We Got Married!!!

Phil and I finally got married on October 23, 2009 in the Draper LDS Temple. After a few months getting to know each other again and working on our relationship, we decided in August that we were ready to get married. We kept it a small affair with family at the temple and luncheon. It was a beautiful fall day (a little windy which caused some hair problems for guests) but overall a gorgeous day!! We are very blessed to have wonderful families who have supported us through these past few months and were able to join us in the temple!! We are grateful each day for the blessing of the Gospel in our lives and for the opportunity we had to be sealed in the temple. Below our some of my favorite pictures of the big day!!

We have enjoyed being married the past 6 weeks and enjoyed our first Thanksgiving together married:) There have been some adjustments on figuring out what the other person likes and is used to (for instance what type of spaghetti sauce Phil prefers) or what type of Thanksgiving dinners we are used to! We are also enjoying getting ready for Christmas. I will have Phil post our pictures of putting the tree up!

Golden Leaf Half Marathon

So believe me I know it has been a long time since I have posted anything and I know a lot of people probably don't check my blog anymore but I thought I should share my most recent news and hopefully get back on track to posting more!!
Two months ago my friend Sharalyn told me she was running a half marathon in Aspen the end of September. I thought it sounded like fun so I signed up to do it as well because I had been wanting to another half marathon. I convinced my sister Lindsay to do it with me and began training! Due to an injury Sharalyn was unable to participate.
So this past Saturday, September 26th Lindsay and I were in Snowmass to begin our run to Aspen. Phil was there as moral support cheering us on!! We knew it was going to be a tough run from what we had been told and what we had read about it. Pretty much the first mile and half were straight uphill climbing 1500 feet!! Yikes. So pretty much you were hiking up because running was far too difficult!! From there you are on a single file rocky, muddy trail climbing up and down hills. It was extremely difficult. I knew when it took us about 40 minutes to finish 2 miles it was going to be a long morning. Well Lindsay and I did not have expectations of a good time and were trying to finish together so we would wait for each other at the drink stops because for safety reasons we wanted to make sure the other person was not rolling down the mountain or injured. Also it was good to have someone with you for support. So we finally got to mile 7 and from that point it did get easier and were able to get in more of a groove. I made it through the very difficult mountain terrain without falling so as luck would have it at mile 11 when the run was easier on flat terrain my shoelace got caught on a plant and I landed right on my knee!! It hurt real bad:) I got back up and continued running and a nice person let Lindsay know that I had biffed it so she came back to see me! Well we kept going and ended up finishing together!! Lindsay would have finished sooner but she was nice and held back to finish with me! Phil was waiting for us at the finish and was cheering us on but my nice self told him to shut up because I was bleeding and my lungs were on fire!! It was really great to finish and I am happy to have completed such a tough race but I won't be doing that race again!! I went to the first aid station to get cleaned up and then we headed out. You may think this is the end of the story but no. So we are driving along and all of the sudden I have a strong urge to vomit. I ask Phil to pull over and I get out but am unsucessful at throwing up. We then stopped to get Gatorade at a gas station and I throw up in a grocery bag. I get back in the car and we started heading to Glenwood Springs. During the drive I get a sudden urge to throw up again and I asked Lindsay for a bag but there was no stopping it and I threw up all over my car. I sat in my vomit until we got home and I showered and took a nap. Phil was very sweet and took care of me and cleaned out my car. I love him very much which is why I am going to marry him in 4 weeks!! Love you Phil!! For your viewing pleasure my souvenier from mile 11:)

Bridal Shower!!!

This past Saturday my friend Sharalyn and my sister Lindsay threw me a bridal shower. Naturally I picked one of the snowiest days of the year to have the shower!! Luckily I have really great friends and family who braved the weather to be there! Sharalyn had sent Phil an email asking him several questions and then I had to answer them to see how well I knew Phil!! I am pleased to say that I did pretty well!! At the beginning each of the guests had to write down one thing they would like to see me do or say at the shower. Little did they know that if I got the answer right they would have to do the deed they wrote down!! It turned out fun and they all got to learn more about Phil and I!!

Then on to the presents!! I got several items that Phil and I registered for and plenty of lingerie!!!!! Thanks for all the presents!! and thanks Julie for traveling the furthest to be there!!

