A year in reflection…

This past year has been one to remember.

A few of my highlights:

Celebrated 4 years of dating

Melting Pot Dinner

Spring Break with my family in Arizona visiting my brother

Ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon

Graduated from CSU

Attended numerous weddings

With the new Mrs. Soper

The new Mrs. Taylor

The new Mrs. Hoerner

OUR WEDDING!

Finally Mr. and Mrs. Zeman

Honeymoon in Jamaica (lost camera=no pictures. womp womp)

Moved into our first apartment together

Our first place. SO much stuff.

Ran the Rock N Roll Denver Half Marathon

A trip to Breckenridge with our dear friends

Got to witness my bestie get engaged

The soon-to-be Mrs. Kruse

Our first Christmas

Christmas 2011

I’m not sure if 2012 can top this past year. But I am looking forward to more memories, trips, events, traditions, challenges, and life lessons. Here’s to 2012! Happy New Year!

First Married Christmas

Nick and I had a wonderful first Christmas together as husband and wife. With some sad news earlier in the week of my sweet Grandpa’s passing and us not being able to attend his funeral in Wisconsin thanks to the snowstorm, I was worried that my expectations of our first married Christmas might be let down. Thankfully, they were not.

Christmas Eve was a busy day for us, starting with brunch in Conifer at Nick’s aunt and uncle’s house. It was fun to meet some of his cousins who were in from out of town for the first time.

At Aunt Vicky and Uncle Drew's house

Catching up with my sister-in-law

The day progressed with a Candlelight Service at Church, and then back to the Zeman’s for a filet mignon dinner, exchanging gifts, and games. I love my new family so much and feel so blessed that we were able to all be together this holiday.

The Zeman Eight (plus Grandpa Lawrence)

I love my new sisters

Late Christmas Eve Nick and I headed to my parent’s house so we could wake up and be with my family. We had a great morning exchanging gifts, drinking coffee, and cooked a yummy breakfast.

That afternoon we headed back to the Zeman’s with my family and enjoyed a few hours of games and Christmas cheer. I am so thankful that both my families live so close and have a relationship with each other! All 12 of us together makes my heart so full.

Uno!

This holiday season was a very special one. The Lord has blessed us immensely, and we are so grateful.

Holiday Survey

Not a lot has been going on in the Zeman household these past few weeks. Well, besides working, Christmas shopping, and preparing for the holidays!

I found this fun little survey on another blog I follow, and thought it would be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit

HOLIDAY SURVEY

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?

I am a hot chocolate girl, but Nick has told me that he HAS to have eggnog on Christmas morning, so my views may change.

2. Colored or white lights on tree/house?

I prefer white lights on houses. It looks so classy to me! This year on our tree we put up colored lights, but I think we may switch to white next year.

3. When do you hang decorations up?

Seeing as this was our first year decorating our place, we were a little excited and started the day after Thanksgiving.

4. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

Can’t really think of one in particular, but my fondest memories are those waking up super early in Wisconsin at my Grandma’s house with cousins, and rushing downstairs to open presents. Our stockings were hung on the backs of chairs since my grandparents didn’t have a fireplace And huge family get togethers on Christmas Day.

5. What is on your Christmas wish list?

While usually I have a very detailed wish list and end up knowing exactly what I am getting each year, I am looking forward to actually being surprised this year! The only specific thing I asked for was gift card to Lululemon for some sweet workout gear (since I can’t really afford it on my own )

6. When do you open gifts?

My family always opened gifts from each other on Christmas Eve, since we are usually in Wisconsin and have a giant gift exchange with cousins on Christmas Day. This year we are staying in Colorado ( I have 2 families now!) so Nick and are opening presents from each other Christmas Eve morning, then the Zeman side on Christmas Eve night, and Schofield side on Christmas Day. Lots of celebrations this year!

7. Real or fake tree?

I grew up having a fake tree. One year my family tried a real, but Mom didn’t really like the mess it made and the up-keep required. Nick always grew up with a real, so that’s how we’re rolling at our house.

8. What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you?

Remembering what CHRISTmas is all about. The birth of our Lord and Savior. Even thinking about the amazing Christmas story, how God picked a “regular” couple to give birth to the world’s Redeemer, gives me goosebumps and brings me to tears. I am really trying not to get wrapped up in the materialistic aspect of the holiday and focus on the reason for the season.

9. What is your favorite tradition?

As I mentioned before, I loved spending Christmases in Wisconsin surrounded by over 40 members of my extended family. I also love Christmas Eve church services. There is something so magical about Christmas Eve! Nick and I are excited to start our own traditions as a couple and eventually as a family.

10. Do you prefer giving or receiving?

Growing up I preferred receiving (who didn’t?) but as I get older, I really do love giving. Being able to bless others and try to find the perfect gift is so fun!

11. Favorite Christmas song?

Oh, tough question. I love all Christmas music! But some of my faves are “The Christmas Song”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, and a classic- “O Holy Night”. (Ones I Hate- cheesy songs like “I Saw Mommy Kissing Sant Claus” and “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. ANNOYING.)

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

Another multiple answer. Top Favorites: Elf, Christmas Vacation (A Zeman tradition)”, It’s a Wonderful Life, Love Actually, and Four Christmases.

