I've been completely avoiding the blogging world lately.. and mainly, because I've been waiting to announce:

We're having a baby!!!

Chase and I are both soooo excited.

It's been crazy few months.. After I got home from Park City and had my appointment with my Orthopedic surgeon, he scheduled me a CT scan for better imaging of the injury.  Before they started the CT scan, they asked if there was any chance I could be pregnant..
Jokingly, I said "I don't think so, but you never know, right?!? haha."  They didn't think it was funny.  They sent me to the lab to go and take a test to be sure, even though I insisted that I couldn't be..
After we took the test, they had us wait in a special room for a phone call from the surgeon who ordered the tests.. and when he called, he told us the test was positive.

So that's where we found out.  I was a little bit bummed, because I always thought I'd find out and find a really cute or funny way to tell Chase..  but, life just doesn't always go as planned, am I right?!?

It'll still be a funny story to tell our baby one day!

It's unfortunate that I had to undergo a serious surgery and start this pregnancy off with pain meds, blood clots, and a broken knee, but it's good that it was all so early.  I should be all healed soon, and then I'll be able to start walking, working out again and gain my muscle back so I can carry this little person growing inside of me!

I'm almost out of my first trimester and we're due at the end of September.

I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!

Mine and Chase's one year anniversary is already right around the corner!  I just can't believe all the time that has gone by, and all the things we've done in this past year.

We've been trying to plan something fun, and being that it's s three day weekend, we considered a camping weekend, filled with some hiking, canoeing, and relaxing.  Just us.  Under the stars.  I was really starting to look forward to that.

And then last weekend was one of his race weekends.  If I haven't mentioned before, Chase and my brother race sport bikes (crotch rockets, whatever you want to call it..) It's pretty crazy, and they go so fast.  Chase is actually really good, and won the first race of the season!  His second race was tight, and he was battling another racer for first place.  He started to get a little bit too greedy with speed, and he ended up crashing pretty bad!  I missed it, thank goodness.  I hate to see crashes, especially if it's my husband or my brother!  But my dad saw it and said he flew 20 feet in the air!  What's amazing is the gear they have on and how well it protects them.  At the end of everything, he broke three bones on the top of his foot.  So, he'll be scootin' around for the next 4-6 weeks.  There goes hiking and camping for our anniversary!  He's having a hard enough time getting around our split level house!


I haven't been blogging much because I have been busy, but at the same time haven't had too much worth writing about.  I'm working on painting a dresser, but have yet to finish it.  I will post that soon though!

Otherwise, just planning some parties for this summer, and starting to plan more of our trip in November!
Chase and I will also be starting our date nights, since our summers get so busy.  I'm excited to come up with new, fun and cheap ways to spend time together.

Where has time gone?  It's been over a week, and I haven't even had a chance to post a few pictures of my trip.  We've just been so busy since we got back!

Well, it was a wonderful time.  It's funny because I started thinking that 11 days for Mexico was a little too long.. I was wrong!  If only Rocko was down there with us, I don't think we would've come home!

Casa Rosa (The Pink One) <3

 Bros.  I'm so glad that Erik was able to make it.  For the first few nights, he just spend the evenings in the Hammock up on our rooftop!  It's easy to make yourself feel right at home there..  And I told him, you'll be coming down here many more times!

That's the gist of it.  These are with my new camera, which is big so I wasn't able to bring it everywhere.  I might post some more later though that my friend Jenny took.  It was a blast and I already can't wait until next year!

That's about all that's new with me though.  We still have a lot of "nesting" to do at the house..  But, it'll all come together in time!

Exciting News!

We bought a HOUSE!!!  I am beyond thrilled.. I can't wait to sign the papers!

It's basically in my home town, which I really wanted to steer away from.  But, the price was right, it's close to many places, move in ready, has a nice fenced in yard, and a big deck!  I'm very excited.  It's the perfect size for our first home.  I keep reminding myself that this doesn't mean it's permanent..  someday we will move to a different area.  But right now, this is just so great for us.  It's close to Chase's work too, so that's a huge plus.

We might be closing as soon as February 1st!  Ahhhh I can't wait to start moving!

Check out some pics:

2012 has really been an incredible year for me!  Chase and I have been so blessed and fortunate to have each other, and the families and opportunities that we've had this past year.  We spent a weekend in Utah, got hitched, traveled through parts of Europe, had a wonderful Minnesota summer, and Chase had a great race season!   The best part of it all is that we've been able to do it all with some amazing people in our lives!    I just can't stress enough how lucky I feel, even though sometimes I feel like "life is so unfair!" It's important to count your blessings!

