Dear Utah, you are even better than we remember.

Going back to Logan this year for Thanksgiving was surreal. It has been almost an entire year since we've made the trek back to our hometown. Even though its been such a long time, the moment we turned the corner out of Sardine where it opens up to the beautiful valley it only felt like we were coming home from a long trip.

In all actuality we were about to begin a 'trip' to Logan that would last exactly 7 days minus travel time. So, I wouldn't call our Thanksgiving vacation relaxing so much as I would consider it a whirlwind of good times with family and friends. Here are a few photos and stories from our memorable trip.

Day One: I miss my sis!
I tried to get in as much sister time as humanly possible. Here she is sporting her very attractive hat-scarf that I also saw on The Christmas Story mom.

And for your viewing pleasure here are more photos of Courte from our adventures.
The memories of many Aggie football games came flooding back to us as we froze our butts off at the Aggie v. Boise State football game. There were a few key note differences this time around...1) We had a sanctuary (the box) to head up to when we couldn't feel our appendages, 2) They were competitive against Boise, and 3) There were more Utah State fans > Boise State fans to cheer on our team.Day Two: Guns & Violence
Guys Night in Utah = Call of Duty Marathon. Tanner and his friends are addicted to this war game. Please remind my why I agreed it was a good idea for Tanner to get the game when we got home.

Day Three: Skins v. Iggy's v. G-ma
...and the winner is G-ma :)
Skins lost to the Cowboys, Iggy's service sucked, Grandma was all-around amazing.Day Four: Our Old Stomping Ground
I forgot how cold Utah is in the winter. It was pretty much unbearable for me. I had to drink lots of hot chocolate to compensate. But look how pretty it is.There is about 3 things to do in Logan - not like that's a bad thing - Going out to eat, Going to the movies, and Going bowling. We managed to fit in 2 out of the 3. I think the amount of food we ended up inhaling made up for the fact that we didn't go bowling. One of the things that we miss about Logan the most is the great selection of restaurants.

We managed to eat a lot of food at some of our old favorites, pretty sure we ate out every meal. Italian Place (I think Tanner went here three times), Le Nonne (with our Pictionary opponents), Angie's, Logan's Heroes, Pita Pit, Firehouse (with some of my favorite girls - who pointed out that whenever I am asked when I am having kids I say 5 years, and that's been going on for at least 3 years). We also went to a new restaurant, Texas Roadhouse, because Anna works there and it was amazing. There are many more delectable dine-in experiences to be had in CV but those are the ones we managed to hit....next time I must go to W.O.W. and La Beau's, oh ya and the bowling alley to get the full experience. We also went to the movie about 3 or 4 times....haha. Life is so simple, yet amazing, in Utah :)
Day Five: Golden Birthday
This celebration was not a surprise so Tanner got to choose the itinerary. He wanted nothing more than to take in an Aggie basketball game and dinner with a few close friends. We ended up in the backroom at Ruby's after the game, which was a drag, that is until we got there. The room ended up being filled with tons of laughter once memories came racing back to these friends.
Day Six: Working OutI was very proud of us for managing to squeeze in some workout routines. It was great to go to Bootcamp to see my old friend slash trainer Natalie. She kicked my a$$, I was sure to quickly blame my loss of breath and lack of endurance on the altitude. Elevation: Ashburn = 298 ft, Logan = 4,534 ft so I feel pretty good about that excuse. I also went to Crossfit with Kira and Wendi and found that to be equally as punishing.

Day 7: Thanksgiving
I am thankful for Thanksgiving because it's focus is entirely based on the 3 F's which also happen to be 3 of my favorite things, Family, Friends & Food! Thanksgiving didn't let us down on any of those this year. It even added an additional F "Freezing." Although the below freezing temperature was quickly forgotten at Lundstrom Park during the First Annual Turkey Bowl followed by a yummy Thanksgiving dinner at my Grandma's. It's true that time flies when you're having fun, because the week was over in a flash. We didn't get to see all the friends and family that we wanted to, but we'll back and believe me it won't be a year from now.

Read more...

Our Homeland

We had so much fun in Utah for Thanksgiving. I haven't had time to sit down and write about it but I hopefully I will soon. Until then you can just look at this photo in anticipation. Read more...

Party in the USA

Elite Party Planners: Kirsten & Paul + mucho Facebook correspondence
= one surprised* guy *other adjectives to describe Tanner = amazed, astounded, blown away, bewildered, dazed, dazzled, dumbfounded, electrified, flabbergasted, floored, jarred, jolted, overwhelmed, shocked, stunned, stupefied, taken aback.

