finals.

Finals, I have four words for you

I don't like you.

There's something about studying subjects that I have no need for, that I hate. For example, I'm in a Human Anatomy class online through BYU-Idaho. Don't ask me why I chose this class...I wanted to get my associates and so I had to take a Biology credit, so I decided to chose this class over Biology. Dumb idea. Really dumb idea.

My teacher is great. He's nice and helps his students out when in need. The only problem is he really loves to assign tests. Hard tests. I am generally not a very good test taker, so this has been a bit of a challenge for me this semester. This finals week though...pure torture.

This teacher has decided to assign 2 tests this week. That's right, you heard me...2. Who does that? Who assigns 2 tests to an online class the week of finals? A crazy professor, that's who.

Anyways...needless to say I've been studying my booty off for the past week. The poor fiance has barely seen me and he hates it. Hopefully though it will all pay off with a good grade on my final, and a passing grade in that class so I never have to deal with it again!

Wish me luck because about this time tomorrow I'll be sitting down at my desk at work about to take the test...AHHH!!

Good news though...Chris and I get to fly home on Saturday to Minnesota for Christmas and we are very excited! It's going to be freezing, but definitely worth it.

Metrodome collapse from inside the stadium - Minnesota Vikings dome

This is crazy!! My poor home :( Chris and I are crossing fingers that they fix it by next Monday. I bought us an early Christmas present to go see the Vikings play the Bears.

Metrodome Roof Collapse Video From the Inside Metrodome

christmas at temple square

Chris and I went to see the lights at Temple Square last night with my family. It's my favorite time of the year! I love living here in Utah so that I am able to do things like this more often.

We went with my uncle Steve and his wife, Laura, and their girls Regan, Avery, and their little boy Evan. We also went with my grandparents. It was so much fun! The girls loved the lights and cute little Avery was holding hands with Chris and I and she wanted us to swing her the whole time. It was such a great night. We had a lot of fun together and are super excited to be heading home to Minnesota on Saturday for Christmas with my family.

Here are some pictures from our night :)

 

the conference center

 

 me and the fiance

 my cute little cousins Avery and Regan

cutest little boy!

My friend Kelly shared this on her facebook today and I loved it and though I'd share it with all of you.

Enjoy :)

wedding, wedding, wedding!

I have to admit something - - - - I should be doing homework right now but...

I can't think of anything else but my wedding! Most of the day today at work I surfed the internet just looking for ideas for mine and the fiance's engagements as well as my bridals. We met with our photographer, Kelly, last night and it got me so excited to think that it's finally time to get into gear about all this! For a while I felt like things were so far away from happening, but it's already December!

But since I've been planning like crazy lately, I've already got our photographer picked, our videographer picked, and the reception center picked. So the big stuff is done...but now the little, yet still important, decisions to make for this event of ours!

Here are some of the things I'm loving right now, and thinking of incorporating into mine and the fiance's day:

This part of the wedding took me FOREVER to figure out...I had my mind set on purple and green, but it's way too common and for some reason didn't want them anymore. So after LOTS of searching I have decided that my colors are going to be yellow and gray. I have come across a few blog posts on this site, and it was love at first site! I didn't even think of these colors and I had no idea they were as big as they are now. I'm so, so excited for this! I am also thinking of accenting it with a navy. I have always loved navy :)

These are my absolute favorite!! Instead of trying to find where to buy them, I'm going to make them myself. I want to make this wedding a very DIY (do.it.yourself) kind of thing. At least the stuff that I can make, I want to. But these are the latest fad and I sure do love em!

Thinking of having something like this for the fiance...it's different and I love it!!

Thinking of something like this for our cake. It's simple and clean and I love the accent of the dark gray ribbon. The fiance and I went for a taste testing the other weekend and we have a good idea of what kind of cake we are going to get. I may want to sample another place just for fun!

So that's what I have so far. Wedding planning is so fun but I had no idea that it was this consuming! I am loving every minute, but I have to be honest and say that I can't wait for April 7th to come and to see it all play out...but I also can't wait for April 8th and to finally be Mrs. Paige McNulty!

thanksgiving in st. george

my adorable fiance

Thanksgiving weekend...where do I even begin?

