Outstanding Junior Scholar

The story of a proud wife and family and an SUU genius student through pictures:

It was a Friday evening around 5:00 PM. Bryan walked in the house to find that Chandi had decorated the house and the door in balloons, streamers, and SUU parofanelia to congratulate Bryan on his academic accomplishments.

About a half hour later, Bryan's family arrived to show their love and support for him. Chandi made Bryan and the boys pose for a picture because they were all looking rather handsome in their ties (especially Bryan). [Note: Thank you, Tony, for flying all the way in from Oregon to support Bryan.]


Although the boys thought they were done with pictures, they soon remembered who was holding the camera and that the one picture was the first of many. Chandi took a family picture of Mom and Dad Allen and all the boys. [Note: The SUU streamers and decorations are in the background.]


After many hugs and congratulations, the Allen family was off to SUU for the Awards Banquet and Dinner. The program was neat because only eight out of about 280 students in the School of Business at SUU recieved an award. Way to go, Bryan!! Inside of the program was Bryan's biography which read:

Bryan Andrew Allen grew up in Nevada where he attended Lincoln County High School and graduated in 2002 as a co-salutatorian and Student Body President. Bryan attended Utah State University for one year before serving a religious mission in Mississippi. He returned to Nevada and enrolled at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. Bryan has always dedicated himself to education, striving to do his best and he achieved that at USU, UNLV and now SUU. Bryan has always been driven to excel. He has been a natural leader since he was young, serving in a variety of capacities at school and in church leadership. He has goals and ideals to become a business entrepreneur, and will eventually open his own business. Bryan is an individual of extraordinary abilities and determination. He is articulate, courageous, energetic, hardworking, independent, intuitive, kind, and passionate. Bryan’s family is proud to congratulate him on this honor.


When dinner came out, Chandi ate the rolls and salad and then - - nearly puked. The main course was pretty much wet dog food on noodles, or what SUU Food Service called, "Corned Beef Stroganoff." It may have tasted good to others, but Chandi didn't even dare scoop it onto her fork.


After dinner, it was finally time for the presentation of the awards! Chandi was the only proud wife that stood up and made it to the center of the room and crouched down when his name was called to take a picture! (I bet the other wives wish they had picture documentation.)

After the banquet was over, Chandi made Bryan pose for one more picture to show off his beautiful cherry wood plaque! Congratulations, Bryan! I'm proud to be your wife!!!

And they all lived happily ever after!! The end.

Temple Quarry Trail

I was such a proud wife on Friday to see Bryan get his award (only eight out of about 280 business students recieved awards), but to our dismay, the camera took bad pictures. We were so excited to get a new camera:

. . .but our new camera has failed us and is now back at Wal-Mart on the shelf. Sad day. As soon as I find a way to pull the pictures that I took off of the old memory card, I'll post the Awards Night.

Bryan and I LOVE spending each second of each day with each other always, but this weekend was extra fun because we were downright adventurous. We started at the Santa Clara Cemetery where we were able to see the headstones of Bryan's family members dating clear back to the early 1800's. It was a neat experience and was very humbling to learn about our ancestors.

Then we got to see Bryan's ancestors old house. (Who knew that Santa Clara was full of so much history?) If you notice the sign that explains what house we are at ("Hug-Gubler HOME"), you'll also notice that we are following the directions on the sign. Yep, we are hugging the Gubler home! (Insert laughter.)

Then, we did something we have never done together: hiked! We hiked the Temple Quarry Trail where the pioneers hauled volcanic rocks off the mountain to build the foundation and basement walls of the St. George temple. The hike was wonderful and made us think of everything that those before us have done for us. We found lots of beautiful flowers and historic artifacts and the weather was beautiful (hence the sunburn on Chandi's arms)! [Note: These pictures were taken before Bryan saw a snake and screamed like a little girl while almost pushing me off the mountain to get out of it's path.]


I couldn't help but have Bryan take a few shots especially for the blog. I saw the spaces and immediately thought of blog captions. Please feel free to laugh out loud. I'm pretty funny.

This one is called, "Pregnant Rock."

And, this one is called, "Between a Rock and a Hard Spot."

The hike and the weekend were especially fun because we got to spend time with the Allen family! Thank you, Tony, for flying all the way down here for Bryan's Award! It was great to spend time with everyone!

Spring Cleaning!

