Chicago!

Sorry I have been MIA. Life sometimes gets in the way, you know. 

A few weekends ago we went up to Chi-town for the Men’s health Urbanathlon. A group of people from my gym went last year and talked about it all year long about how fun it was. When the sign ups came around in June I knew I had to go this year. I got my team together and was ready to take on this challenge.

The Urbanathlon is a race you can either run individually or on a three-man team. I, of course, did the relay. I was the second leg of the race that included a 3 mile run, jumping over Marine hurdles that were over 5 feet tall, going under cargo nets, and climbing across monkey bars. I had a blast, and so did the rest of my team! For our first Urbanathlon we came in at 1:46:46 putting us in 454th overall. Hey, I’ll take it! I am looking forward to next year (I am thinking of running it alone!!).

Chicago is one of my favorite cities for a few reasons-shopping, pizza, & shopping! After the race we headed over to Giordano’s for their famous stuffed pizza. Seriously people, pizza doesn’t get any better than this.

We then went and did our shopping. I found a few cute things but by this time I was so tired. For some reason my body decided to wake up at 430 am on Saturday, and after running the race, going to lunch, and walking around downtown I was just DONE! But I was a trooper and went out Saturday night. At the top of our hotel (The Wit- read my husbands review here), was a bar called The Roof. The view was breathe taking and so was the drink prices ($14! But hey I was in Chicago so why not!). I enjoyed my Punk Rock Runaway(mount gay rum, lemon, Washington apple syrup, candied apple) and took in all the beautiful views.

 

Before we left my favorite city, I decided to walk down the street to take some pictures and find something for breakfast. I stumbled upon Argo Tea. It was such a next place! They had so many delicious looking drinks and I decided to go with the Mate Late (Yerba Mate, almond, and milk-YUM!) and a pumpkin muffin. If you live in Chicago, NY, or St. Louis you must visit this place! I am sad there isn’t one close to me! 

 

We had a great weekend and are already looking forward to next year!

Fall Traditions

Last weekend we went on our annual trip of picking out our pumpkins and getting some apples. 

I love this picture of my brother and my mom.

We get out picture every year together at the farm. 

I think this just might be my favorite that we've ever taken together. 

Logan and me (can you tell we went on Bengals Sunday? My jersey was in the car)

I always pick the pumpkin that's a little different. This one is gray/green and I love it!

Here are the ones we picked to come home. 

After the pumpkin farm it was off to the apple farm. It was pretty chilly Sunday morning, so I couldn't wait to get some cider and sit by the fire. 

Andy and Lauren enjoying the fire too! 

David and I drinking some cider. So GOOD!

I'm so lucky to have the family that I have and that we hang out all the time. 

We all look forward to this weekend every year!

A Bit of History

I think I've said before that our house was built  in 1886. In the 1930's they put an addition on. The only reason we know about the addition is because when we were putting a new front door in we had to open the walls up. You know what they used to insulate wall with back them...newspaper. We have a newspaper from March of 1933! We have had it just lying around and we finally figured out something to do with it. 

{click on the photos to make larger and read!}

We went to IKEA and got some frames to put them in. 

Check out that date- March 13, 1933

A womens suit for only $16.50

Probably my favorite part. The president at this time-Roosevelt! Here they are talking about banks and how people should invest in them. This was only a few years after the Great Depression. 

A dozen cookies for a mer 30 cents!

I am a history nerd and was totally excited about this finding. It makes me wonder what other goodies we may find while we are in this house! 

My Super Awesome Weekend

My weekend started out on a great note. Remember the two part test I took, part one in April 09 and part two this past August?? Well I receive an email Friday afternoon (I had Andy stalking my email since I didn't have access) and I got word that I passed!! I am now a Nationally Certified Interpreter!! It was a longgg 7 week wait but it was worth it in the end. It feels great to have achieved this goal I wanted so badly! 

The rest of my weekend followed suit. Saturday night we went to my good friends Heather and Erick's wedding reception. 

They had a destination wedding over the summer in the Dominican Republic. 

It's hard to believe two years ago we took this same picture but I was the one in white! 

College friends. I love these two girls and am so thankful I can call them my friends. 

The next morning I ran a 5k with my other good friends, Cassie and Alisha. It was Cassie's birthday and her first race! I was so happy to be apart of this race. See, Cassie is a care taker for a sweet girl with autism. I love running, but running for a reason makes it that much more special. I am already looking forward to the next race that we run together. 

Here is our before picture, and yes I wear the same pink shirt for my races. I mean I have to match head to toe =)

Getting ready at the starting line

running in! 

My best time yet! 

Alisha finishing! 

And Cassie too! 

Our after picture. I don't think it looks too bad after running 3.1 miles!

I came in at 24:54. I was 2nd in my age group, 11th female, and 33rd overall. I'll take it! I think I did so well because I had Andy there supporting me! Thank you Andy!

To finish the weekend off the Bengals won too! WHO DEY!

Fall Favorites

Is it just me or does fall clothing make you excited? I love everything about the fall-from pumpkin spice lattes to going to the apple farm, but nothing makes me happier then throwing on a cozy sweater. We are still in the upper 80's/90's here so I haven't got to enjoy that feeling yet. So until then I will leave you with some of my fall wants.

Loving this ruffle coat from Express

But I also love the military style fromvPiperlime

I LOVE boots! Piperlime

 Loving this whole outfit from Jcrew

Thinking of using my Groupon on these from the Gap

This would be great for the weekends from Nordstrom

New Ride

I had been in the market for a new car. I loved my '99 VW New Beetle but it was getting old. I had been looking around at all kinds of cars and fell in love with the 2007 Scion tC's in the RS model. Of course it wasn't an easy car to find, only 2500 were made. In the matter of a month we found 3 that were close to us, and of course they all were sold or in financing. I was just about to give up on that car and start looking for something else. Then on Monday we got a phone call from a dealership that financing fell through and the car was back up for sale. We told them we would be down Wednesday to buy it! I was super excited! So after a 2.5 hour car ride (one way!!) I got to come home with this baby:

The color is called Blizzard Pearl. 

 I am in love with the suede interior

 One of my favorites is the sunroof! Only the front one opens but I still like how it looks

Now it's time to fix up the bug and put it up for sale! 

Happy Anniversary 2.0

Two years ago today I stood before my friends and family and vowed my love to my amazing husband. The first year flew by, but I think this one went by a little bit faster. Everyday when I wake up next to A I ask myself how did I get so lucky. He truly is my best friend and I am thankful for everything he is to me. I can't wait to spend a thousand more years together! 

We celebrated Saturday night. He surprised me with this when I came home from work Saturday morning:

I got him a Chad Ochocino jersey along with tickets to a Bengals game in October (Who Dey!! Can't wait!)

Dinner was AMAZING! If you live my a Stone Creek Dining or ever visit Cincy this is a must eat if you love steak. 

I started an album of pictures from our anniversary. I can't wait till every page is filled up! 

And here is the outfit I wore. That is the shirt and necklace A bought me. What can I say, the guy knows how to pick out clothes for me :)

We ended the night getting my favorite ice cream, Graters chocolate with chocolate sprinkles!

Thank you for an amazing 2 years Andy. I look forward to everything our future has is store. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life! I love you to the moon and back!