Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Best 2 Years

Eric and I celebrated the best 2 years of our lives, with another Anniversary this past Saturday, June 8th. Last year when we were celebrating our Anniversary we were in the midst of packing and getting ready to move to Alabama for me to go to nursing school. One year later we are getting ready for me to graduate nursing school! I can't hardly believe it! I was a little bummed out when Eric told me he had to work on our Anniversary a 9am-2pm shift. A short day, but that also meant we weren't going too far this year to celebrate. Our niece Allie was also turning 1 on the very same day. We were sad to miss her party so we took her gift over the night before. We love her very much and are so excited to be so close to watch her grow and turn into such a beautiful little girl.
Allie was unsure about hew new bow.


After Eric got home from work, I made him shower cause he was stinky, :) we got all ready and drove down to gulf shores to the Track. The Track is a place to ride go carts on this awesome "track". We had so much fun and I may have cut off quite a few people including my sweet sweet hubby, but I came in first :). Eric said I'm the next Go Daddy Girl and I agree I should be lol! :) After riding go carts for a while, we drove across the street to Pirate's Island for a intense round of put put golf. Eric and I actually tied, which is a first because he usually beats me every time. After sweating like crazy playing mini-golf due to the extreme humidity, we drove over to Nolan's on a recommendation from a great friend. Nolan's was AMAZING!!!! Probably..NO…the BEST food EVER! We ordered bacon wrapped shrimp as an appetizer, had delicious rolls, a house salad, and Eric and I shared the surf and turf which is lobster and bacon wrapped filet mignon. The meal was huge, but definitely the best steak Eric and I have ever tasted in our lives!!!!!! Thats saying something if a Wyoming boy says that! The bill was high but it was so work it!!!! No dessert for us because we stopped on the way down to Gulf Shores and got Strawberry milkshakes from the local farmer's market, which once again, the best strawberry milkshake you'll ever taste. The combination of their homemade ice cream, and fresh strawberries is unbeatable!!! After leaving Nolan's Eric in I drove 5 min up the road to the beach. We strolled along the sand, put our feet and the water, laid out on some beach chairs, and just listened the waves crash as we watched a thunderstorm roll in off the Gulf. The lightening was beautiful to watch as it sparkled in the sky. Eric and I looked for crabs with our flashlights but we didn't catch any. We then got back in the car and headed home.

Eric and I exchanged gifts. He bought me a beautiful charm bracelet, not Pandora, but Pandora charms fit on it! :) I absolutely love it! I have been teasing Eric for a while because he buys me electronics all the time, and I have been hinting for a piece of jewelry; I guess he got all my subtle hints :) I bought Eric a brand new super awesome fishing pole, a couple pairs of fishing shorts, and a nice Under armor Columbia type fishing shirt! They all fit and he definitely is excited the try out his new fishing pole.


















I couldn't be happier with my choice to marry Eric. We he is my best friend and the love of my life. I can't even imagine what life would be like if we never met. I'm so grateful for a temple marriage and the opportunity to be with him forever. Here's to the best two years with an eternity of happy years to follow.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Hale Updates

Some updates:

-We got all new furniture for our sun room
-We got a new fridge
-I start my practicum at USAMC in the Burn Center on Monday. (I graduate in 2 months!)
-We saw The Great Gatsby…Eric hated it, but I thought it was pretty good














-Our family show is How I Met Your Mother…we watch at least one episode on Netflix every night before bed! :)
-I went to the beach in Navarre, Fl. to hang out with my bestie Sydney while she was in town
-Eric and I are house hunting
-Van and Susan (my in-laws) are coming to visit in two months
and………………………………………..

Theses two are getting married and having a baby!






















