Well, hello there...

It's been over six whole months. And to think I used to update daily!

Why the hiatus? My last blog post just cannot be topped. I came here every-so-often to update but nothing could really top it. Nothing felt important enough to share while We're Engaged! would be officially moved into the past. So I set up a wedding website and continued to update the bomb dot com with my Instagram feed of little and big moments in my life and mostly pictures of food. And neglected you, Dear Blogosphere.

I always get butterflies as I relive these moments. I am so lucky.

Texts when Sean actually received the diamond.
Always the prankster.

But I am back! I cannot believe it has only been six months. By the same token, so many things have happened since then. 

We celebrated our engagement and St. Patrick's Day with corned beef and friends!

My little niece, Daphne, exclaimed that her favorite President is Obama. What more can you really expect from Nisson ladies?

She also gathered about three Easter eggs.

My mom proved that she's the toughest cookie (and the sweetest too).

I finally finished that little master's thesis and acquired some fancy schmancy letters after my name (that's Natalie, the Master of Science to you).

My sister, Emily, and brother-in-law, Taylor, announced that Daphne is getting a younger sister this December! I cannot wait to meet you, Evie!

We went to Disneyland.

We visited family in Salt Lake City.

We found the most beautiful Church to tie the knot: the Carmel Mission Basilica! It's going to be amazing. We also found our reception venue: Los Laureles Lodge.

We camped in Yosemite.

We partied in Las Vegas.

We adventured into the Redwoods.

I've had several wonderful conversations with Ali who is studying abroad in Santiago!

Facetime froze at a hilarious moment.

We celebrated the legal recognition of Sarah and Gloria's marriage!

Wow! A lot happened in six months.

And today, I begin my fifth year in graduate school. How time has zoomed right by! I am excited to jump back into coursework, my research, data collection, and a side project I'm working on. By this time next year, I hope to be Mrs. Natalie, ABD--All But Dissertation. Lots of work ahead!

Happy autumn! I "leaf" you with this adorable photograph of Ben.