Catching up...

New, fun things are coming our way so I wanted to catch up a little before I passed the point of no return!

A few weeks ago, I had to go to LA to pilot a test I've been working on for my job. LA happens to be where my brother and sister-in-law live and also is also near several business school we're interested in. Since I already had a free trip, we decided to make a weekend out of it! Chance flew in Thursday night and once I finished work on Friday, we were free for the weekend. Here are some pictures of what we did!

Friday--we went on a business school visit, the boys surfed, got some yummy Mexican food, and hung out with Chris and Jenny

Remember, we left a Chicago winter for this! We were EXCITED!

They were not very happy/ embarrassed about me taking this picture--can you tell?

Saturday--we got up SUPER early and drove to San Francisco, looked at two business schools, and toured the city--it was tons of fun! As always, I wish I got more pictures!

Stanford has a beautiful campus, but UCLA was my personal fav

Golden Gate Bridge pictures!

Jenny!!

California was great and it was so fun to spend time with Chris and Jenny!! I have the best in-laws!


On another note, we had a fun get together with our Chicago friends [minus Landon, Molly and Griff =( ] Here are some pictures from the night!

This little boy (and my nephew) is the reason why I can't get babies off the mind! I adore him! He is the CUTEST little thing!!!

Half the group!

The girls and CUTE Jude!

Danica and Jess!

It was so fun to meet Carol, Tyler, and Van! I hope to see more of these guys!

We leave for Vegas with my family on Thursday and can't wait!! I'm working on some really great things at work, but MAN am I in need of a few days off. Work has really been draining everything from me these past couple of weeks. As much as I love getting away, it always means there's a lot of extra things to do when I get back in even less time than before.

It's a COLD winter!

Here are some pictures of icicles out back! Excuse the look--we had just gotten back from the gym! They were well over 7 ft long. Crazy!!

Our new table!! We're excited to have a place to eat now! Thanks to Mom and Dad Nelson for their generosity! Both my parents and my in-laws have been so generous!!

The instructions weren't in the box, but luckly it was an easy assemble!

Ta-dah!

We'll be in LA/ Palo Alto this weekend for my job and to visit schools! We're excited to be able to spend the weekend with Chris and Jenny! We're also excited to be back in the warmth! This Chicago winter weather is dreadful!

Christmas

I don't have much time to post, but I DO want to say that it was amazing! It was so much fun and it was a perfect way for Chance and I to share our first Christmas as a married couple! Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Grandy for making every bit of the vacation extra special! ...and of course, thanks to the rest of the fam as well!

Also, the Olson family was so kind to us this year for Christmas. We missed them very much, but are excited to be in Arizona for Christmas next year! Here are a few..starting with Christmas in Chicago...

Our first Christmas tree ever! This is at our apartment in Chicago

Chance's bday! I wish we had gotten more pictures! Happy 27th love!!

ALL THE PICTURES BELOW ARE IN TEXAS!

Pappasitos is our favorite Mexican restraunt--Chance LOVED it!!

My cute little nephew!!

Christmas Eve Dinner--Don't worry it was a Christmas Eve SWEATER party--we don't actually dress like this! =)

Grandy made the BEST fudge, just looking at this picture makes me crave it!

Adorable little boy

With grandma!

My dad disappeared and next thing we know, Santa showed up! Too bad Dad missed seeing Santa!

Gingerbread house contest, I don't know how we didn't get a picture of us making the houses

Santa and the boys--wow, that looks like fun!! =)

Christmas Day after math!

We were watching Harry Potter on the new blu-ray and new think we knew, Dad came out in his new "snuggie". We have no idea where the witch hat came from

Chance and I at UTs campus in Austin

At Tru Lucks-- an incredible sea food restraunt!

Out on the balcony at my Dad's building in Austin.

Merry late Christmas, y'all!

Family in Chicago!

It takes forever for me to post anything--buttt I wanted to make sure that I blogged about my family coming to Chicago! It was greaaaat! I enjoyed every second of having them here. The weather was surprisingly wonderful (for Chicago standards) and it was fun to lug them around and show them the sites/sights of Chicago.

All of these pictures are completely out of order, but here goes:

Chance and I at the Science Museum, which was so fun and interesting, by the way!!

Astronaut Angela--Chance refused, anyone surprised? =)

Chance and I in front of the museum of science

I took my parents to the Bongo Room-they agreed, it's amazing!!! Anytime you're in Chicago stop for a bite of their white chocolate pretzel pancakes--yum yum!

Mom and Shawn on Lake Michigan!

You can't see our toesies, BUT we waded in the water, which was freezing!!

Fam in front of the museum of science (totally out of order, sorry!)

Shawn went for a swim in Lake Michigan, at night, in the winter!! CRAZY kid...

but major PROPS!

Shawn and Dad earlier that week.

It was an incredible trip and I'm so glad that they came. I've really missed having my parents around and hadn't seen them since the wedding. I can't wait until Christmas.

Thanks Mom and Dad for making the effort to come to Chicago. It meant a lot! Love you guys--and thanks for tugging along, Shawn. I hope we weren't "too uncool" for you.

Bull Game!

Our friends Adam and Hannah invited us to the Bull's Game Tuesday night. My work schedule this week was pretty hectic and I was exhausted, but I'm so happy we went. It was against the Denver Nuggets and it game down to the buzzer. Brad Miller made a shot with .2 seconds to go and it went it to put the Bulls ahead at 91-90. Unfortunately, after a long review from the refs they said that it didn't count and the Bulls lost. =( It was a fun game nonetheless!! Thanks for a fun night Adam and Hannah!

InflataBULL!

Chance and a few friends at work had the opportunity to dress up for a little race at the Chicago Bull's game. Here are some pictures... "Go # 2!!!"

Here is his commentary for the night:

Although I came in second, this was one of the happier times in mylife (not to mention, a resume builder).
A little more color to the night of wonder:
-I actually got kind of nervous when I put the suit on. You can't seewhatsoever and you're wearing a giant blower with a car-size battery.-I didn't know the race was down and back and then down and back. Iwas winning by a good 10 yards after the first lap. I startedcelebrating and dancing until the people started yelling at me to keepgoing.-Even after my celebration, I was still in the lead until I decided totry and take out one of the other inflatabulls. Bull #3 dove at thefinish line to beat me by inches.

He makes me laugh! I wish I could have been there, but I had to work late. Maybe next time I can race along side him! =)

I LOVE the smell of pumpkin!

This is what it smells of in my apartment and I love it so much:
While I was at my in-laws for dinner on Sunday, I noticed a Yankee candle my mother-in-law got and mentioned that I wanted the spiced pumpkin candle. Last night, before I got home, she brought by the candle I mentioned along with my skirt, 2 of chances shirts, and a curtain she hemmed for us as well. It brightened my day--I'm so blessed to have such a thoughtful mother-in-law!