the Puppies...

...wearing Christmas sweaters

with special guest, Chops the Cat

{give it a moment to load}

By Chelsey

For Lindsey

engagement story

So, you wanna hear the story...

     Okay.  Here's the story.  I wish I could tell each and every one of you individually but we all know that's not gonna happen.  What will happen is that you will get some hand me down story...handed down one time too many...and at the end of it all, the story will change.  Your version will include a magic carpet, doves, an ATV and a raccoon...but that's not the story.  So sit back, relax and enjoy the best story ever...at least in my book.

     If you know me well, you know I love Disneyland.  So, naturally, going to Disneyland while home for Christmas break was at the top of the to do list.  My amazing boyfriend (now fiance) planned a trip.  This trip included 9 friends and family members.  The morning of the great day arrived.  We woke up early, loaded in the cars and headed to the Magic Kingdom.  I could not contain my joy...as you can imagine...as we entered the park.  Christmas and Disney everywhere.  The fake snow, the trees, the music, the outfits, the smiles, the joy...it was all there.  I wanted to head straight to Space Mountain.  The park was still pretty empty and I wanted to get there before the lines got long.  However, everyone headed to the castle.  Really???  The castle??  What's at the castle??  I thought, "well maybe they want a group photo.  Maybe there is a new ride in the moat?  Maybe a baby dolphin swimming through the water?"  I didn't know, so I followed the group.  Then things got fishy...

     Brett disappeared, my friends dispersed and wandered aimlessly...aimlessly but purposely at my 6 (behind me).  Audrey led me to the right side of the castle.  Over a cute little bridge to the Snow White wishing well.  We sang "I'm wishing (I'm wishing), for the one I love...to find me (to find me)...today..." into the well as it sang back to us.  I noticed the Disneyland photographer taking random pictures of birds, ducks and so on back by the well.  I'm no genius but I do know that those creatures rarely buy family vacation photos.  It was at this point that I turned to my clearly-waiting-for-something-to-happen friends standing awkwardly on the outskirts and said "Okay, you guys are all acting really strange, what is going on here"...Cue Brett Kahanowitch stage right.  He walked up behind me...I turned...he started talking, got down on one knee and pulled out a beautiful lavender box...

 

    {engaging  //  random little kid}

     He told me I made him the happiest man in the world.  He told me how much he loved me.  My eyes started to well up with tears.  I covered my face.  Then, yes he did it, he asked me to marry him.  I gasped at the sparkling, amazing ring in the box, kind of jumped up and down and said yes.  People cheered, cameras flashed.  I heard very little, saw very little.  I was focused on the amazing man God has put in my life.  I am so thankful for him.  So, I am going to marry him :)

{Yessssss}    

I hope you have enjoyed this story.  Thank you for all of your well wishes and congratulations.  We will keep you updated on the wedding plans...right now we are just glowing in the moment! 

 

{Darn Paparazzi}    

 

We love you all so much and are so thankful for your prayers and support throughout our relationship.

 

{I kinda love him}

Sincerely,

Chelsey Hutchinson (soon to be Kahanowitch)

and

Brett Kahanowitch

ps - photo props to Kari Lyman

professional pictures to come

pps - big sis is crying happy tears !

Engaged!!!

She's a little busy right now enjoying family, friends and her man,

so I took the liberty to post this on Chelsey's behalf.

Brett and I have been communicating for a few months about rings and things.

I'd say he did a pretty great job !

He asked her at Disneyland on Wednesday, December 19, 2012.

[photo by Julie Nungester]

I called Chels immediately and they were going on Space Mountain to celebrate !

I love it !

Brett, welcome to the family.

I look forward to meeting you "in-person" real soon !!!

--Love Lindsey,

Chelsey's big sister

(I better start getting a maid of honor speech ready...hehe...to add to the fun, our brother and his beautiful financée Sarah are getting married in March - yay for weddings !!!)

Cookie Exchange!

'Tis the season to bake

Before consumption...

Left to right: Caroline, Erika, Stephanie, Kaylie, Kayla

The future doctors of America

Many of my friends from medical school. 

What a good looking bunch...and man can they bake! 

 Some of my good friends from school

The aftermath...

