Blog Update

Good Day!

Remember when I said that August would be a much better month for blog posts because I failed to write even ONE post in July? Well September was identical to July and I totally failed to keep my loyal followers updated. For this I apologize.

Since my last post, I have been busy with a thing or two. First and foremost, the most exciting thing that happened was my little sister's wedding.






August 27, 2011 was the day my sister married the love of her life. After their wedding, they honeymooned in Cancun and have since then settled into their upstairs apartment at Dan's grandma's house in Syracuse, New York where they are surely annoying everyone with their sappy newlyweddedness.

Next on the agenda was Dad coming to Dayton, Ohio to participate in the Air Force Marathon on September 17. For an old man, he did a darn good job and we all had a great time watching him finish the race. Anybody who runs a marathon and finishes it is a hero in my book, but I am quite proud of my Dad's accomplishments as a runner. He has raced with some of the top dogs in Chicago, Pheonix, Champaign, Dayton, and even Boston. Go Dad!!



Here we are at the finish line. Matt, me, Dad, Mom, Krista, Dan

I always love it when the fam comes to visit and the past few months we have seen a lot of each other between the college graduation, pre-wedding showers, vacation, wedding events, and the marathon. We are taking a break from each other until everyone makes their way to OUR HOUSE for Thanksgiving!! Yes, you read that right. Matt and I are hosting the day of thanks and I don't even know how to cook a turkey. Yikes, I have a lot to learn before next month.

Fall has settled in nicely and we are enjoying the cooler temps and changing colors. Our maple tree in the front yard is turning the brightest red and is gorgeous. Here is a pic of it in all its glory last fall.



I think that's about all I have for you today, friends. I would try to make some sort of promise about being more faithful with updating, but I just don't want to set the bar that high. Thanks for reading!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Howdy Y'all!

I'm back again for a second round of What I'm Loving Wednesday with Jamie.

I'm loving my sweet flower necklace from Target



I'm loving me some red nail polish



I'm loving this amazing weather we're having. Ahh such a nice change from the 90's we've had for two months.


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I'm loving cooking out on the grill. We had tilapia and broccoli for dinner last night and it was so light and refreshing. (Matt did not enjoy the lightness factor. He is more of a meat and potatoes kinda guy but thanks for grilling for us anyway sweetie!) This plate below looks delish. Ours didn't quite look like that. We just dipped it in butter and lemon pepper and grilled em up.



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I'm loving browsing for "healthy dessert recipes" online. I'm weary of trying some that have no butter or sugar 'cuz let's face it, that's what makes cookies, cakes, muffins (anything really) so delicious. Check out this rainbow cake. If it's this colorful and pretty, it must be healthy right???
That's...logical.



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I'm loving my little fur baby. Unfortunately for him, Cookie will no longer be a masculine dog by this time next week. At one point, I thought it would be cool to get another dog and breed some cute little fluffy puppies but we decided that it would be way too much work since we both work full time. Maybe if I'm a stay at home mom someday, we will revisit the idea of dog breeding. Plus I doubt that I could give away any puppies after I raise them for their first 6-8 weeks of life. "Honey, can we please keep all of them??" Yeah...what am I even thinking???



Hope you are having a fabulous Wednesday. I'm off to go read/catnap in the sun room.

Saturday Morning Love

Good Morning!

I have quite the to-do list for the day. I am accomplishing so much this weekend, including my last night's activities of

...dining out with the hubs...



...going to the pet shop to see all the sweet babies...



...and soaking in the bath tub while I decide if I'm into the show Prison Break. (no conclusion after episode one.)




But for today, the list is a bit more strenuous.
1. Have hubs mow the jungle yard
2. Visit the Focht nail salon for a pedicure
3. Go grocery shopping
4. Clean the bathrooms
5. Pack a picnic and ride our bikes on the bike path down to the dam

I love me some productive Saturdays.

What is on your to-do list today?

What I'm Loving Wednesday

For the first time ever, I am linking up with This Kind of Love for What I'm Loving Wednesday.

I am loving...

my morning cup of iced coffee

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Hair Styles


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Twix 90 Calorie Ice Cream Bars


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Pandora internet radio


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The ellipcial (love/hate)


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Flipping Out


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Cookie!





