My Birthday WEEK! :)

My Birthday was May 20th but I was privileged to celebrate the whole WEEK! :) My birthday morning I woke up and Kory sang happy birthday to me. Then I called my brother Stephen. He came over and sang happy birthday to me. Then we had a bowl of cereal and hung out while Kory went to class. It was fun to spend some time with him that morning.


When Kory was done with class we left the apartment and he took me to the destination where my birthday surprise from my amazing sister-in-laws was. They are so sweet! They arranged for me to get my nails done at a nice salon. I was totally surprised and very excited! My nails look beautiful, thanks girls! Kory left me while I got my nails done (which I didn't like, but I forgave him later haha).

When I was done he picked me up and we went to PF Changs for my birthday lunch. I really enjoyed lunch, but we were in a hurry because we needed to get to work by 1PM. Of course we still had enough time to take a picture.


Then we were on our way to work...until all of the sudden Kory asked if I trusted him. I said no, I was kind of joking (I typically DO NOT like surprises). He told me that was the wrong answer then headed south on I-15 instead of north to work. He said we had a dinner reservation we had to catch. I asked if we were going to Vegas, very excited. Then we were on our way to my surprise birthday celebration! Kory planned such a great surprise! It was totally unexpected and very exciting.

The road trip was a lot of fun. We just listened to music and talked. When we finally got to Vegas we were both tired. Luckily we had enough time to check into the MGM Grand and then get ready for our dinner reservation at the Wolfgang Puck Restaurant. Dinner was SO good! Plus they made a really cute birthday desert for me.





After dinner we went to KA the Cirque de Solei show. It was really cool. Part of it were really slow and weird. But for the most part, the stunts that those athletes can pull off are very impressive and entertaining. It was fun to do something out of the norm to celebrate my birthday! When the show was over we went dancing at the club Studio 54, which was also very fun. I love dancing with my husband.

The next day we got up and enjoyed a free buffet breakfast which was delicious. Then we went to see some of the MGM Lions. We watched them for quite a while, it was really neat.


We took some extra pictures that we didn't take the night before. We hadn't gotten ready for the day yet because we were just going to eat breakfast.


Later we left the hotel to explore the strip a little, but mostly to do some shopping. I went to Sephora and got my free birthday gift from them. Then I got a cute shirt from H&M. After some shopping we checked out and headed to our next destination, California!




I figured out that we were going to California the night before. It was going to be my surprise on Friday, but I had this feeling we were going. The story was that we were going to Vegas for the night and then going back to Utah so that we could fly to Washington for Memorial Day weekend. But that was all a cover for the real plan, which was going to see Jeni and Hugh in Palm Springs area. The first day was really chill, we just hung out and visited. I was SO excited to go visit them! One night we went to see a couple of art shows on opening night.









After seeing the art shows we went to Red Robin for dinner. I redeemed my second free birthday burger from them, haha.


The rest of the trip was spent shopping, playing nintendo, and hanging out by the pool! I also got to spend time with their new handsome baby boy!









The last night we were there Hugh put dish soap in their pool to make really big bubbles, haha. It looked really fun! We were too tired to participate though.








Overall, I had the BEST BIRTHDAY WEEK ever! It was a blast. Kory is such a wonderful and thoughtful husband. My parents are the best! All of my in-laws are so great! I could not ask for more. Thank you everyone who made my week special! I love you!

Tomorrow is My Birthday!

Tomorrow I'll be "one year older and wiser, too." However, the birthday recognition has already begun! Mom mentions it every time I talk to her. Dad called and wished me Happy Birthday early. They gave me a wonderful gift. I have friends texting and messaging me telling me they are already thinking about me. Sunday I got to make a wish and blow out candles at my cousin's. I had a special, unexpected cookie delivery last night. Plus, Kory gave me my "first birthday gift" last night too. Wow! I feel so special! But I certainly love this time of year. Thank you everyone who makes my life so great! I love each of you.

The Grey's Anatomy Season Finale

I love Grey's Anatomy.

Last night I watched the 2 hour season finale. Of course it made me shed a few tears. Kory was sure to comfort me with hugs. I always tell him it's a good cry when you're touched by incredible writing of a script. Needless to say, even though I knew it was coming I was really sad to see Izzy Stevens pass away. Plus, what was up with that unexpected tragedy at the end of the episode!? ABC is sure cutting costs on their best shows (they also killed Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives). I'll miss Izzy a lot!


Ultimately, even though characters are dying, the incredible writing for these shows makes me love them way more than any movie. I LOVE good television!