--Chels

{It seems the semester is coming to an end.  I think Chelsey will be back in California again in less than a week !  Love you sis - thanks for sharing the sugar coma with us all.  I'm sure Tennessee is glad to have some spice to go with their sugar. ;) --Linz}

Haute Suture

 ✄ Learning how to suture!!! ✄

sewing on skin

 

mattress sutures

They used these on my back!!
[see a little history below]

it's a work in progress

--Chels



Big Sister Soap Box
by Lindsey
I won't force you to read all this.
But if you're curious, read on...

Now, I'd like to share why I KNOW without a doubt that my sister will be an incredible doctor. Ok, so for those of you who don't know, she broke her back in February 2008. 
It was quite serious.

Without getting into all the details, which includes Latin names I cannot even pronounce nor spell, I will say this - Chelsey walking today is proof that God had His angels around her.

Miracle.

And God used doctors, surgeons and their mattress sutures to put her back together.

(picture taken after the sutures were removed)

She understands pain, surgery, rehabilitation, hospital rooms, doctor's offices, discomfort and months of waiting.

She had the best attitude !

STILL does !

I've learned so much from my sis, and

I know she will be such a compassionate doctor.

I love you sissy pants.
Keep up the great work in medical school.
We are ALL proud of you.

--Love Linz

ps - there is a bit of irony in that fact that they are called "mattress" sutures - if you already know, giggle here; if you don't know, ask Chels about it ;)

Neuroanatomy, oh boy

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of neuroanatomy.

(or just "neuro" if you are in the "in" crowd)

I am pointing to the putamen located in your basal ganglia in your brain. 

These guys are important for when you are thinking about moving.  

So, moms, when your darling little one is thinking about reaching for that thing 

you told him/her not to touch...

think about that putamen when you say..."don't even think about it..."

--Chels

[I love my nerdy sister - so proud of her.  --Linz]

Paducah, Kentucky

Road trip to Paducah

On the way to western Kentucky to spend the weekend with Rachel and her family

I entertain myself well :)

Murals on the flood wall in downtown Paducah.  Look I'm a Boy Scout!!!

Train crossing

Spending the day at the farm for Grand Daddy's birthday...perfect time for some shooting

  The colors of fall at Uncle Bruce's farm

S'more of what?!!

Not too shabby with a gun

  Baby squirrel!!!

Did I do that??  I suuuure did :)

--Chels

a note from big sis:

I love my sister !

And I'm so jealous she got to hold a baby squirrel =)

Nice aim doc !

Halloween

Costume party!!! 

 

Yes I am a Christmas present...I love Christmas!!!!

Me and Rachel...Rachel is a character from Saturday night live!
Yes those are baby doll hands!!!

Best friends!!!

Rachel as Kristen Wig SNL.

This is Chris...he is our anatomy TA, however this night he was a q tip!!!

Here I am with Jessica!  She is red Sonja from Conan.

The village people :)

No more touching people with her tiny hands!!!

Me and Raul.

Me and Rachel with Michael Denz...or should I say superman.


--Chels

corn maze interviews

As promised,

two short videos of Chelsey and Rachel...

Do you notice something STRANGE about Chelsey's accent?

(allow a few seconds to load)

 

Before the maze...the pastor at the church camp talked us into the "scary" one...we figured it will be "spooky" not scary...WRONG!!! --Chels

Chels_and_Rachel from Lindsey Petrignani on Vimeo.

 

Post maze...oh boy! --Chels

Chels_and_Rachel_2 from Lindsey Petrignani on Vimeo.

She's turning into Tennessee.  HA !

Oh Dear Sister, I always knew you were the most country of us all.

I love you and can't tell you enough how proud of you I am.

--Love Lindsey (big sis)

ps - very proud of myself too for delving into the Vimeo realm - high techy me   

Fall Festival

'Tis the Season

for corn mazes !

Manning the orthopedics and sports medicine booth at the DCOM fall festival

 

Gearing up for the scary corn maze...bad idea

 
Playing in the corn box!!!

 

8 seconds...I did it!!

 

Deep in thought in the corn box...it's really hard to make a corn castle!

 
All aboard the crazy train!

Craziness loves company

 

Look what I found!!!

It's COLD in Tennessee!!!

My partner in crime...she hates scary stuff even more than in do!!

--Chels


[a couple short videos coming on the next post]