Chris and I decided to head down to St. George for Thanksgiving with his whole Mom's side of the family a day early seeing that there was this huge storm coming in...the worst that Utah has seen in 7 years...(what a joke..!). So we left work early, got all packed, and hit the road.

We were making great timing and the weather was great. It was windy, but no snow yet, so we were happy. Although, with about 10 miles left until St. George, the real fun began! 

As we were driving the car all of a sudden got really bumpy and we smelt something really gross. Chris pulled the car over and sure enough we had a blown out tire! We don't know how this happened, but there were 3 slashes in the tire and all we can say is that we are extremely lucky! It could've been really bad. So Chris preceded to change the tire. When he was finished we got back in the car all ready to go...and the car wouldn't start. We just looked at each other and laughed. Chris had a few ideas, tried them, and nothing worked. We then tried something that he's never done before - popping the clutch.

This was something else...! Since I don't know how to drive a stick shift, I had to get out and push the car, which I was perfectly fine with, but the one thing that I wasn't fine with was the traffic zooming by and how dark it was out. I was so scared!! We luckily made it to a hill and Chris was able to pop the clutch. I love my man :)

Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was fun being able to celebrate it with someone new. We talked about the different things we do on Thanksgiving and the things that we as a couple want to do. The food was so good...Chris's uncle Greg grilled the turkey, which made it super tastey. I think I ate more food in that one sitting than I did this whole weekend.

 me and my yummy food

Chris's plate of food...he ate it all!

There's this day after Thanksgiving day that is a favorite of mine. It's called Black Friday. Now I am never one to sleep outside for some ridiculous deal, but I do love hitting up Target for some cheap movies. Since I'm engaged and all Chris and I were talking about this killer deal that Target was having...a 40 inch flat screen on sale for $298 (original price $600). We talked about how we will need a TV for when we get married and after doing some research and talking a lot about it, we thought it would be a wise purchase. So we bundled up and headed over to Target to wait in line. Yes, you heard me, wait in line..outside...overnight.

us all bundled up

So we got to Target and there was hardly anyone in line! Awesome! We were #13. So 7 hours later and freezing our bums off, we got ready to make a run for the TV and movies. The doors opened, Chris ran for the TV. See the mistake that some people make is the grab a cart. Bad idea!! Go for your item and worry about a cart later. Chris had to stiff-armed a cart out of the way because some lady just had to get one! Anyways, we got our TV and 2 armfuls of movies. I would say it was  Black Friday success!

Overall the weekend was a lot of fun for Chris and I. We are so excited for the future Thanksgivings we are going to have together, but most of all I am thankful for such a loving fiance who cares about me and my well being, for a family who loves me, and for this gospel that I get to be apart of and the many blessings that come from it.

thanksgiving vs. christmas.

thanksgiving.

 This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love it for many reasons. Growing up in Minnesota it was for the snow, my mom's cooking, and the fact that Christmas was right around the corner. Ever since I've gone to college though, it's been hard to enjoy some of those things. It's been nice to have family here in Utah though to be able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with, but I still miss my Mom's Thanksgiving cooking.

One thing though that seems to make it's appearance each year, earlier than the last, is the playing of Christmas music. For the longest time I hated it. I always felt bad for Thanksgiving thinking "why is this holiday getting jipped?" Plus I refused to play Christmas until after I had had my fill of turkey and football.

It wasn't until the other day when in fact I started listening to Christmas music in the car that I realized Thanksgiving and Christmas go hand-in-hand...

Thanksgiving is all about being thankful, right? Well, I thought what is one of the things I am most grateful for this year? The answer came quick: my Savior Jesus Christ. That's what Christmas is about. Celebrating the birth of Him who created all things. Him who performed such a loving act ac giving of His own life so that we may have ours. What an amazing thing to be Thankful for!

