Weekend fun

Hi all! As you know, we had a busy weekend planned. While it was busy it was very enjoyable.

I feel silly admitting that on Friday we thought that going to "License to Cruise" would be a preview to what Oktoberfest would be like the next day, it was to our disappointment that it wasn't. There were little to no food vendors and it was alcohol free. Now, no, I do not need alcohol to have fun. However, as a beer girl, I went hoping that I would sample various brews of Oktoberfest lager. The vintage cars did not disappoint though so we checked those out as we walked to a local sports bar for some food. Because it was such a beautiful night we opted to sit outside. Our waitress greeted us in an exhausted manner. I believe the first words out of her mouth were "the food will take about a half an hour because we are quite busy". Each of us (my parents, my brother and his wife and Jason and I) were more than okay with a 30 minute ticket time, so we ordered. We enjoyed some draught beer (obviously I got an Oktoberfest beer) while we waited. And waited. And waited. Our waitress was not very attentive--which was not to her fault as she was one of the only servers waiting on the outdoor seating area. A half an hour passed and we were not upset because we never thought food for a 6 top would be ready in 30 minutes. Other tables were being seated and after an hour our waitress told us that "it shouldn't be much longer". Lets just make a long story short and say that two hours later a table that came after us got their food before us and we were still without food as it was "cooking". We at that point decided to leave. Kindly enough the manager paid for our drinks and we happily tipped that poor waitress. I hope her night got better.

We decided then to go to our local brewery, Stone Cellar Brew Pub, for some FABULOUS food. Many of which is locally purchased and FRESH. They also have THE best pumpkin spice beer ever! We started with cheese curds and duck wings (which to my surprise were delicious). I got the fish fry (cod) with sweet potato fries and a caesar salad--it did not disappoint.

While the night seemed as if it would be a bust, it ended up being a great time spent with family and we always have a good time with family.

On Saturday we headed down to Madison, Wisconsin. It was such a beautiful day for the farmers market. The local vendors had such wonder foods. Noah and I had a pumpkin bar that was delicious. I tried a "bubble tea" for the first time and wasn't grossed out by the jelly-like balls that they add (which I believe are tapioca). Poor Noah got stung by a bee for the first time. It broke my heart. He handled it surprisingly well. Thank goodness for a first aid kit in the diaper bag because I had some sting relief and a band aid. Band-Aids fix everything, you know. The local musicians were fabulous and Noah and I enjoyed some dancing in the streets. We didn't purchase much of anything because we didn't have a cooler and lived 2 hours away.

 

After we finished up at the farmers market, my cousins met up with us. We attempted lunch at the Old Fashioned, but it was a long wait and we were all hungry. We decided to just eat at the Children's Museum that we were going to and returned to the Old Fashioned for desert afterwards.

I will just tell you that the Madison Children's Museum is the best I have ever been too. Kids young and old can enjoy all that it has to offer. So if you have kids and are in that area...go!

 

After our dessert (I had pear crisp, which was delicious) we headed to Hilldale mall to get some Badger gear from the University bookstore and let the kids play in the coolest toy store since FAO Schwartz.

 

 

On Sunday we picked apples and enjoyed yet another beautiful fall day outdoors.

 

Overall it was wonderful weekend. It was nice to spend time with family and get away to a fun city. I could go to Madison over and over again. In fact, I'm planning my next trip to visit Bethany for our birthdays (we are 6 days apart in age). I'll close with a picture of this fabulous saying as it is so, so true...

 



 

Hope you all had a great weekend as well! XOXO

 

Pause

The second day of the "Blogtember" post is asking: if you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?

The answer to this question, for me, is simple. I would travel the world, with my husband.

 I have only been to a few states in my 28 years of life. Minnesota (which I lived in for 8 years), Wisconsin (which I currently live in and have since I was eight), Illinois and Michigan. I know...such an exciting travel life I live!

I have been on an airplane ONCE and out of the United states when I was 18 years old as a graduation gift from my parents. My mom and I went to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.

In three months...oh, the places I'd go! I think I'd save all three months for traveling Europe and seeing all that the continent has to offer.

1.) Spain. I'd make my husband take salsa dancing lessons with me in Barcelona. Taking in the structural beauty that the cities have to offer. I mean can I just say...how beautiful is Sagrada Familia (on computer)?! To see something like that in person would probably literally take my breath away. The Gaudi buildings are beautiful and full of color. We'd catch a show at Las Rambles and see the musical fountain at Placa dÉspanya. Of course we would have to go to Madrid and join in on the excitement of the nightlife. I also read somewhere that if you can only go to one city in Spain that it should be Granada for it's "unique beauty".

