2011

2011. Wow. You've been a crazy one. You have thrown me more loops than I ever expected, and sent me on a few emotional rollercoasters.

You have also given me some pretty amazing memories. As usual.

But I can't lie, I'm ready for 2012. Plus, 12 is my favorite number so I'm all for it.

A little break down of 2011 shall we?

JANUARY:

A Midwestern Touch was founded. So, so thankful for this.

FEBRUARY:

Mr. Fiance moved to Minnesota. Far, far away from Kansas.

MARCH:

Getaway to Kansas City.
Engagment Brunch.
Took my first trip to Minnesota.
St.Patty's Day

APRIL:

School of Education Pub Crawl

Easter

MAY:

I graduated college!

Went to a Royal's baseball game

My 22nd Birthday in Minnesota

JUNE:

Family Vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC

JULY:

I moved out of my college duplex. Sad day.
The 4th

AUGUST:

Jeff's 26th Birthday
Momma's {21st} Surprise Birthday Party
One year until our big day
I started student teaching

SEPTEMBER:

I said YES to the DRESS

OCTOBER:

I won 2 giveaways. Miracle!

NOVEMBER:

We took our engagment pictures.

Thanksgiving

DECEMBER:

Fiance moved back to Kansas.
Christmas
Gingerbread Contest

So thank you 2011. And hellllllllllllllllllllllllo 2012.

I cannot wait to see what it brings. But I do know there are going to be some pretty great happenings.

Holla for a Dolla to 2012!!!! I hope everyone has a safe & happy new year's eve :)

lake side wedding planning

Wedding? I'm having one of those? What?

Yes, I'm sure you had forgotten since I haven't written anything about in about 30 years. That is probably because my school load was literally kicking my ace. I couldn't even think about anything other than school and stress. I'm not the best multi-tasker ever.

So now that I've been on break, I've had some time to finally think about things, plan things, and actually get something done. Hallelujuah.

So my mom and aunt arranged a little getaway to my aunt's lake house to get some planning done. First off, I am obsessed with the lake. What could get better than waking up to that? Seriously. Other than a beach or mountain...nothing. Or maybe that's just me.

They made a fire and we got to work. My mom got me a wedding guide/planner when I first got engaged and we seperated all of the duties into each month so I wouldn't completely freak when I had to do them all. Now they are nicely organized into their own month so I can get it done in order from what needs to get done now, later, etc.

Not going to lie at first it was a little overwhelming, who knew there were 500 bazillion details that went into a wedding? Not I. haha. But then it felt good to organize what I needed to do and finally get a plan so I actually had a wedding to attend.

The best part was getting to spend the time with my mom and aunt though. Sitting together, planning Jeff & I's big day, and just talking. You know how I love my family time!

A few table arrangements were also put together from the things my aunt brought to try, and I think we had a good start to what they will look like. So so so so refreshing to get that {mostly} figured out. Still have no idea about the flowers on the tables and colors of that but hey...it was a very, very good start.

So thank you Mom & Aunt Diana for all of your help this past week. You have made my life about 500 times easier and I cannot thank you both for all you have done in getting things together to make our day perfect for us.

I truly, truly.....could not do this without my aunts, mom, and her friends. Truth.

One step closer to our "game day" in August!!!

Yippee!

christmas eve

On to Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was our fake Christmas this year so we could all be together and open presents while everyone was here.

Presents there were. My my  the tree was packed full.


Momma's tree when it was first put up. Didn't take a picture Christmas Eve...whoops!

 So we spent the morning opening presents but the most fun present to watch being given was to Baby {Toddler} Kate, my niece. My dad made her a push and pull little car and it was the coolest thing ever. My dad is a handy man, and it was perfect.I told him I'd take one too :) Plus, how special is that to have something homemade by Grandpa. Seriously, stuff like that just tugs at my heart strings.

The best part was her face as he walked down the stairs with it. Surprised galore. And she ran straight to it convinced she was going to take it on a stroll. Her little legs couldn't reach the peddles yet but she figured out she could sit on it, put her necklaces on it, eat graham crackers, and watch TV all in the comfort of her car.

Perfect. That, to me, is the beauty of Christmas. That look. The memories. The hard, hard work my dad put into making such a special gift. Nothing like it.

Santa must have been looking the other way when I wasn't all good this year because I was treated very nicely this Christmas!

 Two of my favorite gifts were my KitchenAid from Santa {thanks Mom & Dad} and my iPad from the Mister. I also received a very thoughtful gift from two of my aunts that were a cake cutter and cake knife from Kate Spade. Beautiful. Beautiful. Beautiful. Can't wait to use them!