My Sweetie pie :-)




Happy Wednesday everyone!!

August....

....I PROMISE I will write more posts. I can only guarantee this because I literally did not update One. Single. Time. This month. Bad blogger award?
I plan on focusing more on health and wellness in my future blogging endevors as well as my favorite topics of shopping and entertainment. Of course I have a post about Cookie in the works as well. So please don't forget me. And I'll try not to forget about this little blog either.

Happy August!!!

Saturday Morning Love

My weekend is looking pretty darn good. Why you may ask? Well so far today, I slept in (GLORIOUS!), poured a cup of coffee, uploaded some pictures, chatted with a friend overseas, and snuggled with Cookie. Good day so far, right?




Basically we're not doing a whole lot this weekend..and those kind of weekends are absolutely necessary.

David's Bridal emailed me that my DRESS IS IN for sis's wedding.



A trip to the mall is in order and I have a feeling picking up the dress won't be the only thing on the agenda. I really "need" a new swimsuit for vacay next week. Who likes shopping for those when you look like this??


But who cares when you're on this bad boy....



...on your way to HERE.....



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Ahh...I have a feeling looking good in a bathing suit will be far from my mind in about a week. :-)

Niagra Falls Recap

So Niagra Falls was pretty amazing.



Several months ago, my husband told me we would be going on a special weekend anniversary getaway. For a few weeks, he gave me one clue per week. Somehow I managed to figure out our destination by the following clues:

1. There will be lots of water.
2. We are driving there.
3. We are going on a boat.
4. The hotel is a skyscraper with valet parking.

I can't handle knowing the uncertainty of a surprise, so when I guessed Niagra Falls, he said YES! And now I'm here to recap our trip for you. We had an AWESOME TIME!!!



We left Friday morning and drove through the day (about 7.5 hours with stops). We immediately checked into our posh hotel, The Embassy Suites, after crossing into Canada.

After looking around the hotel, we went down to the hotel restaurant, The Keg, where we had a good view of the falls.



After dinner (I was sooo full, by the way. Walking all over the place after having such a huge meal was not good for my belly) we walked down to the close up view of the falls. About that time of the day, it was starting to get dark so we got to see the lights reflecting off the water. Apparently there were fireworks around ten, but we missed those somehow and continued on with our evening activities which included looking around the hotel and enjoying our jacuzzi in our suite.



We slept in a bit on Saturday morning, then had a lovely breakfast at The Keg. This time, we sat right in front of the window (should have brought my sunglasses to breakfast) and had some delicious muffins, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, coffee, etc. etc. etc. (ok, I tried to eat less this time!)

After breakfast, we took the shuttle down to the falls and got on the Maid of the Mist boat ride. Who knew a poncho would never prevent you from getting soaked (so much for hair and makeup that morning) but the view was unbeatable. We pretty much rode right up to the water pouring over the ledge. After we got off the boat (and dried off) we went downtown to see all the nifty shops and entertainment.



We walked through the Ripley's Odditorium and watched a couple 4D short films in the theater there. I had a hankering for ice cream, so we had ice cream cones and Coke for lunch. After we saw everything there was to see, we walked back to the hotel to get all dolled up for the night.



We had an early seating at the Skylon Tower for dinner. Let me just say this was the BEST dining experience I have ever had. The food was to die for and the view took our breath away.



The dining room actually rotated 360 degrees so we got to see the complete view of Niagra Falls in about an hour's time. I just can't even explain in words how awesome this whole experience was. You truly get what you pay for at the Skylon Tower restaurant. (Do I sound like a commercial?)



The rest of the night, we just walked around looking at the falls and taking tons of pictures. Our hotel hosted a manager's reception that we snagged a couple drinks and snacks from later that night. We almost went swimming at the indoor pool, but we were tired so we ended the night in the jacuzzi and sat at the window, staring out at the amazing view and wishing we didn't have to leave the next morning.


It was a lovely trip and I am SO proud to say that my husband planned all the last details. It was so good for us to get away from day to day life and just relax with each other.

So on that note, I better go unpack. Or maybe not...we are gearing up for our next getaway: Caribbean Cruise with the Mom, Dad, and Sis in about a week. I LOVE SUMMER!!!