Coming Soon: Apt. 202 and Chudleigh Photography Shoot

I know this was a few months back, but here is preview of my Apt. 202 photo shoot with Chudleigh Photography.... I am on my way to work and I can't post them all so you will be in suspense! How fun!

Ali Girl Loves Her Father

Considering my Dad is currently in Hawaii I have to give him his Father's Day Shout Out on my blog, even though I wish I was there with him to do it in person this will just have to do for now.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

DADDIO!!

Thanks for making me who I am and being the man and father that you are. You have never failed to believe in us and always let us follow our dreams and do the things we loved. You also instilled in us many things that have helped us succeed in our own way. There isn't anything I can say to describe how much I love and appreciate you and the influence and role you have played in my life. 

Here are Ten Things I Love About You:

1. You always watch sports with me, no matter what I know I can count on you!

2. You know how passionate I am about sports and make sure that every game is recorded

3. Your puttering, we all do it, it is just who you are

4. Your love for the outdoors and nature

5. Your love for your family and grandkids... you never fail to provide and do everything you can to make everyone happy

6. The fact that I can go to the movies with just you and mom on a Friday night and I am satisfied

7. The hard work ethic that you have and that you have given to all of us

8. Your quirky, crazy, kind, loving, out there personality that never fails to make me laugh

9. You are always supportive, encouraging and proud of your kids

10. You just being you!

I love you Dad and I do wish I was on the beach in Hawaii with you right now, but I hope you have a fabulous day because you deserve it! You have given me the world and I hope that I can give it back! Love you and Happy Father's Day!

Ali Girl Gets Good Grades

I have to brag, but taking 19 credits (all 4000 and 5000 level classes and 4 credits), working 20+ hours and dealing with life I still managed to pull off an amazing GPA and I have to brag, just a little bit! So drum roll please, my GPA for my final semester at the University of Utah:

*3.898*

I was so happy when I got my grades back! This was one of the hardest semesters, but I busted my butt and all the work, time and studying paid off in the end! Especially with my Law class I got an A! I got 86 on the first exam, 96 on the second exam, 94 on the final exam and 94 on my final paper. And people this is not multiple choice 50 questions exams, they are all written out case studies, memorization of laws and regulations and blah, blah, blah all in all I am glad that it is over! Now I can relish in real world life.

Ali Girl Goes To New York

The song with the famous words "New York I Love You" definitely applies to my experience and business trip to New York City. In a nut shell I will be living in New York in the coming future. I fell in love. I also worked hard and learned a ton thanks to Kortney (basically my Obi-Wan Kenobi)  she taught me the ways of the Mortgage Industry, she is an expert, master if you ask me. Anyway here is a day-to-day recollection of my time in New York and the things that I did, observed, loved and of course purchased.

Day 1: Arrival to New York City:

Kortney and I got to the SLC Airport at 7:45 for our 10:00 flight, we boarded the plane and were on our way. 4 or 5 hours later we were there, riding in a yellow taxi to the Hilton New York Hotel on 6th Avenue and 53rd street (great location)

As you can see we were right in the action of everything... Central Park, Times Square, 5th Avenue and Lincoln Center.

Once we landed we didn't waste any time: we ate at a small outdoor pizza cafe and met up with a client (Kelly you will be hearing about her) and headed to Macy's and Time Square. Macy's was crazy, there was a shoe sale and I can not even begin to describe the sight that we saw. Racks upon racks of shoes, in complete disarray and people every where scowering the shelves for the perfect shoe, including myself. I got these fantastic little numbers:

Only $30.00!!

After Macy's we all headed to Times Square and the lights, people and car horns were blaring away even at 11:00 at night! It was great, but once again the lights and the city is pretty hard to describe and pictures don't do it justice either. It is quite an amazing place. Overall it was a great, already exhausting day

see my pictures just doesn't do it justice! Look at all the people

Day 2: Shopping Day, Conference Reception and Friends:

This was definitely my favorite day! We woke up and set up our booth (it only took ten minutes) got ready and headed to the Upper Westside with Kelly! I love it up there! We got to walk through Central Park which was hopping with runners, bikers and of course tourists. It really is an amazing park, I wanted to run around it one morning, but I never was able to get up in time. Another time!

