Friday, December 30, 2016

December Wrap Up...

I cannot believe tomorrow is the last day of December and in reality, the last day of 2016.  Here are a few extra moments from December.

We bought a table at the Big Brothers' Big Sisters' Most Wanted Auction, since one of Ken's staff members was one of the most wanted.  The event took place the night we got home from being in Chicago, so I was rather tired after our fun weekend!

Brian and Jill joined us at the event

Jill and me.  We had a lot of fun laughing that night.

Angel insisted that we wrap presents!

We had some snow flurries one day, so Kya and I went out to run in the snow.  

Two happy girls after a six mile run

The girls at White House love to have me try on different outfits.  Here I am wearing something that is completely out of my comfort zone!

One of my official graduation photos

My group of seat mates in all of my classes during my four semesters.  Apparently I like to hang out with other blondes.

Winterbock is back at KC Bier Co!

We had a few inches of snow while Ken was out of town and I shoveled the driveway.  Theo stayed in bed and let me snuggle with him to warm up.  It was really cold that day!

Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Christmas 2016...

We had a very Merry Christmas and I hope you did too!  We have a things that have quickly turned into traditions at our house.  The first is taking Kya shopping to buy the kitties their Christmas presents.

Kya at Petco selecting the best canned kitty food she could find!  Canned kitty food is no joke at our house and only is given on special occasions.

Things kind of went down hill for Miss Kya when Ken suggested we put some antlers on her for a picture.  

If looks could kill.

She was a little happier in the santa hat, but still, she was not a fan.  She really makes a cute little Santa!

Our next big tradition is taking Angel to look at Christmas lights.  I know she is a cat, but she absolutely loves it!  She looks at the lights and really enjoys the car ride.  

Angel and me having a blast

This is one of my favorite things to do.  Can you believe Angel is 15???

We usually like to hike on Christmas Eve, but unfortunately it was too warm for that after we had a little snow and it was too muddy to hike.  Instead, we went for a long walk around Ironwoods Park and I got my pumpkin cinnamon rolls ready to go for Christmas morning.  I also whipped up a batch of gluhwein which made our whole house smell like a Christmas market.  It was a little bit of Heaven.  

We made dinner reservations Rye this year and sadly, were flying solo. Both the Orr's and the Dulle's were out of town, so Ken and I enjoyed dinner on our own.

Ken at Rye enjoying his favorite cocktail.

I ordered fried chicken and holy moly, look at all my food!  

After a delicious dinner at Rye, we drove to On the Border for a Christmas Eve tradition to have a margarita.  

One grande margarita for this guy please!
It is clearly not Christmas Eve without a margarita

Another great Christmas Eve!

Next up was pajamas and a movie

There was a little snuggling on the couch when we got home.

A full on snugglefest was happening.  

Three of my sweeties on Christmas morning

Angel and Theo getting all the goodies from their stockings

Yes, Theo's tail is up 95% of the time, it is like a flag.


"Hurry and get my stocking down mom, Santa came!"

Enjoying Christmas morning with my girls

Kya was very interesting in all the present opening.  Ken was opening his gift from Angel...a bottle of Baileys.  (Notice the two kitties on the stairs?)

Ken really had no idea what was in this one.  It was a one liter stein from the Hofbrauhaus in Munich.

Kya and me on Christmas morning

Angel had to check out all of her loot.

After breakfast we hit the trail for a walk.  Usually we go to the dog park, but it was too warm and muddy.  Kya did not complain about a walk.

After our walk, I ran and then immediately put my pajamas back on and we had lunch.  I made meatballs, Hawaiian ham sandwiches, corn dip, along with meat, cheese, and crackers.  We really had too much food for just the two of us, but it was all delicious!

Afterward, we lounged around and watched movies for the rest of the day.

Christmas Vacation

Home Alone

A little yummy gluhwein

Ken testing out his new one liter stein

The sign of a great Christmas!

That was our Christmas!  I am always a little sad that when it is over.  I really do love the Christmas season and everything it entails.  I am enjoying our Christmas decorations a little longer until I am finished studying for the ever so fun NCLEX.  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Monday, December 26, 2016

A Graduation Celebration!

The day after graduation, Ken had an exciting celebration planned.  It was not a surprise, but he did plan the entire thing, which was super sweet of him.  I may not have been excited about the graduation, but I was certainly excited about my gathering with friends.

The celebration was held at Somerset Ridge, a place that we have been hanging out at since 2008.  It was such a fun day filled with friends, family, wine, and cake.  It was a great time.  I will let the majority of the pictures do the talking.

Everyone enjoying wine and the charcuterie plate.

Michelle and Jill having fun

Katie and me

One of the big things that day was the discussion of scrotal edema.  You see, it seems to follow me all over the hospital.  No matter where I go, I come across a patient with scrotal edema.  The discussion started that day when Scott insisted I open my presents because he had written scrotal edema in his card.  He was pretty proud of himself.  Katie said we should make bets on how many cards mentioned scrotal edema because she knew of at least two...ha, ha!  Our friends I tell ya!

Michelle demonstrating an uncircumcised penis with scrotal edema.  You cannot make this stuff up!

With our good friend Scott.  Scott and I worked together at Oakwood and I had no idea when I met him over 10 years ago that we would be such good friends.  I miss seeing him every day.

Ken says that this is one of the funniest pictures of the day because no one is that excited for cake.  Well, this girl is!  I love me some cake, especially chocolate on chocolate cake!

This was such a delicious cake from 3 Women and an Oven

Getting ready to blow out my candle and being super embarrassed about some of the jokes about me blowing out a candle.  I am explaining that I am a modest young lady!


Jill and me.  Jill was my very first friend in Kansas City and I am so glad that we met over 11 years ago!

With my three besties.  I love these three to pieces.

A great representation of the day!

All of us girls

Our friend Jane and me

Linda and Bill celebrated with us and were super proud of their new nurse!

A great picture of Michelle and Rob.  

After the winery, it was determined that none of us had any food at home so Rob, Michelle, Mike, Katie, and us decided to go to Tanners for dinner and more drinks. Joe and Laura, who could not make it to the winery, met up with us too.

Mike and Katie at Tanners

Katie, Laura, Michelle, and me

There is so much going on in this photo.  Mainly, Michelle had made it rain Kleenex earlier and she is getting one back!

Joe and me

If you know Michelle and me, you understand this photo.  Drink your water girl!

The entire weekend was unbelievable.  I received so many wonderful gifts, all of which were completely unexpected.  I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful people in my life.  Ken really out did himself with such a great weekend and celebration.  He sure knows how to spoil his girl.  Oh, he finished the weekend off with breakfast at IHOP.  Nothing says love to me quite like pumpkin pancakes.  

One of my gifts from my mother in law.