Engagement Party - Summer Soiree Style

Kicking off the wedding celebrations, my wonderful family threw us an engagement party in Iowa this past weekend.  Mom and Joe have been preparing their home for weeks to make it look just perfect.  Mom and Alice did an amazing job of decorating and adding all those special touches that made the party feel extra special. 

We all traveled home Thursday night, on Friday Mom, Joe, Bart and I went into town and got some big things accomplished!  We got Joe a suit for the wedding, Bart a suit for the wedding, stopped and saw the dress mom picked out and officially ordered it, and Bart and I got our wedding rings!  I was soooooooo excited to finally get the rings as this is something Bart and I have been researching and looking and looking and researching and FINALLY found 2 perfect rings :-).  Couldn't be happier!  Michael at Shamrocks is even giving Bart a great idea for our one year anniversary (gotta love having a family friend that is a jeweler)!!  After a nice lunch at the view we went home to start setting up for the party.  Crissy and Miss Elly came out for a visit - that little baby is so freaking cute, walking and all!!  The boys set up a tent which after taking a couple hours to complete, Joe promptly decided he didn't like it and took it back down (man I love a perfectionist!!). 

Josh and Boogie got in a little pool time

My furry nephew lounged in the sun watching his little brother.

Saturday morning it was time for the final touches and setting up for the big party!  Everything looked absolutely wonderful!

 True Iowa style, we have a huge trough of beer... I'm pretty sure this was Bart's favorite part of the decorations :-)

Josh kept saying that there was a homeless man that kept hanging around... he ended up staying for the party.

This was the first time that our families met!  It was so wonderful that everyone was able to join the party and meet each other. 

Bart, Andy, Ala, and Monica

My parents, Bart's parents, Bart's Aunt/Uncle, Josh/Alice, Bart/Monica

Bart and I (before it got cold)

 My wonderful maid of honor Crissy! 

 All of my bridesmaids were at the party - look at that pretty bunch!! 

Alice, Me, Crissy, & Amanda

I cannot thank them enough for coming back to celebrate - it means so much to me that they were all there and kicking off the wedding celebrations.  I am one lucky girl to have these 3 ladies stand up with me on the big day!

Bart and I (after it got chilly)

So many relatives and neighbors and lots of people I may or may not have known came and drank and joined in the celebration.  Bart and I are so lucky to have these people in our lives, this experience would not be nearly as special or memorable without these people around us!  Bart's cousins Andrew and Laura surprised us by making the trip - not sure how I didn't get a picture with them - but we really loved the surprise and we're soooo glad they made it!!!

A huge huge huge huge thank you to Mom, Joe, Josh and Alice for throwing this summer soiree and making us feel like the luckiest kids in the world! 

Wisconsin visitors and a 4th of July trip to Northern Wisconsin

Summer is finally here and we're enjoying every (rainy) moment of it.  The end of June, Bart's parents came for a visit.  This was the first time they've been to our apartment.  I was really nervous, hoping it was clean enough and ready for new visitors.  Over the years, I've learned a lot from my sister-in-law about hosting out of town guests and tried to apply all my notes (ex: have a full set of towels ready for them when they arrive so they don't have to ask). 

Bart's mom arrived via Amtrack on Saturday afternoon, we went to pick her up and took the train and a bus to our neighborhood.  Marzena was excited to try out our dirty/smelly public transportation system and being the weekend of Pride, it was just that :-).  We walked around Division for awhile and had some lunch then came home to relax for the evening.

 Marzena and her "lalunia"

 Ladies who lunch

Sunday, Bart's dad also came for a visit, we went to a Chicago White Sox game and then spent the day walking around the city.

It was great to have Bart's parents come to visit and see where we live and our favorite spots.

4th of July weekend we were invited to go on a much needed getaway for northern Wisconsin to our friend Rick's lake house for the long weekend.  We were so eager to get away to a place where there was no cell phone reception, no Internet, nothing for a whole 5 days!!!  We left Wednesday after work and got to the Cabin right at sunset!

My good friend Jenn and her two kids celebrated with us at the cabin.  It was so great to catch up with Jenn and revisit her love for large pours of wine :-).  The next morning we woke up to the beautiful sight of nature and green and trees and water (things we don't see much here in the city.)

We spent our days in the lake floating on rafts, drinking margaritas and laughing a lot, I even talked everyone in the group into being pulled behind the boat on a tube, something we used to do a lot as kids.  I still had my skills but we were able to get Bart to take a bit of a tumble (he he he).  Rick bought the most amazing raft called the "Relaxation Station" its AMAZING!  Alex absolutely LOVED the water and played all day long without a peep.  We had fun paddle boating, jumping off the dock, tye dying t-shirts, and not worrying about a thing!

Friday night we went into town for a Fish Fry... I know what you're thinking... how did they get Monica to a FISH FRY??  Lucky for these clowns other options were offered.  We had the most amazing experience at the restaurant.  Jenn has two wonderful and amazing children, if you ever want to hear about our love for her children, Bart and I could talk about them all day long!  Jenn's son, Alex, has autism and sometimes can express himself in a loudish manner that will make people stare.  Sometimes I think people are rude or curious or ignorant or assholes or maybe just don't know what else to do.  Our waitress told us she is a special needs teacher and asked Jenn if she had certain apps for him to help him communication - it was really great that she was willing to offer her advise and kind words.  After dinner Rick took the kids for a walk on the lake and Jenn, Bart and I finished up our bevys, as we were leaving the couple next to us told us that her mother was a special needs teacher as well and she just wanted to compliment Jenn on how good of a mother she is and how well behaved her children were and that she was really impressed.  The whole dinner was just wonderful.  Jenn is a wonderful mother and I learned so much from her this weekend.  You know what, I also learned a lot from Katie this weekend, that girl is 10 going on 40 and the best big sister I've ever seen!  Do me a favor, next time you're in a restaurant and some one's child is upset, instead of staring offer up a smile or some nice encouraging words... you have no idea how much you may brighten someones day!

Jenn, Bart and I 

Saturday was another fun day in the sun followed by some evening sparklers... I mean it was 4th of July weekend and all..

Katie, Jenn and Bart - I have no idea what Katie is doing but I LOVE IT! 

YEP those are HOMEMADE TYE DYE shirts!!  I'll make one for ya if you want one ;-)

I'm consistently reminded of how lucky I am to have Bart in my life.  He played Mr. fix it, chef, bartender and was so wonderful with the kiddos.  I'm one lucky girl!

Sunday was a LOOOONNNNGGGG day it took us 8.5 hours to get home because of holiday traffic!!  We are so grateful to have friends like Rick to take us to this beautiful cabin, we cannot say thank you enough!

Oh and this is the ONLY picture I got of Rick the entire trip.  This is him spooning "road kill" the stuffed animal.  Yep he's flipping off the camera.. yep this is still getting posted since he wouldn't let us take any other pictures.  LOVE YOU RICKIE!!!!