, travel the world, magnify my callings, start a NGO, make home cooked meals, and still be the best mom and wife in the world?

In my head I constantly  think, "there is no way I can do everything I must choose"

Thank the Lord for my husband who is the worlds best cheerleader! 

He is the constant ear to my endless dialog of  dreams, fears, and "how is everything going to work out". He listens empathetically, speaks when words are needed, and ultimately reminds me of my potential. 

Why do we put a cap on our own potential?  

I remember a talk given by one of the 12 apostles (sorry can't remember who it was) who talked about how our potential is unlimited. We can do, make, become anything or anyone we want! Amazing isn't it?

Dream big and don't put a limit on yourself.

You CAN do ANYTHING you set your mind to!!!

I love traditions!

I was looking online at work today and I happen to stumble across some awesome new traditions that I immediately fell in love with.

Tradition Ideas:

1. Halloween traditions- Go to the pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin and enjoy a hayride.

2. Halloween tradition - Caramel Apples, a simple easy yummy treat!

1. Christmas tradition- Have friends and family come over IN THEIR PAJAMAS to read Christmas stories and enjoy hot cocoa. http://www.skiptomylou.org/2007/12/20/traditions/ 

2.Christmas tradition- Letter stocking stuffer. For the 12 days of Christmas count down every day you write a love note/letter to someone in your family and put it in their stocking. On the morning of Christmas you get to read all your notes/letters in your stocking first before opening up any presents. http://anordinarymom.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/keeping-the-spirit-of-christmas-stocking-stuffers/

Bucket List

My mom is a dreamer. Thanks mom I am eternally grateful for that. Growing up she used to make us (literally, make us) make "vision boards". We would cut out, draw, and write things we wanted to do in this life. She would always say, "if you can see your goals and remind your self of them often you will accomplish them".

She is a living example of what dreaming/vision boards can do. By 53 (sorry for disclosing your age mom) she has:

• Graduated with Bachelors and Masters Degree
• Served a full time mission in Peru
• Had 5 awesome sons and a stellar cool daughter
• Lived in New Zealand, South Korea, Germany, and the US.
• Traveled to: China, Thailand, (other Asian countries, I can't remember them all right now), France (this was her weekend getaway while living in Germany), Switzerland, Ireland, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Greece, Belgium (and probably more), and she has live and traveled all over the US. If anyone wonders why I am a nomad or gypsy hint hint.........it's from my mother. 
• Still speaks, reads and can write Spanish even though her mission was over 20 years ago
• She has had the job of her dreams, house of her dreams, car of her dream, and now she had the man of her dreams

These are just a few of the millions of ideas that have gone on her boards. She is constantly adding new dreams to the board and crossing off the ones she accomplishes.


Seriously this lady rocks and has taught me so many life lessons, #1 be a dreamer.

So here is my Bucket List (well the start of it anyway)

• Learn to play the piano (right now I can kinda play but I want to be GOOD at playing not just mediocre)
• Scuba Dive the Great Barrier Reef
• Take my kids to Curious Cove; an awesome family vacation camp in New Zealand. My family would go there every Christmas. Some of my most memorable memories come from there.
• Travel Egypt
• Go back to Europe with Mike. I would love to revisit: Cezch Republic, Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland, and Belgium. I would like to also go to Turkey, Moldova, and Hungry.
• Go fishing in Alaska (I love to fish)
• Learn how to ballroom dance. I love dancing .I don't know how good I am at it but I love it. I'm the girl who secretly wishes she would have danced in high school and played basketball not just done basketball.
• Start a NGO that takes optometrist to Central/South America to help people with their eyes. Eye care is horrible there.
• Places in the US to visit: Grand Canyon, Moab, San Fransisco (I love this city), and millions of others but I wont bore you with that list.
• Go to culinary school
• Start a small bakery that specializes in bringing desserts from around the world into your mouth
• Learn to paint. I love abstract art. The feeling you get when you're staring at a painting not knowing exactly what it is but being captivated by its beauty. 
• Fix up a "Fixer Upper House", not a major fixer upper just one that need interior remodeling done. I love projects.
• Learn the stock market
• Serve a mission with Mikey

and much more...........................

Be a Dreamer

Learn to Save a Life

Everyone Can Do it

You know you have lived in Hawaii to long when a trail of ants is entertaining rather than annoying.

A Day in Hawaii

Some friends and I set off on an awesome day of spear fishing (the guys did this), snorkeling (holding onto a kayak), sun bathing, eating fresh coconut, and enjoying each others company.

*where was Mike? Writing essays for Optometry school, good job hun :)


Oh beautiful Sun, how I love you.



Avi, Marci, and Hilary at some beach we pulled off to by Punaluu. Avi has the spears ready to catch some fish.



The view from the beach



Our plan: paddle out to clear water & go snorkeling

What happened: We would see what looked like to be clear water to snorkel in, paddle over there, be disappointed with the murky looking water, and start paddling else where.

