The Best Beach Holiday Ever...

...Well, after I left Texas on Wednesday, I flew to London where I stayed with my sister, Allyson, my brother-in-law, Luke, and my 2 adorable nieces for 2 days. We had fun playing, shopping, walking the streets of London, and just hanging out. Isabelle and I did get some hair styling especially done by Madeleine. We all left bright and early Saturday morning for our beach holiday to the Canary Islands. We stayed there from Saturday June 21st to the following Saturday, June 28th. It was fabulous! As many of you recall, I served my mission in the islands, and it has been almost 2 years. I had requested that we stay on the island of Tenerife, which was my last island to serve on. We stayed in a beautiful resort in the south, in Costa Adeje. I will report here on beach holiday happenings, and I will do a separate post for the 2 days that I went to Santa Cruz, the city where I ended my mission. Saturday we checked into our hotel, swam at the beautiful pools at our hotel, Maddie counted 4, that included the jacuzzi. The water in the pools was salty, a little different from chlorine, oh well. We ordered room service that night. Sunday was spent is Santa Cruz, see my other posting. Monday morning I went out for a run, running the same sidewalks that are all over the islands, and getting a few hola guapa comments like we used to hear on the mission. We went to our buffet breakfast-I was excited about tortilla espanola and the nutella and bananas for my crepes! I stole a mini nutella every day, shhhh, don't tell (it was like a one-serving thing, like butters, not a whole jar). Monday we spent all day at the beach, playing in the waves, playing in the sand. We went out for oriental cuisine that night. Tuesday I went to Santa Cruz again, see other posting. Wednesday we headed to the beach again, and it seemed that with each day, there were more and more topless women, yikes...we were definitely the most modest family there. We had more fun swimming and playing, and Luke rented a paddleboat that Maddie and I rode in with him. Isabelle seemed to like the ocean water, even though it was cold. Wednesday night we enjoyed the 80s music entertainment that the hotel had-Spanish performers singing 80s American tunes-scary. Thursday we spent the day at the pools. I wrote lots of postcards, or was swimming with Maddie, or playing and laughing with Izzie-she is a very happy baby. We went to Playa de las Americas, the neighboring city, and were a little disappointed...we did get Maddie dinner at McDonald's and I got a really cute shirt, my only souvenir...so I guess it was worth something. Oh, and of all things there was a Hooters right by the McDonalds, go figure...I wonder if the elders frequented it on Pday, I will hope not. Friday we spent the morning at the beach, and the afternoon at the pool. We ate the hotel's dinner buffet and then enjoyed the evening entertainment-Il Divo wanna-be's from who knows where. I thought it was going to be the real group, Il Divo, at first, I thought, "Oh, man, Alex will be so jealous." Saturday we had breakfast, hung out, packed up, went to the airport and headed back to London. My favorite things about my beach holiday were: sharing a room with Maddie, sand stuck everywhere after the beach, nutella, yummy ice cream (not quite daily consumption, but close), playing with Izzie and Maddie, using my Spanish, swimming lots, laughing with Ally and Luke or at them (kidding, love ya guys), sleeping lots (8-9 hours/night), and being a part of the happy Colton family. I love beach holidays, everyone should take one...they are good for the soul, and Ally would suggest that the sand is a great exfoliator for the feet. If you want to see more pics, you will have to come visit me and look at them on my computer...I am here in Salt Lake City until about July 29th before I head to Boston. Mucho Amor.

