Mommy "Adventure" Weekend

Yet another fun-filled weekend for this momma!  It may have been a TON of driving, but it was all worth it!

Early Friday morning, I packed the car and began my 9 hour adventure to Milwaukee, WI.  It was my dear friend Monica's bridal shower and bachelorette party on Saturday, so I decided to make an entire weekend out of it.  I hadn't been back to Milwaukee in YEARS to visit friends, so I was beyond excited!

I decided to "take my time" getting to Milwaukee and made a couple stops along the way.  Oh yes, they were SHOPPING stops (would you expect any less?)  I love outlet malls, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop in the Dells at Tanger...  Momma needed a new shirt... or two... or three...  I am thinking Luke was VERY happy I didn't have more time because Coach was in sight, but I needed to get back on the road.

So Friday night was spent with two of my dearest friends!  I was staying with Janice and then the two of us were meeting up with our friend Beth.  AMAZING!  Such a fantastic evening and SO GREATLY needed!  It was like I never left and we picked right back up...  (I mean minus some job changes... marriage... babies...  I mean nothing changed... Right?)  And to top off the great evening, I  finally got to meet Janice's little boy Charlie and see her beautiful daughter Linsey again.  Thank you for the wonderful hospitality, Janice and I look forward to our dress-shopping weekend with Auntie Beth to find the perfect Mother-of-the-Groom ensemble :-)  Miss you already!

Me, Beth and Janice

Saturday was PARTY DAY!  (ALL DAY!)  It was time to celebrate my Moni-Moes up-coming wedding!  Moni and I were college roommates for a little over two years... She has always meant so much to me and I love her to death!  Moni -  am so honored to be apart of your wedding and celebrate the love you and Evan share!!

We started the beautiful sunny day by showering Moni with some wonderful wedding gifts!  Her maid-of-honor Nicki hosted a spectacular shower!  (ps... her jalapeno popper dip was to die for!!)

Presents galore!

Me with the beautiful bride-to-be

Three of the four bridesmaids with the beautiful

bride-to-be

Moni with her "Bow-Bouquet"

After the shower, we had just enough time to get a quick workout in and do a little relaxing before the fun started again!  It was bachelorette time and we had our A-Game ready!

Last-minute touches :-)

She received some "fancy" gifts for her honeymoon!

Enjoy Evan!

Our first stop of the evening was Rockbottom Brewery

for a very delicious dinner

We were then off to one of Moni's favorite places

The Old German Beer Hall

Naturally we had to play some Hammerschlagen!

So-much-fun!

Oh and Yes, take a shot-ski!

And it wouldn't be a true Bachelorette Party

without a trip to Lucille's Dueling Piano Bar!

Always a great time

(as you can tell by the the fact we are sweaty messes in this picture!)

The trip may have consisted of driving 9+ hours, but I had an absolute blast the entire weekend!  Thanks again, Janice, for the hospitality!  Moni - I can't wait for October 6th!  You only deserve the best and Evan is definitely the right person for that job!  

One last thank you...  To my in-laws for diving out to Sioux Falls to watch Mr. Man while Luke was working!  Jameson was one happy boy to spend the weekend with you guys and I would be kidding myself if I didn't say he was TOTALLY spoiled all weekend :-)  I can't say thank you enough for all your help!

Weekend Adventures with Nana and Gpa

What a marvelous weekend we had!  My parents started off their week and half vacation by visiting us for four days.  Let's just say, Luke and I were excited to see Nana and Grandpa, BUT Jameson was lost for words when they walked in the door Thursday evening!  I don't think J left Gpa's arms for more than 5 minutes the entire weekend.  (can you say BFF's?!)

I have to say THANK YOU to mother nature for working in our favor the entire weekend!  We were able to enjoy the Sioux Falls Zoo, the farmers market, Falls Park and on the ONE rainy day (the entire weekend) we trotted up to the Children's Museum in Brookings, SD for an AMAZING afternoon.

Sioux Falls Zoo

I am telling you, they were a 2 for 1 package deal

the entire weekend!  Wherever Gpa went

so did J!  They were in heaven!

The Giraffes were so close we could practically

reach over the fence and touch them.

"Come on Gpa... Let's go check out the train"

Jameson HAD to have a stick in his hand then ENTIRE

time we were at the zoo

Feeding the ducks

Luke had to finish off his work week Friday, so he wasn't able to join us on our zoo adventure.

