Birthday Recap!

When we last left our adventurous young heroine.....

I promised more pictures of Geo's visit to WI! Like I said before, it was supposed to be a 2week stint, but due to epic stress, it was shortened to a week :( But it's like he's still here in spirit because despite multiple vacuuming attempts, there is still dog hair EVERYWHERE. Ugh. While Geo-dude was here, I tortured him by taking him to a doggie coffee shop in Milwaukee! It was cute - he wasn't so amused. I did make him try on some backpacking gear too! He looked so handsome! More Geo's speed...I took him walking through this awesome dog park that's HUGE! It's all off-leash, but there are no fences so poor Geo had to stay leashed up, but it was nice. Despite the hectic nature of his visit, it still didn't seem to hamper my "I wish I had a dog around all the time" feeling.

Geo looks excited here! Ready to go hiking!

There were more interesting things to look at in the park than the camera.

Then of course...my birthday came (and then went.....) I went back home to MI one last time to celebrate with the familia and say au reviour to my mama. Even though it was a short visit, it was fun! Mom and I went to the Women's Expo and met up with my friend Meg. You know the economy sucks when you don't get as many free handouts as you want, but oh well. We did try on these sexy sexy glasses though. (Again, One at a time please gentlemen, there's enough of us to go around!)

Hubba hubba ding ding! You won't see this in a Playboy magazine!

We of course did the cake thing (red velvet! YUMMY!)

And yes, I did blow out my one candle on the first try - thankyouverymuch :P

And my birthday gift this year was many appreciated contributions so I could buy my new fancy smancy bicycle!!!! It was more expensive than I wanted, but once I test rode it, I was hooked! Now if only spring would come so I could get on it and ride!!! I'm so excited It even has a super obnoxious bell so I will adequately be able to terrorize the residents of Milwaukee! (To those interested (ahem- Dad) go here to see more: Trek Soho )

Sure most people here own Harley's....but I was never one to be part of the crowd!

I was able to go out for a pre-birthday/St. Patty's day drink with my friend Michelle from work (Thanks for inviting me out!!!) And the next day I took myself shopping, gave myself a mani-pedi and had a delish dinner of manicotti. Jim took me out to the local casino for Night Owl Bingo! You can deduce from the photos below how well we did....

These are the looks of exhaustion and defeat.

Sunday, Jim also took me for continued birthday celebrations down to Chicago for a visit to the Field Museum! We saw lots of dinos (awesome) and most importantly, we saw SUE the T-rex! Check out our pictures! Anyone who thinks museums aren't fun clearly haven't gone with me to one!

\Ta-dah! Arrival!

Doing my best T-rex impression in front of SUE (my favorite part of the museum!)

We even saw a 3D movie about SUE - and we did so looking badass

I found it hilarious that there were "tot toilets" in the restroom! They were so mini (and yes, I chose to go in that stall for shits and giggles (literally - haha!) )

The environmentalist inside of me is crying....

Like in Michigan, climbing past guardrails is fun!

Going back to my roots (at least on my maternal side!) Eh!

Pretending we're vacationing in paradise rather than cold, rainy Chicago!

Jim displaying his sex appeal on the ancient egyptian cot.

Jim hitting on the Neanderthal woman. Typical male....

I took off my shoes to go into the sacred New Zealand hut thing they had (any excuse to take my shoes off is a good excuse!)

What's a birthday trip without STREET MEAT! (Yes mom, I admit it, I love street meat!)

The trip concluded with a visit to the brand new Cheese Castle (Where I bought some gouda and strawberry rhubarb wine!) It was glorious!

All in all, it was a splendid birthday. I hope next year's is better though! And to those of you who haven't heard yet...I'm going to New Zealand in November! It's still a LONG ways away, but I'm excited! Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday special! See you soon!

I've got no clever title for this one

It's been a month! Time to update! Take a walk back in time with me as I reminisce about everything that has been going on!

Valentine's Day weekend, I took Jim snowboarding (for his first time!) We couldn't have asked for a better day to go! It was about 45 degrees and blue skies! I'd like to attribute my amazing teaching skills to how well Jim did on the slopes, but it was mostly all him. I remember my first time going (ah yes, lots of falling, swearing, etc etc).... Not to say Jim didn't fall (and being an excellent teacher and supporter, I of course laughed) but he did significantly better than my first time and his presence made me feel infinitely better (and cooler!) at my own skills!!!

The "usual position" of new snowboarders

Getting the hang of it!

Close up! Aren't I cute?! haha

Another weekend event was another hockey game (which I LOVE! They are so stinking fun!) Of course we won again - woot woot. There was no racing cheese this time, BUT there was a ice skating juggler! Where the hell do event coordinator find these people? I want their job! "Hmmm, what stupid thing can we find to fill in between periods......" These must be the same people who put on the puppy bowl and the kitty half time show on animal planet every year at the super bowl time (and if you don't know what I'm talking about, consider yourself blessed)

I can make fun of this all I want, but I still couldn't do it!

The end of February I took a trip back home to spend some quality time with my mama before her big move! We decided to go to the public museum to see the Bodies Revealed exhibit. It was very interesting (but actually really really gross!) We also goofed around the museum a little bit and rode the carousel. We were the oldest ones riding, but clearly the ones having the most fun at it!

No cameras were allowed in the exhibit :( But here's the before shot!

Mom and I after the exhibit (which the faces we had the majority of the time walking around!)

"Hey mom, climb into that exhibit so I can take a picture!"
"Um...am I allowed to do that?"
"Probably not, but go ahead anyway"

"John, is that you?"

One of my favorite parts of any museum - the 'old town'

Our carousel ride! It hurt our rumps!

I also had another chance to go snowboarding with Nick and finished my weekend off by attending Erich and Laura's Oscar party! I didn't make any guesses on who would win, which was probably for the best because I think I had only seen one or two of the movies nominated for anything!

Getting geared up

Waiting in line (next to this guy with a huge ginger afro!!)

All the girls on the red carpet!

I brought Geo back with me for a Wisconsin visit. It was supposed to be a 2 week visit, but it's getting cut down by a week due to dog and cat arguments, severe stress on my part (works been nuts! I had to deal with a stab wound trauma patient earlier in the week - my first experience ever with that), and cabin fever on Geo's end (despite multiple trips to dog parks). I'll say more on that (with pictures) on my next update though. I hope all has been well with you! Let the countdown to my birthday begin :)