It was a {wonderful} Christmas!

Bear with me . . . this blog might be a long one!

Nick + I started off Christmas by opening up our gifts to each other + to our dog, Mitsy, on Thursday evening.  We did small gifts this year: Nick's favorite gift were some magnets I had made from some Instagram pictures on my iPhone.  My favorite gift was the baby mamma book that Nick created for me!  It's full of coupons for foot massages, breakfast in bed, yogurt/ice cream run, a dinner out, + some others!  Mitsy's favorite gift was probably the fancy treats - yogurt bones!
Friday, Cari came over early to start baking holiday treats!  She made a ton: sugar cookies, gingerbread men, red velvet whoopie pies, snowball cookies, peanut butter cup cookies, + cupcakes.  She also made homemade apple pie on Sunday for the Martens Family Christmas!  Cari is quite the little baker - I basically measured a lot of the ingredients out for her + washed the dirty dishes.  We probably hung out in the kitchen for at least 6 hours on Friday!  Nick's mom, Jane, also came over on Friday afternoon to stay the night + help us prepare for the Hitsman Family Christmas on Saturday.

On Saturday morning, Nick + Jane began preparing the turkey + some other sides for the Christmas lunch we had planned with his family - it was our first time hosting a holiday celebration dinner.  The lunch was great + then we had to start cleaning up so we could get to the presents!  Zella, our niece, was fun to watch - she got some super cute UGG boots + pink sparkle TOMS + lots of new American Girl clothes + accessories for her doll, Allison.  Nick + I really enjoyed getting the Sticks gift certificate from Lisa Brett + Zella.  After the Christmas lunch + celebration with the Hitsmans was over, Nick, Jane, my mom, sister + I all went to see a  movie: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  It followed the book closely, but it's one I won't watch again.  The book is better than the movie, as usual.
On Sunday, Christmas Morning, Nick + I woke up to my sister baking some monkey bread - super yummy!  After breakfast + getting ready, we all started to prepare the ham + sides for the Martens Family Christmas.  Nick, Mom + Cari did pretty much all the work - I was basically the designated dish washer all weekend!  We had a pretty tasty lunch, cleaned up real quick + opened gifts.  My favorite gift was my new camera - the Nikon d3100 + all the baby gifts.  Nick said he liked all his gifts equally, what a nice guy!  I'm a tad obsessed with my new camera: Nick apologized to Mitsy last night because I was seriously acting like the paparazzi with her - she'll definitely be my test subject for the next 6 months!  I told her she was just getting to know the gal I was in college: would go out one night, take 100 pictures, upload them all to Facebook the next day! 

Taking pic of Mits!

The picture I took!  Isn't she adorable?

After celebrating Christmas with my side of the family, we went to another movie - the choice was New Years Eve.  It was a pretty cute movie - everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Once the movie was done, we went back to the house to play with our new presents + to finish picking up the house.

Enjoy some more pictures below!!

Cari + Mom

As Cari + I both say : "You're gonna pee your pants!" There is a story behind that one - from visiting the Haunted Forest many years ago in Ames, IA after an ISU football game!  Most fun night ever with those two!  Let me just put a side note: nobody really peed their pants, we were just laughing + screaming so much we kept saying we were going to!

Trying out my new Snoogle pillow!

Playing with a new Christmas toy from Grandma Jane

Our nephew, Noah, picked this ornament out for Baby H.  We had him hang it on the tree after we opened it + as he did he said "I got it for the baby!"  It's right next to our 2011 Christmas ornament - the pregnancy one!

Hanging out after the movie

Cari's turn to try out the Snoogle - Mitsy wants to play!

Nick's new TOMS!

This senior pic might be better than one from Arnold Clark!

Cari using her new planner - yep I got ANOTHER person hooked on the Erin Condren planners!  Check them out!

Oh - I guess it's now Mitsy's turn to try out the Snoogle!

Gifts from Grams + Gramps Martens: sock monkey rattle, sophie bath toy, ISU bumbo cover!

Moo Cow book from Grandma Jane!

ISU onesies from Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Megan + Cousin Noah
Minneapolis Love onesie + sophie teether from Aunt Cari

Happy + Excited to Announce . . .

Mitsy is so excited to announce she's going to be a big sister!!  Ok - I don't think she really has a clue + if she understood what this meant, she probably wouldn't be all that excited about it!