Next Friday I have another shower with my co-workers!! and on a another note my fiance made it back to the states safely today after a year in Kuwait and I am very happy!! Thanks for all the love and prayers in his behalf!!

My return to Colorado

On February 13th, 2009 after spending 24 hours 6 mins and 12 seconds traveling I, Phillip Thompson returned to the welcoming arms of my future wife Alison Brinkerhoff with a big sloppy kiss! We would have had pictures to show however, LOU-LOU was on the phone talking to Matt's Realtor about finding him a sweet crib so he would move from California back to Colorado. Therefore, you will have to settle for pictures at the baggage claim. So where would you go if you were in a 3rd world country for 9 months and you just came back to the free country and beautiful state of Colorado? One may say the mountains, or go home and change out of the green uniform. But I went to the best place in the United States CHIPOTLE!! Ali bought me lunch, a chicken burrito bowl, mmmm good stuff! WOW, that was the best lunch I have had since I kissed Ali good by in New York. Well anyway, Ali and I had a great Valentines day It was so special b/c that was our first holiday event we could spend together w/o being on skype. I had a great stay beside getting sick:( Ali was by my side the entire time doing everything she could to make me feel better. We were able to accomplish a lot of things for the wedding while I was home and best part was tasting some finger licking good cake, and registering for some sweet stuff. We were able to go to Red Rocks and have Meredith take some spectacular pictures. Well I have to finish packing b/c I am leaving Ali and the Family one more time but this time it will only be for 8 weeks and I will be back!


Ali's Version
Friday, February 13th was a great day!! I went to work anticipating the arrival of Phil that evening but got a surprise when Phil called and said he would be in at 11:30am!! I left work and arrived in plenty of time and LouAnne came because she wanted a good cry! It was fun to have her there even though her camera was dead and she was on the phone we he arrived off of the train!! Chipotle was tasty!!
It was a great Valentine's day weekend!! Matt and Erin came to meet Phil and Phil and I enjoyed celebrating the holiday together!!
We did a lot of fun things while we were together but the greatest moment for me was seeing Phil be ordained an Elder on February 22nd!! Another important step closer to us being sealed in the temple!
Registering for gifts was fun but overwhelming. Trying to pick color schemes, etc. is hard when you don't know where you will be living. We had a fun time though! We also bought Phil a wedding band, had engagement pictures taken, and discussed wedding invitations etc.!!
Phil also took great care of me over the past couple of weeks! He brought me lunch when I was at work and even took me to the nail salon for a couple of hours of pampering!!
I am glad that today was the last time we will have to say goodbye! In two months, Phil will be home and we can start our lives married together!!

My Precious Nieces!!!!

I finally finished making Madison a crocheted blanket and she loves it!!!! I took a picture of her in it!! I also got a couple of cute pictures of Madison!! She loves smelling the Scentsy Bars!! They have been so fun to live with!! They are so fun and know Aunt Ali will easily give in if they want something!!
I look forward to visiting my Brinkerhoff nieces and nephews in Utah for Christmas!!

The Countdown Begins!!

6 months….5 months…….4 months………3 months……….2 months……..1 MONTH….. That’s right start counting down. I am half way through my deployment I am so excited that we have made it this far. Alison I love you so much thank you for all the care packages. Even though you didn’t send a Halloween card I will forgive you… I know you are probably starting to forget stuff now that you are 30 years OLD. Ha…ha… j/k…. I look forward to my visit in February and we can start making final plans on our wedding which will be in Manti, UT. I miss everyone very much and look forward to returning home some time in May.

Here are pictures of Ali and I talking on Skype at the halfway point!!

Tribute to Lindsay!!!

In honor of Lindsay's 27th birthday I decided I needed to do a tribute blog to her like she did for me!!

