Last Fling Before the RING!

During nursing school I became really good friends with two of the sweetest girls in nursing school,
Maggie and Jessica.

How we became friends...

...On the first day of nursing school, Maggie invited me to go over to her house for lunch. While we were heading to the parking lot, Jessica, a girl whom I had never talked to before, came up to me and asked if she could have lunch with me. Naturally, I invited her over to Maggie's house! Aren't I just the sweetest friend? Inviting other people over to a house I was just invited to myself?

Oh boy!

Fortunately, Maggie is the type who lives by the philosophy "The more the Merrier!"  

Needless to say, the rest is of the story consists of early mornings and late nights studying together at the library.
Quite exciting, huh!

Actually, since both Maggie and Jessica got engaged during nursing school, we would often take study breaks to talk about wedding plans, which was a ton of fun! Earlier this year, Maggie asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding! In mid July, we threw Maggie a Bachelorette Party! 

It was Maggie's last Fling before the Ring!

I had to work the day of the party, so I hurried and got ready for the party at home and then met up with the ladies at the hotel before we went out to dinner at Upstream Brewery! 

Dinner was delicious! 

The drink AJ ordered also matched his outfit, perfectly!

Maggie, very excited for her dinner to arrive!

Showing off her sash and opening all her presents! I gave her one of those AMAZING head massagers from Bed Bath and Beyond!

After dinner, we played a game where Maggie had to guess how Seth, her fiance, responded to a series of questions about their relationship.

We laughed so hard, our faces hurt!

 Maggie did really well at guessing exactly what Seth had said. Obviously, they're meant to be!

For dessert, we indulged in delicious Jone's Bro's Cupcakes decorated with Martini glasses and High Heels. YUM!!!

All the ladies, plus AJ, ready for a fun night!

Striking a pose! Too many inside jokes to count!

While we were walking around downtown, a guy asked Maggie if he could take her picture for a school project...Yeah, right! 

Dude it's the middle of the summer, you're not in school! But what the heck!

The Cat Walk.

 Have you ever thought, "Man, I really hope I don't trip" and then you do? Well...

So did Maggie!

Tripping just a little! She was trying to break in her wedding shoes before the big day.

She even had a cute little vale!

Back at the hotel we played a few different games. Here's a picture of Seth's rockin' bod!

We also had everyone who came to the party buy Maggie a pair of underwear that matched their personality. We put all the underwear in a bag and when Maggie pulled one out, she had to guess who bought if for her. 

During our long nights of studying during nursing school, Maggie and Jessica discovered my sweet tooth. We would constantly joke around about my love for candy. But Maggie did it relentlessly lovingly! So naturally, I purchased Maggie candy underwear! 

There was no fooling Maggie, she knew right off the bat I got them for her! 

Before heading out for a night of dancing, we indulged in the delicious fresh fruit tray that Dan made for us. (Best husband, ever!) 

While the ladies drank champagne and wine, I sipped on strawberry speckled lemonade (more props to Dan)!!

My ears rang the entire next day from the loud music we danced to. It was a night I'll never forget!
Happy Bachelorette Party, Maggie!

4 Glorious Years Together

This year, for our 4th wedding anniversary, Dan and I had the opportunity to go to the Joslyn Art Museum. Ever since we've moved to Omaha, Dan and I have wanted to go to the Joslyn Museum, but we've never had the time. My graduation award ceremony was actually held in the Joslyn Art Museum, but the art work was off limits so we didn't get to fully experience the beautiful building and all it has to offer. Every Saturday from 10am to noon, admission is free. Since our anniversary was on a Wednesday this year, we decided to celebrate on Saturday and go to Joslyn!

 Right when you walk up the stairs of the museum, you see this beauty! What a fun piece of art! In down town Omaha, there is a glass blowing shop that Dan has been in to do some fundraising for the Magis Clinic. When he came home from the glass shop, Dan couldn't stop raving about how awesome glass blowing is.  After seeing this display, I think we'll have to take a venture down town, so I can get in on the action!

