Wordless Wednesday: it'sbeenthirtythreedaysandmyshellacstilllooksthisgood

The freebird returns

I don't believe I have mentioned the recent whereabouts of my absentee best friend, Natalie, on this here blog yet, but before I do so, I'd like to give you a little bit of background information...

Our sophomore year of college, Natalie and I studied abroad in Austria for the second semester. During this time we traveled all over Europe. Immediately (like, immediately--no you es of ay in between) after Europe, we took advantage of another study abroad program and headed to China for a month.

This was not enough travel for Natalie.

Our senior year of college, Natalie went back to Europe and spent two semesters teaching English in Poland.

Here is the semi-current update:

Six weeks ago, Natalie quit her job of six months, moved back to her parents, packed her bags, and flew down to South America. She went with her high school friend, Amy, Amy's fiance, Jeremy, and their almost-two-year-old daughter, Lola. BACKPACKING!

I was a bit concerned for two reasons:
1) A two-year-old? Backpacking? ...Natalie doesn't even like kids! 
2) Upon her return, she has no job to come home to!

But, oh well, that's Natalie--my ultra-free-spirited, non-baby-loving (how is that even possible!?) best friend--and I wouldn't trade her for the whole wide world!

The most current (and most important) update:

She will FINALLY be home TOMORROW!

And surprise, surprise, yesterday she sent me a Facebook message asking if I'd road to California with her next month...ha :)

Here are a few pictures from previous travels...if you're really bored, you can browse through here to see more.

Klagenfurt, Austria

Venice, Italy

Dublin, Ireland

Croatia (I forget the city--the capital)

Beijing, China

And this next one is a recent one of Natalie and Amy in Peru!

Hooray for homecomings!

Wordless Wednesday: the reason for my absence

A Birthday Surprise!

Remember when my grandma turned eighty? Well, our family didn’t speak much about this special day in the weeks leading up to it. So, when the day finally came, and her daughter (my Aunt Donna) drove all the way from Wisconsin to pick her up from work for a day full of shopping, she was definitely surprised!

Then, when she and her daughter went out for dinner at Hickory Park and sixteen other family members were already there, she was even more surprised. 

AND THEN, when she opened a birthday card that contained a plane ticket to Georgia (that left THE VERY NEXT DAY), she was even MORE surprised (and a bit panicked!)!
 

Why Georgia, you ask? Because that’s where her sister lives and my family (my grandma’s kids and kid-in-laws) thought this would be the most relaxing, enjoyable place for her to spend her birthday weekend.

And they were right--she absolutely loved it.

Pretty lady.

This is the whole group (minus two!). We tried to recreate the picture from my mom's birthday surprise :)

That one time when...

So there I was, standing in a Cross-fit gym for the very first time, scared to death wondering which one of those giant ropes I'd have to climb, exhausted from a very long and boring day of work/training, and hoping noone would notice the spikey patches of knee hair that inevitably gets missed every time I shave my legs, when out of nowhere, my long-time friend, Jamie (who somehow convinced me to attempt this workout), nonchalantly says, "Oh and Gabby Douglas is coming tonight."

wait.

WHAT?!?

Gabby Douglas?!? The cute, gold-medal-winning, OLYMPIC gymnast who I've only ever seen on TV will be HERE? With ME?

It's true, people. I couldn't believe it either.

And sure enough...about 15 minutes later, there she was. Apparently she lives with one of the cross-fit members during her Olympic training (she trains in Des Moines), so she came to help support the cross-fit gym on their one year anniversary.

Pretty cool, huh? The coolest part, though, is that she really was just like anyone else there. She wasn't surrounded by people or cameras and, quite honestly, I don't know that half the people in the gym even knew she was there.

However, as soon as someone else said, "I kinda want to get my picture taken with her," I obviously couldn't pass that up!

So, here I am, awkwardly standing next to her. I was so unsure about how to stand, if I should kneel, how much space I should give her, and you know...all the other star-struck thoughts one would have while being photographed with a celebrity.

Anyway, after we took the awkward picture, she talked about her training and what not (six days a week--and her short training sessions are 4 hours long), and she really is such a nice girl.

So, back to the whole cross-fit thing....eventually I had to begin the dreaded workout. And holy crap, that was the hardest thing I have ever experienced in my whole entire life. After six days, my muscles (or lack there of) are finally starting to feel normal again. Thank god!