Instead of Monthly Goals for January, i'm going to list out my goals for 2013.  They will probably be pretty simple, but like i always say, it's good to set goals!

*Continue to be a NON SMOKER!  I can't say I've been flawless on this continual goal, but I'm still pretty proud of myself.  It's a constant struggle, but I just can't quit quitting!
*Get in SHAPE.  Lose LBS and then stay stable.  This holiday season has really taken a toll on me!  Time to kick it into gear!
*Buy a house.  (hopefully sooner than later!)
*Get a promotion.  I've been in my current position for two years, and I'm feeling ready to move forward.
*My two trips: Mexico in February, and one more which is currently undecided..  either India or Morocco next November.
*Volunteer.  I meant to find an opportunity to do this over the holiday season, but time got away from me.  So my goal is to find some time to give back a little.  It doesn't need to be crazy, but something would be good.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!  HAPPY 2013!!!!

Cheers!

I was going to post this after Halloween, but didn't get around to it.  In light of election season, Chase and I decided to go for an American theme for our costumes.. so we were the Statue of Liberty and Uncle Sam!  It was pretty fun!



Chase and I do not agree on every aspect of politics, by any means.  He comes from a very republican family, and I come from a very democratic family.  I think we have both brought each other a little closer to the middle on certain issues though.  He has definitely shed some light on certain issues, and I know I've molded the way that he thinks on certain things as well.  Most importantly, we respect each other's opinions. Needless to say, election night was interesting.  Since it was on our Tuesday night date night, we chose to make the best of it!  We made some pizza, played cards, and just camped out in our living room for the evening.  It was fun.. for the most part.  But once they declared Obama for re-election, it brought us into some debating.  Like I said before though, at the end of the night, we respect each other's opinions and won't let that interfere with our relationship.

One more note about politics...  Facebook is SO ANNOYING!   I've really realized what IDIOTS some people that i'm simply acquainted with are... and not because they think differently politically than I do, but because some comments are so ignorant and disrespectful!   Whether you voted for our President or not, he is our PRESIDENT. Come on-Show some respect!

Moving on..

Our date nights haven't been going as planned..  We haven't been drawing an option out of our jar.  The truth is, we're trying to catch up financially and buy a house, and because it's getting cold out and it's in between seasons, a lot of the options are out of the question.  That leaves spendy dinners, bowling, museums, the zoo..  everything turns out to be so expensive!  We will still draw some sometimes.. and soon, hopefully.  We will still spend every Tuesday night together (unless we have to rearrange it for another night for some reason), but our evenings might just consist more of cooking dinner together and going on walks..  which is completely fine with me!

We cheated a little on our date night again..  For some reason with this season it's just so hard!  The option we drew was $20 Casino night.. and that just didn't sound appealing to either of us at all.  I should probably just take it out of the jar, since neither of us are much of gamblers and can't seem to fathom just wasting money away at the casino..  Especially, since we're trying to save money.


Anyways.. Instead, we decided to head down to the small town of Carver, which is where I grew up, and do a little 3 mile hike around the river!  It was tons of fun.  It was chilly, and brought back TONS of memories from me growing up.  Rocko was having such a blast chasing squirrels and we just had a good time talking and enjoying the evening.  The river is so low right now!  Afterwards, we stopped and saw my mom and little brother for a little bit.  She was so excited and surprised to see us! Then we fell asleep on the couch watching 300.

I think walks are one of my favorite things to do with Chase.  It's the best time for talking.. just about anything that comes to mind.. and getting some fresh air and some exercise together too.  Win-win!

Moving right along..  My dear friend over at Mama's Got A Big Belly is making monthly goals and asking what ours are..  so I decided i'm going to start my own too.  This isn't a healthy living or exercise blog, and not all of my goals will be, but those are things that I try to practice anyways, so here we go:

NoVeMbEr GOALS
*No Meat Wednesdays.  I will never be a vegetarian, I just know that about myself..  and I Love meat.  But I can do one day a week, right?
*Yoga at least twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays ideally)
*Hit the gym twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays)
*Try three new recipes.  Not sure what they are yet..  but it's a good goal for me so I get more comfortable in the kitchen!
*DO NOT PICK UP A SINGLE CIGARETTE  This is my first time admitting this here, but I am a smoker :(  GROSS-I know.  I have been trying to quit since I became engaged, and have done well on and off.. but the summer got a little bit difficult.  I'm now about a week strong and doing well.. and I just can't pick one up!  Not even a little, not ever!
*Be approved for a mortgage.. and maybe even put an offer in on a house we've had our eyes on :)  We keep talking about it, but our stuff is a little unorganized..  but we could get it done by next week!  So exciting!
*Make PJ pants for my cousins for the holidays.
*Read two books: Gone Girl and The Other Side of Midnight

There you have it!  I think it's good practice to set goals for yourself..  I'm excited to start achieving them!

