Lately:

Over Father's day weekend Nate's mom and sisters came over to Albuquerque to see what this place is all about. We ate good food and took the tram to the top of the mountain. There was a fire to the North and South of us so it was really smoky and we couldn't see a whole lot once we got to the top, but the view was still great! 

They only stayed for a short weekend, but it was sure good to have them here! We're already scoping out good restaurants for the next time they come.

Oh, and this thing came in the mail the other day. Only sort of a huge deal. Now he just needs to take the bar and this attorney business is real life!

A little bit about Albuquerque

So I guess since we have officially been here for a month I suppose I should let you all know what it's like around these parts.

1. The weather is AWESOME! We still haven't turned on the Air conditioner yet and it's JUNE. You guys. This is revolutionary.

2. They have sideways streetlights. It's weird.

3. They have the goofiest speed limits. Some road are 40 mph, others are 18, 60, or 55. I probably find this odd because I grew up in Mesa where every street is 45 mph, but still. It's tricky.

4. Hot air balloons. So I gave you a sneak peak last post, but you guys! They fly hot air balloons here all the time! I don't know why, but it's kinda my favorite thing to look out the window and see dozens of balloons in the air.

5. The mountain. So there is this mountain to the East (just like in Provo... thank goodness, because it took me 3 years to learn my North, West, East, Souths there) And it is beautiful!! I think they are called the Sandia mountains and I can't wait to explore the heck out of them.

6. The Rio Grande. So we live about 2 miles away from the river and it's the best. It's the best because everything by the river is so green and there are the biggest trees! Don't worry, we already found our future property right by the river with a great view of the mountain. It just needs some grass and some horses

A girl can dream, right?

Anyway, so far so good here in the querq's! We are loving it and having fun exploring. Also, come visit! Albuquerque is the place to be I hear...

We made it to the querq's!

I know! It's been forever. And it's not even like I don't have time to update this blog or anything. So no excuses for the lack of posting from me. But it's time for a little catch up. Instead of a lengthy post I'ma just satisfy the masses and post some pictures to give you a glimpse of what I've been up to.

please take note of the tiny tent. I know, it is easily missed.

we see hot air balloons outside our window on the regular. 

Not Pictured:
Me doing my online classes. For obvious reasons.
The annual girls trip
Nathan's Graduation (nbd)
And Rylee's Wedding

These are all posts in the making. Well, except my online classes. Those are so boring I might do something dramatic.

Well, here's to being a better blogger. I would understand if you have lost all faith in me this time.

The End is Near!

Well everyone, it's official. I have attended my last class at the BYU. Yes, I'm sad about it. Funny how the day I have wished would be here for 3 years is finally here and I feel! But that's just the way it goes... you keep wishing for the next stage in life and then it comes and it's like, now what? Bust. I wish I could eloquently express the way I feel about my BYU experience being over. Such is life.

Well, I don't know where this post is headed... but I thought I'd post the only pictures I have taken in the last little while...

These are from my last ride for my mountain biking class. You heard that right. Mountain Biking! So worth having 17 credits to take this class. I figured it was my last semester here, so I might as well have a little fun!

I kind of have a love/hate relationship with mountain biking because going up hill is probably the worst thing to happen in the history of ever, but going downhill makes it all worth it. At first I wasn't convinced that the downhill was worth it, but once we started going on fun trails, I saw the light am 90% convinced the uphill is worth it.

Anyway, in this first picture if you look closely (I know, my phone has a stellar camera...) You can see the Draper Temple! We climbed uphill on this ride for 3 consecutive miles. So seeing this view gave me the extra push I needed. Also too bad Utah is still dead and grey from the winter.

This picture on the left is to document that I actually rode a bike and took the class. And the next one is to document my muddy legs and remind me that I need to purchase winter gear so I don't have to wear my professors... Whoops! Good thing he came prepared for those who were unprepared or else I would have froze! Although in my defense, the weatherman lied. So much for clear skies and high temps.

 

Well, only 10 more days and we are out of Utah for good! Weird to think we will probably never live in this beautiful state again. We definitely won't miss the construction and traffic though... We're coming for you Albuquerque!

A little pick me up...

These 2 videos are what got me through only the longest 8 hour shift at the labs. Take 2 minutes out of your day and enjoy them with me will you?

I felt like those cows last week when the sun came out and the snow melted.

Spring time is the best time everyone. And it's almost here!

Hallelujah

That time we went to Mesa

Soo 2 weeks ago? 3? Not really sure, but we road trip'ed it down to Mesa for the weekend. Normally we don't drive for 20 hours to spend 2 days with family, but in this case we made a special exception. Mike and Alyssa were in Mesa so we figured it would be easier to drive to Mesa than to Williston, ND. And it was.

While we were there we...

1. Missed my little brother's volleyball game... but only because they moved it up an hour and we were an hour away. Bummer.

