Wedding Excitement Part 2: Decisions, Decisions

Happy Humpday, kids!  Our wedding is quickly approaching, so I thought it would be a good time to check in for another wedding fun post!

After getting engaged, as every couple probably gets to experience, we had a ton of fun.

There were lots of Facebook posts (I will probably always remember how many times Danny’s phone went off that day, haha),…

…and we came home to discover there was some cleaning needed in our house!

Thanks Mom, Ashley, and Matt

When the dust settled, it was time to start making some decisions.

First up, the venue.  This was probably the most stressful decision I’ve made so far.  We looked at several places, and they just didn’t feel right.  Any of the places I saw online that did feel right were much too expensive.

Then, Danny remembered a golf course a little off the beaten path (wow, apparently I am in to idioms today) that he thought we should check out.

We loved it, booked it, and brought the family to see.  It has the perfect charm, it’s not too big, and I adore the stone inside.  Danny loves the patio.

After the venue, the Pinterest addiction started, as all brides these days probably have as well, haha.

Not long after, I got the dress!  Obviously, I can’t show it just yet, but it was a great day with the moms and bridal party.

 

Read Part 1 of my wedding excitement, which tells the story of our engagement!

Do you have a Pinterest addiction?  What are you in to pinning these days?

Brides, what do you love about your wedding venue?

Wedding Excitement Part 1: The Proposal

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

As you may have seen in my past posts, I am engaged.  Invitations are in the mail, and this thing is getting real!  Our wedding is only 2 months away!

So, I thought it might be fun to take some time every once in awhile to give a little insight into the wedding prep and all that good stuff.  I figured I would start at the very beginning–the proposal.

Last November, we went on a little weekend trip with Danny’s brother and his wife, Danny’s parents, and some friends of theirs.  We went to Starved Rock State Park and stayed at the lodge there.  We got in a little late Friday night, spent some time with the family, and headed back to our rooms to prepare for the next day.

I was completely oblivious, but he told the whole family that night that he was going to pop the question.

In the morning, we ate some breakfast and prepared to go for a little bit of a hike.  In retrospect, it made sense that Danny’s sister-in-law was distracting me with arm wrestling contests, since Danny was talking to the front desk people about the best place to propose on the trails.

We headed out to the trails and did some hiking.  We ended up making a little bit of a loop, so Danny asked if I wanted to try to take a picture out on this cool ledge.

I thought my sister-in-law would be joining us, but she was hanging back.  This confused me a little, as she would typically be the first one to jump out on that ledge.  But, I shrugged it off, took the picture, and turned to head back to the steps.  Then, Danny grabbed my hand.

We were so lucky to have his family with us, so we got this amazing picture that his brother took on his phone.

The funniest part was, when I realized what was about to happen, I half-shouted, “Are you seriously doing this right now?!?”  We laugh now, but it made Danny nervous.  I really was just in disbelief, but it totally sounded like he didn’t pick a good time, haha.

For the rest of the day, we did a little more hiking, went out to lunch and dinner, and did a lot of nice celebrating with family and friends.  It was a super special day that I will never forget!

Have you ever been to Starved Rock?

Engaged/married people: Where did you get engaged?

What a Weekend!

This weekend was so much fun!

On Friday, we went to Top Golf, one of our favorite places.  It is kind of like darts and golf mixed together.  Needless to say, I did horribly, but I had fun!

Saturday was my bridal shower!

It was at one of our favorite restaurants, a winery/brewery near our house.

The shower had an old, new, borrowed, blue theme, and my sister and bridesmaids worked so hard on it!  They are pretty awesome.

Our house is currently full of boxes and awesome gifts.  We are lucky, lucky people!

It’s especially exciting, because now this wedding business is for real!  🙂  Less than three months left!  Eek!

Saturday night, we went to a barbecue, and I did a lot of playing with my baby BFF, which was a great way to end the day.

Sunday, we were tired.  I had fun organizing some of the gifts, though, so I was moving around.

Later that day, we went strawberry picking, which was such a fun break from the norm.  I forgot to make Danny send me the pictures from his phone, so you will just have to imagine this one.  🙂

Finally, we rounded out our weekend with my sister’s birthday celebration.  We hung out at my parents’ house and made strawberry milkshakes.  Delish!

I’m linking up on Katie’s Marvelous Mondays!

What was marvelous about your weekend?

9 Things I Love

Happy Friday!  I am officially done with the school year!  I’m so excited to really focus on some things this summer.

So, as I sit out here at my garage sale, which no one is coming to yet (cross your fingers for me!), and figured I might as well do another fun getting-to-know-you post.

Last Friday, I wrote about 10 secrets I have.  I picked up this fun little challenge off of PB Fingers.  Today, I’m moving on to 9 loves!

1. My fiance

Photo Credit: Ashley Lauer Photography

Duh.  I’ll try to keep the sappiness to a minimum:  I am so lucky to be marrying the most kind-hearted man in the whole world.  🙂

2. Being outside.

Starved Rock

It’s kind of surprising, because I sure went through my girly girl stage.  Lately, though, if I can sit outside, I will.

3. Interesting running events

 

Color Run!

Last summer, we did several fun runs.  We did a color run, a zombie run, and this summer we are doing a bubble run.  Can’t wait!  These events are so great because the make fitness fun.  Anyone can do them, and people are so accepting of all levels of fitness.

