Graduation Day!

Well, I finally did it! I graduated from Graduate School with a Masters in Architecture! I started this journey 2 years ago, and at the time, never thought I would make it to graduation day! The past 2 years sure did fly by! It hasn't sunk in yet that I am done with school, and I'm sure it won't for a few weeks, but it is a great feeling! :-) Here are a few pictures from graduation:

Before the Graduation Ceremony

My Mom and I

Scott and I after graduation

Love,
Heather

Life Update!

I know, I know...I didn't finish my list of the 100 things I am thankful for before Thanksgiving. I tried, I really did but life just got in the way! The last two weeks have flown by! The week of Thanksgiving was busy for Scott and I. Scott worked Monday-Wednesday while I stayed busy working on my final studio project. By Thursday, we were both ready for a much needed break! For Thanksgiving, we joined my Mom at the Silvandale Range in Loveland to have dinner. Since it was just going to be the 3 of us this year, we decided not to cook a big dinner and instead enjoy a home-cooked buffet provided by the Ranch. The food was amazing, but I think the best part of the day was that it was 65 degrees outside! Yes, I said 65 degrees and sunny!!! After being at the Ranch for dinner and desert, Scott and I went home and put up our Christmas tree! We spent the rest of the evening laying around and enjoying some down time.

On Friday, Scott worked from home in the morning and I went shopping to cash in on some Black Friday deals! I didn't get up at 5:00 am, but still managed to get some good deals at Target later that morning. I really didn't have an agenda, I just went to get into the holiday spirit. However, I did find some deals that were too good to pass up, and left the store with a large shopping bag! :-) That afternoon Scott, my Mom and I went up to Estes Park to enjoy the Lighted Holiday Parade! We ate at Village Pizza (yum!) and shopped downtown before the parade began. The weather was nice and warm that day, but cooled off after the sun went down! We enjoyed hot chocolate to stay warm!

On Saturday, Scott surprised me with tickets to the Nutcracker for that night as my birthday present! I love love the Nutcracker! We went out to dinner in Downtown Denver before the show and then went to a bar that is located on the 27th floor of the Hyatt hotel in downtown that has a spectacular view of the city afterwards for a drink. The night was wonderful and exactly what we needed! I have the worlds greatest Fiancee! Sunday, my actual birthday, we spent the afternoon in Fort Collins with my Mom. She made me triple chocolate cake and we ordered pizza for dinner. I had a wonderful birthday and I have to say, it feels really good to be 26! 25 wasn't my best year, so I have high hopes for 26! ;-)

This week was another busy busy week for me! I had my final studio presentation yesterday, so all week I was preparing for that. My presentation went really really well and it's such a relief to be done. I can't believe I am done with studio forever! For the 6 years I have been in school, studio was always my first priority! Stress, tears, blood and all-nighters were a part of my studio life and for it to all be over is a little bitter sweet for me. Some of my favorite memories from college are of pulling all-nighters with my friends, watching movies on a screen we rigged up, listening to music loud enough that I could be heard from outside the building and sleeping in the carpet garden for an hour every 32 hours. I know it sounds more like slave work then fun, and it was, but I always managed to make the most of it. Had it not been for all the hours I have spent in the studio, I would not have the life long friendships that I have today! And that's what has made it all worth it!

Anyways, studio is done and over with and I have one test to go before I am officially done with the semester! Graduation is next Saturday at 9:00 am....why do they do that!? My Mom and Scott will be there in the audience cheering me on as I walk across the stage! Afterwards, we are going to have lunch at the Walnut Brewery in Boulder. The first time my Mom and I ate at the brewery I told her that I was going to apply to CU Boulder, that was in September 2002. By September 2003 I was attending CU Boulder. After that first time, my Mom and I continued to eat at the Walnut Brewery each time she'd come out to visit. It only feels appropriate that we go there to celebrate an end to a journey that started 7 years ago.