To be honest - it's Nick + I that are so happy + excited to announce that we are expecting a babe on 07.04.12 - YES, 4th of July is the due date - I'm sure it'll be quite the little firecracker!

A little background on the situation:
If you know me, I'm a planner - we had a checklist of things to do before we wanted to start a family:

• move back to IA
• find jobs
• sell our house in MN
• find a new home in IA 

Thankfully, we've been able to do all of the above + after 2 years of being married, we thought it was time to introduce another little Cyclone fan to this world!
We ended up finding out at 4 weeks along + scheduled our first doctor appointment - which was at 9 weeks. It seemed like forever to wait 5 weeks for a little bit more confirmation by seeing the little nugget on the ultrasound, but it was well worth it!  Nick + I definitely couldn't stop staring in awe at the screen + we had huge permanent smiles on our faces!
We did spill the beans the night we found out to our parents, the grandparents, + along the way a few more people found out before this 12 week mark.  It's so hard to keep something this exciting a secret!

Many people have been asking how I've been feeling this entire time or how I kept it a secret from work for so long . . . I've honestly been feeling pretty great during the daytime.  It's nighttime that isn't super friendly - I'm exhausted by the time I get home + the smell of anything cooking makes me a little nauseous.  I have not thrown up though, so that's been nice!  My favorite foods right now are anything cold: fruits + popsicles are amazing!  The only thing that's super annoying + constant is using the restroom frequently.  The babe has also decided to pop out a little bump over the last week . . . can't wait until it's more firm instead of jelly-like!

I guess you can say that the Hitsman's can't wait for 4th of July in 2012!!!

We've never been more thankful or felt so blessed than we have in the last year for all of the above "checklist" items to be completed to help us reach our goal of starting a family!  Thank you for all of the love + support from friends + family over that time period as well!

Books Books Books!

Nick just finished reading the Steve Jobs biography + he stated that it was pretty interesting.  Ever since he received his nook for his birthday, back in October, he's been reading on the bus to + from work.  Oh yeah - you didn't know Nick rode the bus from Ankeny to downtown DSM?  He loves it - gives him time to read, listen to podcasts, + maybe even sleep a bit before + after work.  It may not always work out for us, but right now it definitely works in the schedule.  For example: when I got the flat tire - he wasn't able to hop into a car + come help . . . it was easier to call a friend that lived closer, since Nick would've had to wait for the next bus, then get to his car + then drive out to me.  Good thing flat tires don't happen ALL the time though!


I am currently listening to/reading two different books.  When I tell you what two books, you'll probably laugh because I'm way behind the times here!  I've been pretty terrible about reading lately + wish I did it more - it honestly puts me to sleep or I always think I should be watching t.v. or browsing through Pinterest.  Lame excuses, I know.  I'm on a site called goodreads + "follow" some of my friends to keep up with what they are currently reading or what they want to read next.  I want to read all the books they've read + keep up with what's coming out, but I just can't.  However - at least I can mark books as ones to read + use this site as a reminder.

Anyways . . . back to what I'm currently listening to + reading.  Last weekend when I drove back to Omaha alone to see The Nutcracker with some family, I decided to listen to the first book of the Hunger Games series - my mom had given me all 3 books on disc to listen to (she's HUGE into reading a book + listening to one in the car).  I have to admit something: I didn't read a summary of what this series was supposed to be about, all I knew is that everyone told me they were so great, a fast read + addicting like the Twilight series + I'd really like them - so all along I thought they were going to be about vampires - obviously if you've read the books, you know I'm wrong!  After 30 minutes of listening to the book, I had to stop it + read the back of the case.  I was then a little skeptical, but now I'm hooked!  I'm currently on disc 6 of 9 of the first book + it's been a week - I can only listen to it on my way back + forth to work, really.  It's so good - wish I was actually reading it so I could pick it up at night.  I'm very interested to see how they bring all of this book to the big screen in March of 2012.  Also - I've been talking about this book SO much lately - I think Nick is going to start reading this series on his nook next.  Can't wait to see what he thinks since he's usually not into fiction type books.