Jamie, I love you, but I don't know that this body of mine can handle that torture again--how/why do you do that to yourself!?

Introductions.

There are four very incredible ladies that I would like to introduce to all of you. These gals have no idea that I look up to them in so many ways, but I honestly do.

The first girl I’d like you to meet is Mrs. Amanda Watters. Amanda actually went to the same university I did, the University of Northern Iowa, and of all places, we met each other in China where we both traveled abroad to teach English at a summer camp. Sadly, the two of us did not spend a whole lot of time together in China, nor did we keep in touch after we returned, but I came across her blog a year or two later and have been a dedicated follower ever since.

Amanda is mother to two-year-old baby Stella (and what an absolutely wonderful mother she is!) and wife to her high school sweet heart, Andrew. Prior to her new gig of stay-at-home mama, she was an English teacher—and boy does it show! She is such a fantastic writer.

…she is also a great photographer, cook (at least the pictures look amazing), homemaker, and has the ability to wear the cutest clothes that I could never pull off—not in a million years.

Click here for Amanda’s blog—I promise, she does not disappoint. OH, and one more thing—she is expecting her second baby (a BOY!) in October—I’m so excited to watch her cute little family grow!

The second lady is Miss Ashlea. Ashlea is full-time mama to two baby girls, Raygan and Remy, and she recently announced that she and her fiancé are expecting baby number three! Ashlea’s two girls are the spitting image of her. Obviously, I’ve never met her girls (or even Ashlea), but not only do they look just like her, but by the spunky little pictures she posts of them, their personalities are just like their mama’s.

…out of all four of these ladies, I think Ashlea and I are most alike. I don’t know if I can pin point exactly why I think that, but I do.  

Click here to visit my sista from anotha motha.

The third mama I’d like to introduce you to is also named Ashley. Baby Cruz is her little boy and he is SO CUTE! The two of them, along with the man of the family, Beau, live in Cedar Falls, Iowa. This town is very near and dear to me as I lived there for five years while attending college, so it’s fun for me to read about this family’s little adventures around the town that I know and love so well.

I swear Ashley has to be related to Martha Stewarts in one way or another—from her “14 Days of DIY Love” posts leading up to Valentines’ Day to the Sesame Street themed birthday party she threw for Cruz’s 2^nd birthday—holy cow, she could give Martha a run for her money.

Here is Ashley’s blog.

Finally, there is Mrs. Kerri Andersen. Kerri is probably the funniest person I have ever (not actually) met—reading her perspective on just about everything cracks me up every time! She is a new wife to her hubby, Jeff, and a new mama to baby Jane (she just had her baby about a week ago!).

I admire how Kerri isn’t afraid to talk about her frustrations and struggles; for example, when making a batch of sugar cookies, she attempted to bake the dough in a giant glob and cut the cookies out after she baked them. The way she told this story was absolutely hilarious and had me laughing so stinking hard.

See Kerri and her cute family right here.

I admire each of these ladies for so many reasons and am so glad I somehow made my way to their blogs. As I often do when I’m in the middle of a really, really good book, when I’m not reading, I find myself wondering what’s going on in these ladies’ lives. The difference, though, is that these women aren’t “characters,” and their stories never end.

Odds are I will never actually meet these women (except for Miss Amanda), but they will have unknowingly made my day 1000 times over, and have already given me so much advice and insight about the family I hope to have one day.

Happy reading!

ROAD TRIP!

Two months ago (yes, I know this is a little late), I went on a road trip with my bff, Natalie, and her little sister, Alyssa. Alyssa was accepted to grad school in Greenville, North Carolina, so I jumped at the chance to tag along on their apartment-hunting adventure (I’d take any excuse to enjoy a week off from work). So, on Friday, April 19^th at 9:00 PM, we hit the road and started our 20 hour journey east. I took the worst driving shift imaginable (from 12 AM to 4 AM) and was so grateful when I finally handed the keys off to Natalie. Natalie, however, has claimed she has “special eyes” ever since her lasik eye surgery (which was a month earlier). So, after 45 minutes of driving and many complaints about her “special eyes,” she handed the keys off to Alyssa and went back to her peaceful night of sleep. Typical! 

My outfit of choice for our trip of road.

