Current River

In august I took off a few days to enjoy fun and friends. We headed to Current River in Missouri to go camping and canoeing. It was an overall interesting experience. I was car sick most of the car ride down which made that a less than enjoyable adventure, but once we got to camp I was ok rather quickly. We were given a 'quiet' campsite at Jason's Place Campground....For those of you who go camping...i would not call it a 'campsite'. It was more of a piece of land that you would set up camp on if there was not other land in the woods....covered in rocks and walnuts and a hill that was about at a 60 degree slant. I decided to be a snot and say no thank you, and I'm glad i did...they moved us to a nice grassy campsite that was only a 20 degree slant. Thank you campground staff :o)

We set up camp and made dinner over the fire. Ok so we were not roughing it when it came to meals. Friday we had Zesty Italian Chicken and Vegetables made in a foil pouch....yummy Saturday we had cream of mushroom pork chops on a bed of rices with veggies also prepared in a foil pouch. On the river we had salad kabobs and lunch meat subs. Breakfast was grab and go both days :o)

We had great weather all weekend, it only rained a bit at night. The campsite bathrooms disgraceful....took public restrooms to a whole new level. really the woods would probably have been a better choice :o) And showers...well if you like to pay to take a shower in a nasty bathroom then fine, we chose the river and pool...lol. the car ride home was worse than the car ride there if you know what I mean.

Our good camp site :o)

The s'more that makes all your troubles go away....heavenly

Love him!

I was worried we would not fit...but we did

I guess the little guy got tired and decided to catch a ride

love this place

Our little Canoe that traveled the 16 miles with us...

Our partners in crime just enjoying the day

It was a beautiful day....Missouri has a lot to offer beauty wise.

He is lucky we never tipped due to his ornryness

Rednecks....hello Mullet (so you know, that is a woman)

This guy would stand and paddle, lay down and use his hands, and just chill....he was quite entertaining.

Redneck central....our school bus ride to the river. (read the sign)

Overall great trip....who wants to go with us next year?

San Antonio

Weddings weddings weddings....

There have been so many weddings lately, and this weekend we were off to Texas for Micah's cousin's wedding. Much to my dismay the battery in my camera was DEAD as soon as i turned it on at the wedding, sooo no pics for me, But i stole a few from facebook.

We drove to Texas, trying to save money...16 hours there and 16 hours back. Drove through IL, MO, OK, and TX. I loved every minute of it because i was not the one behind the wheel. We left Tuesday evening at 4:30, stopped over night in OK, and then arrived at our hotel in San Antonio around 3:30 on Wednesday. We had a wonderful dinner with some of Micah's cousins. Never a dull moment with 3 of the 4 brothers :o) Thanks for the entertainment Eric, Michael and Jon.

Thursday we entertained ourselves after visiting the cousins again. We helped uncle dave deliver stuff to the wedding house and got ourselves a little tour. Basically it is a couple's house that we would consider a mansion. They are friends of the family and let people get married there all the time. Lets just say, yikes. They have a beautiful stream running through the back yard, 12000 sq ft of pure beauty in their house of 7 bedrooms, A pool to die for, and a work out house (literally bigger than a 'normal' house). They are wonderful hosts. They left for the weekend and stayed in another house of theirs so that the wedding party from out of town could live in their house until the wedding. They are Christians and just love helping others out they say. When it was pouring 2 days before the wedding (luckily it stopped) they actually considered moving all of their furniture out of the house so Kelly could get married inside rather than out in the horrible weather. After seeing all their furniture, if it had been me, the thought would never have crossed my mind. So thank you Wedding House owners for placing others needs/wants before your own we could all take lessons. We are so glad the weather was beautiful the whole weekend so everything could go as planned.

From the pool looking onto the back corner of the house. (stolen from facebook)

No, not the front of the house, this is the workout house :o) Haha yes i would be willing to live in this.

That afternoon we went went to the Riverwalk. For those of you who have not been there...it is basically a man made river running through the city with sidewalks. It is pretty but something i would only do once. There are restaurants along the river so that was kinda nice because you could sit and have a nice dinner in a pretty place....but if they want me to recommend it i would say put shops along the whole thing instead of food and i would be there every day :o). You can get into the mall from the riverwalk but that's not the same as walking from store to store along the river. But we did it and it was enjoyable. You can also take a little boat cruise (with or without dinner) which is kinda neat. I didn't take pics, so i stole them from the website so you have an idea of what it is.

Restaurant along river.

Pretty waterfall they built along the river.

The little boats you can ride around...I think dinner on one would be fun but a plain 'ole ride would be quite boring!!