Ok . . . . so the book I'm reading - which when I say reading, I mean like a chapter in after a few weeks. I told you - I just don't pick up the nook right now - t.v. is totally trumping my reading.  It's sad.  I'm currently reading The Girl Who Played with Fire.  This is the second book in the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson.  I finished the first book of the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a few weeks ago - just in time for the movie!!  I've been a big fan of reading the book before seeing it on the big screen + it seems a lot of books are coming out on movies lately.

So what are you reading currently?  Maybe I'll put it on my "to-read" list!

The Nutcracker

This weekend was another busy one . . . for me, not really Nick!  I think it's the time of the year - it seems that a million events/parties/shows/shopping trips are packed into the month between Thanksgiving + Christmas.  Don't get me wrong - it's all fun + I enjoy all of it!

Friday

I really wanted to meet up with some girlfriends - Katie Nicole + Kristine, but decided to stay in to pack for my quick trip to Omaha on Saturday + to go to bed early so I got up on time the next morning.  Nick + I hung out - watched t.v. {our favorite thing to do}.  

Saturday

A crew showed up at our house to blow some more insulation in the attic/roof/ceiling - whatever you construction know-it-all's want to call it. . . I don't know the correct phrase!  :)  This has helped our heating issue tremendously - turns out they didn't have enough insulation in there to begin with + our house wasn't holding heat - it's now just fine!  Whew!  

I took off pretty early in the morning to head back to Omaha - my mom + I met up for some lunch at Wheatfields - it was my first time eating at this place + I really liked it!  They have a HUGE bakery at their One Pacific Place location + while my mom + I were walking out I saw a Boston cream pie that looked EXACTLY like the Boston cream pies I used to eat as a kid at the Garden Cafe!  Does anyone remember that Garden Cafe by the Mall of the Bluffs in CB?  AMAZING!  Well . . . turns out - same owners, so that's why it looked exactly the same . . . I now wish I would've gotten a piece.  After eating lunch we shopped a little bit at One Pacific Place + then went over to the Westroads real quick.  

Waiting for The Nutcracker to start!

We then went to our hotel for the evening in the Old Market + met up with Nick's mom, Jane, his sister, Lisa, + Jane's friend, Deb.  Us gals were going to see {The Nutcracker} at the Orpheum Theater - this was the highlight of our weekend!  First - we had to get ready for dinner at Vivace - a pretty tasty Italian restaurant in the Old Market.  That was really fun because we had another guest show up for dinner with us - a friend + sorority sister of mine from college, Lisa Graham - so good to see her!

We then headed to the Orpheum to see The Nutcracker.  I believe it was everyone but mine + my mom's first time seeing it + I think everyone enjoyed it!  My mom took me to see The Nutcracker there as a little girl, too.  She reminded me that at the time I didn't realize it was just the ballet + that they weren't going to speak, so after the ballet had started, I looked up at her and said "are they ever going to talk?"  I think I still was secretly wishing last night that they would talk, but at least I knew I what I was in for this time around!  

Sunday

My Relaxing Buddy!

Cake Batter Yogurt + Sprinkles from the lemon tree!

I dashed back to Des Moines as I had a baby shower to attend for a good friend, Molly.  It was an awesome shower put on by her cousin + two friends - she got a lot of great things as well!  

After the shower, I've been doing the normal Sunday things: laundry, eating, relaxing + of course football is on . . . . "it's the playoffs!" - as Nick says!!  Apparently his fantasy football team{s} are in it . . . whatever!

{Thankful}

So, not sure if anyone noticed, but I missed Music Monday.  There IS a reason!

So, our week started out just fine - Monday was like any other day!  BUT, that quickly went downhill when I had a flat tire on my way home from work.  Instead of calling my dad, I called my husband . . . who works downtown + wasn't able to make it to me quick enough.  So, we called our awesome friends + neighbors - The Meints'!  Thank God Justin was home + able to come change my flat to the spare tire.  After Justin changed my tire, I made sure to invite him and his wife, Taylor, over for dinner + drinks - we had to thank them!

After getting the spare on, I drove home + was picking up the house + starting some laundry.  The electricity went out, which made me seriously think someone was in our house + caused it to go off.  Nick told me I watch too much t.v. if I'm thinking that.  That thought quickly left my mind when I realized the entire street + neighborhood was out of power.  The electricity went out + back on 3 different times.  The 4th time it decided to stay out for good, which was around 5:30p.m.  We ended up having to cancel dinner with our friends that saved the day for me.  Nick + I sat in the cold dark house for a couple hours & then those friends of ours, The Meints', once again saved us.  They let us come over to hang out at their house to wait out our power outage.

