This is a random picture from when I visited Seattle a year and a half or so ago..I love it. I loved everything about the pacific northwest! It was so beautiful! I love the ferry rides, I loved the trees, I have to admit, I even loved the weather for the most part. I cannot wait till I can go back someday! The scenery is some of the most beautiful I have EVER seen. I love taking scenic photographs, and I will someday have my entire house decorated with black and white photographs! Makes me smile. I have been home sick the past couple days and I must be getting tired of being couped up... :).

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I have to work, but thats ok. I get to go home to my parents after my 8 hour shift and I have all weekend off! I am excited to spend time with family. Abby and Brad will be home too...even though I feel like I just saw them, I can't wait to see them again. I probablly see them more than my own family...oops.

My uncle Keith is having a pool party..no, not that kind of pool. He re-did my great grandpas slate pool table and we are gonna have a pool party/Thanksgiving at his place in Sac City! It should be fun! I hope a lot of my cousins get to come! My cousin Mike moved to Virginia this spring, and from what I understand, he will not be home for the holidays at all this year. Kinda sad!

My buddy Adam from out in Maryland gave me some good news--on his drive back to Nebraska for the holidays (around Christmas) he is planning on stopping and visiting me! That will be a good time ;). He has yet to meet Mr. Winston Snohomish! That should be interesting...haha.

Also, I got an invitation to Anders wedding. I really want to go! Its kind of short notice-Jan 9th. I asked Adam if he would be able to drive to DC and pick me and Abby and Brad up and escorte us aka. drive us to the wedding and around that weekend..hehe.. Keep your fingers crossed that it all works out! It would be so much fun!! Besides I miss Anders a lot!! We used to hang out all the time in Ames. Anders is the absolutely best guy in the world! Lindsay is a lucky lucky girl!!!

So, can you believe that Christmas is in about 4 weeks?! I have NO shopping done yet! eeek! This year I dont even have any good ideas for people! I need some serious help in that department! The first weekend of December, I am going shopping with my sister, my mom, and my sisters mother in law Joanie...who is an absolute RIOT!! Its ALWAYS a good time with her! So that should be a fun time..and hopefully I get a BIG dent in my Christmas shopping accomplished!

Well...thats all I know at the moment. Have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!

xoxo, me

Its been about forever since Ive updated this thing..

well..my life in a nutshell in the last couple weeks..

So, I took the Med Surg Certification test this past Saturday, and I PASSED!! WooHoo!

Abby, Brad, Fred, and Fozzie send me these flowers for Good Luck!!

(must have worked!)
Winston and I at the Cuba park near Abbys place in Lake Zurich!
We drove out there to visit Ab and Foz.
We got in an accident onthe way home tho..sad! My poor jeep has about $4000 worth of damage to it! AHHHH! The worst part was we were only about 10 minutes from being home!!



Winston playing at the park!! Hes too adorable!

Lovin the fall!!

hahahaha

so, Callie scored us some free tix to Theory of a Deadman and Daughtry!!

This dude fell asleep during the concert and his head was on Callies lap!
haha

good concert for a random thursday night...

one random friday night..we went to strippers at the vibe in boone..haha..this was John

Cara paid for me to get a bit of a dance..ha

Jess came!! I love her!

haha they were helairious! and their bodys were hottt

Callie, Kari, Cara

Tiff and I went to Rainbow bridge with Jungle Juice on another random night..haha

kari and tiffy!

so thats whats goin on in my life!!

hope all is well!

xoxo, me

I do not know how much you'all know about this thing called Honor Flights. But, I have been seeing it on the news a lot lately, and no matter how small the segment, I cry. What this orginzation is, it raises money and sets up day trips to Washington D.C. to the memorials for the elderly and terminally ill veterans. It is no secret that I am facinated by history and especially Washington D.C. It is one of my favorite vacation spots. But, I CANNOT imagine doing what they have done for our country, and then seeing these monuments left for them!! It doesnt seem like enough to thank them. I know no one that has been on this flight but it still makes me cry! Can you imagine dying in a war? I cannot imagine having cancer or a car accident take my life at a young age, but these men and women volunteerly signed up to defend our country knowing they may not come home alive!