Happy Mother's Day (A Little Belated)

I love Mother's Day. Mostly because I get to think about my mother and all of the wonderful things she has done for me in my life. Mom drove me to school everyday in elementary and then picked me up when we got out at the end of the day. We always sang or did something else fun the whole drive. My mom also took me to tons of different lessons and practices throughout my life: dance, soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball, cheer, piano, viola, choir. There were always times when I wanted to quit and Mom was there to encourage (or make) me keep going. :) Not to mention I could always count on her! She is also a huge motivation for any educational/career ambition I have, she graduated in Accounting from BYU and had a successful career for years. Mom was such an influence in creating any good quality that I may have. She taught me how to develop good relationships with friends and family. I know that I will be a better mother because of her wonderful example. I love you Mom!



I also have THE BEST mother-in-law in the world! I seriously feel like the luckiest girl to have married into Kory's family. Lynda is always so positive, and fun! I love being around her. She is so social and tells great stories. I love her friendly text messages. Plus we can share shoes! :)
I love you Lynda!

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of the mother's out there that I love!

Celebrating Love and Marriage!

Happy 1/2 Anniversary!

Yesterday, on May 8th, Kory and I were privileged to celebrate being married for 6 months! We celebrated in the morning with the amazing unlimited french toast from Kneaders for breakfast! Then the day continued as usual going to work etc. But we celebrated with dinner at Olive Garden. Thanks to some mess-ups in the kitchen we got our whole meal free! It was great! :) Yay for being happily married! I love yo Kory!

This picture is from breakfast.

Graduation!!

Thank You So Much for Making Graduation Special for Me!

Graduation was SO much fun! It was seriously some of the best two days ever. Mom and Stephen came down to celebrate with me. I always LOVE it when they come! Dad wasn't able to make it because he had other business obligations, but he was there in spirit. The night before graduation as we were falling asleep Kory kept saying, "I'm so proud of you." It made me feel so good! I love making my husband proud. On the day of commencement my Mom came over and helped me finish getting ready. She was also telling me how great I have done and that she was proud of me. I love making my mother proud! It was so nice to have her there! She drove me over to graduation and dropped me off so I wouldn't have to worry about parking. I was able to relax and reflect a little before everything got going, and it was such a wonderful moment.

Stephen was waiting in line to get great seats. Mom went over to meet him. Kory was able to come over to the parking lot where the other graduates and I were gathered before the procession started. I was so happy to see him, I was kind of standing around by myself so it was fun to have him there with me for a moment. It turns out he followed me the whole way taking pictures of me as I was walking in the procession for University Commencement. It was so fun! The lady behind me kept saying, "your husband is everywhere!" haha I agreed with a big smile. As I got closer to the Marriott Center I was able to find my really good friend Emily and we were together the rest of the commencement. Kory continued to find me and take pictures all along the way. When I got closer to the doors Stephen found me and put a beautiful lei around my neck. I walked inside the Marriott Center and when I finally got to my seat I discovered that my family was seated right above me really close! It was so awesome! Each of them had big smiles and waved at me. It was so great! Commencement began, several speeches were given but President Uchtdorf's was the best.

After commencement we gathered outside and took some pictures. That is when I learned that the camera Kory was using the whole time was actually my new graduation gift! Mom, Dad, and Kory went in on it and I absolutely LOVE it! After we took a couple of pictures we went to dinner at Brick Oven. I wanted to eat there to celebrate my BYU graduation because it is such a BYU restaurant. Needless to say dinner was great. I had to just keep telling my wonderful family thank you and thank you again for making the day so special for me. I was so happy!

The next day I woke up bright and early for my college convocation. Kory dropped me off at the Marriott Center and Mom went with me to make sure everything was ready to go for my name to be read. Stephen was saving seats--he is so good at that--so that once again they could be close to me. As I lined up with the other graduates I was amazed when at one point I was given a yellow sticker which indicated I was the first American Studies major in the alphabet so far. As a Nelson, that would have never happened to me. I guess that is a perk for having a last name that starts with an H (even though it sound like it starts with a Y)! I ended up being the third one alphabetically among my American Studies peers. Therefore, I got to sit front and center! It was awesome! I turned toward the audience and could see my wonderful family smiling and waving. I really enjoyed convocation, the speeches were outstanding. Of course I loved walking across the stage, hearing my name called out, and receiving my BYU diploma. Kory was there to snap a picture right as I was leaving the stage. Again, the whole thing made me feel so special.

Afterwards we again gathered outside. I got to see my Aunt Laura and grandma who came to congratulate me. They are so thoughtful. Then we took some family pictures. We went over to the Gordon B. Hinckley Visitor's Center and met President Samuelson. We took some pictures around the Visitor's Center.