I ended up calling the electric company around 9p.m. to find out the status + they still had 1300 locations to get power to, out of 4000 that they started with + sure enough our house was one of the 1300.  They also told me it'd be another 3-4 hours until it was back on . . . So frustrating!  However, Nick + I went back to our house around 9:30p.m. + put together a little pile of pillows + blankets by the fireplace.  We turned the fireplace on to heat us up!  The electricity ended up turning back on around 11:30p.m., but we ended up sleeping the entire night on the floor.  Sure enough, the chiropractor was seen by me today!  And this is why I missed Music Monday!
We are so {thankful} for our great friends, Justin + Taylor Meints!  


Side note:  Please vote in the poll on my page, located in the upper right-hand corner.  THANKS!

Christmas{Wish}List

I know that I'm not 7 anymore + having a wish list is a little silly, but we still have family members ask us what we'd like for Christmas presents.  However . . . if I was 7 my list would definitely consist of these two items:  Molly from American Girl + any ORIGINAL Polly Pocket - I have both of these lovely items!  The Polly Pockets I knew were super tiny, hard, plastic people that came with their own little house/business/fun place.  The Polly Pockets they have now are a lot larger + I'm not really a fan.  Good thing my mom has ALL of my Polly Pockets + American Girl doll items stored away for my future daughter (hopefully we have a little girl someday)!  Oh - and apparently my original pocket size Polly Pockets are considered vintage!?  Fun!

Well . . . as I've grown up, I've wanted more clothing or house 'stuff', but then again I guess I would consider these 'toys' for my age group!  So - here is my current {wish} list . . . hope my parents or Nick are reading!  ;)

Nikon D3100 - I'm not planning on becoming a fancy professional photographer, but would like to have something with better quality while on vacations + at family events.

Maybe this book will help me learn how to take better snapshots with a D3100!

Libby Bag by Kelly Moore - to hold a hopefully new camera + all other essential items!

Message in a Cookie - cookie cutters from Williams-Sonoma

Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume!  It's amazing + I like to smell good sometimes!  My friend, Kara, used to wear this all the time + I loved the smell, so I have had it once.  Ran out of it + purchased a different kind for a different smell for a while + miss Flowerbomb SO MUCH!

Joseph Joseph "Elevate" Utensil Set - I saw these on Pinterest + loved the idea of them being weighted so it hopefully creates less mess while cooking!  Nick needs less mess when he's cooking ;)

Those items are just some of my wants this year, definitely not needs!  Also, Nick never wants anything - he's come up with two things so far:  a pair of TOMS shoes + a pair of jeans - those items were a struggle too!  He's definitely more practical than I.

Hopefully as {Christ}mas approaches + we are spending more time with family, we can all remember the true Reason for the Season!  

Happy Holidays!  xoxo

It's that time of year again . . .

{ChristmasTime}

I absolutely love sending out holiday cards + especially love receiving them!  Nick Mitsy + I had family pictures taken the first weekend of October by Ashley Otte at Big Creek near Polk City, IA.  I was really excited to use these pictures, because Mitsy had the most awesome {smiles} this year!  Here's the final product of our card that I ordered from tinyprints - absolutely love this website!

Front

Back

A couple things I loved about this design:

• Round edges
• Card is super thick + not super bendy
• Yellow honeycomb design on the front
• Design allowed for a two-sided card with pictures + information

Not all of our family + friends are on Facebook to see my postings of our blog, so I opted to put that information on the back of the card.  We also wanted to share a picture with our new home in the background, so some family + friends that aren't close could see it!  To be honest . . . we don't even know if a lot of people read/look at our blog, but if anyone wants to catch up with us - the main events will be told about right here!

Happy Holidays! xoxo 

Music Monday

This might be one of my most favorite commercials ever . . . + I might've even had Nick looking for it as a ring-tone for a while, but he never found it.  I know. . . I'm a geek!

{busy} weekend!

The Hitsmans had a super busy weekend, probably just like the rest of you!!