My list continued......
61. My parents for allowing me to follow my dream of becoming an architect even when it meant supporting my decision to attend the University of Colorado
62. The Alabama Christmas Album
63. Scott for supporting me and loving me through this last year
64. Snow!
65. My Aunt Clare and Cousin Danielle for always buying me such cute clothes for my birthday
66. Coffee (I'm sure it's already made the list, but I really love coffee)
67. Being able to work in the same office as my friend Tiffany, I probably don't get as much work done but it makes each day at work more enjoyable
68. Having 5 great years with my MacBook before it died....it was a sad day!
69. Staying in touch with old Friends
70. Friends (the TV show)...so many life lessons can be learned from just watching an episode!
71. Christmas Cards...one of my favorite things about the holidays!
72. Graduating with a Masters of Architecture degree in a week!
73. Being able to spend the holidays with both my Mom and Scott this year
74. Dance!
75. Friday afternoons

Well, that's all for now! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and is remembering what this time of year is truly about!!!

Hugs & Kisses,
Heather

More...

36. Receiving cards in the mail from my Grandma just because she misses me
37. Cozy blankets
38. My heath, Scott's health and my family's health
39. Tim McGraw because: Tim McGraw+Krista Brittain+Me+4 past concerts+This coming summer's concert=Some of the best nights of my life!
40. BHS Cheerleading
41. Having a fiance who insists that I relax and spend the night watching all my favorite girl shows after I've had a long day at work/school
42. Living in a place where the sun shines 360 days a year
43. The ocean and how it makes all my problems disappear
44. Snowboarding and how that makes me feel free
45. My purple iPod
46. A fiance that does the laundry, cooks and cleans!
47. Girls-Day-Out with my Mom that include shopping, lunch and lots of girl talk
48. The Walnut Brewery in Boulder, CO
49. Wedding Planning
50. Sleep
51. My relationship with God
52. My involvement with the AIA (American Institute of Architects) because it's provided me with so many experiences and allowed me to meet incredible people who have become my mentors and friends over the past five years
53. Christmas Traditions
54. The Barbie ornaments that I get from my Dad every year on the Birthday
55. Scarves, hats, gloves and winter coats
56. Estes Park...there are so many memories in that town that go back to the time I was 10 years old
57. Mine and Scott's future together...I don't know what it will bring but I know it's going to be fun, exciting, challenging, rewarding and memorable
58. Body Lotion
59. Bubble baths
60. Gilmore Girls

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving less then 2 weeks a way and the end of the year less then 2 months away, I have been thinking about this past year a lot lately. To be honest, 2009 has not been the best year I've had. In fact, it's been one of the toughest years I've had in a long time. I'm ready to say good-bye to 2009 and hello to 2010, because I know next year is going to be much much better! As easy it would be for me to just move on, I know I should spend sometime reflecting on this past year, as I'm sure there are many life lessons I was suppose to learn. But I'm not quit ready to say good-bye to 2009 just yet. I am determined to end this year on a positive note. So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I have decided to make a list of 100 things in my life I am thankful for and post them here between now and Thanksgiving day. This time of year, I think it is important to remember what is important to us, that we are blessed and that we should give thanks for everything in our lives. I hope my list encourages you to think about the things in your life you are thankful for and give thanks for them.

100 thing that I am Thankful for...

1 - Scott, my best friend

2 - My Mom's unconditional love and support

3 - Having the greatest girl friends who are always there for me when I need to talk, laugh or cry

4 - My faith

5 - Snow Days (especially the ones that come in October)

6 - My Father's love and understanding

7 - My close relationship with my Grandma

8 - Movies that I have seen over and over again, but still love to watch

9 - Coffee!

10 - My loving family

11 - Facebook (I love how it's brought me closer to my family and old/new friends)

12 - My passion for architecture

13 - New shoes (sometimes a girl just needs new shoes!)

