I know, I know...

... I can hear the voices of many of you saying "IT'S ABOUT TIME."

And yes it is. Hence, the new post :)

To my dear readers near and far, I am sorry it has taken me so long to update you on the happenings of my life, but I promise to resolve that with a really good post and a whole-hearted attempt to post more often this year.

The last time I wrote, was in October (eeeks). I just celebrated my 25th birthday. Now, the first month of 2013 has almost come and gone. These past few months have been a whirlwind of ups and downs.

In November, I finally had the chance to go back home to my dear Colorado for Thanksgiving to spend the time with my family. I don't know if there is any better moment than waiting at DIA on the fourth level -- amongst the hunter's orange and Chanel bags and trucks -- and seeing your Daddy pull up with your dog in the front seat. (Yes, country girl and daddy's girl at heart) We spent the entire drive home catching up on all the happenings in FoCo, as well as my schooling. A little legal talk by the way of adversely possessing land even snuck it's way into our convo :)

The weather could not have been more perfect. I spent three days napping OUTSIDE in the SUN. That Sunday I got back, Mom, Dad and I watched the Nascar race out on the front porch. We make white trash look good... Dad is also rocking his long-hair Harley look haha

Eventually, Randy made the trek from Nebraska (returning the Dodge to where it should be) and joined in on all the fun at home. We did puzzles, saw family, and continued to interact as only us Wich's can truly appreciate (but many of you have been exposed to).

Mom kept getting really excited about the different puzzle shapes... :)

The best part about being home, besides Mom's cooking and Dad being his usual goofy self, is the beauty of our home. I don't know any other place on this planet where I enjoy sunsets more!

From the backyard...

Out front looking to the ridge... Notice the beautiful Dodge outline :)

And naturally my little Kaycee Dean makes the entire trip just perfect!!!

After the holiday had passed, and I tried my very best to study, it was time to ship back to the big city and prepare for what would be a hellacious three weeks...

With only one week back in class, all of us lost and anxious 1L's began the exam studying process. By the end of the two week period, my girls and I had a system on lockdown. First, put up giant pieces of paper and write out a mini outline of all the major things one must know for the exam... This is our contracts spread.

Next, get together and talk it out. Over and over and over and over.

This eventually turned into a wine drinking night... At some point you just have to remember that you are human and you have relaxing/fun needs too.

Rinse and repeat, three times over a 10 day period. Contracts was our first exam. We had no idea what to expect, but once it was over not only did you feel a sense of relief but one of accomplishment too. Next was Property. It was my favorite exam of them all because my life IS property class. Last, we had Torts. This exam was nothing short of TORTure... Once all three were complete, we all went out to drink and then to sleep.

The holidays were naturally unfolding all around me in the city, even though I didn't really get a chance to appreciate all the gaiety as I would have liked to. One day while waiting for the train I saw this parade of motorcycles driving by for a toy campaign for underprivileged children. If you look closely at the middle of the picture, you can see a woman with a bag handing it off to a rider. I guess that is one of the ways you can donate the toys! It was pretty neat to watch because it went on for miles!

Sami and I also celebrated both Hanukkah (her mother's side of the family is Jewish) and Christmas. We lit the candles every night and then put up a tree right before I left to go home for Christmas with my family back in my beloved Colorado.

Here is our first Christmas tree in our new home!

And her she is all dolled up in holiday charm! (Side note: the holiday charm is still alive and well in the condo... not sure when we will take it down. Maybe we should turn it into a Valentine's day tree???)

In a whirlwind of post exam celebrations, including Miss Kelsey's birthday, work, and packing, I finally went back home! My flight was early but absolutely worth seeing the sunrise...

Once again, my greeting committee, in the truck this time, was quite excited to see my return!

The weather was just as perfect this time around too because not only did I get my sunshine, but I also had a white Christmas! Note: when Randy came home from his first semester at Nebraska, Mom and Dad made a giant red light-up sign. When I come home from my first semester at law school, Dad screws antlers on a carved bear... and then wraps it in lights and places it ever-so conveniently outside my bedroom window. If you know me, you know how much I appreciated this bear disguised as a deer... haha

Somehow my ten days at home flew by. I was able to see good friends all over the state. Spend tons of time with family near and far as well. Here are all the goober cousins with Randy... and little Miss Ash on Christmas morning...

The boys are looking as good as ever... 

This is the view from my aunt and uncle's house up in Manitou...  

you cannot ask for anything more beautiful!

 As the break wore on, the grades started to trickle in. It wasn't until my first week back at school (just this last week) that I finally had them all. Needless to say, I did quite well and am very excited for the prospects and opportunities my first semester grades will help bring me for this summer.

This semester I am taking 5 classes: Civil Procedure I, Contracts II, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law I, and a writing course. So far so good. I haven't felt unbalanced with the added course load thus far. I find I function better when I am kept busy, so school really is a lifesaver sometimes (as strange as that may seem). AND, I have been reading cases on the floor on my yoga mat while I do leg lifts and such, so I am managing to stay in shape while expanding my brain :)

In the next couple of weeks, I will be finalizing my resume and a cover letter to send to judges back in Colorado as well as different law firms and companies, perhaps in the energy/oil and gas field. Your first summer is really the only time you have to "mess around" so I want to set up a legal network back home, just in case I decide to come back once I graduate. Your second summer you try to get a summer associate position in the firm you will be working at, hopefully, once you graduate or you are doing something in the field of law you want to go into. If anyone has any leads on Colorado opportunities, please let me know!

I think that's about all from me... Please let me know how you are! Sending all my love on this cold and snowy (yes, actual snow is sticking) day!

Love, Your Colorado girl in the big city