So we've finally moved into our new apartment, it's alright for now, after all it has a roof and four walls (The rental market in Colorado Springs is intense right now, so everything is way overpriced). The good news is that we have an awesome view (see below)! I was also accepted into graduate school at UCCS last week. I had my in person interview and they liked me so much they accepted me on the spot, it felt pretty darn awesome I must admit (I don't think I've ever been told I'm "perfect" for anything in my life). So I will begin my MA in Special Education next month, and I couldn't be more excited! We're still getting settled in (and unpacked!) but we're loving CO and we're so grateful that we get to live in this wonderfully beautiful state!

Things I've learned so far in CO:
- Doing anything remotely involving any kind exercise in altitude is no joke.
- You actually do get used to waking up with nose bleeds.
- Living in a city of 500,000 people is too much for me, I long for a farm or mountain cabin now more than ever.
- Finding a job, any job, around the holidays is basically impossible.
- People out here are way more dog friendly, and outdoorsy, and nice.
- I have a "midwest accent"?
- I miss my family even more now that a plane, instead of car, ride separates us.
- There are legit gangs, and a very high crime level in COS. Who knew?

- ^Therefore your property & car insurance rates double...
- The only thing I enjoy about large cities is the access to awesome food & booze.

Get ready for picture overload. Sorry but I've been without internet for over a month now and I've gathered a lot of pictures. Plus I live in Colorado, everything is beautiful!

View from our apartment balcony during the day & night. I'll have to get another picture when the sun is rising, the light coming off Garden of the Gods in the morning is absolutely breathtaking.

 View from in front of the picnic table

First hike. 6800ft altitude is unforgiving.

What happens when you have an apartment but the army has all your household goods:

 cards on the balcony, our nightly entertainment for the first week.

cheap wine in styrofoam cups, I like to keep it classy.

We've been trying to do weekend adventures to cool places, the first was to Frisco, CO, which for those of you who ski/snowboard is right by Copper Mountain.

Drive up to Frisco from Denver

The BEST pizza I've ever had! Boatyard Grille 

Second adventure was in our own backyard, well 5miles from our apartment to be exact, Seven Falls!

If you're ever in Colorado Springs this park is WAY worth the entrance fee, it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, the pictures don't even do it justice!

185 steps up to the "Eagles Nest" sounds easy, but 7,000ft up everything becomes harder, specifically breathing.

At the top of the Eagles Nest, ignore my messed up hat :)

So the coolest thing about this park is they give you a 24hr pass so you can come back at night and see the falls all lit up. Below is all seven falls connected, as seen from the Eagles Nest.

Still acclimating...

After you climb up the stairs of all seven falls (may feel like torture) you get to two hiking trails at the top, which take you to more waterfalls, this was at the end of the "Midnight Falls" trail.

Top of the Eagles Nest

All seven falls lit up

"Hill Falls" the bottom waterfall named after the current owner

All seven falls during the day, as seen from the Eagles Nest

A few random fun photos:

London really enjoys the dryer.

Manitou Springs winterized after the first snow. This is my favorite town around Colorado Springs, we tried to live here but couldn't find a rental.

Awesome sunset from random parking lot.

I let Fernando decorate the guest bathroom, this is what happened, he now thinks it's his "man bathroom" and will only use it.

I won the fake vs real Christmas tree war, although I did promise to vacuum the needles up. You just can't beat a real tree!

One of the coolest pieces of downtown art I've ever seen! This is in downtown Colorado Springs and it fully powered by solar panels on top. It lights up and dims all night.

Lastly we were back in Medina for Thanksgiving, which included an "engagement" picture session and my bridal shower (I know we're doing it backwards).

We're pretty unphotogenic but a few turned out well :)

My matron and maid of honor, Kelsey Lawton and Nicole Blum, at my bridal shower!

(Shower was held at Connie's amazing recently renovated Victorian house off the square in Medina and it was amazing. So many people came out to celebrate with us and I am forever grateful to all of them.

My awesome wedding dress cupcake cake made by my friends at La Hoot Bakery in West Akron!