1. Her name is Lindsay Anne Smith
2. She is married to Colton Smith
3. She has two daughters, Madison Anne and Brooklyn Paige
4. She loves football, especially watching her brothers play.
5. She has finished a marathon and three half marathon's.
6. She bought really cute red shoes at Dillard's
7. She loves selling Scentsy
8. Her nickname is Twee
9. She has been accused of running through a fire in neighborhood sanctuary where we grew up but disputes it and I believe her.
10. She played basketball in high school.
11. She loves Zac Efron and wishes she could touch his abs
12. Lindsay is usually hot
13. Lindsay survived Hodgkin's Lymphoma
14. Lindsay loves the Panda Express
15. Lindsay likes to have a very clean house but can be challenging with little one's!
16. Lindsay teaches Sunbeams in primary.
17. Lindsay loves country music favorites are Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney
18. Lindsay is in a book club and has loved the books they read.
19. She loves taking Madison to Disneyland and DisneyWorld.
20. Lindsay works out everyday and does a great job at it!!
21. Lindsay likes Eskimo cookies.
22. Lindsay's favorite tv shows are My name is Earl, the Biggest Loser, the Office and Desperate Housewives.
23. Lindsay never had to wear braces.
24. Lindsay loves the Broncos but is still trying to get used to the idea that Jay Cutler is the quarterback.
25. Lindsay is having her annual retreat with her girlfriends next weekend!
26. Lindsay is an awesome sister for letting me live at her house until I get married!!
27. Lindsay has a great sense of humor!

My New Blanket!!!

As you all can see I have a lot of time on my hands these days. Well I guess I shouldn’t say that procrastination has taken over and I am becoming pretty good at it just ask Ali. She asked me to take pictures of the blanket well over a month ago and I am just now getting around to it. Ali and Lou-Lou did such a great job on this blanket. It keeps me very warm at night and during the day b/c our air conditioning works a little to well some times and our room is freezing cold. (But then again, I just think about Ali’s hot butt and I warm right back up again). The weather has cooled off here it is no longer 135 degrees anymore the average temp has been in the low to mid 90’s it has been so nice. We keep hearing about thunderstorms coming but I have not seen it rain since we left New Jersey so that will be nice to see when ever that happens. Thank you Lou-Lou for sewing the blanket together you did a fantastic job and thanks again Ali for the blanket, I love you so much!!!!!!!

Thanks!!!

Hello I want to say thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes and presents!!!! You are amazing it so great to get a text message telling you have mail, which is totally unexpected I love all the presents you have sent thanks again!!! I just got back from a trip to Iraq here are a couple of photos. Love, Phil

What to Do With My Free Time!!!

Now that I have been released as Relief Society President one may ask what will I do with all of my free time? Well currently I am on a two a day workout regime ordered by my personal trainer. Notice in the picture below that I look so pretty due to coming home from the gym gross that night. I also plan to crochet blankets for a good time!! In the picture I am working on Madison's and I also have one in progress for Phil and have plans to make one for each niece and nephew!! I have also been throwing around the idea in my head to work at 24 hour fitness for a couple of nights a week for the extra cash and I live there anyway so why not!! But that all depends on what hours they would want and stuff so that is definitely up in the air. I am relieved to be done with my calling and enjoyed the challenge but will definitely enjoy my lessened responsibilities!!!!!!

Good Times for All!!

I am so happy!!! The good tv shows are back on and they are not reruns!! Sharalyn, Jeff and I enjoyed our first Finer Things Club night of the season! I am so glad that Jim proposed and I am also glad that Rose is not pregnant on Grey's!! So I still love Grey's but it will never be as good as season 1 and 2 again I have decided. I guess that is what happens over time. Her are a couple of photos with my fellow members of the FTC!!!


I have also enjoyed watching little Joshie play football! I am so proud of how well he plays and how focused he is!! He lost another heartbreaker on Saturday but they keep getting better and better! Way to go Josh!

Happy Birthday Phil!

So Phil's birthday is not until Monday the 22nd but due to his traveling schedule I wanted to post this so he could see it before he left!!
So there I was driving home from something one night and I was listening to the XM radio love station and the song "Somewhere Out There" came on. Of course I started crying. Phil knows it does not take much to make me cry these days (I wonder if it is because my fiance is far far away in a war zone)! Anyway I really enjoyed hearing this song and I made a Happy Birthday video for Phil!! I know you have probably all seen most of these pictures but we can't really get new ones of us together right now but I did try to add new ones from our time apart.