My younger brother Aaron and Nadia are expecting a baby in January and are newly engaged. Our family is excited to be welcoming two new members to our family soon.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

STTI Induction

Sorry to all my Facebook followers who also read this blog, its probably all my readers, but I wanted to repost some pictures and a little blurb about being inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International. STTI is the only international nursing honor society and is recognized by pretty much everyone in nursing! To be chosen for induction in the accelerated nursing program, it is required that you be in the top 35% of your nursing class, have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and be involved in service and community activities. I am happy to say I made the cut and was inducted with 11 of my fellow accelerated nursing school friends last friday. The induction was short and sweet. We all received a packet full of information about STTI and were roped (I guess thats what you call it) with beautiful purple cords I get to wear at graduation in a couple months. My parents were able to come and support me as well as Eric. I was happy he was able to take the day off to be there. I can definitely say without my parents, and without Eric, there is no way I could have gone back to school, and get a second degree. :) I never would have dreamed this, but I am so happy that Heavenly Father knows me better then I know myself and lead me down this road. Being a nurse is such an honor. I can't wait to walk across the stage in July!

The Accelerated nursing students with our favorite professor, Mrs. Azok!

Family photo

With the hubs!


With my parents

With my row buddies and two best friends from the program, Whitney and Anne!

Love my momma

Glad my dad could make even though he was really sick that day. He toted his wound vac everywhere we went! Love him!


After the ceremony a big group of us with our families all went to this AMAZING restaurant in downtown Mobile called Spot of Tea for brunch! It was delicious and fun just hanging out with everyone outside of school. I begin my practicum in a week!!! Wish me luck!


Tuesday, May 7, 2013

iTunes Throwback

I realize it isn't throwback Thurseday…but, listening to old iTunes playlists from college really brought back so many memories today. Everything from old breakup songs I used to listen to, songs my roommates and I just jammed out to, and even a couple songs that I listened to when I was wanting to date Eric but he was dating someone else at the time LOL. I love listening to music and every song I love ties back to some memory I have. I guess thats just how my brain works but I love music! Eric thought he loved music and then he met me. He is always amazed that I know every word to every song on every radio station LOL! :) I guess its just one of those things that makes me..well, me! It doesn't matter whether it is country, oldies, pop, R&B, rap, or classic rock, 9 times out of 10 and can sing right along. :D

Here are a few videos from my favorite Divas! These 5 songs were at the top of my iTunes breakup playlist LOL! Enjoy the blast from the past! :)

Beyonce- If I Were a Boy




Mary J. Blige- Be Without You

Rhianna- Take a Bow

Kelly Clarkson- Never Again


Taylor Swift- Picture to Burn


Monday, April 15, 2013

M+J Wedding

On 4/13/13, my cousin Marissa married Joseph Thetford at the Sacred Hart Chapel in Point Clear, AL. It was a beautiful day, blue skies, sunny, cool breeze, and a beautiful view of the Mobile Bay in the background. It was so wonderful to have the whole extended family together. Cousins, aunts, and uncles drove from all over the country to be there for Marissa.

Friday night we went to the Rehearsal dinner at Oak Hollow Farms in Fairhope, AL. It was an  amazing night full of yummy food, good music, and visiting with family and friends.

With my cousins Bianca, Kerrie, and Kristen

With my dad

With Bianca







On Saturday after the wedding, the reception was held at the Point Clear Tennis Club. It was also very beautiful, delicious food, and an awesome Motown band entertained us. We danced all night and celebrated their wonderful union.
My cousin Karen and I waiting for the wedding to begin






Standing around outside the Chapel after the wedding!

My Tia Allie & Uncle Jim

My SIL & niece Allie

The view from the chapel

Tia Maudi and Uncle Tito

Marissa & Joe

The Winberg Family


The Reception Hall

MJ 1st dance


Cousins!

Hanging out at the reception

Cousins Kristen & Bianca with my Tia Millie

Awkward Cousin photo, LOL! We are pro's at this! Done them since childhood!

Left to Right: Cousins Katrina, MJ, Karen, Rolo, Stephen, Marilyn, & Uncle Tito

Me with my cousins Kerrie and Karen

Eric and I with my cousin Kerrie dancing! :)