catching up.

It's been months, and I hate missing out...so let's catch up :)

Here are some things worth mentioning from the past few months, and I'll fill in the gaps later...

Only the first few pictures appear on my home page, but you can click "read more" below to view the entire post." Sneaky new tricks :)

Halloween happened. Pumpkins glowed in the sunset and were later carved into silly faces.
Michael and I went to our first haunted housed together...and laughed. What? #middleschoolzombiesarentscary

Michael had a birthday. I decorated. #quarterofacentury

 

The Badgers played in a heavenly scene.

We cheered.

shedding light on white

my second favorite color.

loving and lusting all of the above.

even the bulldog :)

1|2|3|4|5|6|7

xoxo

PYT (Pretty Young Thang)

I've always wanted to go see the Cirque de Soleil.

Random, yes. But many of my friends keep returning from Vegas, raving about the Beatles cirque or some other amazing show.

A few weeks after I vocalized this desire, Mike surprised me with tickets to the Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil. I had no idea they were in town, let alone with the theme of MJ!

So we had a little date night after work, and sat with wide eyes and gawking mouths in awe of the ways these dancers can move! ...and fly through the air. anddd MJ's music, of course.

I even got to debut my new pumps :)

It was amazing! Go see it for yourself!

xoxo

Thankful Thursday

Extra reasons to smile this week:

1. Dinner date with my girlfriend, Brenna, for a "classy burger" (the perfect combo!) at one of my favorite spots in Milwaukee, Elsa's. So thrilled that it's within walking distance!
2. Close-up of my necklace-holding tree. More on that later.
3. Ivanka Trump's Gurdia pump from heels.com. I stalked the mailman in anticipation for this package.
4. I'm a Gemini. Gurdia pumps, meet my other side: running shoes. First run since my marathon in October. Letting my blood drain to prevent soreness...? I know, I know, running myth for sure. I felt like a spazz and it didn't even work. But I'm back on the road. Progress!
5. Came home from work, put on my hoodie and suddenly felt very J.Crew-esque. Had to capture it ;)
6. It is unseasonably warm here in Wisco. Dear flip flops, meet the month of March.
7. Michael and I walked down to Alterra at the Lake to enjoy such glorious weather. Hooray for 70+ degrees in the evening, patio sitting, and the smell of spring!
8. Nightfall at Alterra at the Lake
9. Happy St. Patty's Day! We pretended we were in college again and started the day at noon. Complete with beads, green beer and glasses!
10. God made the Irish #1. Enuff said.
11. What a cute happy couple :) I finally caught dinner with two of my favorites at the Horny Goat's outdoor patio. (I cringe every time I hear the name, but I love the place!) We enjoyed the dangerously delicious "loaded tots" outside by the fire. Replace nacho chips with tator tots. Napolean Dynamite would FLIP!
12. I went to my parent's house for a night just in time for the pier to go in - one of my favorite days of the year! I am soo loving this heatwave.

I feel like it's been an unusually exciting week.

:)

Now if only we could get a win from Marquette tonight for the Elite Eight...

Ring out ahoya!

xoxo

As the clock struck Twelve.

My sweet friend caught some photos of Michael and I as we celebrated the new year. Please excuse the cell phone quality, but I'm so grateful to have the moment on film!

xoxo

Tony, the kissing Llama

We had SO much fun with my sister home from Ecuador over the holidays, but throughout the 3 weeks, our photo-taking was far and few between. Luckily, we captured a few of my favorite moments: picking out the tree as a family, getting kissed by Tony, the llama (he walked right over to me and planted his lips on my cheek!!! Softest furry lips ever!), my dad jumping in on a photo with the Aaron Rodgers "belt" (like a true Packer fan), and of course, sitting on Santa's lap with Michael and a dancing Christmas tree hat!