New gear! Love!

After all the opening we went to my mom's side of the family Christmas. This year we didn't do our gift exchange but started our first annual scrapbook contest. There were so many categories and we had to fulfill them and make some sort of scrapbook from the year 2011. I LOVED it and it was so cool to look at everyone's year. Cannot wait to keep this tradition! P.S. We tied for FIRST. I finally win something, YESSSSS.

After my family's Christmas we ventured off to Jeff's side of the family's Christmas. It was nice to spend time with Jeff's mom and the rest of his familiy eating { a lot } opening presents, and just spending time together. I must say I am very lucky to have such a kind, and wonderful future Mother-In-Law. We were supposed to spend Christmas Day at her house again but sadly....the flu arrived in our household and we were glued to couches, beds, and chairs all day long.

I love my ipad & robe...whoop whoop.

However, we did get to return the next day and shared presents and relaxed after two crazy busy days of sickness and Christmas fun. His mom's gifts are always great and useful. I got the best cookbook and robe that I am practically going to live in, among other thoughtful and great gifts.

The novel is over, but I don't want to forget what went down this year at Christmas. A lot of special memories that can't be forgotten :) I know it may bore y'all but I love to look back and read things I would normally forget. Little moments that I treasured.

I guess that's why I'm here in the first place.

Now for New Year's Resolutions and MORE. Yeehaw!

P.S. Will be back for some WEDDING UPDATES. It's been awhile huh?!

gingerbread casa contest

Since I didn't want to write a 500 page long post about my entire Christmas weekend, I thought I'd break it up into a couple of days. Plus, I probably couldn't concentrate long enough to type it all out.

It all started with a gingerbread house idea. Every year we do a cookie decorating contest. A contest that consists of me always losing, but the cookies looking like superstars. It's a tradition that has went on since I can remember, and it's just not the same without it.

However, this year we threw a curve ball. We still cut out the cookies, but never really got around to icing them because we started the big bad gingerbread house contest. Legit, is all I can say. Jeff thought of the idea early on and wanted to have a gingerbread contest this Christmas. And contest is what it was.

Before the contest began my dad had some awards of his own to give out. Have I mentioned my parents freaking rock the world? Yup, they win. Well he handed out hammers to the guys and rolling pins to the girls. He gave a speech to each one of us saying why he was proud of us in 2011 and for the guys to "Keep Hammering On" and the girls to "Keeping Rolling". It was pretty wonderful. I loved every stinking second of it and will keep the rolling pin verrrrrry safe and try not to throw it on the ground when I mess up recipes.

Anywho.

The Teams:

Jacob + Ashley
Patrick + Dad
Me + Jeff

And let me tell you my family likes a good old fashion competition. Of any sort. So mom bought some candy, graham crackers, and chocolate bark. Then we went crazy.

All I have to say is they were houses that I had never ever seen before in pictures or on websites. We went big time.

In the end, my dad and little brother ended up winning the big bad trophy which was a travenling nut cracker. They killed the competition with a homemade wreath, snowman, fire, and smoke coming out of the chimney. Coming in close second was my brother and his wife which are engineers, btw, and they created a monstrous house that even included supports inside. And of course, once again, me last. So sad. I was the house "painter" and Jeff was the creator. We definitely win the award for most candy used though. FACT.

P to the S: All photo credit goes to Daddy Jac, Momma Jac, Ashley Jac, and maybe Jacob Jac.

I loved the new contest and can't wait to think of some new ideas for next year. Maybe I will have more patience by then :) I mean, we can only hope for the new year...right?

Hope everyone had a fabulous CHRISTMAS & get ready to make those New Year resolutions!!!!

grown up christmas list

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well, I'm all grown-up now
Can you still help somehow?
I'm not a child, but my heart still can dream

My grown-up Christmas list
Not for myself, but for a world in need
No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth?
Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apartThat wars would never start
And time would heal our hearts
Every man would have a friend
That right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown-up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown-up Christmas list

-Michael Buble

If only.....

one year ago

One year from today, was a pretty special day.

It involved  freezing, lots of running, and a day in New York City.

It was filled with Christmas lights and Christmas cheer.

One year ago from today, I was standing {freezing my bums off-might I add} on the top of Rockefeller Center as Jeff asked me to be his wife.

I can't believe it has been that long. A year I've been engaged. So much has gone on in a year. So many changes. But through the strides and struggles, I couldn't be happier to have such a man by my side.

To say I'm blessed, would be an understatment.

So thankful for this day...just one year ago.

traditions

Today I'm linking up once again with Becky @ From Mrs to Mama for some holiday traditions!