It was nice to have him home with us the rest of the weekend!

Starting off Friday evening with some cards and cocktails

Falls Park and Farmers Market

I can officially say I have an OBSESSION with the Children's Museum!

If we lived even 20 minutes closer, I believe we would be making at least 2 trips a week

to this AMAZING, FUN, EXCITING and VERY ENTERTAINING place!

Children's Museum

It's not just for kids!

What a great time!

Monday morning rolled around and our time with Nana and Gpa came to an end.

Thank you for EVERYTHING Nana and Gpa and enjoy the rest of your vacation in

VEGAS BABY!  

(I think J has been one depressed little boy ever since they left!)

1 Year and Family Photo Shoot

Oh My!

I am simply IN LOVE...

I can't even begin to explain how much I LOVE 

Jameson's 1 year photos and our new family photos!

THANK YOU to Jessica of 

Bella Photography 

for capturing such amazing memories!  

(As usual, I had one heck-of-a-time picking out "just a few" pictures... so enjoy SOME of my favs)

I AM 1

FAMILY TIME

Daddy and J

We officially have a TODDLER!

Motor City Weekend

Luke and I spent last weekend in Detroit, MI for his "cousin" Al's wedding.  What a GREAT weekend it was!!

We left super early Friday morning so we could enjoy the entire day together and explore a little of Detroit before the rehearsal dinner.  Flights were wonderful, but getting our rental car what a little time consuming... Oh well, we were not going to let a little (LONG) wait in line at the rental car counter ruin our fun weekend together!

So, off we were to find our hotel, something to eat, and get ready for a fun night of family, food and great entertainment.

I have to say, Anna's aunt and uncle hosted a magnificent rehearsal dinner.  They were so gracious to have us all over to their AMAZING backyard party area for a fun filled evening!  Seriously, anyone that would get a chance to see this backyard would be blown away!  Fill size (Tiki) bar, stone pizza oven, FULL size kitchen AND a smoker room!  Seriously.... not to mention the gorgeous waterfall and landscaping.  BREATHTAKING  AND.... they built it ALL BY THEMSELVES!  

Rehearsal Dinner

Al and Anna with their parents

The amazing pizza oven

They had a build-your-own-pizza menu... YUMMY!

(Sorry, I thought I got a BIG PICTURE of the entire backyard, but I guess I didn't...  Just take my word, it was AMAZING!)

Saturday morning Luke was off to do "groomsmen stuff" and I was L-A-Z-Y!  It felt OUTSTANDING!  I slept until 10:30, worked out, had Starbucks coffee freshly brewed in our room... I mean I was in heaven!  (it's the little things in life that just make me so happy these days!)  Perfect way to start off the day.  

Then, it was time to get ready and head off to the wedding.  I just have to say, Al and Anna's wedding was pretty much one of my all time favorite weddings!  So unique, special, and very, very pretty!  I LOVED the venues (both the wedding venue and reception) I loved the settings, the colors... it was all so pretty.  And to top off the night, Jimmy Buffett and Lionel Richie were playing at the stadium right below the reception area.  PERFECT night!  

The wedding was in a bank building in downtown Detroit...  Seriously, you would have NEVER known you were in an office type building.  How cool was this place?  (see pics below)  Then we were off to a ROOF TOP reception just down the street. 

Time to head to the wedding

The Ceremony

AMAZING setting!

(So unique and modern)

Not the best pic, but you can get an idea of the guest seating

Al's Parent's

Frank and Nola

Al and Anna's Aunt Lisa

Nice looking bunch!

Al's Nieces - the flower girls

Al's Niece Lilah wanted to pick up the flowers and "do it again"

So CUTE!

Al's brother Nick played and sang a beautiful song

The Morawiecki Family

Time for some Cocktails!

The Reception

First Dance

Oh yes, Anna and Al even had Charlie and the Chocolate

Factory playing on the brick wall!  So awesome!

JIMMY!!

Such a fabulous weekend!  Thank you Al and Anna for allowing us to be apart of your very special day!  It was perfect!!

And a special thank you goes out to Grandma and Grandpa Gunderson for coming to Sioux Falls and watching Mr. Man while mommy and daddy got away!