Birthday Boy

The last few weeks have been a bit much so last minute I made an executive decision that we needed an escape for Nate's birthday... even if it only ended up being 45 minutes away.

We wanted to return to The Homestead because, well, it's amazing. But we made plans to head there later in December instead. Couldn't shake the feeling that we still needed to get away, so I booked us a weekend at Lansdowne Resort. Happy to report it ended up being just what we needed.

The resort was great - cozy rooms and an awesome breakfast buffet (Nate's favorite thing in the whole wild world at hotels).

 
I treated Nate to an afternoon at their spa (well, and myself - couldn't let him feel alone). Massages, lounge time in their sauna, steam room, hot tub and some indoor swimming - relaxation doesn't begin to describe it!

One of my favorite things about resorts is when they have inviting and cozy lounge areas. While Lansdowne doesn't quite have the level Homestead does, it still was great.

Yes, I got a big kick out of this peek-through couch. Nate telling me all about how Daniel Day Lewis prepared to be Lincoln :)

How much you wanna bet there are cameras behind these mirrors in their elevators? Endless entertainment from what people do in these mirrors for the employees I'm sure. 

What would a trip out to the countryside be without some time at the wineries? Willowcroft was a new one for us and we fell in love with it's rustic, ultra country, barn yard feel. The drive in alone was just the break we needed from the everyday views of DC.

 Ok, maybe some things just won't go away :)

We grabbed a bottle of wine, some snacks and perched ourselves on one of the picnic tables and took in the view of the mountains in the distance (even though you can't really see them in our pictures).

 They even had a Sparty barrel! GO GREEN!!

While exploring their grounds I took this picture and noticed there was a cat ... chewing on something. Got closer and yup it was a mouse. I know they eat them, but ew. I could've gone without having to see a cat tear one to shreads. YAK!

Then we started venturing down one of their trails, snappin pics.

When it was Nate's turn to hop up on that rock, we heard something walking towards us and sure enough, the hunter cat had decided to join us. He too wanted to be in the pictures.

 

Nate politely asking him to get out of the photo, then decided it wasn't going to happen and embraced the random cat insisting on being in our pictures. 

 So we let him have his very own spot light.

On the way home we realized we would be passing Texas Roadhouse, one of Nate's favorites. The birthday boy needed him some cinnamon butter!!

Fitting end to our country-themed weekend getaway. Happy birthday to my love, so excited for this time of year when we're the same age ;)

Election Night!

Let the waiting begin....

Votes are in (East coast) and there's nothing we can do about it now. Stressful and anxious time for sure. I can't help but also dread the response regardless of which candidate is elected.

I know it's politics and I appreciate everyone's passion but whatever happened to respect? I'm really disappointed in some responses to the debates and topics leading up to tonight. It's my feeling that social media has created an oulet that encourages more passive agressive communication. I would say everything I say online in person, and sadly I don't think that's true for a lot of people. But that's a whole different topic... let me focus...

Why can't we say things like "this is why I'm supporting ____". Why can't we leave the petty/hypocritical slaps to the radio and tv ads? Why can't we remember that we may have relationships with those who don't agree with our chocies? And why can't we understand we're bound to have a more effective influence by sharing knowledge and our own point of view rather than screaming like a child that the other candidate is an idiot?

At this point though there is literally nothing we can do. Votes are being casted, counted and will soon be announced. Not to make the topic sound of small importance - that's definitely not what I think or am trying to say - but if your candidate doesn't get elected, move forward and don't stomp your feet like a two year old. Again, I know this is serious, but you will get no where by screaming and offending others. Use it to become stronger in your beliefs, passions, and spreading knowledge for what you feel is right.

I'm a firm believer that we can support a topic, a debate, a presidential candidate and any other issue without sacraficing class and respect for others. I know, I know, wishful thinking that we could all get along. So here's hoping we can all remember a basic rule of thumb - if you don't have anything nice to say, you shouldn't say anything at all! 

Alaina on a Buck

My brother shot an 8-point buck (for those of you who don't know, that's a big deal). I'm sure he's had dreams about this moment, silly hunting man. Good job Bro!

So the next day he decides to take my niece, Alaina, out to see the dead buck. I know, sounds gross, but understand it's part of our culture up there. Typically little ones would be a shy/scared by such a sight. But Alaina is a hilarious one. She had just been on a pony a few days before this, so naturally what would she do when she saw the buck? Try to ride it of course!

