go cubbies!

rich forced me to go to a chicago cubs game... JK. he didn't, and i actually almost got more into the game than he did, which i think surprised him because i can get attention deficit disorder when it comes to watching sports that use a ball for some reason, especially baseball. it was a way sweet game though. also, there was this really cute old couple behind us that were keeping track of the game with some score card thing, and the little old lady kept singing/saying "go cubbies" and doing this little bootie shake thing. it was hilarious and super cute. so far, chicago is pretty fun, but freezing already! go cubs!

Cruisin' Together for Two Years!

sooo this last year has been pretty busy for rich and me. i was in school all the time, and rich worked two jobs, so that combination equaled us rarely seeing each other. we kept talking about doing something fun to celebrate everything, and after he got into dental school we decided we really needed to do something fun and relaxing before his school started. we were able to schedule a cruise. the cruise was the most perfect thing ever after this year. i did not think i would like it (silly huh!). for real though, i actually thought i would only like our crazy hardcore backpack all over guatemala and belize trips. i thought the cruise would be kinda boring. rich kept saying i would love it. thankfully...he was right! it was such a blast! i could have stayed on the ship for a month. after this last year, i cannot begin to explain how amazing it was to have that time together. the cool thing about going on a cruise is that you are forced to take a vacation. it was soooo amazing. we went to costa maya, roatan, belize city and cozumel. our ship departed from new orleans, so we decided to save money and drive. the drive was long (14 hrs), but we have both never been down south, so it was a crazy cool experience. loved all the states except arkansas. we went on the norwegian spirit. amazing rich somehow got us a sweet FREE upgrade to a room with a window, so every morning we woke up to the beautiful ocean. it was breath taking. we pretty much just hung out on the beach/ocean whenever we ported, but that was perfect. i loved just relaxing with my man on the beach. we went snorkeling a lot and that was fun as long as rich wasn't scaring me about sharks. we also rented a wave runner and explored the ocean. rich scared me on that too. :) i learned i'm becoming a pansy when it comes to sharks/the ocean. the entertainment on the ship was amazing. my favorite was maria and dmitri. they were an acrobatic ballet couple and they did some of the craziest stuff. we loved watching them. they met at age 19 in the russian ballet and fell in love which also added to their magic. i need to mention the food of course. the food was amazing. after eating spaghetti all year, having gourmet lobster, salmon, capers, sushi, salads, fruit, etc...was heaven. it was the most amazingest trip ever. i loved it. thanks rich! ;) xoxo

the start of our magical vacation!

rich's idea (for the pic). he is pretty artsy! ...sometimes ;)

tennessee was gorgeous

memphis was a way fun and lively place (we had dinner here)

i had no idea, but mississippi is pretty much just a giant forest! gorgeous and creepy all at once!

finally getting a little tired...we rolled into our hotel at 2400. rich drove the whole time. what a man! he just loves driving..or he just doesn't trust me driving. one of the two...?

first sunset at sea!

what a high roller ;)

the dining room, windows (WOW!)

model moment

happy two year anniversary babe! love you!

the waiters brought us a cake and then the waiters sang to me, and rich even sang the last lines to me! :)

happy 2 years!

our ship!

i love wave running with my honey! it was super cheap in costa maya.

hakuna matata! :)

our ship again

rich is legit

don't ask...

cuddlin'

pretty sweet arch...go UTAH!

roatan!

cozumel, mexico

cozumel again

and again

the big show finale..super cool

one word: YUMMY!

artsy picture by rich again

rich's favorite thing: endless buffalo wings!

the pool where the band was sooo loud! they were good though! it was the speaker people's fault.

rich's favorite place...i couldn't get him to leave

yours truly...waiting for rich to leave the kiddie pool


THE END.

first day of 17th grade!

so proud of my boy. this is the dental building at midwestern. this is the day before the first day of school. i wanted him to take me on a tour, and he can't say no to me. ;)

the sim lab that rich loves

first day of school!

visit from the parents

rich's parents (paul and kathy) came to hastings for my graduation, and they were able to stay for a few days. it was so great being able to spend time with them. wish we could be closer to family. my perfect world would have MN and UT right next to each other. these are some pics of us playing. thanks for being awesome and coming to see us, paul and kathy! love you guys.

Graduated!

the moment that i thought would never come finally came...I GRADUATED! yea yaaaa! it was so crazy exciting. graduation day was awesome. it was in omaha. my family and rich's parents were able to come. rich's parents came and spent some time with us before graduation, and that was a great time too (i'll post about that in the future). my graduation from creighton was a lot more exciting than my graduation from byu because this time i get to be a nurse! i'm so grateful that i was able to graduate with my rn-bsn before rich started school. i love nursing and know that this is where i am supposed to be. i will miss everyone that i went to school with so much. i met a lot of amazing people from around the country and learned so much from them. i don't mean to sound all sappy but i also need to say that i am so grateful for the sacrifices that rich made to help me out this last year. i could not have done it without him (fact). he is always so positive, smart and helpful (and handsome). i love everything about him. i am also grateful for the support of my family, family-in-laws, friends, professors and classmates. i have learned so much this last year, and could not be more grateful for graduating. thanks to everyone who helped me. i love you!

the LOVE of my life


my amazing parents


my other amazing parents


sandi, jesse, tausha, brandiann, maggie, me and jenna


brandiann. i love this girl mucho. so glad i got to spend practically all day every day with her for a year.


my genius MN runner buddy, sarah


carolyn--the most fun and most spunky chica ever from san diego


nick, nate, sandi, me, mccord, justin, katie and chris (great people)


my awesome professor, ann harms.


our favorite study couple, chris and jill (recently engaged too!)


my mom and sisters. they are so funny--they dressed up matchy! i love them.