Way Back {When}sday

Two years (and two days!) ago, on my mom's Birthday, my sister had her baby! 

Here's the first time I went to visit when Lizzie was five weeks old:

And here she was yesterday, playing with the toys Andrew and I got her for her Birthday!

She's such a big girl, and don't even get me started on those pigtails! Cute!

OK and here's a video of her learning to walk...really it's a succession from crawling, to walking, to swinging, and all of the adorable smiles in between. It makes me misty-eyed every time!

Ugh. Tears. hahaha I miss that little tike!

Proud

Today I am reminded of where I was 11 years ago

of the fear and uncertainty we all felt

and of the pain we saw on TV. 

I also recall the unity in the aftermath.

I am so proud to be an American. 

Never forget.

{av} put it perfectly: "Regardless of where you were 11 years ago, you and I are here today. On days like today, I realize just how blessed we are to even be able to dream."
(Please go check out her post today)

Source: bhg.com via Morgan on Pinterest

Weekend Update

First of all, Happy Birthday to my mom and niece!!! I can't believe Elizabeth is 2 today!!!! :)
What a weekend! I am writing this after boot camp and boy am I wiped! You know what, though? Absolutely worth it. Let's break it down with the gals for a Weekend Update! First of all, Andrew and I went to Bruce Sprinsteen at Wrigley Field on Friday night! Our seats were incredible - we sat next to a pole, meaning the rest of the aisle was on the other side of the pole, meaning: no one crawled over us! It was like being in our own box seats! Oh and Bruce and the E Street Band? 

They were kind of amazing. 

A wee four hours after we called it a night we woke up and drove to Michigan! We couldn't wait to celebrate our friends' wedding. It was absolutely gorgeous! 

Oh and the reception?

That was kind of amazing, too.

The above pictures:

Since it was an outdoor wedding, the groom had to stand with his back to the bride before she officially walked down the aisle. Steph looked so beautiful and they both looked insanely happy! The wedding was along a beautiful lakeside scene with sailboats and sunsets! 

Remaining pictures: 

I tried a DIY updo and it held up through my crazy dancing so I'd say that's a success. Some of that dancing is at the bottom right. The bottom left is the view on the drive back into town, and Teddy cheering on the Steelers last night. Yes, they lost, but oh well. Can't win 'em all.

How was your weekend?

Friday's Fancies!

Happy Friday, party people!

The rain today isn't ruining my parade for I am PUMPED for the weekend! Why, you ask? Well, tonight Andrew and I are going to rock out with Bruce Springsteen at Wrigley Field. Tomorrow we're driving to north of Detroit to celebrate our friends' wedding, and Sunday we will have brunch with another friend before our adventure driving home and cheering on the Steelers!! I'm tired thinking about boot camp Monday morning, BUT it will be worth it!

Let's fast-forward to 5:30 pm, 'm kay? Please and thankyouvurrymuch.

Today over at {av}'s long distance loving blog the theme is the first day of school. The look she put together is so stinking cute you need to check it out! If I were to start grad school over again (I shudder at the thought!), I would LOVE to trot around the Georgetown Hilltop in the get-up pictured below. Sure, it's wayyyy too layered for the first day of school, but it's definitely fitting for the fall in DC. Or anywhere. I would like to wear this soon in Chicago, school or not.

Friday's Fancies Fall by mkrulia featuring tory burch

Head on over to long distance loving and check out the other outfits!
Hope you have a fun weekend!

Little Bit of Sass Thursday

It's been a busy week! I'm so happy it's flying because this weekend is packed with fun!
Here's some sass to hold us over until the weekend:

Source: buzzfeed.com via Mary on Pinterest

If a monkey can strike some sass, so can all of us. Those are words to live by, friends.

Source: via Mary on Pinterest

I might have to use this in the future...or at least think it.

Source: via Mary on Pinterest

I don't normally swear on the blog, but, sorry Mom, this is pretty funny.

Source: awesomephilia.com via Mary on Pinterest

Cleverness is one of my favorite things.

Source: polyvore.com via Mary on Pinterest

I audibly giggled when I read this. The ridiculousness factor is awesome with this one.

Source: imglols.com via Mary on Pinterest

Bah! So true!

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net via Mary on Pinterest

Don't you hate when that happens?
My favorite this week:

Source: bluntcard.com via Mary on Pinterest

Way Back {When}sday!

I am so excited it's already the middle of the week. Today I'm linking up with Rachel from Can't Google Everything for a little throwback. It's my ode to football season.

Here's my first NFL experience, at a Redskins v. Steelers pre-season game in 2007. It was amazing. Until me and my girlfriends got lost after the game and couldn't find the Metro. Meh, details.

Here I am at my first Big 10 game, wearing Andrew's hat, cheering on the Spartans. 

(Yes, I'm from Ohio and have never been to an OSU game for fun. Just fundraisers for Theta Nu. The tickets are expensive.)

Here's my first Lions game with Andrew and our buddy, Kim. They grew up Lions fans and introduced me to the frustration that entails. 

Here I am at my first Steelers game at Hines Field in the 'burgh. Gosh it was so amazing I can't even describe it!!! 

(Plus, look how freaking cute Andrew is!!)

Annnnnd now I just want to kick back on the couch, throw back a few beers, and cheer on our teams! 

Are you ready for some football?

Weekend Update!

What a long weekend! Linking up with the gals to share in the fun!

My long weekend started as any should: on a Thursday. At the yearly company outing to the Cubs game...with an open bar. And then we went to another bar. And then I met Andrew for Greek food. Not too shabby, eh?

On Friday I had an interesting time at boot camp considering the previous night's activities. I muscled through (pun intended!) and then slept a couple more hours. That day we relaxed, watched football, and did our fantasy draft.

Saturday we headed to Saugatuck!!

The weather was absolutely perfect! We had so much fun, full of cooking and devouring delicious food, enjoying sweaty beach time, watching gorgeous sunsets, going on morning runs, and having lots of family time laughs. Andrew and I ventured into town on Sunday night to celebrate the unofficial end to summer (and a Tigers sweep of the Sox). Monday morning me and the ladies did the annual bridge walk, which is so super cute. It's meant to "compete" with the Mackinac Island Bridge Walk, but is only 0.10 miles...in other words, it's a hilarious small beach town tradition. 

It was tough to leave!

On the way back we stopped at the Michigan City outlets. We weren't impressed but came out with one good find each, so at least we didn't leave empty handed (or even more broke)!

What were your weekend highlights?