So, this is not to say that I'm going to start listening to Christmas music the second it turns November 1st (because we know the Utah radio stations like to start it then...maybe it's the sugar coma from the night before that does it to them?), but I am saying that from now on I'm going to celebrate the meaning of Christmas along with Thanksgiving. Why not celebrate such a wonderful blessing for more than a month? I think it's a good idea!

So here is to a happy Thanksgiving and Christmas!

design

Being out of school and not being able to keep up with my design work has been rough. I miss it!! My aunt Laura asked if I would design their family Christmas card. Something that she could take to Costco and just print off as a picture. I of course said yes. Last night I sat down at my computer and designed away. It was so fun and I had forgotten how much I love designing. Here's the finished product of what took less than an hour to do!

Let me know what you think! If anyone else wants a Christmas card done for them, let me know! I would love to do it.

engagement pictures

me and the fiance

 

better picture of the ring

our dear friend Nick who helped Chris out

typical kissing picture...but we love each other :)

There are the pictures promised!!

144 days to go!

 

 

the boyfriend asked and i said yes!

I'M ENGAGED!!!! 

It's finally here. I can finally tell all. I have known that the boyfriend and I were going to get married for a good month now, but we hadn't found the ring yet and then by the time we did we had to custom make it and so that took a little longer as well. Of course, the boyfriend knew all the timing. I only knew that it had been ordered. It was crazy not being able to tell everyone that we were getting married. That's all I wanted to do because I was so excited.

Ready for the proposal story? Ok, here it is:

Earlier on Wednesday, during work, Chris sent me a text asking if I was busy after work and if I wanted to go bowling (because BYU won their game with more than 30 points, we get a free game of bowling at Fat Cats). I told him yes and so we planned to meet at about 4:30. I got done with work, ran some errands, and got home. Chris sent me a text telling me to look cute (as if I needed a text to tell me that :)!). I sent him a text letting him know when I was ready. He called me and said that he needed me to do him a favor...I needed to go check my windshield and that I couldn't have any form of communication with him or anyone else that I needed to figure it out on my own, but that he would be waiting for me at the end. If you've ever seen the show Amazing Race, it was a lot like that!

So I ran out to look at my car and sure enough there was an envelope with my name on it sitting there. I opened it up and there was a poem and my first clue. It lead me to the Riviera Apartments in Provo. This is where we had first flirted and actually talked. Sitting there by the bike rack was our friend Nick. In order to get my next clue, I had to do the efy cheer, while being video taped! HA! Who would've thought that after 3 summers worth of doing that cheer, I wouldn't be able to think of it right on the spot. Yep, that happened. After my embarrassing moment, he gave me the next clue.

The second one lead to one of our favorite places to eat: cafe rio. Inside was Katelin, Nick's cute wife, sitting with a big black garbage bag. I grabbed the bag and went outside so I wouldn't be gawked at. Inside the bag were about 10 balloons. I had to pop each balloon, which had puzzle pieces inside each of them. As soon as I pieced them together, I was given the third clue.

This clue took me to another place that we love to eat at: J'dawgs. Standing outside was Nick, next to Chris' car, waiting for me to show up. On the trunk of Chris' car were all of his shoes that I had to tie into a double knot. Chris works as a kindergarten aid and I always tease him for tying shoes all day. Guess I had that one coming. Once I tied all of the shoes I then had to untie them. That was a task in its self! After I had done that, I then had to reach my hand into each of them (yuck!) and find a prize. In the last shoe there was a ring box. I kind of freaked out at first because I didn't want to open it! Chris was the one that was supposed to do it! Anyways, I did and there was a penny in the slot where the ring was supposed to be. After completing this task I was given my fourth clue.

This fourth clue lead me to the Taco Bell in the Wilkinson Center at BYU. Chris and I would usually get food here whenever the food during the summer was gross. Poor Katelin was standing there with this huge white box. Of course it just had to be right during the dinner rush and so EVERYONE and their dog were watching me open box after box to finally get to this little box with a thing of smarties in it! How embarrassing. Once I did that. Katelin gave me my last clue.