THURSDAY:
The first Thanksgiving meal we attended was the Hitsman Family Thanksgiving at Nick's Uncle Terry + Aunt Dawn's house in Boone.  Nick + I even brought a couple food items - that's how we know we're turning into adults . . . We took snicker salad + hot spinach red pepper dip.  We spent most of the day in Boone - Nick played football with the little cousins + the women played skip-bo.  Which reminds me . . . Nick + I need to have a game night at our house or something sometime . . . so fun to do that stuff every once in a while!
Anyways . . . after leaving Thanksgiving in Boone we headed back to our house in Ankeny -- we were too full to do anything else, so we watched t.v. and went to bed!

FRIDAY:  
Nick + I have never been {Black Friday} shoppers + so we weren't part of the huge crowd at midnight, but we did end up going out late morning to pickup a couple gifts:  Christmas gift for Nick's mom, Jane, + a baby gift for our friends Elizabeth + Zak.  They just had their beautiful baby, Braden James, the day before Thanksgiving.  We ended up getting him a cute little security blanket in Hawkeye colors . . . I know, I can't believe I just called that cute either!  Nick also picked out a grey long-sleeved onesie with a Reindeer on it. . . Christmas is right around the corner.  These items came from the super cute store, Lincoln & Lexi - I just love this store!  After doing a little shopping, we went home and started decorating the house for Christmas . . . because Nick LOVES the holidays + Christmas is his favorite.  I wasn't feeling the greatest, so he basically did the tree himself, but I did put up the nativity scene!  I am a little bummed to say that we aren't putting Christmas lights on the house this year . . . next year for sure!  After decorating for Christmas, we watched one of the dumbest movies ever, The Roommate.  Seriously, so stupid - don't waste your time.

SATURDAY:
Nick + I headed back to Oakland (my home-town) to visit my Grandma Martens.  She's such an awesome lady - she turned 90 this past May + just had a hip replacement a couple weeks ago.  Grams is staying at the nursing home right now for rehab + I know she can't wait to get out of there!
After visiting my Grams, we went to another family Thanksgiving at my Uncle Fred + Aunt Patty's house near Minden - this is my mom's side of the family.  We stuffed ourselves once again + watched the ISU game against Oklahoma . . . too bad it didn't turn out a little better.
We then ventured over to the Hinzmanns (not joking - really close to Hitsman, huh!?)!  This little trip was to visit Braden James, Elizabeth + Zak.  He's the cutest little guy ever + all three were doing very well!  Thanks for letting us visit, Hinzmanns - the Hitsmans are so happy for your little family of 3!


SUNDAY:
Today we've been cleaning the house, grocery shopping, watching football + lounging.

Hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! xoxo

Music Monday

Most of you know Nick + I are HUGE Cyclone fans!  We both graduated from ISU, I've had personalized ISU plates ever since my senior year of high school {gave them up for a short period when living in Minne} + my family has had football season tickets since I was in 7th grade, which Nick is now included in on.  However, him + I both had student season tickets through college.  Oh - Nick has personalized ISU plates now, too!  Our basement in Owatonna was decked out in ISU stuff - now it's the office in the new house.  Also - we both {hated} those kids that went to ISU and walked around in their silly IA{hawkeye} gear!  Sorry, hawk friends!  We are just SO PROUD to be cyclONEs!  ALL IN!

Ok . . . this Monday is a tad different!  I have to share these 5 videos from the victory over OSU on Saturday, victory over Texas this year + the victory over Nebraska in Oct 2009!

The game this past Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium was nothing short of AMAZING!  If you know me, you know I was complaining the entire way up there because I figured we would probably lose + we'd have to hang around in this freezing windy weather.  Nick + I went up early to tailgate with friends in the usual {C4} spot - super fun!  Then we went in for the game + met up with my family - thankfully the wind had died down before game time + where our seats are at {underneath the overhang on the lower level} we were a little shielded from the weather too.  I really didn't start to get super cold until 4th quarter.

The reason I chose the videos below with Coach Rhoad's after game speeches is because they show what he has really done with this team - he has so much passion for the Cyclone community + has really united them all to play as a real team.  It's been so fun to watch these boys this year!  And we're bowl eligible now . . . . maybe we'll go if it's a cool place!  :)

OSU Hit Tape Video: Kinda cheesy, but whatever!

