This is 40...or 28.

This is me.

No I'm not 40 today, but 28.  The funny thing about me is that I have always felt like an old soul in a young body.  I love old movies.  Love the 50's style. Vintage. Like shopping at places like Ann Taylor.  And have always gotten along better with adults more than my own peers.   

Growing up I was pretty sheltered from watching tv, movies, and listening to music.  I never liked playing pretend, and would rather fill my time drawing or playing sports.  Ryan knows all this about me now.  Like the fact I grew up watching Cary Grant and Doris Day.  My lack of dancing abilities from never having school dances growing up.  He knows how foolish I feel trying to even look remotely sexy in anything I'm doing...and if I look sexy it usually means my sister dressed me.  He knows how hard of a time I have trying to come up with funny hashtag phrases for my tweets.

But this is the way God created me, and I'm okay with that.  He created me to be loving, affectionate, ambitious, realistic, and joyful.  And the great thing is, God gave me Ryan who definitely compliments my more serious, realistic, and unknowing personality in many ways.  He brings out the playful side of me and allows me to act like the kid I sometimes never was.  Even if I feel foolish in front of others, I can be that way with him.    

So another year older,  however I feel like I'm going to the other direction and am only getting younger with age. Here's to living life at 28 to fullest!

One Year Today!

A year ago today I married my best friend!  I can't believe a year has already gone by since that special day.  I have such good memories of our day.  The wonderful things that happened, along with the things that didn't go quite as planned, we can now look back and laugh at it all.  So today I will share with you a little bit about how our big day went...

The day started early at the salon with all my bridesmaids.  Due to some stylists being sick, it put us behind which led the way to a rushed morning...I got ready and met Ryan in the lobby of the hotel where we were staying that night where we had our "first look" prior to pictures.

The dress.

The rings.

Looking for Ryan in the lobby...

Found him!

Admiring my dress for the first time.

After our first look we all headed to photo locations with our bridal party.  This is where the real excitement started.  While we were tromping around my dress got brushed against some black dirt/grease that ran along the entire train....

 We immediately headed to the church.  Our photographers were so sweet and ran to Walgreens for some Tide to Go.  I grabbed some socks from someones bag and the girls immediately went to town with soap and water washing it out.  My bridesmaids mom brought a hair dryer to the church and we blew the dress dry seconds before I walked down the aisle.  Talk about good timing!

It was a miracle that no one could even tell!

 Thankfully once the ceremony started, the rest of the day went smoothly.  The ceremony was perfect.  Our good friends did an amazing job playing the piano, guitar and singing.

 

We did it!

Husband & Wife! 

My handsome groom.

One of my favorite parts of the day was arriving to the reception hall and seeing all the decorations I had worked so hard on.  I spent months staying up late making decorations, numerous trips to hobby lobby to get things on sale, and days collecting pinecones at the local park. 

I loved how it all came together!

Since I'm an outdoorsy girl, I wanted a rustic/vintage theme to my winter wedding.  I found some old windows and door at an old home that was getting torn down near where I lived.  I also rented burlap table runners, gathered sticks and pinecones for the centerpieces  , and rented tons of mason jars.

I luckily found two women who offered to do my wedding flowers. They captured exactly what I had been imagining.  We purchased the flowers online and they did an amazing job making the bouquets and adding flowers to the centerpieces.

Our First Dance

It was an amazing day!  Thanks for reliving it with me!

If the years to come are anything like the first, I know it will be filled with joy, love, and adventure!

Field Trip

 I admit, I am a book nerd.  Every week I fit a stop to the local public library into my schedule of things to do.  You can be sure its true by the thrill and excitement I get when looking through the aisles of books, or getting an email saying I recieved a book I put on hold.  Not only that, but I realized years ago that I can rent and bring home a handful of the newest movies out for free.  I don't even have to spend a $1 at the Red Box!

So after almost a year of being married, it was time.  It was time to introduce Ryan to the public library.  Our Saturday off together was snowy.  The perfect kind of day to  snuggle up and watch a movie.  So we headed to the library to find some good movies. 

I think it was a success.  Ryan loved it (check out that smile).  He was even amazed as I taught him the automatic self checkout process.

Libraries are an amazing thing.  Go check out your library!



Happy New Year!

Fancy dresses and suits. Champagne and confetti. Some of you may have celebrated in the New Year this way.

For me, I celebrated with an overnight at work in my comfiest pair of scrubs.  It was nice that the hubby stopped by to give me my New Years kiss and toast with some sparkling cider though.

Happy New Year everyone!

Flash Back of 2012

1. We started out 2012 with a bang and got hitched on January 7th! 

2.  All in a three week period we celebrated Christmas, got married, had an amazing time in Riviera Maya for our honeymoon, and celebrated my 27th birthday at our gift opening.  Whew!  What a whirlwind!