I am kind of obsessed with traditions, almost as much as I am obsessed with the holiday season. Everyone is so...happy.

But ultimately traditions is one of my favorite parts about the holiday season, along with spending mucho time with my family. Love me some family time, 510%. So today I'm going to share one tradition from my past, one current, and one for my future.

{p to the s this is going to be uber long...don't say I didn't warn ya!}

My Past

Christmas Eve

A tradition from my past that I hold pretty close to my heart is our tradition of Christmas Eve. {Every single Christmas Eve since I can even remember} we would go to my great grandmas house for mass, dinner, and presents. This was not just any "normal" family gathering. It was....huge. Like ummm over 150 I'd say. Our WHOLE family...extended to the max. The house would be jammed packed, and smell of delish food and treats.

My great grandma and her daughter would get every single person in the entire family a gift. Obviously they had to buy them year around because there were hundreds of us so to me, they are kind of the definition of Christmas spirit. So giving. So kind. So full of love.

My mom &  I would always help wrap the 150+ presents a few weeks before and I have to say it is one memory I will never forget. We all loved it and loved helping out. Plus the sword fights we had with the wrapping paper were pretty fun too.

random christmas photo just to break up all the words :)

Then on Christmas Eve we gathered together had mass {which I might add was the longest mass in mass history-we are Catholic, btw}, ate a huge dinner, passed out gifts to the adults, and then Santa came and passed out trash bags full of toys to the kids {when I say trash bag I mean like the biggest trash bag you could ever image}.

After this we would go to my grandmas and show her all of our presents because well, Christmas Eve just wasn't the same without her. Actually, no day was really the same without her. She was the most beautiful woman inside and out, and now the most beautiful angel looking out for us.

The tradition ended when my great grandmother passed away a few years ago. It was sad no one continued the tradition, but it will always be one I hold dear in my heart and will always be thankful for her kind soul. It showed me that Christmas is not only about the presents, but most importantly about giving, being thankful, and spread the Christmas joy.

This is just one tradition from the past, if I said them all you would be snoozing by now, if you already aren't.

Present

Since the above tradition of Christmas Eve does not occur anymore, my parents started a fun little tradition a few years ago I hope to continue with my kids. On Christmas Eve we get to open one present, and one present only. The best part is that it is always pajamas of some sort and we sleep in our PJ's we get.

A couple years ago my oldest brother actually got a good idea to get my parents PJ's too. If only I had a picture. They were feety pajamas and the most hilarious thing....ever!

Other than that we always, always have a cookie decorating contest. I usually lose, but always gain brownie points in the "I make my cookies to attract the judges". This year we are making gingerbread houses AND cookies. Maybe I'll win this year..doubtful, I'm way too impatient.

Future

This is kind of present but this year is a trial run so it technically doesn't count. Since I am {obviously} obsessed with traditions I get these ideas in my head and then usually forget about them come this time of the year.

However, this year I thought of {okay already purchased and may or may not have showed Jeff} exchanging ornaments with Jeff on Christmas Eve and then hanging them up on our tree. My "thoughts" are to have them be personal and have the year on them so we always know when we exchanged them.

This is the one I got this year, which I think it pretty adorable minus the fact she kind of messed up on the date but whatever. I love it anyway.

So hopefully this tradition carries on into the future with many more as our family becomes one, and continues to grow.

HAPPY 5 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!! May your days be filled with Christmas (or whatever holiday) joy :)

tis the season

To make goodies and have Christmas parties?

Yes, I must say so!

Since I've been absent for quite some time let me just give you a quicky of an update on just what I've been doing. And if you don't care them I'm sorry you will just know anyway :)

aprons my mom got us to wear to cook the goodies ;) hilarious. 

In the past week I have:   Finished my first semester of GRAD school {thank the Lord that is over with}, made treat bags for Jeff's clients {3 pans of fudge + 200 plus cookies + one bag of chocolate dipped pretzels....hello back massage}, came home for the holidays, and partcipated in my family's bomb diggity Christmas party.

Whew. Busy week. And I didn't even add my visit to my mother's school or my awful dentist visit. So yeah I've been keeping all sorts of busy since I've been back.

One week from today the best holiday on earth will take place. I absolutely love Christmas. This Christmas our family {big family, not immediate} isn't  going to be exchanging gifts and I honestly I think it will be the best Christmas yet. Everyone will be there to experience the real meaning of Christmas.  Just spending time with each other, catching up, and being with the people we love the most. That's what it's all about folks...That's what it's all about.

So I'll see you on the flip side and I'll try not to run away again. Sometimes I just need a little spice in my life :)