Happy Spring!

Hi! It's finally starting to look like Spring up here, and it makes everything so much better! We don't have any flowers blooming yet, but there is a lot of green grass everywhere, I guess because the snow kept it hydrated all winter? It's so nice to look out at our backyard and see green grass, little blooming wildflowers, and of course, my "pet" rabbit that sits back there all day. I just pretend he's my pet, even though I can't get close enough to touch him. He's very cute though, and loves to sit in the grass and annoy all the squirrels.

Kelly came to visit Easter weekend and stayed most of the week, and we had a great time! After we picked her up at the airport on Sunday we went to St. Paul and did several fun things. We went to the Como Zoo, the Cathedral of Saint Paul, and the Science Center/Museum. It was a beautiful day and we had so much fun, even though we wore ourselves out with all the sightseeing. I took her to the Mall of America, on Monday, and we found little local things to do around here for the rest of the week. I was sad to see her leave, but I finally get to go home this Sunday, the 25th, and I can't wait!!! I'm actually going to be home for the entire month of May!

Ryan was in Atlanta last week, so I spent my first week alone in Owatonna. I think I did alright, I stayed busy hanging out with some of the other girls who were also alone. We made sure we got together to watch Dancing With the Stars and American Idol, and a few Chick-Flicks that we normally wouldn't get to watch with the guys around. It was fun, although I did miss Ryan. I also didn't really get scared at all at night, I find that I just have to keep the TV on at all times, even while I'm sleeping, for comfort. Ryan got back Friday night, and we had a beautiful weekend, so we took advantage by going to the driving range, and Ryan played golf Sunday, which was really nice. My allergies are really bad right now, but the lovely weather and absence of snow is worth it!

We leave for Atlanta on Sunday, and I will be there for a month, but Ryan will still be going back and forth. Kelly's graduation and party next weekend, and I can't wait to see my family! It's been way too long...

Starting to Look Like Spring!

Hi! I know it's been way too long since I wrote my last blog post. I didn't feel very inspired at the end of winter, but today it's 81 and sunny here in Owatonna! The snow has all melted, and it makes everything seem so much better here.

Ryan and I were in Florida last week, and it was exactly what we needed to feel rejuvenated! Ryan had to work in various cities, but I got to stay in Ocala with Ryan's parents and relax. I even got to go down to St. Pete beach and stay at a lovely condo on the bay, right across the street from the beach. I had a great time! Going to Florida definitely pulled me out of my Owatonna Winter funk.

Luckily, the weather has been very nice upon our return. I'm very excited because Saturday my sister Kelly is coming in from Atlanta! She will be here next week for her Spring Break! I can't wait for her to get here! It will be strange actually having a family member here and showing them this town and our little apartment.

This was just a short update, I'm sure I will have more pictures to post after Kelly's visit!
Happy Spring and Happy Easter!

Minnesota Winter Continues...

It's been a long time since my last post, sorry to keep you waiting! It's a very snowy day here in Owatonna, and I can't WAIT to be done looking at white and seeing some green! I have just about had enough of this winter, but I know I've still got two more months of it...

Besides the weather, things have been good up here. Ryan is halfway done with Phase Two of his training, and I have finally started working. I have been substituting at the local schools, and I am very happy to have something to do! I am called when I'm needed, so I don't know if I will be working tomorrow until about 9:30 the night before. The schools are actually closed today because of the snow, so this must be a lot, even for them!

We are still trying to have as much fun as we can, and we have really enjoyed all of the people we have met here. We continue to gather on the weekends to play very competitive games of Cranium, Wii Bowling, or whatever else we feel like at the time.

There is not a whole lot of new information to write about, we are just continuing to make the most out of our time here and be as patient with this winter as we can!

Happy New Year!

It was eighteen below when I woke up this morning! I just got back to Owatonna last night, I flew into Minneapolis on New Year's Eve and Ryan picked me up. There is much more snow than when I left, and my car won't start because the battery fluids are frozen, but I'm jumping ahead...

Going home was great, Ryan and I had one night together in Atlanta, and we got to see some of our friends, and that was really fun. We went straight to my parents' house after the airport and had dinner first, and it was so nice being there! Ryan and I had the best meal we had eaten in a long time (filet mignon and kale)! The house looked so pretty with all of the Christmas decorations Mom had put up. I went to Dublin the next day with my family and Ryan stayed in Atlanta. Dublin was fun, as always, and then I went to Orlando with Mom, Dad, and Kelly. We had a great time! Ryan had a good time in Denver, and especially in Vail, where he went snowboarding with his family.

It was tough to leave home, knowing I was coming back to extreme cold, but I was excited to see Ryan again. We had a fun New Year's in Minneapolis, we ate a five-course meal at a really cool restaurant and stayed at the W Hotel. We're back in Owatonna now, who knows when I'll get to leave again!? Ryan has begun Phase 2 of the training program, so we have three months down and six more to go! Come visit us, if you dare! I don't blame you if you don't want to come until March or April, though.