2.) France. I would obviously go to Paris and see the Eifel Tower and The Louvre. We would absolutely have to go to the most romantic bridge in Paris (Le Pont des Arts) and place a lock on it then throwing the key in the water. I'd like to visit each of the places listed on the "10 of the most beautiful places to visit in France" Speaking of France, my friend and fellow blogger, Melissa (visit her fabulous food blog here), had lived in Angers, France. Seriously...go visit her blog. She has fabulous recipes and is cute to boot with great taste (so you'll see some great outfits from time to time as well).

3.) Germany. One of my best friends lives in Ansbach. So we would obviously have to visit her! I am so envious looking at all of her Facebook pictures and seeing the travels that they make. Once again the beauty of Europe amazes me. It would be perfect to go to Germany during Octoberfest! Apparently these are the best places to go in Germany.

The next two are probably the ones I would want to see the most and spend the most time in...

4.) Italy. I absolutely love Italian food and it is one of the few food types that my husband is not picky about. I'm sure we'd pack on several pounds in Italy just enjoying food alone. Carbs, carbs and more carbs. Yes, please. I have ALWAYS wanted to go for a Gondola ride.   Rome, Florence, Venice--oh my! But why stop there?! I'd go everywhere on this list. Italy makes me daydream happily and I could get lost in those dreams all. day. long!

5.) Greece. I just want to sit on a beach and sip a delicious drink for a week straight in Greece before doing anything else. Relaxation at its finest. I feel like I am in love with Greece and I have never even been there. Here's another great list of places to see in Greece.

We will certainly have to take to travel guides and the internet before making a trip to Europe. It is already in the plans to go to Italy (probably not in the near future but it's going to happen). I CAN'T WAIT. Just give me a Xanax for the flight...

Pattern Mixing

Hi all! As I have said before (and will probably say again several times) I LOVE FALL. Everything about it really, but the clothing is probably number one on my list. The colors, the patterns. Amazing. I had been eyeing his shirt at Target for awhile and decided to purchase after thinking through some outfit ideas in my head. This is by far one of my favorites.

Please excuse the poor quality of my iPhone pictures. I am taking a workshop to learn all about my DSLR and hope to have some good quality pictures after that :)

Top: Target (exact, similar), scarf: Target (exact, similar), jeans: American Eagle (exact) **These jeans are my absolute favorite. They are so soft, comfortable, classy and slimming. Trust me...coming from a mom of two, that says A LOT! moccasins: BareTraps (similar--in black, yellow and blue as well, love these), sunnies: Loft (exact), watch: Target (exact)

Blogtember/Blogtober

Since I am new to this whole blogging thing, I thought I would take some inspiration from Jenni at "Story of my Life". She posted a September blog challenge back at the end of August and I thought I'd start it now and end it in October.

The first task is to describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

I was born back in 1984 to two of the most amazing people that I know. My parents, John and Christine, have taught me so much about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. They are incredibly hardworking people who literally built their life up from the ground. I am proud to say that I am so much like them and they have instilled wonderful life values in me.

I was born in Austin, Minnesota. For those of you who have never heard of this city (which I can't blame you) it is the home of SPAM (the food, not the e-mail junk). I know...EW! We lived there for a short time before moving to Rochester, Minnesota (which I'm sure more people are familiar with. It is only 45 minutes from Austin). Here we lived for eight years before moving to Green Bay, Wisconsin (for my mom's job). Home of the Green Bay Packers!! GO PACK GO! And have been here since...

I have two older brothers: Andy (36) and Mitch (32). Andy lives in a SMALLLL farm town where he and his wife, Steph, have developed an organic farm. Learn more about it here. They have two daughters: Madelynne and Adeyle. I am very proud of what they have turned their farm into. While I am not a "farming type", it is fun and enjoyable to see the animals and the frequent changes that they make. Mitch and his wife, Carla, live not far from us with their daughter, Addysen. Another set of hardworking people. Mitch works in the construction industry and Carla is a special education teacher (it takes an incredible person to do what she does). Growing up, my brothers were very protective of me, but wanted nothing to do with me. I am happy to say that with age, this has changed and they have become not just my brothers...but my FRIENDS.

I went to college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is a place near and dear to my heart because it is where I did my growing up. I didn't grow up there, but really I did, if you get what I mean. This city houses some of my favorite people in the world and the best friends that I could ever ask for. While I would love to live in a suburb of Milwaukee...it just isn't going to happen. So I make sure to frequent there as often as we can.