When she was told no, for obvious sanitary reasons, she was not a happy camper...

God I love her!!

Frankenstorm, Halloween & Apple Cider Donuts!

I can't stop thinking about how lucky we are that we didn't get hit by the worst of hurricane Sandy, or superstorm Frankenstorm. There are so many that are working their way through an awful nightmare and too many lives lost. My heart and prayers go out to all of them.

Growing up in MI we didn't have to worry about these kinds of storms. The occasional tornado, snow and ice storms were about it. Don't get me wrong, some were devastating, but I don't remember a full on panic that we'll never be able to eat again...

 

Nate went to the store the weekend before the hurricane as I can't handle crazy crowds at grocery stores. No bottled water, eggs, milk, bread or bananas - days before the storm was going to hit. So of course, he came home with a case of one of our favorite wines instead. This man is a genius!

Federal Government, metro and what seemed like everyone but my industry shut down as the storm was expected to hit during the day Monday. So I had Nate drive me to work so he'd have the car in case I got stuck at work. Driving in was eerie as there wasn't any traffic going into the city. NEVER happens!

The storm hit our area around 6pm. I decided to stay overnight at work in case I wouldn't be able to make it back the next day. Luckily we have a guest suite and we were so lucky that we didn't lose power - both at work and at home. No major flooding, just some leaks in the apartments at work.

By the time Halloween hit, I was tired. It had been a long week already! But that didn't stop my team at work from putting a smile (and a scream) on my face. Juan decided to scare the bejeezus out of me...

And Milt has an amazing talent! He makes every ounce of these boxes by hand, it's insane. It's like opening an Apple product - packaged so precisely. He has such a creative eye and NEEDS to open his own business!! I can see his talents on Pinterest one day...

By the end of the week we needed to make our annual trip out to VA's countryside in search of apple cider donuts. They are impossible to find anywhere near DC. So Amy and her boyfriend joined us and we finally found a store that was still selling them. Nate seriously contemplated taking that whole tray. The girls working the store thought we were crazy "city folk" I'm sure but who cares - we wanted those donuts!

 

We continued on the Philip Carter winery to enjoy a tasting, then a bottle with crackers and snacks by the fire, and finally ventured outside. They had a barrel rolling contest, which ended up being not as fun as we thought, but they did have lamas. Why? They couldn't even answer that. But that didn't stop us from hanging out with them and Amy taking one for a walk...

Now to take down the Halloween decor and prepare for Thanksgiving plans. My heart just fluttered when I thought about all the food. YUM!!

Election Season - Laugh a Little!

Ok, before anyone gets offended - this post is all in good fun. If you're easily offended by curse words, political jokes, and just about anything else don't read any further.

Tonight during a skype date with my MOH she asked me if I had seen the "bad lip reading" videos on youtube. Curious, I looked them up and just so happened the first one that came up was the one on Romney.

Now before you get all offended, calm down, it's nothing against Romney. I just didn't want to post the Obama one because it wasn't as clever or funny and was a little dirtier, but check all of them out, they're pretty funny. And much to my MOH's delight, there's even one of Twilight!

*side note - they all start with some commercial against the person who the video is about. Click on the Obama one and you'll have a commercial against Obama, click on a Romney one you'll have one against Romney.

Click here to watch

I couldn't stop giggling. Yes, instead of watching the VP debate, I watched this. Call it what you may, but I bet I laughed and had a better time than I would have glued to the debate and the onslaught of online assaults to both parties. Sometimes in the most tense moments you need a giggle :)

There's a Chill in the Air!

Friday night we went out with the Jacksons to kickoff our fall season. Two years ago we couldn't have fit in more Halloween and fall fun. Last year we failed miserably so this year we're trying to recreate the insanely fun fall season we had before.

First stop - Markoff's. It's by far one of our favorites so why not make it our first event? Go big or go home! Andi is a champ of a 10 year old, so she joined us too. Stopped for dinner before hitting the trail and I had another "so proud of Julie" moments. Only once before has it been a moment involving food - ie - last Thanksgiving when she had seconds which is unheard of! So we sit down for dinner and she orders one of my favorite and her absolute least favorite - a juicy burger! What?! Oh yeah, it's because they're about to become the JACKSON 5 and has a little one in her tummy telling her what's up and what to eat. So excited!!!