Needs to say we didn't do to much snorkeling :)






#1 thing I will miss about Hawaii, the SUN



Hilary + sun ='s burnt.
Solution = Hawaiian Tropics Tanning Lotion



Me and Hil :) I love this girl!



Ok, I got really into sepia. I love it!!!

Hilary and Marci



These are the two fish the guys caught for the day. Seriously the one I was holding reminded me of Dori on Finding Nemo. Poor little guy.



Coconut Expedition

Who better to have with you when you see fresh coconuts than two Fijian guys?

Avi ran up the tree (I love the look on his face, so excited)



Coconuts were grabbed



Machete was busted out and we enjoyed coconut milk and flesh






The inside of the coconut, yum!

I will NEVER go back to store bough ravioli or pasta shells again.

Seriously once you try this recipe, fresh homemade pasta, you will be converted

Dough recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 T olive oil
2 eggs
3 T water (this one is kinda up to you, I just put enough water in so its not dry but be careful not to put to much water in. This is a very firm dough)

Egg Wash:
1 egg

Filling: You can put whatever you want in it, be creative
This is what we love:
1 1/2 Cup Ground turkey meat
1 Cup mixed cheeses (as much or little as you want, Mike LOVES cheese)
1/2 medium onion
2 T oregano
1 T parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Marinara:
Just pick your favorite kind :)

To make the dough:

1. Mound the flour and salt together on a work surface or bowl and form a well. Beat the teaspoon of olive oil, 2 eggs, and water in a bowl. Pour half the egg mixture into the well. Begin mixing the egg with the flour with one hand; use your other hand to keep the flour mound steady. Add the remaining egg mixture and knead to form a dough.

1. Knead the dough until smooth, 8 to 10 minutes; add more flour if the dough is too sticky. Form the dough into a ball and wrap tightly with plastic. Refrigerate for 1 hour ( I only refrigerated for 20 min and it turns out great)

Make filling:

While the dough is resting, prepare the ravioli filling. Cooke meat, onions, parsley, and oregano together until done. While still warm add cheeses so it semi melts. Salt and pepper to taste. Set the filling aside.

Assemble:

1. Roll out the pasta dough into thin sheets no thicker than a nickel. To assemble the ravioli, brush the egg wash over a sheet of pasta. Drop the filling mixture on the dough by teaspoonfuls about one inch apart. Cover the filling with the top sheet of pasta, pressing out the air from around each portion of filling. Press firmly around the filling to seal. Cut into individual ravioli with a knife or pizza cutter. Seal the edges.

1. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the ravioli, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the ravioli float to the top and the filling is hot, 4 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
2. While ravioli is cooking warm up your marinara sauce.
   

Once drained put ravioli on plate, pour sauce over top, and enjoy the goodness of homemade pasta!!!

Friends, Balls, & a hundred year old bowling lane

Welcome to BYUH bowling where the lanes are buckled and warped, there is never a full set of pins, the machine breaks down every other bowl, and your score gets randomly changed.

Find us....this is kinda like the wheres waldo mirror. Who can locate us.



Chelsey and Matt



Me and lover boy



Matt had this infamous fist pump, luckily I was able to catch it on camera, priceless!



I never get over the look of bowling shoes......come on really? After hundreds of years of bowling they still can't come up with anything better than this?







Check out Mikes score, he ROCKED it.



Yeah buddy, Friday night bowling ;)

I love learning new funny words, check this one out:

tchotchke pronounced [chahch-kuh]/ˈtʃɑtʃkə/ Show Spe

-noun

an inexpensive souvenir, trinket, or ornament.

Next time your traveling and want to buy something from that particular place you could say, "wow, isn't this a cute tchotch I think I might buy it".

---

Origin:
1965–70, Americanism ; < Yiddish tshatshke < Pol czaczko bibelot, knickknack (now obs.; cf. mod. cacko with same sense, orig. dial.); of expressive orig.

If anyone is looking for a GREAT lightweight wind proof and water proof backpacking jacket this one rocks!!! It has a full hood, pockets, it compresses to be extremely small and light weight, it's water proof and wind proof.

I love it!

It comes in tons of fun colors :)




Features:

The one jacket we take everywhere—the Microlight™ packs into a tiny package, offers substantial weather resistance, and is an unbeatable value.

Adjustable Hood

2 Zippered Hand Pockets

Elastic Cuffs

Internal Hem Adjustment

Includes Stuff Sack

Center Back Length 27.25" (L)

Weight 8.5 oz.

Fabric: Microlight 800 WP 100% Polyester • Embossed Diamond • 75D • 3.04 oz/yd² (103 g/m²)

We bought ours at REI but Mountain Sports online is selling them for 3$ cheaper.

December couldn't come fast enough! Many of you know how much I don't like my job but thanks to my grandmas endearing advice I have almost made it :)

If you don't have the job you love,
LOVE the job you have
-Helen Swim (my grandmas awesome advice)

I thought these pictures were funny and they give me a better perspective on my own job