I love you baby and hope you have a great and safe birthday!! Love, Ali

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Update From Phil

Hello everyone I apologize for taking so long on sending an update from Kuwait. I have a lot to talk about and I have learned a lot since I have been here. First, let’s talk about the important stuff. I was told this place is like a sand box and you can build sand castles that is FALSE!!!! Kuwait’s sand is too fine; they have to import their sand from other countries. Therefore, you cannot build a successful sand castle trust me I have tried, but I have made some sweet looking sand angels which, brings me to the next topic. What I have been doing for the last couple of months. Besides my numerous attempts at making sand castles and writing notes to Ali in the sand. While the boss is in the country we are responsible for his safety and protection, which keeps us very busy and followed by a lot of down time for when he is in the office doing whatever generals do during the work day. Our team is very big on physical fitness, so we spend a couple of hours in the gym 6 days a week and run any where from 5-8 miles at a time. Ali is amazing any time I need something she has been there sending me packages, which has been great it is always exciting when the mail comes everyday b/c it is always a surprise your not sure if someone has sent you a care package. When no one on the team receives mail for a couple of days we start interrogating the guys who are responsible for picking up the mail and bringing it to the trailer, to see if they really checked or not. The chow isn’t that good here. A majority of it is fried, so you have to really watch what you eat or you could end up leaving the deployment with the infamous “freshman 15”. Every Wednesday is what they call “surf and turf” which consists of crab legs and steak. The steak is thin and over cooked and fish is just disgusting and should be left alone and aloud to swim around in the sea. Now don’t get me wrong, I know it could be a lot worse. I know for a fact I have the best job in the Untied States Army. I just have some bad luck when comes to missions such as traveling to Kazakhstan, or Untied Arab of Emirates, just naming a few…anyway, something will come up to cause the boss to change his schedule or something will happen and I will get bumped off the mission but this has happened to me 8 different occasions and just gets old when you do a lot of research and a couple of days before your scheduled to leave they cancel it on you. Alright moving on to the next topic the weather, you can watch the weather chancel is going to tell you is it is going to be hot!!!! Like 126 degrees hot. The average during the day has been 115 but with in the last week the winds have shifted so the wind is coming off the gulf and it is HUMID and is still a 115 degrees outside which is no fun….
Alright I better stop typing so that way I have something to write about later on. I will write back when I have some thing else to say take care and thank you for all your support.

Wedding Dress Shopping and Brady's Birthday

This past weekend my mom, sister and I flew to Utah to go wedding dress shopping with my sister in law in Utah because they have a better selection of dresses!! We went to Alysses Bridal and I tried on a couple from the website I had seen and then a few others. The ultimate winner was a dress that Lindsay picked out from the catalog and it is gorgeous. I absolutely love it!!! Thanks Lindsay! We were also able to find really cute bridesmaid dresses. Here is a picture of Julie in the bridesmaid dress. I cut myself out of it because Phil is not allowed to see!!

We were also able to look at invitations and narrow those choices down. It was so fun to start the wedding plans and purchase a wedding dress!!
We also had the chance to celebrate Brady's fourth birthday!! He was so excited and loved getting tons of Transformers for his birthday. Phil and I gave him a police car Transformer! He is still looking forward to a ride in Phil's police car someday! Here are a couple of cute pictures!!

I am so Lucky!!!

I have the most thoughtful fiance! He is always doing cute things for me! A personal countdown calendar, flowers, I love you's everyday and the latest his love for me professed in the sand!! I love him so much and we are so excited that this Sunday, August 3rd we will be a quarter of the way through his deployment!!!

Lieutenant Dan

Update on Phil:

He has been doing good overseas! It is very hot and he has not gone on any traveling missions but he is in good spirits. He is usually at watch over the General's quarters. Not very exciting but I like it that way because not much happens and I know he is safe. We are able to communicate everyday whether it be through email, his cell phone or webcam. Technology is great! I miss him very much but I just take it one day at a time and keep busy!!

Phil actually got to be on security detail for Lieutenant Dan (Gary Sinise) when he visited the troops. This is the picture. It makes me laugh because he is not looking at the camera nor is the other security guy. They were watching out for the bad guys!

I love you Phil!



As for other news I just recently moved into the Smith household!!! Has been good so far and it is fun to see the girls all the time!

I also attended the blessing of my nephew Daniel over July 4th weekend! I was feeling very patriotic (of course) due to my fiance and got to go see a fireworks show at an Air Force base. It was great fun! We also went to Newport Beach and In and Out Burger and all the fun stuff!!! The blessing was wonderful and Matt has an adorable baby! Good times for all!