Fun in the Texas Heat

...Many of you know that I have been having lots of fun trips, vacationing, etc. I left Friday June 13th for Texas, and I was there until Wednesday June 18th. I had a great time, despite the heat and humidity that I seemed to survive as a kid growing up there, but now as an adult, it just means I am sweaty and miserable unless I am swimming or inside with AC. Maybe that is why I took up swim team at an early age. Anyway, I stayed with my brother James and his family, which includes my sister-in-law, Ruth, and my 4 nieces and 1 nephew. Friday we went to Caitlyn and Aimee's pep rally for their swim team and then just hung out. Saturday I sweat the day away at Caitlyn and Aimee's swim meet-they have become quite the swimmers, and I was excited to be at their last meet of the season, I am their Super Swimmer Aunt Krissy afterall. We hung out the rest of the day, went swimming, and then went out to dinner. Sunday was Father's day, I got to attend church in the same chapel that I attended for some 12 years of my life. We had a yummy dinner, an assortment of desserts, and a relaxing Sunday afternoon (hehe, there was a little drama for me, but I won't go into details, you want to know, email me). After a superearly run Monday morning for me, we headed to Schlitterbahn with a packed van. Schlitterbahn is the best waterpark ever, and the largest, and its some 3 or so hours away. It was me, my brother and his family, Caitlyn's friend, Ruth's mom and younger sister, and we met up with my other brother, Andrew and his wife, Leigh. It was a great day, and after tons of fun in the sun and lots of water rides, we made the long drive home. Tuesday and Wednesday were just hang out days, going to gymnastics, swimming at the pool, eating ice cream at Coldstone...I had a fabulous time thanks to the wonderful Carruth's in Texas. I love y'all!

School is out...TIME TO PLAY!!!

Well, last week was the last week of school for the school district that I was substitute teaching for, so I basically have not had work for the last couple of weeks. Yes, it has been nice, but for those of you that know me, let's be honest...I love working and being busy. Too much break is not good for me. I got caught up on errands, cleaned my house thoroughly, even started packing some boxes for my move to Boston at the end of July, ran errands for other people, and have had lots of time to play with some of my favorite people. I have had several play dates with my cousin's little girl, Presley...I love getting her for whole days at a time. We enjoy sidewalk chalk, cupcake decorating, coloring books, bike rides, movies, swinging on my porch swing, playing at the park, and lately, we love swimming! There is a photo of me and her, the adorable blonde. Last weekend, I went with my roommate, Casandra, and some other cool people to Antelope Island. We enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, lots of bugs smashed and splattered on our windshield, and a good time around our campfire. I have also been riding bikes with Alex again, there are some photos of us, we actually stopped this time, and so we had our own photo shoot at Bridal Veil Falls...for some reason, we both struggled this ride, too much running lately, tired legs, not enough sleep...hmmm. Then there was the near attack of the giant dogs at the top of Provo Canyon, but we turned around REALLY FAST and escaped them on our downhill ride. The last picture, yes, I look drugged...it is the effects of allergies after several hours of cycling. My allergies have been horrible this week, and I am sure that people are convinced I must be really emotional-watery, puffy, red eyes and a runny nose. I went with my roommate, Shalene, to Lagoon tonight. It is Utah's attempt at an amusement park, and hey, several hours on rides for FREE with dinner included...fine by me! I am leaving tomorrow for my trips-1st stop: Texas, then London, next the Canary Islands (Tenerife, to be precise) and back to London for a bit...then I finally get back to Salt Lake on July 1st. Keep looking for my latest adventures. LOVE YALL!

Summer is coming...

...and that makes me so happy. Even though summer brings heat, here in Utah, it doesn't bring the humidity, and summer nights are cool. I love all the hiking and biking that I get to do up in the beautiful mountains, which are still really green and pretty from all the snow melt and all the rain we have had. I have still been teaching at some great schools and having lots of fun with elementary school kids; next week is their last week of school. In fact, on Friday, I subbed for a 2nd grade class that I have been with before, and I got to go on their field trip to Hogle Zoo with them. They are great kids, and were so excited about all the animals (even though to me, they are all a little depressing locked up in their cages and lame habitats). The kids thought it was hilarious when a bird pooped on my white capri pants halfway throught the morning, just my luck, but at least I could provide additional entertainment. I have been enjoying drive-in movies/outdoor movies with friends. On Memorial Day, even though it was raining all day, my roommate Shalene and I were stubborn and still went hiking like we had planned. It was a blast, even if we were soaked through, and we pretty much laughed at ourselves the whole time for being crazy and out in the rain, especially with all of our slipping and sliding in the mud. This morning, I headed to Provo where Alex and I biked up Provo Canyon, we went further then I have ever been, as far as you can go, right before you hit the Girl Scout Camp and you can't trespass. It was a gorgeous day, and I was doing great...Alex usually climbs the hills/mountains way better than I do, but I kept up and was having a great day. All in all, life is great. I only have 2 weeks until my vacations start...to Texas, then London, and then the Canary Islands! Then I am back in Utah for the month of July before heading to Boston. Life is great, have I said that?! Keep me posted on your adventures of summer! Love to all!