14 - Being able to eat (and enjoy) cinnamon rolls with Scott on Sunday mornings

15 - Watching the snow fall outside my window

16 - My cat Joey

17 - Finding a new band that I just can't get enough of

18 - Being spontaneous

18 - Having the ability to still be spontaneous with Scott

19 - Candles

20 - Red Wine

21 - Books that I just can't put down

22 - My education

23 - Date nights in with Scott that result in Chinese food, wine and a movie

24 - Being broke..for now (yes, I really do mean that...I think it will give us a strong foundation to build our lives on)

25 - Creating long lasting relationships with new friends

26 - My memories of growing up in Iowa

27 - My "Niece" and "Nephews": Kate, Hunter, Alex, Aaron, Jordan and Jackson

28 - My future

29 - My Future-In-Laws (yes, I really do mean that!)

30 - Never giving up on my dream that I would someday marry my best friend and soul mate because in my heart they are the same person

31 - Living in Colorado

32 - The opportunity to travel to the places I have been

33 - Daydreams

34 - Hoodies and beanies

35 - Flip Flops (and even more so, being able to wear flip flops in November!)

Love,

Heather

Pictures!!!

So, I'm a little behind the times, but it just came to my attention that I can post pictures within our blog! This is something I've been wanting to do forever, but could never figure out how to do it...until now! So, here are just a few pictures of Scott and I. In the future, I'll try to post pictures within the blog! ;-) I hope you enjoy...

Us

Scott and I out in Denver

Scott and I in Estes Park

Us in California

Scott and I in front of a P-51 Mustang at the Chino Planes of Fame Museum

H&S

October Snow Dayz

Since this blog is about our lives out here in Colorado, I felt it was appropriate to blog about the crazy October snow storm we are having! For the past 48 hours the snow has continually been following outside our window. The snow started late Tuesday night and is finally suppose to end by tonight. We have 25 inches on the ground...it looks more like Christmas time then Halloween! The University and the ING Denver office are closed, which means Scott and I have a snow day today!!! Scott, unfortunately, has the ability to work from home so he's actually working today! I, on the other hand, am enjoying my snow day! Joey (my cat) and I are curled up on the bed watching hours of daytime TV and movies! Tomorrow it is suppose to be in the middle 40's and should warm up to the mid-60's by the end of the weekend, so I'm guessing we'll be back to work tomorrow. So for now, I am going to enjoy my rare fall snow day by drinking lots of hot chocolate, taking a nap and maybe even making a snowman!

Snowflake Kisses,

Heather

Lack of Motivation or Just Excitement for the Future!?!?

Hello All! Once again, it has been forever since I have taken a moment to sit down and blog about all of the exciting things happening in our lives! I don't know about you, but I feel like these past months have just flown by! I can't believe I will be turning my calendar to November on Sunday! How is this possible? I guess that's what happens when you're still looking for August! Since I'm not even sure when I blogged last time, I'll give you all the cliff-notes version of what's been happening:

- Scott celebrated his 26th birthday on September 28th. We celebrated by going out to dinner one night and getting a home cooked meal and cake from my Mom another night.

- Scott and I went to California at the beginning of October to visit Scott's Dad and Step-Mom. We have a wonderful time enjoying the warm weather and beach! The four of us went to the Merimar Airshow in San Diego. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed myself and as it turns out, I am a pretty good aviation photographer!

- A couple of weekends ago I had a design conference in Keystone, CO. That same weekend, Scott and I celebrated our 1 year engagement anniversary! We celebrated by spending the night in Keystone and treating ourselves to dinner at a great restaurant in Dillon, CO. We had a really great night! It's hard to believe that we have been engaged for a year now! I'm not sure where that year has gone! I sure hope things slow down a bit so we can enjoy our wedding!!!

Well, I believe you are all caught up now. Our lives should calm down now for the rest of the year. I have less then two months till graduation, which explains the lacking motivation I'm feeling for school right now (I'm being told it's normal). I can't wait to be done with school and be able to focus more of my time on the wedding! Everyone is getting excited and I'm getting impatient! I can't wait for May to come around! We have a lot to do, but that's half the fun!

Well, I believe that is all for now. I wanted to give you all a quick update and let you know that we are still here, still just as busy, just still as madly in love as ever!

Love,

Scott and Heather