I really encourage you to check out their website:

http://www.honorflight.org/

It is an amazing service that they provide, I am proud of my fellow American--whoever it was that came up with this idea! (his name is Earl and he was a PA from Ohio) seriously...read the history of the Flights on the website...I get goosebumps!

Tonight on the Channel 13 news there was a group from Iowa that got to go, and this elderly man was standing there crying, because it brought back so many memories from the war. He said he never talked about it to his family, and he never thought he would get a chance to see the WWII memoiral--very moving!

If I ever win the lottery--I think I found an orginazation that I would LOVE to give tons of money to!

Thats it for tonight....

xoxo, me

Last min trip to Kansas City..

on Friday, I joined Annie and Brett on a trip to Kansas City for the Iowa State vs. K-State game at Arrowhead stadium. Brett got free tickets to the game from work and a free hotel room!! So, we drove down there Friday night, spent the night and tailgated all day Saturday before the game, had great tickets, and drove back on Saturday! It was quick trip, but a ton of fun!

We drove through Vallisca on the way to KC. So, naturally we had to drive around town to see teh Ax Murder House!! It is not very well marked, and it is not in the Garmin..but needless to say, we found it!!
http://www.villiscaiowa.com/Daytime_Tours.html
check out the history!!!

at the Bayer Crop Science tailgate!

We had a Live Band, free keg, catered food, our own port a pottys! haha! high class!

Annie and I

The Pride of Iowa State--The Marching Band!

Sisters!!

The game...so sad we lost 23-24.

thats all folks!

xoxo, me

A phrase thats so true..

I watched teh movie Ghosts of Girlfriends Past last night..and there is a phrase that hit me as being so true, sadly. "The one who cares less, is in controle of the relationship." Its true..I know when I get involved with a guy or a friend, I try and please them..I try hard to make them happy, and if they dont care as much as I do, I try harder. Its not fair, and its not how it is supposed to be. Someday, I hope i meet the man who wants to try as hard as I do. Anyways..I'm tired, and I have a busy week. I have a long weekend next weekend and I am excited for it!
Have a good one everybody!
xoxo,me

SUGARLAND!!!!!!

Nicole, Edie, and I went to the Sugarland concert at Hilton in Ames! It was amazing! There is just something about their music that hits you to your core! I LOVE Jennifer Nettles voice! The concert was supposed to be last October, but she got sick, and finally rescheduled it for Sept 18 of this year! Nichole got 17th row tickets, and Edie got 2nd row (the day of the concert)..but she sat by us the whole time! They are great concert dates!
Edie and I with our beeeeer!

Matt Nathanson opened for Sugarland...he is adorable! I especially love his song "Come On Get Higher"...ahhh...love!!

Billy Currington was the next opener...I forgot how many great songs he has! The song "Must be doing something right" is such a beautiful song...ahhh

Finally SUGARLAND made their way on stage!!!!!!!!!!!! I love love love them!!!

JOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYY

My friends...Nichole and Edie

At the end, Jennifer and Christian each got in a giant ball and rolled over the audiance!! It was mind blowing!!!! Sooooooo coooooool!!!

If you EVER get a chance to see them, GO! You will not regret it!!

and with that..i think i will go listen to some music =)

xoxo, me

Megan says, "I DO"

Megan has been one of my best friends since kindergarden, and she got married a few weekends ago..((on the same day as the IOWA vs. IOWA STATE game!)) but like a good friend does, I skipped the tailgating to watch her on her special day! Her mom died when we were freshmen in college from breast cancer, so I cried a few different times...during the homily..during Jenny Grabner (the maid of honor's) speech...

Here is Megan being walked by her Dad and her brother Evan..she looked beautiful. Old Hollywood glamour, I think.

Megan and Cody's first kiss as man and wife...

High School Friends..Kristin, Lori, Jenny, Stef, Jenny, Kari, Carla.

Here they come!!!

Megan and Cody Schug!

Kristin, Lori, Jenny, Jenny, and Kari

The wedding was play theamed. The Ceremony Programs were play bills..it was too cute. The table favors at the reception were fake noses, lips, mustaches..they were meant to be played with..so we did!

Lori and Mike...they are the next to be married...the wedding is planned for next year!! yay!!

Stef and Rob..love them!

us with the blushing bride!!

Congrats to the married couple!

I hope one of these days I can follow in their footsteps!

Come on Prince Charming....

xoxo, me