 We didn't take too many pictures of the art. To be completely honest, after touring the Louvre in Paris France, I wasn't impressed by this little museum. Even the little museums I have visited in Europe were hands down leaps and bounds ahead of the Joslyn. Lets face it, Europe, in and of its self, is picturesque and absolutely breath taking that this little museum can't even compete. There was a traveling art show of western American art, which we really enjoyed. There were a lot of paintings featuring the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Also displayed, were half a dozen pictures of Devil's Slide. There were a lot of Indian bead work, which was very pretty. Since Omaha began as a railroad town, there was a display of the railroad going through the many canyons of Utah. It took me back to all the memories of camping in Utah.

 For our honeymoon, Dan took me to Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite National Park to see the Redwoods. While touring Joslyn, we saw a painting of El Capitan, which is in Yosemite! How special!

Here's the picture of El Capitan we took 4 years ago during our honeymoon!

In the picture above, we're sitting in front of a water fountain in Joslyn. So pretty!

 After our walk around the gardens in front of Joslyn.

 

I love the art around Omaha. We're constantly reminded of the pioneers and the history of the church.

Hahahaha! This is a perfect depiction of what it would have been like if Dan and I had traveled across the plains.

 What's an anniversary without a little romance?

Here's the proof: I married a goofball, who is just like my dad!

 For dinner, Dan and I went out to Wheat Fields, a family friendly diner. I'm pretty sure all the food is homemade. It's absolutely delicious! Dan had a yummy rack of ribs and I delved into some quiche! 

I love you Dannyyyyyyyyyy!! 

Here's to an eternity with you right by my side!

America's Birthday

For the Fourth of July, Dan had the day off! We kicked off the day with a red, white, and blue themed breakfast. Dan made me blue pancakes topped with whip cream and delicious strawberries. I made him turkey bacon and eggs! It was so yummy! Wish I would have snapped a picture.

After breakfast, we went to the Ralston parade, which is just South of Omaha.   

Presentation of the Colors

 We packed a cooler full of popsicles, trail mix, and drinks to keep us cool and hydrated. I think it was 100+ degrees. Without the shade, we would have melted. The treats kept this guy a happy camper! Isn't he so cute!!!

Just had to take a picture of this noise maker.

America's Birthday Cake (very impressive)

It wouldn't be a parade without the John Deere tractor, perhaps Dan's favorite part of the parade!

Such a cute float! 

Dan had just finished his ER rotation the previous week and made a joke about how he had just seen this ambulance the week prior.  Oh, boy!

 It wouldn't be a birthday without presents...

...and ice cream cones, cupcakes, and pinwheels!

There were so many people at the parade that we could hardly see the floats. Dan could care less, but I was a little disappointed. I had to stand the entire time to get a small glimpse of the floats. I'm glad there was a good turn out, but come on everyone and their dog was there! What's a parade without being able to take a bag full of candy home with you?? Unfortunately, this was literally the best spot we could find in the shade. At least we got some shade!

After the parade, we took naps and ended up having a BBQ with a bunch of our neighbors. I made my grandma's delicious potato salad, which turned out amazing and absolutely delicious! Dan and I finished up the evening playing UNO (Dan won!), watching movies and amazing fireworks across the street from our house! 

Happy Birthday, America!

I Love To See The Temple

While I was attending Celina's graduation in Colorado, Dan was attending his sister, Stephanie's, wedding in Idaho. We had quite the crazy weekend, but loved every minute of it. Dan actually drove down to Colorado with me and caught a plane to Idaho out of Denver. Less than two days later, he caught a plane ride back to Denver and we hung out with my family for a day and drove back home to Omaha. Short and sweet!

(I had to steal all of these pictures because Dan didn't take one picture. What a boy!)

 They all look so much a like!

 

 

 

Such a great family!

We went to see Celina at Pikes Peak!

Colorado is so pretty!

 

 

It was FREEZING up there! We got headaches from the lack of oxygen at that elevation!

 

 Carson

Such a pretty girl!

 

 We ate the world famous Pikes Peak donuts. The elevation makes the donuts crispy on the outside and cake-like on the inside! YUM!

Hiking Garden of the Gods

 

We had such a fun time!

 

The Garden is so pretty!

Awe!

 

Mom and Dad, married for 27 years!

 

 

 

 

 Carson's so artistic!

Just thinking.

Grandma and Grandpa K

 Climbing vertical!

 

Taking it all in.

 

 

One of my favorite parts of the weekend, was having Dan all to myself for 8 hours straight both ways. We just talked and talked and talked, it was fabulous!