2. Ate our wedding cake! It was just as delicious as it was a year ago.

3. Hung out with family.

This is Alexa, she knows how to use the camera on my phone as good as I do. She took about 20 pictures and videos during church on Sunday.

4. Lost (shocking, I know) at the funnest Minute to Win it competition with the Anderson's

don't worry, Nate wore his State ring the whole time....

5. Took family pictures with the Anderson's in the middle of the prettiest nowhere.

Well I'd say it was definitely worth the trip! Now it is time to buckle down and knock out these last 5 weeks of school. I really can't believe it.

Anniversary Weekend

Alrgithy. Ready for an overload of pictures? I'm playing catch up tonight and decided to finally post about our fun trip for our 1 year anniversary. I know, can you believe it? It has flown by, but that post is for another day. Today if for our adventures in Las Vegas and California.

Highlights:

1. Babystacks. This breakfast place was made for me. Serious. You should have seen their pancake menu!! Rocky road, butterfinger, smore's, white-chocolate macadamia nut, and lemon riccotta... just to name a few.

Nate got one of his breakfast favorites: Biscuits and Gravy. I think he liked them? Ps, if anyone looks stellar mid chew in a picture it's this guy :)

I got a half stack of banana cream pancakes and red velvet pancakes. RED VELVET. Why has this never occurred to me before?! Now I can't stop thinking of random things to red velvet-ize...

 2. Exploring the strip. Nate and I both thought the strip was no fun unless you either had a) No morals or b) gambled. Neither of which we were huge fans of. But we did have a lot of fun exploring different casinos and eating yummy food. I still think The Venetian is my favorite. Also a highlight was staying at the Trump hotel. Pretty sure we don't have a picture, but that is now our favorite place. So fancy!

3. Buffalo Bills. We stopped in Primm, NV (hunger games anyone?) and went on the roller coaster there to give us a little teaser for our 6 flags trip the next day. It was fast and definitely a must ride. But only once, I wouldn't pay for it again.

4. SIX FLAGS! The purpose of the trip. I have this fear that once I get pregnant/have babies that I will never be able to ride roller coasters again. I mean, I'm not being ridiculous right? I hear moms say the classic line all the time... "oh yeah, I used to LOVE roller coasters but ever since having children I just can't do it any more..."
Because of this I have been scared of this happening to me as well. So we are getting all the theme parking in that I can before I have kids. Problem solved.

Oh, and we bought my nephew Brigham this Batman cake so that we will be the favorite aunt/uncle. Pretty sure it worked.

5. Burger Continental. I know you wouldn't think this at first, but it was a Mediterranean place. We all got together and definitely made some hilarious memories here. If you are ever in the Pasadena area, go here. The service is awesome and the food wasn't too bad either. Our server gave my nephew 2 kids meals because he said, "Twice as much for such a big boy" Think of that in a Greek accent and it gets funnier. I promise. Also there is no shortage of ranch there... I know you were worried, but don't be.

6. The beach. On Sunday we had a nice walk along the beach... loved the weather and the company wasn't so bad either.

We also got to hang out with Nate's cousins who I had never met before. Well, I have met them now and I love them! Can't wait till the next time we head to Simi Valley and get to stay with them.

7. Archery. Nate's uncle Mike took us out to the archery range. It was tons of fun and Nate now goes by Legolas. Nbd.

 

8. Mountain Biking. I officially had my first experience mountain biking! It was an easy trail technically... but endurance wise not so much! We went down to the beach and back and it ended up being 23 miles. Holy smokes. The first 11.5 weren't so bad... But that's probably because it was all downhill. Coming back was hard. I may or may not have had to walk the last 2 miles. Uphill is not my forte. But I really enjoyed it. Next time I'll have to go on a shorter ride and wear extra padding... let's just say my behind was sore for a good week after that.

At the end... I was so tired it took 3 tries to get a smile out of me.

9. Anniversary dinner at Capo's. This place was awesome!! It was an Italian steakhouse and had the coolest ambiance. The food wasn't so bad either. I loved my carbonara and the chocolate canolies were fantastic. We had to go through a secret entry way to get in and once we were in it felt like we were transported into some old school Vegas mafia. It had low lighting with chandeliers every where and a live jazz pianist/singer... if you are ever in Las Vegas and want something a little off the strip, go here.

10. The aquarium at Mandalay Bay. Somehow I made it 8 months into marriage without know that this guy has this obsession with fish. So we had to check out the aquarium here and it was definitely cooler than I was expecting! We got to see huge sharks and octopus moving all around. Also we walked through tunnels of fish. There's always a first time for everything right?

Well, congrats. You made it to the end. Basically our 1st anniversary trip was a huge success. I loved it and can't wait for the nest anniversary. The years aren't so bad with this guy by my side!