A Proper Visit to Florida

Way, way back when Hubby and I got married, we decided to do our honeymoon at Disney World (in Florida). We flew in, shuttled to the Disney compound, stayed on site and shuttled back to the airport. It was a blast! I'd totally do it again (no kids required)... however, I don't feel like I really saw much of Florida on that trip.

In college there were a couple of people I really bonded with.. initially we geeked out over choir but our friendship grew from there into the trio: Nick and Ellen and me. We had so much fun. However, life after college has taken us all to different areas of the country, but the beautiful part is that we're the sort of friends who can pick up like it's nothing whenever we are able to get together.

Ellen is still back in Colorado, and for a while Nick was in the Chicago area, but he has since relocated to Florida. We've all attended each others' weddings and so when Nick told me he was getting married, it was a no-brainer. Plus, added bonus: Finally, after all these years, I got to go back for a proper visit to Florida. 

 Hubby stayed behind with the kids and I took the train to the airport so they could still have the car for the weekend. While I rode, I took video of the last part of the route (so Townsend could know the rest of the stops along his favorite train line.)

I flew in Friday evening and enjoyed some quiet me-time. I found a local taco place and enjoyed the best steak tacos I've had since moving from the Hispanic district in the city. On Saturday morning, Ellen and her husband, Paul, and I ran some last minute errands and goofed around a little before lunch.

Saturday afternoon was the wedding with reception in the evening. I got all glammed up and we danced late into the night.

Though I got some fun selfies, I thought I had gotten a good full-length shot of me and my loveliness as well, but sadly, it seems I'll have to wait to see the wedding photographer's photos instead.

The next morning we got up early to brunch with the new couple, then I dropped Ellen and Paul off at the airport. My flight didn't leave until the afternoon so I had a few hours to sight-see. I drove out to a nearby beach, collected some shells for Townsend (and a little sunburn for myself)  and found a bench in the shade and read a book. Really, considering it wasn't that early in the day and a weekend, it wasn't too busy! Just how I like it.

Apparently Sarasota has one of these enormous kissing statues....

......and a key or two in the Gulf of Mexico.

Me, seeing the Gulf of Mexico up close and personal

Though a lovely day, it was a little chilly for swimming for my taste.. still, it did feel nice to dip in my toes!

Of course, while I was down there, I took some kindness rocks to sprinkle around. Two of the three were found by people who pinged me on Instagram (this and this). That was a first and very exciting!

But, all good things must end and, soon enough, I was headed home.

However, since this was a proper visit, I got an awesome magnet to remember it by:

Roadtrips and Weddings

This past weekend I went on a short roadtrip up to south-eastern Wisconsin to attend a friend's wedding. It was a little bit of a haul, so I budgeted a lot of time as a buffer, just to be sure I would make it to the church on time.  As it turns out, there's very little traffic on a Saturday morning at 7am, and so I didn't have any worries about being late.

While growing up, I lived in Wisconsin for a while and left it as soon as I possibly could, but sometimes I forget just how beautiful that state really is. I lived up in the central region and, thanks to some ancient glaciers, it is really flat. In southern Wisconsin, also thanks to some ancient glaciers, there are lots of rolling hills. But, sprinkled throughout both the areas flattened by the glaciers and the hillier parts which were pushed in front of the glacier, there are these random rock outcroppings.

some of my siblings and me (in the orange) on a rock, way back in the summer of 2003

I have great memories of climbing around on various rocks from when I was a kid, so when I passed some on my way to the wedding, I decided to go investigate.

This one was called Castle Rock and there was a plaque of information and some picnic tables too. I would have climbed up to check out the actual rock, I had the time after all, but as it was a warm summer morning and I was dressed for a wedding, I thought better of it and satisfied myself by walking up to the foot of the rock and snapping its picture.

Then, it was on to the wedding. It was really lovely! The ceremony was outdoors and the weather cooperated and everything. I always enjoy seeing how each couple makes their wedding their own. This one had lots of handmade decorations and the bride even baked her own wedding cake!

Hooray for the happy couple!

MMMmmmmm... Mountains

One of my good friends from college got married last weekend. My hubby and I flew out to Colorado to be there for the weekend of festivities. It's always fun to see how traditional weddings differ from LDS weddings.. but that's a story for another day.

It was a full weekend; lots of fun and good company. I enjoyed it very much and I am very happy for my friend and I am so glad I could be there for her big day. But, I'll admit, by Saturday night, I was ready for an end to all the reveling.

My hubby and I stayed out there a couple extra days to enjoy the scenery and each other's company. Sunday morning dawned bright and clear and, after church, we drove up to Chatauqua Park in Boulder and went hiking in the mountains.

I'd forgotten just how pretty Colorado is! I love the Flatirons. I think the area is so lovely! As I was hiking and looking out over the valley from our lofty perch I found myself comparing this place to my more urban setting at home.... Boulder is a feast for the eyes and I wish I could hike in these mountains every day, but (forgive me, my Boulder friends) I can do without the town.

So, for overall scoring, Chicago still wins.. heh.

2 Years

It's kind of crazy to think that it's already been two years, but there you have it.

And, yep, I still think I'm the luckiest girl ever.

Nauvoo

This past weekend, my hubby and I had the happy opportunity to go and see some good friends' wedding. Yay!!

Congrats and best wishes to them!!

But, in between festivities, we got some other fun pictures too.

Weddings and Stuff

Wohoo! My oldest, younger brother just got married :) Lots of happiness and love going around that weekend :)

While I didn't get to actually go visit them very closely, it was still a fabulous treat to have the mountains on the horizon for a weekend!

And Finally...

The Open House

Stevens Point, WI
November 15, 2008

The second (and final) party was significantly more laid back. It was also a little more hands-on. My family, and many people from their congregation, helped create, organize and orchestrate whole thing. A BIG thanks to everybody who had a hand in making it happen. It was awesome!

Long before the actual event, there was all sorts of creative energy that went into making my ideas for the Open House a reality.

Putting the lattice together
(way back in October)

Measure twice ...

... cut once.

Then came the big day. We got all the pieces to all the various elements all in the building. Then we began to plan the final layout.
Then came the assembling process:

And of course the food preparation:
And don't forget Relaxation Time:

even Mommys need time-outs

Soon we were all ready and it was time for the party to begin.

To make things more interesting, we had another cake ...
... Which lead to another cake ceremony:
(we did better this time; less mangling of the cake)

The rest of the evening was spent visiting, and mingling, and all in all, having a grand ol' time.
We tried an experiment for this party: Having the guests assist as photographers. We put out several disposable cameras on the tables with little notes inviting people to help us capture the special moments of the evening.
... While there were some good ones, there were also some very interesting results :)
My favorites though, are from when The Nephew clearly had gotten hold of one of the cameras:

Though, by the end of the evening we were all pretty well partied out...

Some of use, even a little punchy:

But it was wonderful and we are glad that we were able to celebrate (both in Wisconsin and Chicago) with so many of our family and friends. Yay for weddings!


Now, if this and the last two posts haven't satisfied your craving for pictures of what has been lovingly referred to as the wedding of "NSIII's very own Brangelina" (thank you, Maria)... there are even more pictures available at my online album: click here