Weekend Update

This past weekend just flew by! Friday night started with my floral appointment. I felt much more prepared and excited to meet with my florist than my first visit back in July. I am still debating on using floral in my centerpieces at my tables, but I think in the end I will.

After the floral appointment, I had an hour and a half to kill before meeting with our FOCCUS couple so I stopped by T's parents house. It was so nice to catch up and see his sister. I was a little nervous meeting our couple, but my future sister reassured me that the Mrs. was very nice. :) She was totally right! I just loved our meal and getting to know each other before taking the inventory.

Saturday we had our cake appointment and we met with a new business that does custom printing. I was so relieved to be told our invites can be printed at a reasonable cost! After some meetings, T and I went to our reception hall's open house. We got to try a few things off the menu, see the ballroom all dressed up, and taste desserts and wine. It was amazing and I was stuffed by the time we left. I made a trip home to pick up a few things from Mom and Dad's. It was also an excuse to see my pup. I sure miss her and I know the feeling is mutual when she runs down the road after me when I leave. :( She knows how to make her owner sad!

Sunday was pretty relaxing. T and I started really planning our NC trip and figuring out what we wanted to do. I was excited to finally get approval to go on vacation from the upper management. I think we have a pretty good idea what we want to do in Charlotte, it's just a matter of what we want to do the 5 days before we head back west. One of my top things to do is to go to the Duplin Winery and have Two Dogs Pizza. Another trip to Wilmington would be awesome too. We watched the Super Bowl and ordered Pizza Hut so we didn't have to cook. It was a great evening even if snow was in the forecast.

I am ready to be in NC with warmer weather for sure!

Goodbye 2012

2012 has definitely been a year I could describe as a roller coaster.

January brought me leaving a great group of fifth graders and elementary school where I student taught. I was able to substitute teach and teach summer school for the district, which made the transition easier.

March brought Tim starting a new job and Tim and I got engaged on St. Patrick's Day :)

We moved into our first apartment together in April 

April also brought Amber's wedding where I was her Personal Attendant

 Attended our good friends Mat & Berkley's wedding in June

 Riley Jo came into the world in July! I'm a proud honorary auntie :)
Then, later in the month my world crashed around me. My mother was diagnosed with cancer. 

August came and she had her mastectomy and started treatments in September.

 Meanwhile, I was starting my very first teaching job as a four year old kindergarten teacher.

 In October we celebrated my parents' 25th wedding anniversary. T & I got our engagement pictures taken. 

November brought Thanksgiving and Patrick's 21st birthday.

December came and I made the Christmas card for the first time! :) Dad had another rocky December with his heart, but our family felt so much closer knowing how blessed we were to make it through this year. 

We celebrated the end of the year and the beginning of a new one with our MOH and BM. I know this year is going to be just as wonderful as 2012 has been to T and I!

The Christmas "Vacation"

The time between my snow days and going back to work after Christmas flew by. Saturday morning I literally flew out of bed and packed as quickly as I could. My dad had called and was going to the ER. They kept him overnight for observation and then sent him home since he wasn't having a heart attack. Christmas Eve was a lazy day after the running around that went on Saturday and Sunday.

My brother made Oreo Truffles Christmas Eve - they were yummy!

It's the time of year where visiting the dogs means they come in :)

Christmas the dogs got their gift from us and the rawhide bone gift from Bree.

We had bacon, eggs, and cinnamon rolls for breakfast after opening our gifts. 

Later on in the day we had Christmas lunch/dinner and then I packed up my car to head to T's parents for Christmas night festivities - Monopoly and brandy slushies :)

The day after Christmas led T, Pat, Erin and I to get those day after bargains. I got my icicle lights for the head table and some string lights that I'll wrap with tulle for under the stage. I scored some gift wrap and got a Rubbermaid tub for all our Christmas things.

I went back to work Thursday and Friday to plan and organize the classroom. I found out late on Thursday that my dad was having a procedure Friday to see if he was blocked. Good thing I was planning to work a half day as he was blocked, but he was able to come home and I was his ride.

I spent Saturday and Monday at the bridal shop and shopping. We looked for my mom's dress for the wedding and I tried on and picked up my bridesmaid dress for Erica's wedding. I also saw my dress - I'll have to post all about that on a Wedding Wednesday update!

I'm Back!

It has been a few weeks since I've posted and it's just been crazy busy! I think my other new years resolution should be making sure to blog 2x a week! Now that I'm nursing a cold (thankfully it's not pinkeye, strep, ear infection or stomach flu that has been also going around my classroom), it was the perfect rainy Wisconsin winter day to catch up with me!

The last weekend in November, my future brother in law turned 21. He attends the same college I just graduated from a year ago. Time sure flies! We went out in downtown P-ville to help him celebrate and babysit. :)

 Getting sung Happy Birthday in Spanish!

Tequila Shot

The Brothers - You can't tell Pat is excited ;)

I smelled like fire after standing in front of it with Paddy.

T and I

I love my future brother - by far my favorite picture of us :)

It was a great night and I was the best sister in law ever to hold his free t-shirt all night and help walk him home.

Now that it's December we are also getting into crunch time with some wedding things. I'll have to post all about that soon!