GUILTY!

I just got news that Chase and I will be new Auntie and Uncle  of a baby BOY later this spring!  Of course, we knew Chase's brother and his wife were expecting, but today we found out it's a baby boy, and I can officially start browsing clearance racks!  It's perfect, because Christmas shopping is right around the corner, and tons of adorable summer clothes are on sale!  By the time July rolls around, the baby will be about 4 months old, so it'll be perfect for some 3-6 mos. clothes!  I'm so excited for them!

And a little jealous.  They are a bit younger than us, and quite a bit.. less established.  Which is fine, people have certainly raised wonderful children on less, but I guess when Chase and I found out about them, it was a little weird, because I think we thought we'd have children first.  Of course, the world doesn't work the way you think it would.  And truly, I couldn't be happier for the two of them.  It just makes me want a little peanut of our own!  Someday..  I do have to wait.. I'm in a wedding in a year, and a trip this spring..  And when I start to think about that, I don't know when we'll be "ready".  Our bucket lists are endless..
But are you ever really ready?

Either way, i'll be counting down to be a fresh Auntie to Brayden Michael, mid March!

In other news, I am joining Fit Friends!  It's a fun and healthy pen pal exchange!  You get buddied up with another member each month, and mail each other a healthy treat, inspirational material, and anything else healthy and fun!  I can't wait to see what will come of it.  Check it out, and join for yourself!

So, after a few weeks of slacking, we drew a date night for this week..  We actually drew live music, which is so much fun!  But I have to be honest, we totally cheated it.  I was planning on going to Uptown to some dive bar and check out a fun jam band or something..  But, we had a meeting with someone after work, and by the time we were done with that, we just weren't up for it..  So instead, we went to a nice little wine and coffee bar near our house, where they had a couple of guys in a blues band!  It was SO much fun.  Good food, good wine, fun atmosphere, and great music!  These guys were jammin' out!

 And it's a cozy little place..  it was nice for us to just sit and talk about random things that came to our minds.  Sometimes, it seems like we don't do that as much anymore.  We're talking about money a lot, or future plans..  things that we need to do, obligations, and struggles.  It was nice to just sit one on one in the corner of a cozy bar with some wine and just be with each other.  It's so important to find times to recognize that..  I'm sure most couples do, but it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and let those times pass..

I was just going through some things and came across my wedding video..  I just love it.  The videographer did such an amazing job and I seriously will treasure this forever.  So, I wanted to share it with all of you!

Yikes!  It's almost been a week since our date night already!  So, it's time to catch up!

Our date night last week was a blast!  We were able to bring Rocko along too which always is nice.  We went to Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis!  Minnehaha Creek is a creek that runs from Lake Minnetonka in the western suburbs through more suburbs in Minneapolis, and then through South Minneapolis. That is where the creek joins with the Mississippi, and near there is the 53 foot Minnehaha Falls.  It was very beautiful to check out!  Sadly though, we haven't been getting any rain, and the falls were practially bone dry.

This is what they typically look like

This is what it is today.

 We walked around and checked them out from different angles.  There was some live blues music in the park, so that the atmosphere just perfect!  We continued to hike down the creek, all the way until it meets with the River.  It was just so nice and relaxing.  We let Rocko run aorund for a while, chasing squirrels.  I tried ot get a few pictures, but of course times like that they just never seem to capture what you want.  We walked back up and to the car. 

Then Chase took me out for sushi!  We looooove sushi.  We went to a place called Midori's Floating World Cafe!  I love the name.  The sushi was pretty good..  a little bit overpriced though. 

Tonight is actually our date night..  and given my last post that I jotted down while emotional at work today, I wasn't feeling like doing much.  But, the card we drew was craft night..  I am at the shop right now during an intermission, and I CAN'T WAIT to show it off when it's complete, because it will be awesome!

