Colorado

Michele, Rich, Casey and I went to visit my aunt Lynda and Steve in Colorado this weekend. We were also very lucky to catch my grandma there also, and got to spend time with her too. It was the perfect trip. It was so much fun to spend time with family, we got to relax and visit cool places (we rode the gondola in Telluride-very pretty) and Lynda's cooking could not have been better.

I have a picture here with my family when I was about eight. Casey has actually been to MY aunt and uncle's house more recently than I have cause he went with thier son on a scout trip before Casey and I even met. Cool, huh!

This is in the gondola that takes you over the mountain into the village.

Telluride ski hill.

We went to a restaurant called brown dog recommended by one of the locals- and it was DELICIOUS!

No- not in London... but someday we will make it there!

Okay- so funniest (also a little disturbing) part BY FAR on this trip: none of us could get each other straight! This picture was taken right after we all got in a gondola and thinking that I was Michele, Casey sat right up against her... and right at the exact same time I thought Casey was sitting next to me and I put my hand on Rich's knee. Michele pulled a fast one and quickly grabbed my hand off. There were a few times something like this happened. Apparently Michele and I just look too much alike!

Sorry michele... a snowflake is covering you in this picture. Right after this was taken, the wind picked up and I thought it was going to blow me away!

I'm sure one of the best parts of this trip for Casey was finding an Indian. Ever since he was a kid, he has LOVED cowboys and indians.

The whole gang right before we took off for home. We can't thank Lynda and Steve enough for such a wonderful trip!

Power tools

After Casey and I bought our condo over the summer there were a few projects that we've been meaning to get to. Putting some extra shelves in our laundry closet and furnace room were one of them. Casey has been so busy lately with working full time and going to school full time that he doesn't have too much free time. So when I wanted it done, it was up to me to do it.

This might show how lame my life is right now, but I felt like doing this was such an accomplisment! I had never used a saw, drill, or really any power tool before this. I got the wood, the different screws andthe brackets that we would need... I even got a stud finder. It was almost scary as I went to drill in the first screw. But I did it! After I got the first shelf up I was so happy!

And now we have the space we need to start a good storage (also with the help of http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/)! Julie, I hope you are proud of me too ;)

Hockey

When Casey and I were dating we went to hockey games A LOT. Since Julie's kids have gotten older and the games are normally pretty late it's harder for her to make it to them so Casey and I haven't been going as much. I'll have admit I go to the games mostly to hang out with this adorable kid. Tyler is one of my favorite people to spend time with. Isn't he just SO cute?! Seeing how cute Casey is with him isn't too shabby either ;)

I miss summer

I should have posted this a long time ago... but I just found it on my camera and made me miss summer SO SO bad... not only because I'm missing the sun, but also what Casey and I ate over summer. When we got back from our canada trip we had this competition-type thing going with my sister and her husband... eating enough fruits and veggies each day. Casey and I did great! This is pretty much what we ate everynight for months. We also had lots of homegrown tomatoes and zuchinni. This was probably one of the best thing I have ever started cause it has been over six months now and I am still doing pretty good. Everyday for lunch I have atleast a fruit and two veggies (thanks to costco). I am definately a fruits and veggie lover no matter what, but boy... I miss the farmer's market, my sisters garden, and those stands by the side of the road where you can get the good stuff. Summer: please come.

Valentine's Day

Casey did good this year! He knows that i'm not crazy about flowers, chocoloate and the like so I feel kinda bad for him cause there's nothing really "traditional" to fall back on. We had actually talked about not getting each other anything because we are saving for a cruise (which happened to have booked on Valentine's Day-yipee!)... but then Casey surprised me with this frame.

This frame is fantastic for a number of reasons. The first reason is that it's black. One of the first things he told me when he pulled it out was that he made sure it would match the rest of our decorations. He must have known that if it didn't match, I wouldn't put it up. Not bad for a guy. The second reason is because Casey surely knows the way to my heart...he made sure I knew that he bought it at 50% off. Yes, I know most girls would have gotten offended by that... but not me. I was thrilled, and even more thrilled that he was proud of that. And last, but surely not least, he said he got it for the quote. It says "together is a wonderful place to be".

Yes Casey, together is a wonderful place to be. I love you.

Dear Susie

Since I won't ever be able to actually give this letter to Susie, I thought I could at least put what I want to say to her on my blog. Susie works in billing at the hospital.

Dear Susie,

You don't know me and you have to deal with people like me all day. I called at least three times today to try and get my concussion bill worked out, and find out what options I had. After talking with two other ladies, they basically put me through the run-around and told me there was nothing I could do. I wish that I could express my gratitude to you for going the extra mile and asking the right questions. You were able to take about $300 off my bill. Do you know what $300 means to my husband and I? It means so so so much to a newlywed with a husband still in school. The world needs more people like you. Right now I feel like if I am ever in a position to, I would LOVE to give you the money you saved us, just because you were willing to make an extra phone call. So thank-you Susie. That meant a lot to atleast me.