3. Even though the Wisconsin winter was mild, we still were able to find enough snow up north to brush up on our snowboarding skills.

4.  Took a rode trip to Lacrosse, WI with my brother where we did some antiquing and great hikes.

5. Were exhausted after a full weekend of hiking at Pictured Rocks Upper Michigan with friends.

6. Met up with some friends from Minnesota midway in Wisconsin Dells at the Chula Vista resort.  Didn't swim in the waterpark, but played lots of arcade games.

7. Graduated and got a job!  My husband earned big brownie points by giving me a Kindle Fire for a grad present! Love it!

8.  Got filthy in the Madison Mud Run.

9.  Had a shuttle launch at the park to watched Ryan's homemade rocket take off for outerspace.

10. Take me out to the ball game!  Gotta love cotton candy, but hate the sticky fingers!

11. Initiated our new tent (wedding gift) in Eagle River, Wisconsin with friends.

12.  Got in some quality family time camping in Ouray, Colorado while the husband was out of town.

13. Had some sibling bonding time at Six Flags! Love Raging Bull!

14. Ryan ran his first half marathon.

15. Spent a day with friends at Devils Lake State Park hiking and having a cookout.

16.  Went to an amazing wedding in Milwaukee for a weekend and stayed at the beautiful Pfister Hotel.

17. Welcome to Bahhh Harbor.  Ate too much lobster. Saw no whales. Did a crazy hike.

18. Saw the famous fall colors in Door County.

19. Winter camped in New Glarus, WI during opening hunting week. Luckily we weren't mistaken as a deer.

20. Enjoyed our first Christmas as newlyweds!

It's been an amazing 2012!  Wonder what 2013 has in store?

What was your favorite part of 2012?

All I Want for Christmas...

I am like a little kid after Christmas looking and admiring all my new gifts under the tree. It seemed to be a running themed Christmas, so I thought I would share with you some of my favorite things I got!

Saucony Ride 4-

Last years model of the Saucony Rides, but I had been running in another pair since last year and really like them.  So excited about a new pair of training shoes! 

Saucony Kinvara 3-

Got these lightweight Saucony shoes for my long runs and races.  By having two pairs of shoes and only wearing these part time it will hopefully make them last longer since lightweight shoes tend to break down more quickly. 

iFitness Ultimate II running belt-

Wanted something to hold my keys and phone even if I didn't take my hydration belt.  Can't wait to try out this belt and give you a review of how it worked!

Foam Roller-

I've been recovering from IT band pain since earlier this past summer.  I should have bought one of these a long time ago, but am excited that I have it now!  Its great for massaging the IT band, calves, and stretching out the back.

Oiselle Roga Shorts-

Do you have issues with your shorts riding up in the crotch while running?  I know I do and it drives me C.R.A.Z.Y!!!  So I did alot of research and heard alot of good things about the Oiselle brand.  The price is definitely a little steep for shorts, so that's why I took the plunge getting it as a gift for Christmas.  I will definitely let you know what I think and if they are worth the price! 

Nike Vapor Jacket-

It's amazing how someone can be so excited about running apparel!  I fall in love with this jacket more every time I look at it.  Just the color makes me happy.  I wanted a lightweight windbreaking jacket...I love that this one has a hood, great pockets, and reflective stripes on the arms. 

 Columbia winter boots-

From what I've noticed about these boots so far is that they are really comfortable!  I somehow lost my old boots a couple years ago and was in need of these with the Wisconsin blizzards deciding to show up this year.  Not only are they warm- but are too cute!

Gorilla Pod-

GENIUS!!!!  That's what these gorilla pods by Joby are.  Pure genius.   Are you like me and tend to drop everything?   My poor Canon point and shoot camera has been through more traumas in its lifetime....I give props to Canon for making something that can live through my abuse.   Whenever Ryan and I are traveling we like to try and get some pictures together.  Unlike some people, I am definitely not afraid to ask strangers to take our picture.  However, sometimes there is no one around to ask! This leaves us trying to find a flat rock.....which sometimes ends in the camera bouncing down the rocks as I stand by and watch it, praying it doesn't break.  This is going to solve both of those problems for us from now on.  You can use this fancy little tripod to set your camera up anywhere....no stranger needed!  Its so small that I won't even notice the extra item being packed into my backpack while hiking.

There are many other little great gifts that I got....but I have to tell you, I have not gotten out of my Snoozies since I opened them Christmas Eve.  I love anything that will keep me warm!  That's one of the reasons why I love Ryan...he keeps me warm when I snuggle with him. :) hehe.

I must have been awfully good this year, because I got awfully lucky with so many great gifts!  Can't believe my birthday is only a few weeks away now! 

What did you get for Christmas?