And onto a whole new year.

I just celebrated my 29th birthday... meaning that I am officially starting my 30th year of life. Whoa. That seems so old to me. I know I have just under a year until I hit the big 3-0, but man, I might need to gear up for that big day. I've already started thinking about how I want to celebrate - I'd like to go "all out" with a vaca with hubby, or with a vino party with my closest friends and family. I guess we'll see what life brings at that time... lots can change between then and now. A year can make a HUGE difference in your life. I think about the last year of mine, and how insanely different it's been since last year at this exact time. Several people in my life have come and gone...some good, some not so good. But I did have a GREAT year, despite some of the obstacles I was faced with. I had a great time celebrating my 29th birthday this year... we spent the night in Wisconsin Dells at a waterpark - which, by the way, TOTALLY brings out the kid in me when I go down those big water slides. We ordered pizza in our room, and all went to bed early :-) We then celebrated with my sister and her family (along with my good friend, Brittny) the Saturday following with a great dinner, and of course, some good vino. In an upcoming weekend, my mom is taking me shopping to buy me some new clothes, and my daddy is going to cook for me - couldn't ask for anything better! By the way, hubby and the kiddos bought me an imersion blender for my birthday (something I asked for) and I frickin' love the thing. (which is another reason I feel old - I get excited about kitchen utensils as presents.) And don't get me started on the cookie sheets I got from my sister (they made the best.cookies.ever.). There are pictures from the festivities, but they are currently on my camera which is at my sisters house until I see her on Thursday... so I'll have a "birthday picture post" then and you can all see how I celebrated my 29th birthday with my favorite people :-) I can only hope that this next year will be just as great as my last...now, onto 30!

I'm done with snow.

It snowed. Again. This morning.
Seriously? It's mid-March... isn't Mother Nature tired yet? I want spring!
Last year at this time, I clearly remember several 60-70 degree days, me and my mini-baby bump walking around the neighborhood with Matthew on his bike. This year... not a chance! There's still about 6-8 inches of old yucky snow underneath the fresh layer we got this morning.

Although, in about a week... on my 29th birthday, actually, we'll be spending 2 days (one overnight) at Mt. Olympus Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The indoor waterpark will feel warm, and Drew and I get to play and splash in the pool with Will and go down waterslides with Matthew. I'm super excited! And one of the best parts, is that we're surprising Matthew. I'll be packing his stuff up the night before and we're not going to tell him where we're going until we get there. Drew and I want it to be a little magical for him. He will already feel like the day is special with Mommy's birthday cake, but with a water park and spending a night in a cool hotel on top of that, he'll be in heaven.

Hopefully this is one of the last snowfalls of the season. I'm so done with snow, and I'm so done with winter. Bring on the warm weather!

Introducing... my future sister-in-law - Lauren!

Between not blogging regularly, and having so much other stuff to do and on my mind, I totally forgot to make a special post about the new and exciting event happening in mid-October. Our family will be welcoming my brother's fiancee, Lauren, into our family when they get married in Minneapolis on October 15. I'm so very happy for my brother for finding the person that can truly make him happy, and build the life he's always wanted and deserved. There is no better person for him to create a happy life and family with than her. Ironically, Lauren spent most of her childhood living in Green Bay, and we actually went to middle school and (briefly) high school together, although she was a grade younger than I, and we were only aquaintances. My brother and her met through a mutual friend of theirs while they both were living in Minneapolis. (it's a small world!)

They recently asked Drew, Matthew and I to stand up in their wedding as a groomsmen/bridesmaid/ringbearer so we are all really looking forward to that. It's going to be a very special (and fun!) day for all of us! Did I mention they are having their reception at the brand spankin' new TCF stadium (where the MN Gophers play)? The pictures of the reception hall there are amazing. It's going to be a beautiful wedding... and my brother is marrying a beautiful woman. I'm so very excited to be gaining such a great person as my sister-in-law!

So without further ado... here she is - my future "little" sister! (With my niece Julia on NYE)