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

...my Dad came in town on Thursday, and so when I have not been teaching, we have been visiting Alex and Stacey (Alex's fiancee) to spend time together, to chat, and of course, to eat lots of good food. My Dad and I also went to my Ward Temple Night. After a good run this morning with my Dad, we met Alex and Stacey in Park City for the day. We did the zipline at the Olympic Park, the bobsled was a little pricey...it was lots of fun, then we enjoyed a yummy picnic that I made, complete with cupcakes for Stacey's birthday. Then we did some window shopping and art gallery exploring along Main Street in Park City. I am home while my Dad gets in a nap, I could really use one, but I am not much of a napper. My body is screaming at me, I have not been getting enough sleep this whole week...Well, enjoy the pictures. I hope the weather is as gorgeous wherever you are, it is perfect and sunny here, but not too hot and humid like some blessed places, hehe. Love y'all!

What you have all been waiting for...

...so many of you have been wondering where I have been and what my final decision is? I am sorry that life seems so crazy busy for me most of the time and I don't have enough hours in the day. I did go to New York two weekends ago. I had a wonderful time and stayed in Garden City, an adorable town on Long Island, with a friend of my mom's that she knew while living in London. I enjoyed the sites of the city, good company with the family I was staying with, and well, Columbia is an amazing school with a beautiful campus. I was honestly thinking while I was there...do I really belong here? This is Columbia, wow! My advisor was a great guy, and he is top in his field, as are all of the professors at the university. I just didn't feel as at ease and as at peace with myself the whole time. In Boston, I loved every aspoect of it and just felt great there. I could totally see myself there the whole time. With Columbia, I do not want to be in debt thousands of dollars, and I just don't see myself living in New York City as a 24-year old Caucasian girl who is single. So it is off to Boston I go! Having made my decision, everything is falling into place. It didn't seem like housing would work out quite right, but everything is falling into place perfectly for a place in Brookline, the neighborhood that I wanted to be in; it's closest to BU (Boston University). It looks like I will probably be on my way to Boston around the beginning of August. Yeah! I am so excited about everything...change is really hard for me, but I know it is really good for me, and I know that I will have some awesome experiences and opportunities there. I have just been playing catch-up, subbing for my same 3rd graders-they are fun kids, and enjoying Salt Lake. My mom was in town for 2 days last weekend, and I had tons of fun playing with her, and spending time with Alex and Stacey (my future sister-in-law), too. Well, hope this is what you wanted to know...love to all!

Cycling with Alex

Well, my younger brother, Alex and I are back to doing what we love most...cycling. We did it lots together before our missions, and mostly rode up Provo Canyon. We ventured out once this year, but it was still too cold and quite icey. Yesterday was a beautiful day, I met him at his apartment in Provo, and we rode out towards Springville and then all the way up Hobble Creek Canyon. It was fun, and there were no falls and no concussions, so no one needs to worry about me! Alex-I look forward to more riding this summer. I do have to admit, if I moved to Boston, I would miss the canyons and the mountains that I love so much, but there are plenty of other awesome things in Boston, that I think I could still manage. If anyone is ever our way in Utah and is up for some cycling, let us know. I love yall!