We made the late drive to Markoff's and end being one of the last groups to go through, just like 2 years ago. It felt a little strange because it was 85 degrees earlier that day and only dropped to the 60s by the time we hit the trail. Typically it's FREEZING, so this was nice but also bizarre because we're used to the fall chill when we enjoy our fall fun. It didn't sway us away from loving the bonfire... but we only stood by it for 5 minutes before burning up :)

So Markoff's is a haunted forest and while you wait for your group number to be called (they only let small groups through at a time to make the best of it) you can enjoy a plethora of activities - bonfire, zip line, hay rides, face painting, death drop, etc. The trail takes you up and down hills in the forest lit by only candles, over small and narrow bridges, and through haunted little huts. This year we were disappointed by the haunts in the huts. Most of them were empty and weren't utilized well. Oh well, still fun and definitely got some yelps from our group (ok, I screamed and jumped a lot, I always do).

Nearing the end I knew what was going to happen - chainsaw man, my worst nightmare. I seriously have a phobia. But it's ok, I've done this trail before, I know he's at the very end just when you think you're in the clear and all of a sudden RIIINNNGGG and there's plenty of room for me to book it straight out of there without looking back. I got this. What happened next is still very fuzzy. I may have forgotten some details, mixed them up, but this is all I remember...

So it's quiet walking up to the last section. I notice there are stairs and little walkways caged in that weren't there two years ago. Hmmm. Kept walking and all of a sudden - chainsaw revs up directly behind us. I ran straight up those stairs faster than I've ever run up stairs in my life but notice someone is clawing at me and grabbing for my hand and help up the stairs. I realized in my panic I was probably kicking whoever it was so I turn around and it was poor Andi trying to run up the stairs but kept falling. So I grabbed her arm, pulled her up and we finally got to the top. Heart pounding I stood frozen at the top of the stairs trying to catch my breath.

Then the unthinkable happened. Attack of what I counted as three chainsaw men!!!! One above my head swinging the stinkin thing at my face (how he got there I have no idea). One behind me somewhere. And then one that literally hit my feet with the chainsaw (sans chain otherwise I would have no feet). Flight and fight reaction happened all together at once. I stomped on the chainsaw below me, screamed like no other and ran like my life depended on it.

At the end of the walkway thing (yes, that's the best description I can give it) you had to turn left and there was #4 chainsaw man. I almost didn't see him in my panic and he revved it up inches from my face. That was it. I was done. I don't remember much after that besides luckily I kept running, pretty sure there was a 5th chainsaw man and then it was quiet and hard to see.

Nate's cracking up, I'm surprised I hadn't peed my pants yet, and we have no idea where the Jacksons are. I honestly was having trouble breathing and was shaking head to toe. We went into this tunnel thing then a voice tells us we had to turn around. WTH?!?! Nate was all "look around, this is so cool" and I freaked out and yelled "get me out of here!"

We get to the end and there was the 6th chainsaw man to chase us out. The Jacksons were ahead of us so he went after them and I quickly tried to find another way out. Wasn't one. But he got a good scare out of them and only swung it at me once or twice.

I honestly have never felt my heart skip a beat and I'm pretty sure it did. I couldn't talk. I could barely breathe and I had to mentally get a grip because I was moments away from what felt like a heart attack. I know, I'm a big baby, but I cannot handle the chainsaws!

The rest of the weekend was a lot calmer :) Saturday we had a bbq with our neighbors and their boys who are the most energetic things I've seen. We sat there enjoying our wine and could tell the boys needed an energy outlet. So Nate says how about running up and down the stairs. Should wear them out right? 50 trips later we had to tell them to stop because we were worried they were going to pass out.

Waking up this morning we found our house cooled down to 65 degrees. Temperature dropped drastically over night. Yay! I love fall weather. So we got the coffee, cinnamon rolls, candles lit and enjoyed a lazy morning cozied up on the couch. Heaven if you ask me!

Looking Up Instead of Down

Warning to those who think I "brag" about my relationship with Nate - do not read this post. And if you don't necessarily think I brag but still roll your eyes, might as well stop reading this blog altogether ;)

Stress happens. A lot and always at the worst times. Come to think of it, there's never really a convenient time, it just sucks altogether. So lately there's been the usual stress, nothing special - work, life, lack of sleep, and OMIGOD WHY CAN I NOT CHOOSE A WEDDING DRESS?? So this week started off pretty roughly and with a very poor attitude. Got through the always-dreaded Monday and focussed on the endless to-do list for the week realizing I had no clue how to prioritize my week or pull of the to-do list.