Anyway, after our drive through Illinois, Indiana, a pit-stop in Ohio (to have breakfast with Alyssa’s college roomie), and several more hours of driving through West Virgina and Virgina (which were both so pretty!), we finally made it to our hotel—the Super 8.

Not sure what state this is--but it's gorgeous!

As we pulled into our gem of a hotel, we were greeted by a very large group of men standing around the parking lot who, we all agreed, appeared to be preparing for some big drug deal. So, while scared for our lives, we sat in the car for several minutes and contemplated our options: 1) stay at the Super 8 and hope we don’t end up on one of Dateline’s missing persons episodes, or 2) consider spending more than $50 a night on a different hotel.

We picked option two. Thank god.

Our time in Greenville was spent eating, drinking, shopping, and apartment searching. Sadly, Greenville is not near a beach and the weather was quite cold the entire time we were there. BUT LUCKILY, after three nights in Greenville, Natalie and I (Alyssa had to fly back home for school) were on our way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

Alyssa and Natalie.

Our nicer than ever bartender who told us where all the best shopping was.

After a three hour drive, we were finally there, and boy were we thirsty! We started our night with dinner on the pier and the night continued as we sipped a drink in just about every bar we walked by.

The view from our hotel room.

Natalie's first taste of "shark bites" ...we are still unclear of the true origin of this meal.

The beginning of our nightly stroll/bar hop.

The first take wasn't good enough...

The next day, it was FINALLY warm outside and we definitely took advantage. Natalie, got a little too carried away, though, and after only a few short hours, she was absolutely burnt to a crisp (and, holy crap, she looked miserable). I, on the other hand, was very protective of my pasty white ginger skin and constantly wore a nice, thick layer, of sunscreen. 

That morning--the start of Natalie's sunburn from hell.

Not sure what this creature is...

Natalie's foot one week after the burn from hell. Sickening.

After our stay at Myrtle Beach, we hit the road again—this time for ten hours—and ended up in Nashville, Tennessee. Neither one of us had ever been there before and we absolutely FELL IN LOVE! My Aunt Connie lives there and was nice enough to let us stay with her. My two cousins (Aunt Connie’s children), Drew and Carson, and Carson’s boyfriend (who is also my brother’s old friend), Quin, also came to Nashville for the weekend. The first night there, our eyes were a wee bit thirstier than our mouths were, so even though we purchased almost four thousand different beverages, I only managed to drink two or three beers.

We had high hopes...

The next morning we drove to Franklin, TN (and drove past BRAD PAISLEY’S church!) where we spent an hour or so window shopping. Of course, the boys didn’t enjoy that at all, so soon we were on our way back to Nashville where we spent the day/night listening to so many freaking amazing singers. Seriously, I do not understand how all of the people in Nashville aren’t already famous and on the radio--everyone was so good! 

Strolling the streets of Nashville. Me, Natalie (and one of her many cute photo faces), and Drew. Seriously, Natalie's face cracks me up every time!

Nat looking beautiful again.

Carson, me, Drew, and Aunt Connie

Me and Drew

We went to a well-known bar called The Wildhorse Saloon. I, being a lover of all line dances, was hoping I would learn some new dances to take back to Iowa. But, no; I was thoroughly disappointed with the line dancing there—how is it that Nashville, Music City, the country music capital of the world, had almost no line dancing?! I just didn’t (and still don’t) get it. So, instead of me bringing the dancing back to Iowa, I brought the dancing to Nashville. I am not even kidding. The third picture down below….that’s me teaching the Wildhorse Saloon how to line dance. 

Me and Natalie outside of The Wildhorse Saloon.

Aunt Connie, Drew, Natalie, and me.

There I am (in the middle) teaching that giant bar how to dance!

Anyway, the next night (Saturday) we went out again, and on Sunday, Natalie and I headed (another ten hours) back to boring old Iowa. Luckily, I had Monday off from work too, so I had ample time to apply for multiple jobs in...**drum roll please**…Nashville, Tennessee! 

Carson and Quin--the love birds.

Sibling love.

The last picture from our trip! This was taken as we listened to a band who's fiddler is also Brad Paisley's fiddler (and has been for the last 13 years). Yeah, pretty stinking cool, huh?!

P.S. Dear Taylor Swift, if you happen to be reading this and need an accountant, please let me know.

