"Don't Stop....Believing..."

I wanted to give a little shout out to Joey Calveri and the cast of  "Rock of Ages"

Ryan and I headed into the city last night to see the musical.  Ryan usually throws a small temper tantrum when he's "forced" (his words) to see musical theater but I think for the first time ever he actually enjoyed himself!!  If you love 80's rock, this show is for you!  I have to admit, it was probably about a third of the way through the show when I leaned over to Ryan and asked "are these real songs"?  His face was priceless!!  To my credit, its not my fault, I grew up on Country, ok!

Erin (Ryan's sister) is currently dating one of the cast members, Joey, and we ended up with GREAT seats on opening night of the tour!  It helps to "know someone". 

Here's a little blurb about the show:

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA’s most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80s. It’s ROCK OF AGES, an arena-rock love story told through the mind-blowing, face-melting hits of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON, PAT BENATAR, TWISTED SISTER, POISON, ASIA, WHITESNAKE and many more. Don’t miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!'

Four thumbs up from us!!

Just a few pictures from this weekend...enjoy

Such a beautiful day....Mom and Dad



My dad and I....





My mommy and I enjoying the game



A list of things I SWORE I'd never say....

In a moment of self realization I was looking back on the past year and all that it has encompassed for me.  It has been one of the most fun and memorable years I can remember.  With wedding planning and all the activities that come with that I've found myself surrounded by my friends and family and their love/support for Ryan and me. 

As I was standing in my wedding dress, less than a month before the wedding, being fitted for the final time, I started to think about all the things I SWORE I would do/not do when wedding planning and so I've created this list to share for you.  In a moment of solidarity with other past brides and a few words of warning for those future brides to follow in my footsteps here goes nothing:

Things I SWORE I'd never say or do when wedding planning but ultimately probably have:
1.  "You can totally shorten that and wear it again"
2.  Make my bridesmaids spend over $200 on their dresses for the wedding
3.  Let the "little details" overwhelm me
4.  "It's my party and I can do what I want"-ok...I probably never said that exactly...but maybe not far off
5.  Spend too much on flowers
6.  Worry too much about what everyone else wants
7.  Become that girl that "only talks about weddings"
8.  Become that girl that "only THINKS about weddings"
9.  Spend actually money to have "Congratulations Ryan and Sadie" written on the board outside the hotel....total cost to the hotel $0!!
10.  Actually pay a DJ (we swore access to Itunes would be good enough)
11. Spend an UNGODLY amount of money on a limo
12.  Cry
13.  Host a HUGE wedding (we've invited over 410 people....YIKES)

THE ONE THING I THINK I'VE ACTUALLY STUCK TO (at least I hope you'll agree):
1.  NOT being a Bridezilla......

Back home....

While Ryan spends the weekend at the lake house with the "men" for Chris's bachelor party I've headed back home to Freeport with both doggies in tow. 

This morning Mom, Dad and I headed to Madison for the first game of the Badgers season.  We left at the beginning of the 4th quarter with a score of 27-7 Badgers... AFTER participating in the infamous "jump around"  Then we headed to Spreckers and had a few tastey brews.  We capped the afternoon off with a trip to the liquor store where I bought some Totally Naked and a second New Glarus beer (can't remember the name sorry!). While we were at it we each bought a "tasting" pick  for a premptive taste test in prep for out third annual Oktoberfest  :O) Needless to say I'm enjoying a wonderful Trappist Ale with popcorn as I write this.  YUMMMMMY!!!

We also headed over to Noonkester's land with the dogs and ran them until they couldn't keep up with the Gator.  They loved every minute of it!!!

Packers play tomorrow at noon....more posts then.  Go Pack!!

Labor Day Weekend - A "Workingman's Holiday"

Ryan and I took full advantage of the extra day off this weekend and made a trip out to Koontz Lake.   We had intentions of being their early Saturday morning, but a quick run outside, a messy truck, and an accident on 80 were all working against our plans.  We finally arrived around noon just in time for lunch (which isn't saying much...since there is ALWAYS food around at the lake).  We spent Saturday relaxing and enjoying the first shot of fall-like weather.  Sunday we headed to the Blueberry fest and had a great time looking through all the little tents and booths.  No big purchases this year...not even any footwear to speak of. 

The Margarita made made its first appearance this weekend and was an overall success.  After a few trial runs with soap and water we finally had it all sealed up and ready to go Sunday afternoon.  If anyone is interested in one...I know a guy :O)



Mixin....and mixin...and mixin...



I also started the baby blanket I'm knitting for Nichole.  She sent me a text a few days ago to "start knitting something blue".  I was POSITIVE she was having a girl....and was all ready to start into a pink project, but I guess Mother Nature had different plans.  I cast it on Saturday morning in the car while sitting in stop and go traffic because of the accident.  I worked on it on and off throughout the weekend and its coming along pretty nicely if I do say so myself. 



Just getting started....





So many more inches to go, but making progress.



Here are just a few more random pictures from the weekend.  We had a great time, and, as always, we wish it could have lasted longer.  It was great to see everyone this weekend.....



Anthony's little bitty baby fish :O)



*Some very tired puppies!!





So MANY things to do.....

Welcome!

There are so many things going on in our lives right now that I've decided to create this blog to help keep in touch with you all...here goes nothing!

Whats been going on with us recently:

Ryan went into business for himself full time a few months back and he has been swamped ever since.  Fox River Millwork has completely taken over our lives and every day is busy.  He loves working for himself but as he puts it, "His boss is a beast!"

I've been working for Sears Holdings for almost a year now.  I work in Merchandise Planning and essentially build planograms for both Sears and Kmart.  For those of you who don't work in retail and never have, a planogram is basically a picture we sent out to stores that tells the stores how to set each section of product.  It's not sexy, but it helps pay the bills.

We are 34 days away from getting married and the "little things" I've been putting off for months are starting to not seem so "little".  EEEEKKK!  More on that later....

We are headed to Koontz Lake this weekend for Labor Day.  Ryan's 5 gallon Maragrita maker (pictures to come) will be making its first appearance at the lake.  Should be a fun weekend!