This clue took me to the Y mountain. Before I go on let me explain the meaning. Before Chris and I met, we both had this spot at the Y that we would go and just sit to think, or read, or study. Whatever it was that we did, we just went up there to basically escape. So when Chris and I found that out about each other, we made our spot. We've gone up there a lot to talk about us, our marriage, and our future plans and family. It's been a really big part of our relationship. Now back to the story. So I made my way up to the Y. When I didn't see him in the normal spot I panicked! I decided I drive a bit further up. Sure enough there was his car with a sign pointing up this trail. As I made my way up I saw him there. I don't think I could've ran faster! By the time I got to him I was out of breath, but so excited to see him. We talked for a minute and then he told me that he loved me, got down on one knee and said "Paige Kirsten Aase, will you marry me for all time and eternity?" During the whole "race" I told myself I wasn't going to cry when he asked me. Of course that didn't go as planned and I balled as I said "yes"! The ring was beautiful and I couldn't be happier!!

So to everyone that is wanting to know, Christopher James McNulty and I are getting married on April 7th, 2011 in the Salt Lake Temple!! We are so excited to finally be engaged and to be able to tell everyone.

(more pictures to come...stay tuned!!)

something so small.

i bought a knock off scentsy candle today from walmart (shh don't tell my mom that i didn't get it at target...she will kill me!!). i bought two different flavors though. a pumpkin spice and cinnamon vanilla. 

who would have thought that something so small would make one so happy? i have loved being able to smell it wherever i am in my cute little townhouse. it's definitely made this cold season come a little easier that's for sure!

football.

i love football season. now i must admit that i don't know a whole lot about the sport (sad, i know...), but the boyfriend has taken on the task of teaching me so that i can sit and watch a game with him and be able to follow along, and know with what's going on. i will say i do know enough to enjoy a game.

here are some reasons why i love football:

• happens in my favorite season...fall
• it's an entertaining sport to watch
• i love supporting my hometown vikings (woot, woot)
• the crazy fans
• superbowl. enough said.
• bundling up in sweatshirts and gloves for the byu cougars
• hot chocolate

oh how i love football!

no title.

this week this blog has not title. why you ask? it's because i don't really know what to put for it.

maybe i should title it stressed, because that's what i am!!! i think the picture says it all.

i wish i would've been told what it would be like to work a whole day AND take a full semesters worth of credits. did i mention that they were online? oh yeah...they're online, which makes it even harder and more time consuming! if you've read in older posts you would see that i made the announcement that i got my associates from byu-idaho. boy was i mistaken. i started getting tons of emails and letters telling me that i was missing classes. 

i'm sure some of you are saying "duh paige...of course you have to take all your generals to get your associates degree" 

well, i knew that...but when i asked them about that and the girl that i spoke to said i didn't and that i was good to know. i thought sweet this will be great!

false

instead now because i truly didn't get the degree i am finishing it online while working and living 4 hours away from provo. hmmm. my plans were not this. i'm still trying to develop some sort of plan as to how i can juggle human anatomy, british literature, and advanced writing all into one week and still be able to breathe by the time friday comes around.

sometimes being in college really isn't very fun.

a whirlwind of a month...

oh my goodness so much has happened since i last posted...i've been horrible at blogging! now that things have really calmed down, i plan to blog regularly so that i can keep ya'll up to date!

so here are some things that happened since my last week of efy:

#1 - efc (especially for counselors) to disneyland

i love disney.

i forget how much i love it until i am once again walking that main street with a castle as my end point.

what a fun trip this was! chris, amber, whitney, and i decided to leave early on sunday instead of monday with the rest of the crowd. we wanted more time at the beach. so we made what we thought would be a 10 hour drive, but ended up being about 13...we forgot that all the californians head back from vegas on sunday and got stuck in that yucky traffic. what a long night!

we stayed at my aunt lani's in san deigo that night and then went to the beach the next day. it was so much fun. i love that area. after we met up with all the efy people at huntington beach and enjoyed the rest of the day. tuesday-thursday we played in the parks and rode rides until we were sick to our stomaches! california adventures has this really cool new water laser show called world of color. if you ever get the chance to go to disney, you must see this. so cool!

here are some pictures from the trip. there are a lot more, but these were some favorites :)

in line for the thunder mountain railroad

enjoying california adventures at night

waiting to watch fantasmic

just a taste of what the world of color is like

#2 - minnesota with the boyfriend

so i took the boyfriend home to minnesota this past week. we had a blast. i showed chris around minnesota and took him to see what makes my home, home.