Overall Graduation was so awesome! I absolutely love my family and all that they do for me. Everyone went out of their way to make me feel like a queen the whole weekend. Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful phone calls and gifts. Even if you weren't here you added to my graduation experience, and I love you.

Day #1 University Commencement.
In the parking lot getting ready for the procession!

My amazing husband came to visit before it started,
and let me know he would be watching for me.

He did watch for me! haha
I'm walking to the Marriott Center with the other grads.

He's still following me :)

When we got closer to the Marriott Center we got to see President Uchtdorf, Elder Nelson and BYU's President Samuelsen. It was so neat to see them watching us and waving to us as we passed. I think that is the closest I will ever get to them.

I found my friend Emily and as we were walking I look up and see Kory again! :)

Notice I now have a lei, as I was walking up to the entrance of the Marriott Center I heard Stephen yell, "Ana Lee!" then he ran up to me and put this on me. It was so cool! Kory as my paparazzi and Stephen decorating me with a lei, it made me feel so special.

Emily walking into the Marriott Center. I had no idea I was being watched, but I'm not surprised. I'm so glad I found Emily, it made graduation way more fun than being alone.

There they are! My family! (Kory took the pic) With seats only 20 ft away from me!
Stephen did such a good job getting seats.

My handsome husband! He is seriously the sweetest ever!
Look at those beautiful flowers!

My wonderful mother and my best friend! Mom thank you so much for all that you have done to help me become who I am today, I love you!

My family! I'm sad Dad wasn't able to make it because of business, but he was there in spirit.

Walking down the hill to take pictures at the Brigham Young University entrance sign.
Stephen was caught like mid-sentence haha. He is so fun I love him.

Day #2 at my Humanities College Convocation.
I got to be front and center as an American Studies major.
Plus I was the 3rd one alphabetically, moving from N to H got me a better seat! haha

This is where I got to clap for my family who supported me and helped me become who I am today! I loved being able to look right at them while I was clapping for them.

Diploma in hands, yeeeeaaaahh!

Congratulatory kiss :)

Family picture with the diploma!






Beautiful April flowers at the Hinckley Visitor's Center.

The real "Y" Mountain!

"Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve"

My Giveaway Gift!

Lauren Spencer made me the coolest "Giveaway" gift ever! Many of you saw me post a blog about how I was going to do a giveaway for the first 5 people who commented on my post. The catch was that you would have to offer the same giveaway to your blog readers. The idea came because I was one of the first 5 to post on Lauren's blog. As a result I was one of the recipients of her giveaway! This is the blog about my reward!

Lauren and I met as Freshman at BYU, we were roommates at Helaman Halls (the dorms). We lived together again our Junior year. Over the years Lauren has become acquainted with my love for travel. Therefore, when crafting a special gift just for me it is no surprise she made me a travel journal! Lauren has always had an eye for design. Not only is she a talented photographer, but she is also an incredible graphic designer. I told her that I want to learn my "crafty homemaker" skills from her because she makes everything look so good!


The cover is so adorable, it has our names on it. Plus I love the color scheme!

It has a red elastic that holds the journal closed, and adds a nice accent.













Inside the first page has two quotes that fit my attitude towards life and traveling perfectly. The design is adorable. Then on the next page I write in the trip's title.






















On the edge the journal has tabs so that you can keep your tracked observations and experiences organized.












The first section allows me to write in the details of my itinerary.
The last few pages of the section allow me to write in thoughts I have. Then it has two super cute pockets at the end where I can store memorabilia from the trip. That is SO awesome because I love keeping ticket stubs, cafe napkins etc.

One of the parts I absolutely LOVE is how there are stickers that I can post on different parts of the journal I write.

I can stick a page with "Loved It," "Hated It," "Must Go Back," "Reccomend," "Best Day," "Good for Kids," or a star. Isn't that so great!



This will be perfect for me, especially because I love planning and evaluating travel.

The rest of the Sightseeing section allows me to enter the information of my hotels, and then rate and comment on them. So cool!

I can do the same thing with Restaurants...

And points of interest...

And of course shopping! Then the cute pockets at the end again. I seriously wish I would have been doing this all along. Wouldn't it be awesome if I had an organized method of seeing all of the places I have stayed, seen, experienced, etc. with my ratings and comments for them? Maybe I'll try to look back and remember?

Basically, I totally love my travel journal! Thank you so much Lauren! Your thoughtfulness has blown me away. Thank you for sharing your talents by making something special for ME! :) Love you!