Five years ago, I wouldn't care if I lived in piles up to my knees and had to swim through gobs of clothing items and miscellaneous loose purse items to get to my pillow at night (ask my mom). Nowdays, I admit it, I am kind of freaky about cleaning. Bryan even told me last night as he was taking the toilet seat off per my request (so I could Lysol it) that he was going to call me Chandi Gellar (refer to Monica on F*R*I*E*N*D*S)!

So far, I've taken the light switches off the walls to clean them, taken a toothbrush to the floor in the bathroom, patched ALL holes in the wall, been on my hands and knees for an hour at a time, used Tilex, Lysol, 409, Windex, a mop, a broom, a vacuum, and about thirteen rags! The fun part is what each room looks like when I've worked my magic!

We finally got a dresser!!! Thanks to Jarica & Shilo, we no longer have clothes smoggling (yep, that's a word) through the crevices! Plus, it even matches our nightstands!

After cleaning the bathroom (and the plunger) and noticing how bare the walls were, I made these cute decorations with my own bare hands! [Note: The Gerber Daisies were the centerpieces at our wedding reception!]

And, for the finale, I made these DARLING frames for our wedding pictures (that we finally ordered in January). Thanks for the idea, Lenz!! [Note: I had these made a different way and Bryan came home one day and, BAM, I had changed them. Yep, didn't like them the first time, so I ripped them apart and started over.] YAY for the cute frames!!

I'm not gonna lie, "Happy Working Song," crossed my mind SEVERAL times while cleaning. I even sung it out loud and danced around with the broom once or twice while I was happily cleaning our house!

Tyrrel Wedding

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of attending Ben & Kirsten's wedding! What a beautiful day!! The sun was shining, Ben & Kirsten were so happy and sounded beautiful when they sang, "That's All I Ask of You," we got to see family, we were able to attend their sealing together, we got to have an entire day of "Bryan & Chandi time," and I ate double chocolate cake!!

I love the temple! It's so wonderful to be in the temple and enjoy the quiet peace and love, especially with Bryan.

The flowers on the temple grounds were too pretty to pass up a picture opportunity!

Bryan was playin' with our new camera (yay) and took these beautiful shots on the temple grounds.

The girls waitin' for Kirsten & Ben to exit the temple.

The star of the day with all the Goodwin girl cousins (well, most of them).

Us with the happy bride & groom!

Thank you, Tyrrels (it's official) for letting us share your special day with you!!! (And thanks for the cake. It was delicious!)

Deer Attack

When we moved into our house, we quickly noticed that the prior renters had left their target deer in our yard. You know the kind: life-sized, life-colored, Styrofoam (kinda creepy) deer. Well, about two months ago, I pulled into our dark driveway (it was nighttime) and Bryan was bounding up the driveway with the deer in his hands moving the deer as if it were the one moving. Remember, I was all alone in my car and it was dark, so at some point, I actually thought it was a real deer bounding and galloping straight toward my windshield and I will admit, I was a little scared and nervous - - until I saw Bryan's face filled with little boylike glee and heard his giggles.

Well, after I got control of my heart rate and breathing rhythms and Bryan had a real good laugh, we went to bed. Did I sleep? No. I was too busy having nightmares - - about deer. Yep, all night long, Bryan and I were on vacation somewhere where there are deer everywhere. AND, they were in my room all night licking my face and causing a scene!

So, today I made Bryan re-inact what he and his deer posse might have looked like that night he scared me. Remember, this actually happened in the dark. (Thank you, Bryan, for pittying my blogging addiction and re-inacting this scene in the middle of the day in broad daylight on a workday.)

Obviously, this kind of behavior on Bryan's part cannot go un-revenged. So, the next morning, I had to be to an Employee Meeting earlier than he had to be at school. In all of my professional work attire glory, I tiptoed around out in our driveway and somehow managed to shove the poor deer into Bryan's Hatchback Ford Focus, giggle out loud by myself, take a few pictures, and run to my "getaway car" and drive off.

So, there you have it! I thought Bryan was going to try and "pay me back" by putting the deer in our bed or standing right inside of our front door to greet me, but that never happened and this is something that I totally had to post. I'm sure the revenge of the fake, but rather creepy deer will come and get one of us soon. Bryan: Beware.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Silver Anniversary, Mom & Dad! Exactly 25 years ago today, (yes, they actually got married on April Fools Day) my parents were sealed for time and eternity in the St. George temple! Check out these fun pictures I found!