My first born, Noah, came to me my senior year of college. He was an unexpected blessing. I would have to say that he is (one of) the best thing that ever happened to me. Having Noah with no significant other support (but trust me...I had amazing support) brought me back to Green Bay to be closer to family.

I started my profession as a registered nurse in 2009. My first job was at a nursing home. All I can say is that it was the perfect first job. Taught me so much about being a nurse and helped develop me into what I feel is a great nurse. I now work as a hospice nurse and have been doing this for just over three years. **I will do a whole post about my current job someday**

The most important person in my life is my husband, Jason. I love our "love story" and will have to get into that at another time. I can not put into words how wonderful of a man he is. Like Tamara Barney (Real Housewives of OC) said recently, "I have more baggage than Louis Vuitton". Jason took me for who I am--knowing EVERYTHING about me now and about me back when and he STILL loves me. He not only accepted me, he took in a child that was "not" his (because lets get it straight...he is HIS). He builds me up when I am down, he has the strongest hug that just engulfs me, he makes me laugh (even though he's not always funny...if you know what I mean ;-) hehe--Love you babe!). He forgives me when I make mistakes. He praises me when I don't even always deserve it. He is THE best husband and daddy that I could ever ask for. I could not fully put into words how amazing he is and how in love with him I am but just take me for my word.

My second born, Emily, came in July of this year. We have our "completed" family, thanks to her. She is the most PERFECT baby. I know that I am partial...but it is true. My life feels that much more complete with her in it.

I hope that this gives you an insight into who I am because without these people I would not be who I am today!

Photo courtesy of: Erin Jean Photography

WOW--what a great "blogtember". I look forward to the rest of the days that Jenni set up.

High 5 for Friday

TGIF.

I don't know if I can be grateful for Fridays while I'm on maternity leave. I mean, I'm not working right now so is it fair that I am excited about the fact that it's Friday?! Of course it's fair. Fridays take on a whole new meaning when you're (currently) a "stay at home mom". Now, to me, Fridays mean the last work day for my husband. It means that when he walks in the door at 6 o'clock that he gets to take the reigns and I (for maybe a millisecond), get to sit back and relax. In reality though, it means that I get catch up on some things while he spends time with the kiddos.

In the midst of my favorite season, we stay quite busy on our weekends. Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. I'm sure you have heard many a blogger say that before, but when you live in the Midwest, it's fabulous (and I don't think I need to explain why).

So here is my first "High 5 for Friday" (and because I'm new at this and gathering inspiration from the bloggers that I follow, I may not be giving credit where credit is due--I'll figure that out as I go along).

1.) Tonight, my mother-in-law has graciously taken on the role of babysitter while we go to "License to Cruise" in downtown Appleton. This is a kick off to good ol' Oktoberfest. It's a large car show with great food vendors, music and fun. Stay tuned, because I'll blog about it (I feel so cool that I can say this now).

 

 

This is what Appleton Oktoberfest looks like (as an FYI)--There's a reason it's also known as "Appleton's largest Block Party":

 

 

2.) Tomorrow we are road trippin' it to the capital to visit my cousin, Bethany. If you have never been to Madison, Wisconsin--GO! It's a beautiful city with so much to do. We are going to meet at the Capital for the farmer's market. This particular farmer's market surrounds the capital building and is full of fabulous LOCAL vendors. No really, everything is LOCAL. Not only is there food (classic farmer's market fare), but local artists of all sorts. I love all things fresh and homemade so I am very much looking forward to this. After we do that, it's fair game. I'm sure we will eat some delicious food at one of the MANY phenomenal restaurants in the area. And at some point we will go to a one of the several orchards for apple picking and hayrides galore. I can't wait!

3.) My husband plays recreational hockey and this starts on Sunday. It's too bad that his first game is late(r) because we cannot attend as little #1 (Noah) has school the next day. I have to credit my husband for introducing me to the world of hockey. I mean, I don't live in a cave, so I know what hockey is. I just had never been interested in it prior to meeting him. Now it has become one of the few sports that I actually enjoy watching. We frequent games at one of the local colleges--they are so good. My hopes is that Jason and I can attend a professional NHL game this year. I'd like to see the Chicago Blackhawks or Minnesota Wild.

4.) Next week is my last FULL week of maternity leave. I have had such a wonderful leave with little #2 that it is going to be HARD to go back to work. So I am going to enjoy EVERY minute of it. Fortunately...I will be returning only PART TIME. This means working three days per week (10 hour days). So that means more time with my littles while still working, doing something I am VERY passionate about (more on that another time as well).

5.) I am looking forward to starting my blogging journey. I'm starting it more or less to be therapeutic to me and documenting memories as I go. If it turns into something more than that, great! If not...that's okay too.