4. House Projects

You don’t even want to see my list of things I would love to do in my house.  Recently, I forced myself to go through my Pinterest boards and delete the house projects I know I will never do.  I love to plan them, but have a little more trouble motivating myself to get them accomplished.  🙂

5. My family.

 

Another duh.  I am a lucky girl to having an amazing family and a soon-to-be family of in-laws who are all so fun and supportive.  We spend most of our free time with family, and we are very lucky for that.

6. My dog, Libby

I never expected to get so much joy from an animal, but my dog is a huge light in my life.  I rescued her a couple of years ago, with the intention of getting a puppy.  I ended up getting her, the puppies’ mom, and I believe that she and I were meant to find each other.  I had never had an indoor pet before, so my connection with her really took me by surprise.

7. Trying new restaurants

At the Colts restaurant in Indianapolis

I am highly unlikely to choose to eat out at a chain restaurant (unless its Cheesecake Factory, but that’s a given).  I love trying new, independent places.  This is my fiance and good friend on a trip to Indianapolis last summer.  It was the night before we both ran a half marathon PR.

8. Hockey

 

Don’t be fooled by this picture.  I sure don’t play hockey.  I think this is one of two times in life I have played outside of PE class in school.  Hockey is definitely my favorite sport to watch, though.  It’s so fast-paced and exciting.  Don’t talk to me about the Blackhawks right now, though.  I’m still in mourning.

9. Summer!

Root beer floats on the deck!

There is something about summer that is impossible not to love.  And I plan to love every minute of this one!

Any connections to one of my loves?

Tell me something YOU love!

Ten Day You Challenge: 10 Secrets

Happy Monday everyone!  Now that I’ve been blogging for a couple of weeks, I thought it would be fun to do a little more about myself outside of running and fitness and all that good stuff.  So, when I saw this 10 Day You Challenge on PB Fingers, I thought I would give it a shot.  I do love a good survey!

1. This blog is mostly a secret.

For some reason, I get self-conscious when it comes to writing about me.  I’m good at second-guessing myself.  So, a lot of people in my life don’t know about this blog.  I’m mustering up the confidence to start sharing.  🙂

2. If I ever tried out for American Idol, I would sing Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

For awhile, being a singer was a dream for me.  I used to belt this song out in the car.  I had a special version of it and everything.  Now, how the tables have turned.  You couldn’t pay me to sing in front of people, but my fiance and I will be dancing to this same song at our wedding (except the Ingrid Michaelson version).  🙂  I just found out that it was my parents’ wedding song as well!

Insert obligatory cutesy couple picture

3. Despite being an English major in college, I hate playing word games like Scrabble and Words with Friends.

I get too mad when I can’t win.  🙂

4. I have a thing for stripes and polka dots.

Note, this is not a secret if you’ve ever been shopping with me.  If Kate Spade was involved in its making, I probably like it.

I mean, seriously, how could you NOT want to buy 10 of these?

5. Someday, in my house, I will have a window seat.

Books and a window seat?!?  What could be better?

6. I have a weird love for organizing and alphabetizing things.

Back in college, when I would pack up and move every year, I loved unpacking.

7. I have such a strong admiration for reading; I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read enough books to make me feel like I’ve read enough books.

Does that even make sense?

8. Despite being a strong advocate for believing in ourselves, I doubt myself every day.

Hence, a blog about turning can’ts into cans!  I’m working on it.

I never thought I would be brave enough to get on a plane and go to NYC, but, check it out, I did!

9. I would really like to have my dog at my wedding ceremony, but I am afraid that when I ask the events coordinator, he will say no.  😦

Our little happy family! (Photo credit: Ashley Lauer Photography)

10. Probably the winner of most random, but peanut butter and bananas are my favorite foods to the point that I could eat nothing but them if it wouldn’t hurt my evil stomach.

Amazing separately, but even better together!

What is one of your secrets?

What connections do you have to some of mine?

 

Four Things I Can’t Wait For!

I don’t know about you, but the weather around here has been amazing this week!

I sure have spent a lot of time on the patio…

So, since it’s been so great outside, and I already have racerback tan lines that are not likely to go away any time soon, I officially have summer fever.  With that in mind, I thought I would take some time to point out some things that I am sooo excited for this summer!

1. 30th birthday Florida Trip

Can I just go right now?

It’s a little before our 30th birthdays, but my girlfriends from college and I will all be turning 30 this fall.  So, we are taking a little trip to celebrate.  We got a little house on the beach, and it’s going to be awesome!

2. Bruno Mars Concert!!!

I’m taking my little sister to his concert to celebrate her birthday.  We have been jamming to his music to the point of embarrassing our family wanting to see this guy in concert for a LONG time.  I’m so excited I committed the triple exclamation point on the subheading!

3. My Bridal Shower

I’m pretty sure I mentioned it in my first blog post, but I’m getting married this fall.  I’m SUPER excited for all the fun wedding things that are in store for us this summer.

4. Starting my new path

I’m pretty hush-hush about this new plan, but I am working to get my personal trainer certification and pick up some writing opportunities if I can.  I’m really looking forward to all the exciting opportunities that I am working toward.

 

What are YOU looking forward to this summer?