Wedding Announcement Picture - "Edwin 'Eddie' & Michelle 'Shelly'"
April 1, 1983

At the reception later that night. (I think there's a little tongue action going on.)

And, 25 years later!

Congratulations, Mom & Dad! You guys are truly amazing examples of devotion, encouragement, happiness, determination, and most of all, true love! I hope that I am just like you when I grow up. Happy 25 years together with many more to come! Love you lots!

Happy Easter!

We’re thankful that we’re close to the Goodwin/Benson family here in Cedar and that we get to enjoy these parties with them! Sometimes we take it for granted that we have such amazing family so close! Thank you for the wonderful Easter weekend! We love you all so much!

I'm so thankful for this time of year! Springtime is such a fun time to see everything new and alive (and warm) again! Especially at this time of year, I am thankful for Jesus Christ and for his sacrifice for us all. I am thankful for my testimony of his reality and divinity!

"None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak the name of Jesus Christ in reverence and wonder. He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

Bryan and I had a wonderful Easter weekend surrounded by family! We had an Easter party on Thursday night where we ate dinner and dyed eggs! (Did you know that Easter egg dye will stain your fingers for a full day?)

Left to right from the back row: Bret (brother), Emmy (cousin), me, Mandy (sister), Dallin (cousin).
Bryan is still working on coloring his egg with white crayon and experiencing with rubber bands while I'm just ploppin' entire eggs in whatever color is nearest to me!
Bryan, me, and Mandy with our finished products!
Granny loves to have her picture taken each second!
The family (or at least the one that we could get to sit down long enough for a picture)! We're missing about 13 members, but I was lucky to get this one!

Saturday, we spent a few hours on my parents' 4 Wheeler! It was fun to giggle, scream, and squish Bryan as we conquered 90 degree hills!

The Easter Bunny came and filled our baskets with treats and games! Our new family tradition is that each year, we'll get a family game at Easter on Saturday. On Sunday, we'll read and learn about Jesus and his ressurection. We also did "Easter in Eggs" this year, which is 12 eggs with items representing the last week of Christ's life and wrote our testimonies in our journals on Easter Sunday. We hope to continue these traditions with our own family someday!

Viva Las Vegas

Since it is Bryan's Spring Break this week, we decided to plan a weekend getaway in sunny, no snow, Las Vegas! It was so great to spend time with friends (who became our families) and shared lots of laughs!

Saturday night, we went on a fun date with Jon & Becca to dinner at Red Robin (Banzai Burger & bottomless fries for me - - gone in 10 minutes flat) and to the butterfly/flower preserve and water show at the Bellagio!
Sunday night was spent at a fantastic fireside put on by Becca (awesome Bec) and hanging with old friends in our ward. Monday, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day by having a ten month baby! Surprise! I bet no one even knew we were pregnant! Okay, that's actually us stealing Caleb (Jon & Becca's boy) for a quick family photo!
Monday afternoon, we had the pleasure of dining at Applebee's with treasured friends from my old work in Las Vegas! What a treat! It was great to be able to see them again! I miss them!

Thank you, Jon and Becca (and Caleb) for letting us crash at your house all weekend! Thank you, CeCile, Lenzi, Ben, and Roxann for the wonderful catch-up lunch! You guys really all became our family in Las Vegas and we consider you lifetime treasures! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!

Academic Awesomeness

I'm so proud of Bryan! In only two short months, (and less than one semester here) he has been selected as "THE Outstanding Junior Scholar – Marketing” at Southern Utah University! This award “indicates a commitment to academic excellence."

Way to go, B! Bryan is a wonderful example to me! He is an excellent student and gets outstanding grades EVERY semester. He works hard in school and is very motivated and determined to be a great student. All of his hours of studying and learning and studying some more completely qualify him for this award. He really deserves this honor! I am very thankful for Bryan and for his dedication to his education!

If any of you all are interested, there will be an awards banquet on Friday, April 18, 2007 at 6:oo p.m. in the Hunter Conference Center Great Hall at SUU. Dinner will be served and awards will be presented. Tickets are $15.00 per person and you can contact Vicki Meier if you would like to purchase them at:

Phone: 435-586-5401
E-mail: meier@suu.edu

If you're not in attendance, don't worry. I'll take LOTS of pictures! Congratulations, Bryan!