Fingers crossed!

Wordless Wednesday: preview of my post in progress / #iwannagoback

Slow and steady does not win the race...

As I mentioned here, I definitely found time to relax this weekend. However, relaxing is not all I did. I also struggled my way through a very long and terrible race—and I mean TERRIBLE. On Saturday morning, I woke up at 4 AM and drove to Des Moines where I ran a 12.4 mile race called “Dam to Dam.” I ran this race after zero training. And I mean ZERO (I’ve ran twice in the last two months for a total of 8 miles).

And let me tell you, this race did not go well for me. Can you say “eleven minute miles?” HAHA!! I laugh every time I think about that. I am the runner you see after you’ve finished the race, taken off your shoes, eaten a bagel or two, maybe finished a beer, gotten your things together and are heading back home when you look back at the course and say, “Oh my god! I can’t believe there are people still running!” Yup, I was that runner. 

I was also that runner who was “running” up the hills slower than the people walking the hills. 

And the runner who instantly bent over to gasp for air after crossing the finish line (after running eleven minute miles).

My friend, Sam, however, was not that runner. She “trained” just as little as I did (even less) and still managed to run eight minute miles. 

Good freaking god. 

Anyway, HAPPY MONDAY!!!! :)

My Beautiful Sister's Wedding!

Ah...it feels nice to finally have a weekend to relax after my last very eventful and very exciting weekend...

MY SISTER GOT MARRIED!!!! 

Let's start from the very beginning...

Last Friday, while the men spent the day golfing at the Harvester, the girls spent the morning drinking mimosas, eating bagels, and relaxing during a wonderful mani and pedi session. The salon actually opened the place up early for us and we had the whole place to our self--thank goodness, cuz there were tons of us!

The first pedi group. From left--Aunt Donna, cousin Natalie, me, my mom, and my three aunts: Lisa, Suki, and Nancy (with her eyes closed).

Above left: bridesmaid Callie. Above right: cousin Michaela and bridesmaid Lindsay.

Below: cousin Natalie and me.

Below left: bridesmaid April. Below right: my Aunt Donna and her mama. 

Me and my grandma concentrating on our shelaks.

The groom came to deliver a kiss. So romantic.

Below left: cousins Syd and Jill. Below right: cousin Syd and me.  

After our nails, us ladies headed over to the reception site where we spent the afternoon decorating our booties off--and boy, it sure looked good when we were done!

My cute grandma ironing the table runners.

Aunt Nancy placing the menu board with help from my cousin and mom.

The bathroom sign made by my oh-so-creative-and-oh-so-crafty Auntie Rita (on the right).

The final product.

Once the decorating was done, we all rushed home to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner which was at our hometown restaurant, Country House.

Sibling love.

Aunt Lisa and someones baby...our family has a thing for holding random people's babies :/

Me, Dane, and Jenna.

That night most of our family stayed at a hotel in Ames. So, following the dinner, we went to the hotel and practiced our traditional family wedding dance (to Gangnam Style) and a wedding song (Say a Little Prayer) which we surprised the bride and groom with on their wedding night. 

This is the back of my uncle Macy's head (notice the sunburn from a long day of golf) as he practices our surprise song.

Me with my Aunt Suki and cousins Paul, Natalie, and Jill (all wearing teal).

I called it an early night and headed to my room to finish my speech (which I was incredibly nervous for) and lather up with LOTS of tanning lotion. After sleeping for just a few hours, I woke up at 5:00 AM and couldn't get back to sleep--I was just too excited to start the wedding day!

The morning started at 8:00 AM with hair and makeup. My brother's girlfriend, Jenna, was the photographer for the wedding and came to take getting ready pictures with us. She also delivered some delicious Starbucks to us. I just love her. Sadly, I did not get any pictures of the bride getting her hair and makeup done (but Jenna got plenty!). Not long after we were there, the cute little flower girl, Miss Kennedy Ann, came to get her hair done. She did sooooooo good for the first hour, but as all little three-year-old girls would, she grew tired of the tugging and curling and spraying and all else that comes with being a girl.

The stylist, Kennedy, and her mama (my cousin), Amanda.

Me putting sparkles on those tiny little eyelids of hers.

Waiting for 2:00...

Abby discovered the easiest way to pee with a dress on...AND ISN'T SHE JUST GORGEOUS!?