We went into a ton of small boutiques which got the fashionista in me jumping with joy. There is some amazing stuff in New York, expensive, but amazing! I love going into the boutiques and I love clothes! I got some things from a boutique called Sebastian and Pookie it was such a great store. After a long day of shopping we ate at a great outdoor Italian restaurant and let me tell you the people watching was fantastic. There are so many dogs in New York, it surprised me, but looked so fun. This day was also the opening reception for the conference, the real reason Kortney and I were in New York. I was nervous for the show, but it was a good experience and I learned a lot. Amazingly enough Courtney Smith, my good friend from home just moved to NY for the summer with her brother so we met up and had ice cream in Times Square or I had ice cream and the newly vegan Alex and Courtney had apples (lame)! It was so fun to spend the night with them walking around. They are going to have a blast this summer. Good luck and love ya Courtney!

Day 3: Conference, 5th Avenue and Blue Fin:

This was a full day of the conference. It was a great turn out for IDS and we got a lot of good leads and potential clients. Kortney and I being the only young cute, outgoing girls at the conference the men seemed to flock to our booth. It was quite entertaining. We had an entertaining neighbor too, Tom. He just loved to talk, talk and talk to us. After the show Kortney and I went shopping on 5th avenue it is a fun street, again the fashionista in me was smiling, smiling! Here is a picture of a great chapel we passed right on 5th

After shopping Kortney and I went to Blue Fin, an awesome sushi restaurant! It was so good! Then we walked around Time Square and took in the night life of New York. It was a fun night.

Day 4: Conference, Roof Top Party and Dinner at Mesa Grill:

Tuesday was the second day of the conference and it was really slow! Of course we still had the men coming and going, but it was more of a laid back day for everyone. It was fun in the morning I had to grab Kortney and I breakfast and I just walked down the street to a little deli and fruit bar. They are everywhere! New York really does have the most amazing little food places, as well as a Starbucks on every freaking corner and I am not exaggerating! All those New Yorkers need their coffee apparently. After the show we went to a partners, Lenders One, cocktail party on top of a hotel on 5th avenue. It was cool! Really hot! The sun was blaring down on us, making everyone sweat, lovely. Here is a picture of the view from where we were

After that we took a client to dinner at Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay's restaurant and it was absolutely amazing!!! For those of you who don't know who Bobby Flay is he is a famous chef on the Food Network and I am in love with him. The food was absolutely amazing. This was a great way to end our trip to New York. Exhausted and full we headed home!

I really had such a great time in New York and I hope that I will live there sometime. I think that I truly have a little bit of a city girl in me. The constant buzz and going ons excites me and I feel like there is so much to offer. We will see. Sorry this was such a long post, but I had to share. This doesn't even get to the nitty gritty and all the good side stories, but those can wait. New York I will be back, yes indeed.

XOXO, A

Watch Out Here I come

Here I come New York!!! Get ready cause I am excited and ready to work hard and play hard, shop, and enjoy all the things you have to offer so bring it on!

XOXO, A

Today A Baby Was Born

WELCOME TO THE WORLD

Tosh Kainalu Knight Thomander

love you already

Love your Auntie Ali

Celebrate Good Times, Come On!

What: College Graduation

Where: The University of Utah

When: May 7th

Who: Alison Jane Knudsen

I can hardly believe it! I am finally done and Friday May 7th couldn't have been a better day! Thanks to my family and everyone who has supported, encouraged and cheered me on the past four years none of this could have been possible. The moment I heard my name called and I walked across the Huntsman center floor wearing my cap and gown I knew I had made it, that I had accomplished something big! Looking back it is crazy to think of the countless hours, stress, fun, papers and exams that took place the past four years and it is all over. It is definitely scary to start this new chapter of my life, but I am so excited. There is a big world out there in front of me and I can hardly wait! 

Thanks to my family for all being a part of big day Friday, I love you all and really appreciate your encouragement and love everyday. I couldn't have a better family and better examples in my life. After graduation and pictures, thanks to Lisa, we all went to lunch at Porcupine Grill (I definitely recommend this restaurant, good, fun atmosphere and pretty reasonable). Then my parents and I went and saw Iron Man 2. It was so fun to share this day with all my siblings and their own families. Basically it was perfect and a moment I will never forget. Thanks again to all of you, I couldn't have done it with out you! I did it!