When I stress I have the strangest nightmares, and they're scarily vivid. So last night I had nightmares about zombies. Yeah, sometimes I wonder too if I'm older than 5 years old. But it happened and made me shoot up out of bed. Tried to go back to sleep and then I hear the rare occassion of obnixiously loud work going on at the FedEx warehouse a short distance behind our house. Beep. Beep. Beep. BANG BANG BANG. Why do people work at 2am?? Yes, I realize the answer to this is so we can get our packages on time, but for crying out loud!

I looked over at Nate, sound asleep unphased by my constant rolling, sighing out loud, and I swear he had a slight peaceful smile on his face, enjoying every moment of the sleep I was missing. I secretly wanted to bop him over the head with my pillow out of jealousy. Calm down, I didn't do it.

So when the alarm went off after what felt like 3 hours of sleep, I wanted to call FedEx and tell them to knock it off after 11pm. Nate sensed my grumpiness, kept his distance, and would periodically give me "I'm trying really hard not to laugh at you but I do feel bad that you're grumpy" look. I told him I'm going to yell out the window like a crazy person if they decide to do work that loudly out back again tonight. I noticed the corners of his mouth twitch up a bit, trying hard to not giggle at me.

Of course, we were both running a little late so I drove him to the metro rather than him taking the shuttle. I simply told him I didn't want to talk about it and needed to just be grumpy. I got a few knee pats which said "ok babe" and we parted ways.

Came home tonight shortly before 8pm, throw dinner in the oven, collapse on the couch and Nate walks in the door with this....

Earplugs and a card that read "Guess who loves you today - same person who loves you every day, but today you get a card." Teared up because when I'm stressed I cry easily. Such a sweet, sweet man, love him!! It was exactly what I needed to put a smile on my face. The stress is still here but I have a reminder of how amazing my fiance is and at the end of the day that melts the stress.

It reminded me that I have a lot to be thankful for even amongst the drama called life.

It reminded me that life is only as stressful as you let it be.

It reminded me to look up instead of down.

Precious Moments in MI

Fair warning - this is that obnoxious post comprised of millions of pictures of my nieces' and nephew. I know, annoying proud Auntie moment but hey I'm allowed!

Nate and I went to MI this weekend for his friend Bethany's wedding. Why did we not take ANY pictures that night you ask? Not a fricken clue. So stupid, it was a breathtaking wedding at The Blue Dress Barn. Breathtaking doesn't even begin to describe it. The wedding was so magical and we found ourselves wanting to steal many ideas :) Many congrats to Bethany & Brian!

The next day we headed up to Lansing to hang out with some of the fam. These are the precious moments that I keep so very near and dear to me. I don't get to see the babes often and have to constantly hold back tears because I realize I'm missing so much - Alaina is talking, Taylor's walking, and Easton is crawling. Kenny and Marie are full blown tweens, no longer interested in dolls and GI Joes. They're all growing up a mile a minute and when we live far away we miss most of those minutes.

So I went a little overboard with pictures this trip and have every intention to continue going forward. Can never have too many!!

 Alaina swinging along with Kenny & Marie!

 Alaina asking Marie to show her how to play....

Jailbreak! (fuzzy pics brought to you by a crappy iPhone zoom). Alaina got the biggest kick out of Kenny joining her to yell down to the rest of us.

Contemplating how she should doodle on the iPad and talking to Kenny's friends playing Minecraft, she especially loves all their gadgets, naturally!

 Story time with Auntie Kyky!

The next day we went over to Aunt Cindy's and were so lucky to have Easton and Taylor join us!

More swing time!

Nate was determined to make Easton not afraid of him - success!

Some splashin time before closing the pool for the season :)

 Precious Taylor petting Alaina on the shoulder, so cute!!

I asked Alaina if she got her shirt wet... she decided to point to one little spot on her arm, not really noticing the entire shirt was soaked.

Goofy boy!

 Pow-pow Power Wheels!

 "Back away from my ride!"

Running from Kenny!

 Story time!

I know, it's roll your eyes time after picture overload, but aren't they so stinkin cute?!