I hope you had an equally blessed holiday with your family and friends!

xoxo

Fa Ra Ra..

countdown via anthropologie

Last year was my first Christmas with Michael's family. We drove down to Illinois in the morning, started the day with shots of whiskey, and each family proceeded to perform Christmas carols, complete with funny hats and instruments. All newcomers to the family must perform a song by themselves. It's like initiation into their crazy Polish family! Luckily Michael had warned me about this so I had a few weeks to decide on a performance. I was in choir and the school musicals throughout high school, so I contemplated singing a classic song like "Oh Holy Night." Given my sometimes awkward and nervous tendencies, I decided to go with a humorous route instead.

If you've seen the movie, A Christmas Story, please refer to their Christmas dinner at the Chinese restaurant when the staff dazzled them with Christmas carols...

Thankfully, their family is tons of fun and the song was a hit, and this year I can sit on the sidelines!

What are your family traditions? Do you take shots and sing like a goof!? I'd love to hear about it!

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

xoxo

Two many.

countdown via anthropologie

Christmas Eve is tomorrow!

Two days until Christmas. Two years (!!) to celebrate Michael and I being together, and too many smiles to even count.

Unfortunately we can't spend the night together, but the Christmas festivities begin as my parents open their home to 50 of our old dear friends. I can't wait to see everyone but I am slightly partial to crawling into bed and locking the door behind me.

Luckily Pinterest (and Elizabeth Taylor) gave me just the pep talk I need...

Party on, homies.

xoxo

A day to celebrate.

Happy birthday to my love and partner in crime :)

We're heading to Naples for a long weekend. We haven't been there since our final Spring Break trip almost two years ago, so we're pumped to head back, just the two of us! Last year poor Michael had a sub-par birthday that didn't feel like much of a birthday at all, so I think this little getaway will be the perfect celebration!

Bring on the sand and sun.

xoxo

My Future Springer and Bull...Dog, that is.

Friends, meet Leo. The first Springer I've ever met, and Michael's great and only competitor for my affection.

I love my little Buddy and Michael's family dogs, but lately I'm anxiously thinking of my own little babies! I was born and raised with golden retrievers (well not really born, but I'm sure I used to pretend) and once I have a family of my own I will want to go back to that breed, but until then I feel it's necessary to be prepared for my in-between stages :)

So I would like have my own little Leo, the (2nd) best snuggle buddy ever.

Those eyes make me melt.

Andd I've always dreamt of having a fat, rolly bulldog that I can name Oscar, Rufus or Winston...or something of the like.

My friends and family think I'm crazy, but how can you not love a lil' friend with a 'tude like that?!

Hopefully Springers and Bulldogs can be bffs.

Do you have dogs? What's your favorite breed??

xoxo

Minnesooota, the brother of Wiscaaansin

Michael had to travel for work this week, and never being to Minneapolis before, we decided to make a weekend of it!

Michael made himself right at home at the hotel.

We spent an entire day at the Mall of America, proudly doing very little shopping.

We left the aquarium wanting to buy a baby tortuga and name it Herman. I loved watching their little legs swim around! Aren't the colors beautiful? Aren't you impressed by our realistic fish impersonations?

Waiting for the perfect background scene was no easy task - note the concentration.

In the morning I was scoffing at the mall's "play area," making comments about "kiddy rides."

I was wrong. Can you see me drooling in this picture? It's because I lost control of my face. Please also note Michael's enthusiasm..or fear? Hard to tell ;)

Hope you all had a great weekend!

xoxo

Like Nothing on Earth

In Wisconsin, skiing generally means frigid temperatures, neatly groomed snow, and runs that last 10-20 seconds. I hadn't been on a mountain since grade school, but ski racing was always "my sport" while growing up. While in Denver last weekend we were lucky enough to spend a warm sunny day in VAIL (!!!!) gliding through fresh powder, getting our legs rocked by the Rockies. Vail's logo says it best; it truly is like nothing on Earth.

If I weren't already so happy with my life in Wisconsin, I would move to Denver and become the biggest ski bum in town!

Do you ski or snowboard?

If you had the chance to move, where would you go!?

xoxo