• we went to the mall of america and shopped and rode some of the rides. 
• we hung out by my pool and played some water basketball. (well, i attempted to while chris owned me every time...). 
• we helped out with my home ward's temple day. chris taught about the temple in the dominican republic
• spending my birthday at the lake
• surprise birthday party for my 22nd birthday
• got fat at the famous minnesota state fair eating lots of friend goodness
• seeing mr. tim mcgraw in concert
• getting paid $30 to watch up
• eating on a rooftop in uptown

home was so fun. we didn't want to leave because we knew that as soon as we did we would have to come back to real life, which includes trying to find work, school, and moving in to our new places. but it had to be done and we were excited for it!

here are some pics from home:

us being goofy

our rooftop lunch with my dad

tim mcgraw concert

#3 john mayer concert

oh how i love john mayer. it's almost as much as i love jason mraz. almost. chris had tickets to the john mayer concert with some of his good friends and invited me to come along. i gladly accepted :)

it was my kind of concert too. blankets, food, jacket, boyfriend. perfect. 

john is a funny...somewhat crude...entertainer. he put on a great concert and it was a fun night for both chris and i to have before we had to face real life again.

here are some pics from this night:

our dinner for the night

the cute couple picture

the group we went with (minus alex...)

#4 - new house

i'm in a new place and i love it!! it's a cute little townhouse that my friend amber and i are living in with 2 other girls. when we found it about a month ago we fell in love with it right away. we got such a good deal on it though. it's brand new, just built last november, stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer, private rooms, garage, sweet club house, comes with all furniture, it's great. plus it's close to everything. we really enjoy it.

here are some pics of the new place:

the outside

the family room

my kitchen (favorite part of it all)

my room

overall things are great. i'm excited to be in this new chapter of life. chapters are good. i'm excited for school to start in a week and for chris and i to start real life dating. he's a really good guy and i can't wait to be around him more and have more adventures :)

good things must come to an end...unfortunately.

i've been going over this post in my head for the last week or so {i'm putting that down as a reason why it's taken me forever to update this blog...}. 

today is my last day of efy {possibly for forever}.

there are a lot of different emotions running through me right now and i'm not too sure where to start. 

efy is what i've done for the last 3 summers of my life. when may hits i'm in provo gearing up for the herds of youth that come the byu for a week of epicness. and then when august hits we say goodbye for a short 9 months. this time it's different though...

lately i feel as if it's my last summer with this wonderful program. it's been an amazing adventure and i will never forget the amazing people that i have met that have changed my life for the better. i will never forget the youth and all the crazy memories i have of them, and watching them make the decision to change their lives. most of all though i will never forget the sweet spirit that i felt everyday that i got up. there's nothing like waking up and automatically feeling the spirit and having it with you there wherever you go. i hear it's a lot like a mission.

there are a lot of things that i need to do with my life now. this program will press on even if i'm not there. its hard to think that i wont be putting on a polo next summer, but i feel that it's the right decision. besides, the future has a lot in store for me, and those things can't come unless i move on.

here are some pictures of the people i spent the last 3 months of my life with, the people i consider to be my second family:

the red {aka "team gryffindor"} team

my coordinators, scott and sarah

some of the red team

ryan, me, trevor, whitney, and katelin

the long awaited post...

here is the post i know ya'll have been waiting for...

chris and i

this is him :)

here are some other pictures of us, and as you can tell, i can't take a serious picture...

so that's the boyfriend. he's wonderful and i have loved being with him. we have a lot of fun together and we make each other laugh. didn't think my summer would turn out this way. haha.