I figured I would take some time to update my blog before I start my LAST semester of the nursing program and things get really busy. This Christmas/New Years went by way too fast and I am feeling the after-holiday blues big time. Zach and I were able to go home to my house for a week before he had to get back to work. It was really fun for us to be together for our first Christmas. We were absolutely spoiled with love and gifts and it was great! 

 I really wanted this sign, so it was one of my Christmas gifts from Zach...and I got it early! 

I was lucky enough to get to see some of my really good friends over the break and it was very awesome to catch up and have some good laughs.

 

I just have to laugh at this picture...it is a glass candle stick wrapped in there. When he bought it at TJ Maxx, they wrapped it in tissue paper and he thought it made the perfect wrapping paper.

I love my husband so much!

My mom got us one of my favorite gifts. She had this made for us, it is solid wood and I love it!

Us looking sleepy on Christmas morning. My step-dad Pete made me wear that necklace, it is one tha flashes/blinks haha

We went four wheeling out at my Grandma's house, it didn't last long though because it was freezing.

My dad got us this awesome old fashion hot air popper. Zach and I love popcorn and we tried this out a few nights ago. It was yummy.

 I just love the gifts my sisters got me this year. Maria made me the banner, I wish I was as crafty and creative as her...but maybe when I have more time on my hands I will have the chance to work on that haha. My sister Melissa got me the cute little canvas painting of the love birds on the left. It worked perfectly with the colors I have in my bedroom.

 

This New Years Zach and I went to see a movie and got home in time to watch the ball drop and enjoy some sparkling cider together.

I added this picture because I am officially a resident of Idaho...they even made me surrender my old Washington license. It was sad.

Well, I think that catches us up for now. This next semester Zach will be working full time because he is off-track, but he will be taking the second part of Anatomy & Physiology (ouch). I will be busy preparing for graduation from the associates portion of the nursing program and also getting ready for the bachelors portion of the program. I am excited that "real life" is upon us soon. I will be able to get my registered nursing license after I graduate in April and hopefully find a job soon after! Zach and I are so blessed and we owe it to our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. Until next time,

Alli & Zach

Finally, a break!

At last, the semester is coming to an end and I finally have a chance to update my blog. I finished my last final on Friday night and only have one more assignment for my religion class. However, Zach is busy studying away as we speak for his finals. We have had a fun first 3 months of marriage trying to juggle school, work, and everyday life. It has been so fun building our lives together and I look forward to the future. I only have one more semester of the nursing program now that this semester is over and I am so excited to be able to start working this spring (when I find a job). It is a stressful and exciting time of our lives as we approach "the real world" coming upon us so fast. Zach has the opportunity to start applying to PA schools this spring for the ones that he meets the prerequisites for. I couldn't be more happy than I am with all of the many blessings we have had in our lives and how bright the future looks. Once the semester is officially over, we are heading to Spokane for this Christmas and then we will be coming back to Rexburg. My mom had the idea that Zach and I take my little brother Hayden back with us for a few days so he can explore campus because he is applying here for Fall 2014 (yay!). 

Now for some pictures from the past few months..

 This was before Halloween on a date to the Haunted Forest...so freaking scary. Let's just say I was really winded after going through and there was a part in which everyone landed on my head.

Another double date with our friends Brad and Kelsey

 

 Found out this semester that I have high blood pressure and had to have a lot of labs drawn to make sure that nothing too serious was wrong. Good news, nothing wrong.

 

My first attempt as a married woman to be crafty and I think it turned out pretty cute. Only this wreath went crashing to the ground after a windy day in Rexburg and broke into 3 pieces. 

 

I have had a lot of fun decorating my little apartment and making it feel like a home. 

 

Zach and I when we went to see the Hunger Games!

 

A view from the outside of our little apartment, before that wreath broke. 

 

I was able to go home for Thanksgiving to see my family. This was on black Friday when I was DONE shopping.

 

YAY NEW WREATH

 

I have been really good about making a home cooked meal everyday, except Fridays which we usually get pizza for fun. This is just one of the things I experimented with.

 

Our first Christmas together and we have a cute little tree that my step-dad Pete cut down for us at Thanksgiving. I got some laughs taking this home on the roof of our car. 

 

Our nativity scene that Zach's mom sent to us. I love it.

 

I realized that these pictures are kind of out of order but I took this picture the first night I had a 12 hour graveyard shift. 

 

It was so cold this past few weeks that the power went out and they canceled all classes until afternoon. Zach and I slept in and watched TV, it was a nice little mid-week break. 

I love decorating, this is in our bedroom. My mom gave me the iron decoration when I went home for thanksgiving. 

Well, I think that sums up our life for now. Hopefully I will be able to do a Christmas update before the semester starts! Until then, 

Alli & Zach

So, I wouldn't consider myself the blogging type. My sister Maria pretty much said I had to start a blog now that I am married. Here it goes...

Zach and I were married almost 5 weeks ago in the Spokane, Washington LDS temple.

This picture is probably my favorite from all of the wedding pics.

We are both students right now at BYU-Idaho. Zach is studying health science and will be done in about 4-5 semesters. This spring/summer he will be able to start applying to PA (physician's assistant) schools all over the country! I am in my 6th semester at BYU-Idaho and my third semester in the nursing program. I only have one more semester left until I receive my ASN (Associates of Science in Nursing) and then I will be able to take the licensing exam and finally become Registered Nurse! That will be around April/May some time! I will then continue on to do 3 more semesters as a registered nurse in the Bachelor's portion of the program. We both work right now, Zach works as a phlebotomist and I work as a lab tutor in the nursing lab on campus. We live in a little apartment not too far from campus and we are just feeling so blessed. Life is great! Here are some more wedding pics..

Well today was an abnormal day because I didn't have too much homework which allowed some time for me to do this. Hopefully I can keep up with it!