Iowa State Shocks The World + OSU

They are going bowling again!  :) Post-Game Locker Room Celebration {OSU Game}

Post-Game Locker Room Celebration {Texas}

I am so proud!  Post-Game Locker Room Celebration {Nebraska Oct 2009}
We remember watching this video on our honeymoon 2 years ago!

I would just like to add, I love when the team chants the fight song!  

Music Monday

Not sure why . . . but we were singing this song in our house tonight:
Motown Philly by Boyz II Men

Reminds me of the Full House episode where Stephanie danced to it at her recital:

A{Quick}Trip

Nick had a work conference Monday-Thursday {today} this week at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter.  It was located right on the San Antonio Riverwalk + connected to a mall, so that was perfect! Anyways - when Nick booked the trip for work we decided I'd go down for part of the trip, so I went from Saturday-Tuesday.

Schilos

SATURDAY:
We flew out of DSM around 6a.m. + arrived in SAT by 9:45a.m.  Once we arrived at our hotel we dropped our bags (too early to check-in) + headed out to find something to eat.  After going through several locations on my iPhone app, Urbanspoon, we settled on walking to a German restaurant called Schilo's - supposedly one of the best places to eat in San Antonio.  It was about 10:30a.m. + they weren't serving lunch until 11a.m. - so Nick ordered breakfast + I waited to order lunch!  It was pretty good + such a neat place with a great atmosphere!

Alamo

After we left {brunch}, we walked around San Antonio - the weather was in the high 70's.  While we walked around we ended up running into the Alamo - we were shocked that it was right smack dab in the middle of the town basically.  Nick + I didn't spend a ton of time there, but it was still pretty neat to see.  Sometimes I wish we lived in a city with a lot of history like that!  

Largest Man

Tallest Guy

Not far from the Alamo were some random places to check-out + visit.  Our first stop was the Guinness Museum of World Records.  I'm pretty sure the tallest man on earth guy they have standing right at the entry "sold me" on going through+ checking out what else was in there.  It was pretty interesting!
After that we went through the Ripley's Haunted Adventure - a little late, since Halloween was almost two weeks prior!  Also - I'm a wimp through haunted houses, so it was interesting.



We then went through the Ripley's 3D Tomb Rider!  We felt like 12 year olds, but it was kind of fun!  We sat in a little two-seater roller coaster type car that went along a track + wore 3D glasses.  We had laser guns + had to shoot at the monsters as they popped out at us!  Nick + I pretty much laughed the entire time + he pretty much kicked my butt (they kept score, unfortunately)!


The rest of Saturday we walked around the Riverwalk + checked out all the restaurants + beautiful scenery.  We didn't get checked into our hotel room until about 3:30p.m. + we needed a nap from the long day.  Nick was a tad bummed by that time the sun had gone away, so we weren't able to use the pool at the hotel.

We ended up eating at Saltgrass Steakhouse on the Riverwalk for dinner that night.  It was so so so good + Nick enjoyed a fun drink: the coronarita - it had a mini Corona bottle in it!


SUNDAY:

We started off our Sunday by grabbing some breakfast from Starbucks - yogurt + granola with a decaf/non-fat/pumpkin spice latte for me!  {YUMTASTIC}  Nick had some of my yogurt + granola + a smoothie.  We walked around for a little bit, but ended up not doing much this day - we had walked around a ton the day before.
We ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant on the Riverwalk called Casa Rio - it's also considered a "must eat-at" in San Antonio!  It was semi-hilarious watching the birds/pigeons/ducks trying to eat peoples food once they had finished, but then again kind of gross!
For dinner that night we ate at Dick's Last Resort - I'd never been there before - the food wasn't the best, but it was a great atmosphere!  If you have never been {this was our first time-but we've seen it in Vegas several times} - the staff is super rude to you.  Nick + I were just rude back + it made for a pretty funny evening.

MONDAY:
Nick had to get up early + head to the start of the conference.  He came back at lunch time + we ate together.  Since our hotel was connected to a mall, I decided to go shopping!  I knew I couldn't really buy much because I only had my carry-on + it was already stuffed full!  I did end up purchasing some black nine west riding boots from Macy's + a sweater from Express though.  Yep - two chunky items + you're pry wondering how I packed them . . . well, I had to throw away the box to the boots + lay them flat in the suitcase.  And for the sweater - I just left it in the bag and smashed it into the suitcase, so yep it made my carry-on a little puffy + it almost didn't go in the overhead bin on Tuesday!  A guy shoved it in there for me though!