 

Thankful

A little late, but still note-worthy. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year, starting with dinner at my parent’s house on Thursday followed by another dinner at the Zeman’s on Friday.

Here are some things I am thankful for this year:

-Being married! We loved having our first thanksgiving together as husband and wife, and I am so thankful for my amazing hubby.

 

 

 

Beautiful weather for a walk after a huge meal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can hear the bells…

As previously stated, my mom and I flew to Cali this past weekend to see my friend Erin in the production of the musical Hairspray. Erin is an absolutely amazing actress with a beautiful voice and perfect comedic timing. I almost peed my pants laughin at her in the show. After her Saturday evening show, my mom and I said goodbye to Erin because she thought we were leaving Sunday morning. Little did she know we would be there to witness such a special moment! Some other friends from Colorado were also in town, and two friends from NY flew in without Erin knowing.

Scott had been working with a production company that is trying to start a show called “Perfect Proposals”, and Scott and Erin are on the pilot episode. What!?! So ridiculous. So the producers of the show helped Scott organize the details, and we showed up at the closing show on Sunday afternoon. Each friend got to be involved, so we patiently waited for the closing number, and the director of the show announced that there was a surprise. (None of the cast knew either) Scott came out of a giant hairspray can on stage, and I will never forget the look on Erin’s face. He then went into detail about their relationship, and each friend got to carry a poster across the front of the stage to help illustrate different points. And of course she said yes! It was the most beautiful proposal.

Seeing Scott come out of the 15 foot Hairspray can.

Erin Watkins, will you marry me?

 

Oh, and Matthew Morrison was there. No big deal.

We got to spend the rest of the night with the happy couple, re-watching the proposal and sharing in the excitement. I am so thankful I was able to witness such a special moment.

Colorado friends

 

CONGRATULATIONS Scott and Erin! I am overwhelmingly happy for you and cannot wait for your wedding. May God bless your engagement and your future.

Busy Bees

Wow! Where to even begin. So much has happened in the past month, I apologize for the lack of blogging. It seems like every weekend Nick and I have been busy with plans, and I just haven’t had time to blog about it all! I will do my best to re-hash the last four weeks.

At the end of October we headed North to our old stomping grounds in Fort Collins for the wedding of one of my best friend’s older sisters. The wedding was gorgeous,  and it was so fun to spend a weekend with my gals and their men just like in college.

Beautiful Bride

The next weekend Nick and I hosted a “Harvest Party” (a Halloween party minus the costumes) and we had fun eating fall food, carving pumpkins, and watching Halloween movies. It was a little crowded in our one bedroom apartment, but it was so fun!

Not the winning pumpkin, but still pretty good!

To celebrate the first weekend in November and our friend Mekenzie’s birthday, my four girlfriends and our men headed to Breckenridge for a fun mountain retreat. We enjoyed walking around Main Street, playing board games, eating, hot tubing in the snow, and enjoy each other’s company. Happy 22nd Kenz!

Breckenridge

This past weekend was extra special. My mom and I flew out to LA to see my girl Erin in her California debut as Penny in the musical Hairspray. We had this trip planned a month ago, but a week before leaving Erin’s boyfriend Scott called me and told me he was going to propose the same weekend we would be there! I could hardly contain myself. My mom and I quickly changed our flights so we could see the proposal. See the next post for details on that

Rockin’ N Rollin’

This past weekend was a fun but challenging one. It was my first “big” race, and the first where I actually had a time goal.

On Saturday, two of my girlfriends came down from Fort Collins to join me for the Denver Rock N Roll Half Marathon. We went to the expo that afternoon, and while it was crazy packed, it was fun to pick up our race packets and grab a little swag. We got about a bazillion energy bars, energy blocks, muscle milk and coupons. But it was fun to walk around, stake out the competition (ha! ya right), and we even met a mother/son duo from the Biggest Loser. This was their 9th Half this year! Ouch.

Dan & Jackie from Biggest Loser

Then that evening we made a huge pasta dinner (yum-pesto with veggies), watched a chick flick, and hit the hay early. That 5 am wake up call came too quick! Also considering that I was too nervous to fall asleep right away. But we got up, ate some protein and carbs (whole grain waffle, PB, and banana), bundled up, and headed out! My sweet husband and our other friend Gabrielle were awesome enough to wake up with us and come watch us.

Not-so-bright and early!

They dropped us off (still dark) near the starting line, and we jumped in our corral. I must say that this race was extremely organized and efficient! We jumped and wiggled around trying to stay warm until it was our corral’s turn to take off. Talk about nerves!

Once we started going, we warmed up quickly. My friends were such great running partners, and Mekenzie and I were side-by-side for the majority of the race.

The best part of the 13.1 miles was the last .1, where the crowd down the chute was huge and it was downhill! Such a great way to end a race.

Kenz & I, almost done!

 

Coming across the Finish Line (Kenz in neon yellow, me all the way on the right)

Finish Line Kisses

We ended up meeting our goal, which was simply to finish in under 2 hours. My official time was 1:53. Not that great, but a personal record for me! I was pumped.

It was a great experience, and I definitely want to do another Rock N Roll, hopefully in another state. But for now, I’m taking a break from running. I am going to start Insanity next week! Yikes.