We had a surprise b-day party at Kitchen in DC for Tanner. He was seriously surprised since he thought he was going to my work party (lame-o) and it was held 6 days before his actual birthday (what?!). He had no idea, which I was very proud of since it's hard for me to keep a secret. Lots of lying, deception, and sneaking around occurred which was definitely difficult for Miss Honest Abigail. I guess it made it a little easier since we started planning literally 2 days in advance. Here are a few photos from the monumental night:

Hope all your dreams come true!

Read more...

Halloween!!

This year we thought it would be fun to dress up and carve pumpkins on Halloween Eve. Here is Border Patrol Jen with her two captives Tequila Shooter Tanner and Happy McMexican Blake.Kirsten reffed the pumpkin carving and the dogs even dressed up against their will Jack as a cute pumpkin for maybe the 3rd year in a row, Baxter sported an orange T, Chip was a bee, and Dale a cow.

And finally we have Dorothy and Toto

Chris and Nance didn't dress up but Chris somewhat resembles Zac Morris...maybe that's what he was going for.

In the Kirsten and Tanner Cooley household it is ALWAYS my idea to carve pumpkins and I ALWAYS manage to forget how much work carving pumpkins really is. Unfortunately for everyone else I had already resorted to complaining and swearing as I was scooping out the pumpkin guts. Here is everyone happily beginning to carve.

Here we have everyone diligently finishing they're masterpieces....and I am in full fire drill mode demanding better tools to catch up. Soon after this in my despair Tanner took over and finished my jack-o-lantern before I had a meltdown.

My mood quickly turned around when the pumpkin was complete and it was time for a photo ;)

Here are a couple of our finished products lit up. Tanner's football and my ghost.

Chris's skull, Nance's scary pumpkin, and Blake's awesome bat creation.

And here are a few more photos for your viewing pleasure.

Read more...

24...Remember its only a number.

I love birthday week! I am used to being bombarded with many great events including mine and Courte's b-days, dress rehearsals, dance performances, going out to eat in far away places, family time, cupcakes, etc. I was bummed when I realized that my birthday was coming up and I wouldn't be able to share it with my family. Needless to say this year was very different than the rest. Although it did have one commonality in that it was still a very busy birthday week....

The big 2-4! What a wonderful day...the funny thing is I still act like a 9 year old on my birthday...not the 24 years that my drivers license portrays. I want to tell everyone what day it is, I expect everything to revolve around me, and oh ya lots and lots of presents are a must.

The morning started off with my love/hate relationship with Tanner's inability to keep a secret. He kept asking me if I wanted an early gift. He was like it's something you can use for work do you want it?...and there I was torn between whether or not I should open it now or wait....but oh what the hell...I told him I wanted it. He instantly pulled an unwrapped bottle of perfume from the kitchen cupboard and presented it proudly. A gift in the morning is like having ice cream for breakfast...and that moment truly marked my entry into adulthood.

My segway was also evidenced by the fact that I had to go to WORK on my BIRTHDAY which happens to be in the SUMMER. It was a pretty painful day, I tell you, that was interrupted by a delicious trip to the Cheesecake Factory with Tanner and Nance and the spirit of Jen (who couldn't make it because she got stuck at work). I loved enjoying a couple hours with two of my favorite people eating indescribable food and opening presents...and I hear their ultimate margarita is amazing.

Work...work...work...DINNER. My life revolves around food every other day of the week so why not on my birthday too? Tanner and I went to my favorite Ashburn sushi restaurant, Akira. It was 2 other restaurant diner's birthdays too. A 16 year old, a 24 year old, and an 82 year old, it was so weird to have so many people in one room with the same birthday. I loved all the birthday vibes : ) We ended the night relaxing, making rootbeer floats, and opening more presents. All in all I think it was a great birthday. I will tell about the rest of the birthday week festivities later, I'm tired of typing. To be continued...

Oh ya, thanks to everyone that sent me birthday wishes. It really makes you feel good inside to get lots of birthday wishes.

Read more...

Happy 2009!

This past year has been a blur. I can't believe 2008 has come and gone. A lot has happened in our little lives: got my masters, CPA and MCAT punishments, moved twice (into Chris's and out of Chris's), left our home town, new experiences, new jobs, lots of blogging, and a new place to call home.

We rang in the new year at the Skye Lounge in D.C. Loud music, laughter, and excitement filled the air. It was a memorable experience in more ways than one. Cooley resolutions: Count to 10. Make Virginia home. Be more organized. Live life to the fullest. Read more...