Anyways - Nick had his conference until about 5:30p.m. + we decided to grab some food at the hotel bar.  After that we went to an awesome dueling piano's bar called Howl At The Moon!  It was so much fun - and to top it off they played a song that reminds us of my dad - we both died laughing as soon as they started playing.  It's the Jason Aldean song, Dirt Road Anthem.  Check out the video from the night (recorded on my iPhone + kind of far away, but you can still hear them singing it)!  Oh - and the reason it reminds us of my dad is because last Father's Day we were eating with him + he knows Nick dislikes country music, but likes hip hop/rap - he mentioned to Nick that there's a country song with some rap + then had me pull up the music video on my iPhone to have Nick listen to the {rap}.  I'll give it to my dad - I think it's kind of like rap too - close enough for country!  So ever since then - we just remember that moment when my dad was so excited he found rap in country music for Nick to listen to!  Nick still doesn't like country music . . . .



TUESDAY:
Nick + I both got up + got ready for the day.  He had to go to another full conference day + my flight was leaving SAT at 10:30a.m.  I headed to the airport around 8a.m. just because I had nothing else to do!  I ended up getting another yummy Starbucks breakfast: fruit + decaf/non-fat/gingerbread latte.  This gingerbread latte is not really that fantastic though.  Oh, well - tried it, now I know.  I was sad to leave Nick, but excited to head home to Mitsy.  Nick had to stay for two more days for the conference + is currently waiting at the Houston airport to head back to DSM.  His flight was delayed from there so instead of seeing him around 9p.m., we'll be seeing him around 10:30p.m.  Can't wait!  Mitsy really can't wait - she's been walking around every afternoon since Tuesday looking for him or waiting at the garage door thinking he'll be walking in.  Kind of sad.

A big thanks goes out to Tegan for house + dog sitting while we were away this past weekend!!  We love being able to leave her with you, rather than a kennel!  Thanks again!

Music Monday

I love this song from the t.v. show How I Met Your Mother . . . just find it + the video to be hilarious!

Let's Go To The Mall by Robin Sparkles

{family}photo

So . . . I got another deal + I think this one was from LivingSocial.  Sometimes I can't remember where I purchase these deals from . . . it's either LivingSocial Groupon or DSM Daily!  Yes, you can say I was addicted for a while, but it's definitely slowed down!

Before Hanging

Can see it going upstairs!

Anyways - so the deal I got was almost a month ago - I paid 49$ for a 16x20 metal print that typically costs  139$.  The deal came out right after we had our family pictures taken by Ashley Otte + I knew I wanted to blow one up to hang up somewhere in our house.  I've never seen an image on metal, but I checked out their website to make sure if I bought the deal that it would actually turn into something I liked.  So, turns out I liked it + I bought it.  It took a couple weeks to get the finished product, but I think it was worth it!  The picture we chose to put on the metal was taken out at Big Creek near Polk City (not too far from our new home).  Mitsy was in such an amazing mood that day - I think it's because she was outside + in a huge new place that she could explore.  She never smiles for my pictures, but she did such a great job for Ashley OR maybe Ashley did a great job dealing with her!

Last year we had our Christmas or family photos taken on a snowy Minnesota day by Brad Seidenfeld.  Many of you remember Brad from our wedding - him and his business partner, Andy, from Oceanwide Studios did our engagement + wedding same day edit videos!  Brad also played the acoustic guitar + dj'd at the reception.  Anyways -- he was nice enough to take pictures of us at a park near his home in Burnsville, MN last November{2010}.  I have an all-time favorite picture from that session + when a similar deal came out on one of those {websites} I purchased one for a 16x20 canvas from Canvas On Demand.  This canvas is hanging on our main level in the new home - we just love it!  Look at Mitsy - hilarious!  Also - this is a poor quality photo from my iPhone - it's so much better in person.

Even though we don't have any babes yet . . . that's a lie, we do have a MitsyBabe, but no human babes - we still like to showcase our family around the home!  Not just Nick + I, but the rest of our family members as well!  xoxo