Where has time gone?  It's been over a week, and I haven't even had a chance to post a few pictures of my trip.  We've just been so busy since we got back!

Well, it was a wonderful time.  It's funny because I started thinking that 11 days for Mexico was a little too long.. I was wrong!  If only Rocko was down there with us, I don't think we would've come home!

Casa Rosa (The Pink One) <3

 Bros.  I'm so glad that Erik was able to make it.  For the first few nights, he just spend the evenings in the Hammock up on our rooftop!  It's easy to make yourself feel right at home there..  And I told him, you'll be coming down here many more times!

That's the gist of it.  These are with my new camera, which is big so I wasn't able to bring it everywhere.  I might post some more later though that my friend Jenny took.  It was a blast and I already can't wait until next year!

That's about all that's new with me though.  We still have a lot of "nesting" to do at the house..  But, it'll all come together in time!

I leave for Mexico in 6 DAYS!  I can't wait..  living in Minnesota, this is the perfect time to leave.. After the holidays, the winter is starting to get way too long..  We'll be down there for 11 days!  We leave Thursday, and then Sunday my BFF and her boyfriend will be flying in, and we'll be able to introduce them to beautiful Zihuatanejo!  I will try to post a few times while I'm down there, but we'll see..

I've been having a crazy week.. We had my family over for dinner on Tuesday, and Monday we actually found out that one of our very best friends suffered a stroke.  He's only 28!  Yesterday, for Valentines day we went and saw him and I brought him some pictures and gave him a hug.  He's actually doing incredibly well, and in just three days he's been able to start speaking again and even doing some walking!  He says he plans on being out at his fish house by next weekend.. Haha, that might be pushing it, but at the rate he's going, I don't see why he couldn't!

Chase and I then went out for Sushi for Valentines day.  He hates that holiday.. it's a Hallmark Holiday, and I agree, although I still like to do a little something for it..

With all of that going on, as well as still putting our house together, I haven't had much time at all to get to the gym or really work out.  I've been trying to do my yoga video when I can, but even that has been hard to find time to do!

So, with only 6 days ahead of me..  Here's the rules i'm following to tone up a little before we leave:

*Work out in some way EVERY DAY (preferably, an hour at the gym or a video)

*When I can't find time to set aside to do a video or go to the gym:
            -Do a 15 minute routine:
                           *30 jumping jacks
                           *15 wall climbers
                           *10 Chaturanga pushups
                           *15 Goddess squats
                           *30 second plank
-----------------------Repeat 3x----------------------------------

               -Walk stairs.  At my work, we have a back staircase that my coworkers and I use every day.  About 4x a day i'll take 5 minutes to go in there and run, walk, or lunge up and down.

               -YOUTUBE.  It's SO EASY!  There are so many free videos out there that can help guide you through a quick or long work out.  You have 15 minutes?  Search 15 minute kickboxing routine.. or whatever your preference may be.  There's a gazillion.

*Along with exercise, I really need to focus on my eating..  Again, I always eat generally well, but this week people have been bringing in all sorts of treats for Valentines Day.. and I need to be stronger at resisting!  So...

               -No Junk Food!  (My main concern, Lazy Sunday Pizza... Must avoid!)
               -No added salt
               -No Beer
               -No eating after 8
               -No Sweets!
               -Eating any heavy carbs only in the morning.
               -Loading up on VEGGIES!
               -Drink lots of water!  You should drink 1/2 of your weight in ounces of water each day!

It's all pretty reasonable and obvious.  I just need to get a bit stricter with myself and focus on my fitness.

Here is the view from our Condo:

Our date last night was FUN and FREE!  Those are the best!  We drove out to the Sculpture Garden and Conservatory.  Parking and admission are free.  The Sculpture Garden is probably most known for it's Spoonbridge and Cherry (built in 1985).  But there are many really neat spots and sights here!  First, we walked through Cowles Conservatory.   That was just so pretty and smelt amazing with all of the fresh and beautiful flowers.  Then we walked around the Spoonbridge & Cherry and scoped out some other spots.  There was one section that had a bunch of different wind chimes hung all around the trees and a woman was meditating in between a few sculptures.  I think what I loved the most about this date was how peaceful it was, even though it's in the heart of the city!   People come by after work or between classes and find a corner they can claim as theirs and sleep, study, practice yoga, meditate, or just hang out.  Anyways, we walked around a bit more and scoped out some other abstract pieces.  It was fun and different. 
Then we had to get home, because we had some steaks just waiting to be grilled!  So, while Chase was grilling, I was buying us tickets to Zihuatanejo, Mexico!  Zihua is a city on the Pacific side, pretty southern, near Ixtapa.  His family owns a condo there, so we try to go whenever we are able!  That is where we became engaged!  We aren't going for about 5 months.. but I can't wait. 
Overall, this weeks date night was fun, relaxing, and cheap!  Can't get better than that!