Oh how I love that it's my friday! :)

Things have been crazy in the Bender house...really more outside of the Bender house! Seems like Jon and I have been on the go for weeks. A couple weeks ago, we went to Sacramento to see my parents and sisters up there. We had a blast! Spent some time with Dawn and Noel when I got there. Noel just turned 4 in November, so I took her shopping for some new clothes and stuff. The next day, I went to Gina's salon and she cut 10 inches off my hair and added highlights! We got to donate the hair too...so it was WAY worth it! It looks great, and it's so healthy!! Can't wait to go back in a few weeks for the touch up! :) After that, Gina and I hit the dress shops, and we found the dress that I'll wear in her and Vinny's wedding!! Saturday night we had dinner at Deanna's, and got to spend lots of time with my niece and nephews. It was so much fun...they are getting so grown up!! After dinner, Gina tried on her wedding dress and decided for sure that it would be the one. One word...STUNNING!! Superbowl Sunday was a blast at Gina's house. Got to meet her soon to be in-laws, and some of Gina and Vinny's friends. Great people, and we had a great time!! Can't wait til the wedding in August!!

After a great week at work, I was off for a girl's weekend and to celebrate my friend Alana's baby shower. Wish I had some pictures, but I can assure you that it was a fabulous time of shopping, girl talk, and lots of fun!

And, after this week at work...Jon and I are heading out to Primm, NV for an off-road race with some great friends from San Diego! Jon's been able to go a few times without me, so I'm really looking forward to catching up and having fun with the crew!!

Hope you're all well, and not frozen! We've been pretty lucky here...although I do have to scrape ice off my windshield some mornings before work! :) Not sure I could handle living back east. What am I saying?! I'm absolutely POSITIVE that I could NOT handle living there!! Hope you're all healthy and happy and enjoying 2011 so far! Lots of love from CA!

Snow days

We're having alot of fun going to the snow, and Jon continues to be patient with me as I learn (albeit slowly) how to snowboard! :) This last weekend we went to Alta Sierra, formerly Shirley Meadows, with my parents. We had so much fun!! Jon and I rented boards, and my parents skiied (sp?). On my first run down, after falling about every 3 feet, I was about ready to throw in the towel and trade for skis. I decided to give it one more shot...and guess what?! I made it all the way down the hill!! And, after a few runs like that, I was having a blast!! :) I am still working on getting off the lift without falling...but I have a feeling that'll take some time! :) Here are a few pictures...

Happy New Year!

Got called off from work tonight, so I thought I'd say hello! Hope you all had a great Christmas holiday and that your 2011 is getting off to a great start! We had a great time celebrating Christmas at my mom's on the 23rd with Steph, Terri, Megan and Sam.

I worked Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and then we were able to enjoy about 5 days with Jon's parents. They came early in the week, and rang in the new year with us. Well...the New York and Oklahoma New Years...HAHA! :) I had to work in the morning, and we were all tired, so we made it as long as we could. As luck would have it...Jon and I were awake at midnight anyways because our neighborhood apparently LOVES to celebrate New Years! :)

Work is going great! I love, love, love my job! Yesterday, for the first time, one of my families took a picture of me with the baby for his baby book. They told me I was their favorite nurse, and they wanted to remember me, and to tell him about me when he's older. I cried, and it makes me cry thinking about it. How incredibly lucky am I, that I get to wake up and look forward to getting to work...and once I'm there...really love what I'm doing. Lucky and blessed...that's me! :) Jon's job is going well, and it's been SO great having him home. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary by going to Sierra Summit/China Peak (just outside of Fresno) and snowboarding. The first night there, it snowed 36 inches!! :) That's not a typo...3 feet!!! It was my first time to board, and it's safe to say, I'm not a professional! :) Jon was very patient with me as I learned, I found muscles I never knew I had, and we had a blast!! I can't wait to go back and "try" again!

Not too much new other than that. Lady and Deacon are doing great. Went to the vet a week or 2 ago and found out that Lady is 32 pounds, and Deacon is 41 pounds...and still growing!

Hope you're all well and staying warm! Lots of love from CA!

And a partridge in a pear tree...

Only 12 days til Christmas! It really snuck up on me this year...I feel like Thanksgiving was just yesterday!! Things have been great and very busy this last month. Jon started his new job in Bakersfield, and it's going really well! I absolutely love having him home. I almost feel like a newlywed all over again! :) This year, we're celebrating Christmas in Bakersfield with friends and family. I'm working on Christmas day, so we're celebrating a little early. Looking forward to good food and good times! :) My job is going great! I love the people I work with, and I look forward to going in everyday! It has it's moments, but it's wonderful and rewarding, and so sweet to know that I really do make a difference in the 12 hours at a time that I'm there! Hope you're all enjoying your Christmas holiday. Have a special Christmas, and a 2011 full of love, laughter, and many great memories! Lots of love from CA! :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Lady

My sweet little Lady-bug! She came to us at a time when we needed her so, and I'm convinced that she was made for us. She is energetic, smart, and loves to cuddle close to your side. She's my sweet little bug, and I'm so glad she's ours! Happy birthday Lady!! We love you! :)

Is it really almost Thanksgiving?!

Gosh...this time last year I was studying like crazy for finals and writing disgustingly (is that even a word?!) long care plans, and counting down the days til Christmas vacation! Feels like that was just yesterday!! Hope you've all had a great year. Mine's been fast and furious, but wonderful all the same. Speaking of wonderful...I'm am SOOOO excited to tell you guys that Jon finally found a job here in Bakersfield!! It seems like it's really going to be a great deal, and I'm SOOOOOO happy to finally have him home! You know...since we got married, we haven't really had a chance to hang out and just really enjoy living the married life. We moved to AZ 7 days after our wedding, and I started Nursing School 9 days after that. Then, last February, he started working back in Southern CA and I only saw him on the weekends...UNTIL NOW!! ;) I can't tell you how big the smile is on my face!! I almost feel like we're starting our "real life" together finally! :)

What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? I think Jon and I are heading to Fresno for the annual Olson Thanksgiving. (That's my mom's side of the fam.) I think Stephanie and I are taking our little sister Gina to try on wedding dresses on the day before Thanksgiving! :) I can't wait for the girly time!! I miss my little Gina Ballerina, and it'll be lots of fun to have some sister time all together.

My work is still going great. I've joined a couple committees, and am enjoying getting to know my colleagues, and some upper management folks. I love going to work, and leave everyday with a smile on my face...partially cause I love it so much, and partially because I really can't believe I'm getting paid to do what I'm so happy doing!

Here's a recent pic of the cutest pups in the whole wide world. Deacon is 4 months old and quite a handsome little man...if I may say so myself! Lady is 11 months old and is such a sweet little thing. They say hi, and they want you to come visit them and throw them the ball if you're ever in the area!!

Happy Monday!

Hope you're all enjoying the cooler weather this past week! Something about the rain and dark skies...and a peppermint mocha! :) Nothing too new in this neck of the woods. Had a great weekend with the hubby! I've been working lots of weekends, and it's been a bummer to hardly see him. I loved having the whole weekend off with him. We got alot accomplished and spent lots of time just hanging out. I sure love that man! Work is going great for me still. Just a few more weeks in orientation, then I'm on my own!! Hope all's well where you are. Lots of love from CA!!