And the Hunt is on...

This last weekend (Labor Day) I was able to fly home for the weekend. It was such a jammed three days. The main goal for the weekend was to look at locations for the wedding. Neal, my mom and I all went up to Estes Park on Saturday and looked at 5 or so places. There were some that we really liked and some not so much. Then that night we met our friends Mike, Mallory and their son Ethan in Castle Rock for dinner. That was so good to see then and hang out. Then on Sunday we (my mom and dad, Neal and myself) went up to the mountains for lunch at my aunt and uncle Deb and Walt's. There we saw Jan and Benedict (Walt's brother and his wife, also Helene's parents) and my grandparents. After lunch Neal and I went and looked and more possible locations in Pine and Evergreen. Then on Monday before I left Neal and I looked and some location in Genesee. And if you have not figured it out we are looking to have a mountain wedding. Overall it was such a crazy weekend driving all over looking at different areas and locations. But I think that it was really productive because it helped us to narrow down the places that are still on our list and cross out the one that we did not like so much. Other than looking for a wedding location it was just nice to see everyone and hang out with family and friends.

The Family Visits

This last weekend (August 15-19) my family came out and spent the weekend with me. My brother Thomas was heading down to Florida to go to school. So in his way down he stopped by for the weekend to hang out. He got here Friday evening. Then my mom and dad got here on Saturday. So Thomas and I hung out all day on Saturday waiting for our parents to get in. We went down to the Plaza and walked around all the different shops there. The Plaza is an outdoor mall. It was really nice out so it was nice just to walk around. Then we headed across town to Legends (another outdoor mall) where Thomas' girlfriend Lindsey was hanging out with the basketball team from KCK where she played before going to school in Florida. So we hung out there for a while then headed back to my apartment. Mom and dad got there shortly after we did then we all went to dinner together and then spent the rest of the evening hanging out. On Sunday we went out to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel (I think our new favorite breakfast restaurant). Then we headed over to Nebraska Furniture Mart where dad got a new TV. Then after that he headed back to Colorado. A quick weekend for him. My mom and Thomas then stayed a few more days before they started for Florida to take Thomas to school down there. It was really nice to have everyone together for the weekend and was good to see Thomas before he when down to school. So a quick weekend I think for everyone but way fun=)

And the Planning Starts

Ok, I have only been engaged for about a week but both Neal and I have been so excited about getting engaged and starting the wedding planning process. We have already started throwing ideas out for where we want to have it, what we want to do during the wedding and so much more. Having all these different ideas going through my head has helped to pass the time when I am by myself. For those of you that do  not know I am living in Olathe, KS and Neal is living Colorado Springs, CO. so we do not get to see each other very often right now. Having something to work on together makes me feel like we are closer than we actually are which is really nice. Having on one that I can talk to here about our exciting time is a bit hard sometimes. There seems like that there is so much to do and so little time. But in all reality there is plenty of time and lots of people to help. I have been spending my time at Panera or the Library on- line since I so not have internet at home looking a various locations  and different ideas  for themes and color and anything else that one could think of that has to do with wedding. By the way did I say that I am so excited?!!!!

I'm Engaged!

Yesterday Neal took me out to The Melting Pot for dinner. It was such a wonderful dinner we had a four course meal. To start with we had a spinach cheese fondue, then a salad, then the main course of chicken, pork, shrimp, butternut squash ravioli, beef and veggies. Then the dessert a chocolate turtle fondue with strawberries, cheese cake, marshmallows, brownies, pound cake and then they brought out the best part of it all an Engagement ring on a bed of rose pedals surrounded be strawberries in the shape of a hard. Then Neal got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. And of course I said YES! Then the waiter brought out Champagne with strawberries. What a wonderful weekend.

All Moved In and I Made it Through My First Week

I am all moved into my new apartment=) It is starting to feel like home. I am not feeling too home sick yet since I have been so busy with work and I have talked with Neal and my mom every day so it has made me feel like I am not so far away. So.... Onto my new place. I have a nice open kitchen, a cozy living room, a huge closet and tons of light so it is really cheery. I am really enjoying my new job at Garmin. My first week here in Kansas City was really good. At work this week all I did was training, learning the different programs that they use to make the GPS's. It is extremely challenging but I think that as soon as I get everything down it will be a blast. Everyone that I work with have been so nice and welcoming to me, it has been such a blessing. This being my first weekend I think that I am going to explore the city (I was able to check out a GPS unit from work so if I get lost I will be able to get back). I do have some things that I have planed this weekend. I have to take my car in since the blinkers are not working, then on Sunday I am going to try out a new church. I am really excited for the adventures to come. =)

Garden of the Gods

Yesterday was awesome. Neal and I went to Garden of the Gods and enjoyed the wonderful day that God created and the time that we could be together before I leave. We took self portrates pictures of the two of us around the Garden. The only problem was we had to be extremely creative on where we put the camera so we could get pictures of both of us and have a glorious background as well. All I have to says is thank goodness for camera timers. It took stealth to sprint back and forth from the camera to the pose without nose diving or slipping and falling on the rocks. There were several close encounters but all in all only two injuries were sustained and was totally worth it.

Almost Gone

The count down is on... I have finished the dreaded paper work that comes along with moving so that is one less stressful thing that I do not have to deal with. I have to remember in all this that I have to rely on God and not try to do everything myself.