And finally, the moment came when we all walked down the aisle and waited for the bride.

Dave walked my mama down the aisle. Just look at how pretty she is! And that dress!

The best man, Nate, and I.

Kennedy did PERFECT! Never have I seen a flower girl do such a good job--and she is only three! Just look at how cute she is!

AND THERE SHE IS--THE BLUSHING BRIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And their kiss!

Abby and my new brother-in-law, Dave.

This is my pops.

My California family--cousin Colby and his wife, Sarah, cousin Megan and her boyfriend, Bobbi, Uncle Kris and Aunt Krista, and cousin Taylor.

Uncle Bret, cousin Jill, and Uncle Macy.

My mom, Kennedy, and cousin Syd.

Aunt Nancy and Aunt Suki with their matching umbrellas (it pretty much rained alllllll day long).

After the wedding, we took a few pictures and headed over to the Bride and Groom's house to prepare (get liquored up) for our grand entrance. The family headed to Ames where the reception was held; thanks to my wonderful photo-loving family, I have lots of pictures of them to share.

My family is so gorgeous! From left: Meyer cousins Jill, Drew, Paul, Natalie (Paul's wife), Sarah (Colby's wife), Colby, Megan, and Bobbi (Megan's boyfriend).

See what I mean!? Gorgeous! From left: Kaufman cousins (all sisters if you can't tell) Mattea, Mallory, and Michaela.

My cousins from both sides of the family. I'm so glad my cousins from another (grand)mother got to meet one another!

This is my dad, my mom, her three brothers, their wives, and my grandma.

Aunt Suki and her daughter, Jill. I love this picture.

Natalie and Paul. Not only were they celebrating Abby and Dave's wedding, but their own one year anniversary (which was the very next day). Aren't they precious? They'll be making beautiful babies someday...

After the grand entrance, there were much more pictures taken, speeches given, dances danced, etc. The best part of the whole night, though, was the surprise song we sang for Abby and Dave. This is how it went down: before we ate, my dad stood up and thanked everyone for coming. He then asked if everyone would bow their heads so he could say a little prayer. How did he start this prayer, you ask? Well, he sang, "The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup." Obviously, this made everyone laugh. Then, my mom stood up and sang, "I'll say a little prayer for you!" and the song continued as multiple people stood up and sang their own part with everyone joining in for the chorus. WOW, it was sooooo perfect! I love my family! Abby and Dave absolutely loved it! My sister is definitely not one to cry, but believe me, this did it for her (hopefully I'll have a video to post soon).

Mr. Quinn wanted to sit with me during dinner and I was more than happy to be his date.

What a stud.

Me giving my el speecho.

First dance as bride and groom.

Father daughter dance.

The surprise dance to "Gangnam Style."

Abby surprised everyone with a two-in-one dress. She took off the skirt of her dress and came onto the dance floor during the end of the Gangnam Style dance. Here she is with cousin Hanne.

Cousins Mattea and Lindsey.

It doesn't get much cuter than this.

Me and my good friend, Christy, who was such a good help at the wedding. This pretty lady is getting married next summer and I CANNOT WAIT!

Uncle Mike and cousin Kaela (father and daughter).

My Uncle Kris arranged for a "baby dance" where just me, my sister, and my mom got to be on the dance floor with all children five and under. HAHA! We really were in heaven.

Jenna and Dane. Such cuties.

Some of the Colo-NESCO High School crew.

Kaela and baby Claire (my cousin Alan and Cate's baby girl).

I love my sister.

Family friends, Deb and Jerry.

Lindsey, Abby, and April.

Auntie Rita and Uncle Steve with two of their tired grandbabies, Quinn and Claire.

The bride with cousin Kaela.

My Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike sharing a siblings dance. So precious.

Kennedy found this boa and took her flower girl duties to the next level.

One last posed picture. Couldn't help it.

Me and my beautiful cousin, Megan.

Awwww...me and Trenton!

After the reception, several of us made our way to a karaoke bar where the night continued.

:)

Me and my cousin, Mally.

Cousin Taylor serenading the newly weds.

And that's all, folks! It was such a great weekend and I am sooo ridiculously happy to finally be able to call Dave my brother-in-law. Next step: baby time--I am so ready to be Auntie Andi!