Our date last night was FUN and FREE!  Those are the best!  We drove out to the Sculpture Garden and Conservatory.  Parking and admission are free.  The Sculpture Garden is probably most known for it's Spoonbridge and Cherry (built in 1985).  But there are many really neat spots and sights here!  First, we walked through Cowles Conservatory.   That was just so pretty and smelt amazing with all of the fresh and beautiful flowers.  Then we walked around the Spoonbridge & Cherry and scoped out some other spots.  There was one section that had a bunch of different wind chimes hung all around the trees and a woman was meditating in between a few sculptures.  I think what I loved the most about this date was how peaceful it was, even though it's in the heart of the city!   People come by after work or between classes and find a corner they can claim as theirs and sleep, study, practice yoga, meditate, or just hang out.  Anyways, we walked around a bit more and scoped out some other abstract pieces.  It was fun and different. 
Then we had to get home, because we had some steaks just waiting to be grilled!  So, while Chase was grilling, I was buying us tickets to Zihuatanejo, Mexico!  Zihua is a city on the Pacific side, pretty southern, near Ixtapa.  His family owns a condo there, so we try to go whenever we are able!  That is where we became engaged!  We aren't going for about 5 months.. but I can't wait. 
Overall, this weeks date night was fun, relaxing, and cheap!  Can't get better than that!

Look at me go!  Haha!

Well, it's already Friday and I'm just blogging about last weekend!  It was Labor Day weekend, and although I didn't do anything spectacular, or get out of town, it was a nice three day weekend to say the least.  I spent some time on the lake with some good friends, and even tried wake surfing!  It took me a few tries to get up, and when I did I was only up for a second, but I did it!  I think I prefer wake boarding instead.  Still, it was very fun!  It was perfect weather.  Labor day weekend is always bittersweet, because it sort of represents the end of summer.  Kids go back to school, the air gets a little more brisk, and you change white pants for tall brown boots!  Summer in Minnesota always flys by, but because it's only about 4 months of hot weather, we take advantage of every second of it!  So, although I feel like I didn't get enough of it, I am ready for a change of pace.  Fall is so beautiful here..  The air gets crisp, the leaves change beautiful colors, and of course, I love fall wardrobes! It's probably my second favorite season..  but it means that winter is right around the corner.  Although I dislike the cold, winter in Minnesota has it's own character.  In a way, it's fun finding ways to stay warm!  And during the holidays, it's just perfect.  Once those are over, we try to manage a winter vacation of some sort, just to break up the season!  Then it seems that right when you think you just can't stand winter any longer, you start seeing the snow melt and people are wearing shorts in 50* weather!  (yes, they really do!) I love living in a place where the seasons change so much.  It keeps activities different and makes things interesting! 
Unfortunately, with the change of seasons came my allergies!  So Chase and I skipped our date night this week, and opted to stay in, talk about finances (boring, but needs to happen), and went on a walk.  This weekend, we are going to go see his mom in small town Wisconsin.  Chase and I are going to camp on his Grandpa's lake where we will fish and just relax.  It'll be perfectly chill camping weather, and a nice little getaway with just the two of us.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend as well, and a good weekend ahead, too! 
Ciao!

This is one of those things that we've always talked about doing, but have never really had the time, energy, or effort to do it. Well it's a good thing we drew that one out of our date night jar! We try to have our date nights on Tuesdays; because typically it's the night we are both free to dedicate to each other. So, I searched on the city pages, and found Hit or Miss Tuesdays at the Comedy Club at the Mall of America. It was so much fun! We had dinner, and watched about 10 amateur comics tell their jokes. Some of them were hilarious, and some terrible. The crowd was pretty female dominated, so lots of "guy jokes" didn't go over very well. But regardless, it was such a blast! And at only $7.00/person (not including drinks and food) it's a very cheap date! Afterwards we stopped at a place closer to our house for a glass of wine and just chatted. Chase was tired though, so I did most of the chatting! Typical! Have you ever been to a comedy club? Have one in your city? Have any new ideas for us to try for our date nights? I'd love to hear!

Well, I had a serious case of the Mondays today! And well deserved.. I had a fantastic weekend and was exhausted today. Friday, Chase took me out for Sushi! YUM! We met up with my brother and a few friends for a little bit, but then just went home and watched a movie. Saturday, we headed out to Wisconsin to camp with some friends I don't get to see nearly enough! The drive out there through the river valley was beautiful. We put our tent right behind this tree in a very sandy area. It was nice! I was glad that Chase found a buddy to go fishing with because I had SO MUCH FUN catching up with these girls who used to be my best friends. When we all get together, it's as if nothing had changed! Those are the best friendships. The next morning was a little rough for me.. and I think for most of the crew. Once I started feeling better, Chase took me out for breakfast at Cowboy Jacks. Some good coffee perked me right up! Later, we took the motorcycle out for a cruise. We drove through the lakes and met some friends at our favorite lakeside spot, Lord Fletchers. We went to another favorite spot afterwards, and then had a chilly ride home. It was great! Chase and I also drew our next date night so we're well prepared for Tuesday. This week, we are going to a comedy club! I have never been to one, and I think we will have a ton of fun together! I'm excited to write all about it! Hope everyone had a great weekend!