Friday we ran some errands for the family (wedding stuff!!) and then had lunch with the rest of the cousins that were arriving by plane. I think there were 13 of us at lunch...yummy mexican. Then that evening we were off to the rehearsal dinner. Where it was more fun time visiting with cousins. And we got to see sonograms of the newest little cousin to be arriving in February....Congrats Michael and Amy!!!

Saturday the boys went golfing and i snuck away to some outlets :o) I stuck to my budget and was very proud of my 'winnings.' Lets just say I got lots and lots of winter clothes for about 1/3 of the actual price, the only way i shop. When Micah saw it all on the bed his face kinda dropped as he asked how much i spent. And when i told him the total price should have been $350 but I only spent was $100 he was like...WOW, and he got 2 dress shirts out of the deal so it was an easy sell. And everything bought is actually needed seeing as neither of us have bought clothing since be have been married, and living in CA didn't allow for the need of winter clothes. but we should be set for winter now.

In the afternoon we were off to the wedding. BEAUTIFUL. That's really the only way to describe it. Congrats Michael and Kelly Gundersen.

Stating their personal vows...(stolen from facebook)

Sunday was spent celebrating Grandpa's birthday (early) while having lunch at the Hermann's (cousins). We then snuck off to the Alamo before driving back to IL.

(photos coming soon)

It was 85 degrees and sunny when we headed off on our 16 hour drive home. We slept at the border of OK and MO and finished the drive monday. And when I awoke from my slumber in the car it was a horrific sight....Rain, clouds, and 40 degree weather. I believe that is when i began to cry :o)

Haha, welcome home to Midwest fall/winter.

But it was a wonderful trip! Thanks to the Hermann's for entertaining us the whole time we were in town :o) And CONGRATS to a beautiful new couple.

Homecoming Weekend at Carthage

I was really missing my Sisters and Friends from Carthage, so what better way to reconnect that heading to Homecoming. We had a Chi Omega Reunion on Friday night which was wonderful (Thanks Amy A for hosting it) It was amazing catching up with sisters from my pledge class, those older, younger, and even some I had never met before. Different sisters were in and out throughout the evening but it was definitely too much fun for all of us! Can't wait til the Next reunion. Miss all those who could not join us. And for the two sisters we lost this year, you were there in our hearts for sure. Love you Katie and Angie.

The ladies who were there during picture time. Some had scattered by this point and others were just arriving. LOVE YOU ALL. And a special thank you to all the dates who, after dating Chi Omega's for many years, have learned that picture time is their time to shine as well. They grab the cameras and start clicking. Cracks me up because we don't even ask anymore, they just follow and click.

Nikki, Me, Laura, and Liz. Laura and Liz were bridesmaids in my wedding...and best friends...and roommates...and neighbors... And Nikki is one of my favorite little XO....we have a special bond, right Nik. You all saved my life in college. Sometimes literally

This was right after Laura got down on one knee asking me to be her bridesmaid in her wedding next august. Of course she already asked me before this night, but wanted to make sure I was not gonna back out...haha Love you Future Mrs. Leys

My favorite Heather and my favorite Liz....in the Micah Photo shoot. You really should see the 15 pictures he took of us.

We spent saturday morning at the parade. Although there were not hundreds of people there like usually, it was wonderful to remember the good times when i was actually a student. Chi Omega's were shining brighter than all the others in the parade that is for sure. We love you girls, Keep Carrying on the XO Love.

The ladies were pirates. Had absolutely nothing to do with the theme but they couldn't think of anything so they decided this would be fun. ... And that is one more reason i love Chi Omega. And i must they are the best looking pirates i have Ever seen.

Immediately following the parade it is tradition for different organization to set up booths and sell food!! So we wandered over that way to see what there was yummy to eat. And in the process I was able to get an update on CAC (Colleges Against Cancer)...The organization I started in my 4 years at Carthage (through American Cancer Society). So thanks to everyone who prayed for me while we were in the process of getting it started, and thanks to those who

celebrated with me when we had our first Relay For Life at Carthage....and many many many Thanks to those who have continued to carry on CAC after i left. It is so wonderful to see how it has grown in the 2 years since i have been gone...it is in Good Hands!!! I was also able to catch up with some of my favorite professors during this time (Love you Dr. Blaine (AKA MOM)...and many of my friends. I love the warmth of reuniting with the people who shared my life for 4 years. The connection never seems to fade no matter how many miles we are apart. Thanks for the memories.

And as we were leaving we decided to spend a little bit of time on 'our rock' by the Lake.

When Micah came with me on move in day at carthage, this is where we said our goodbye's, and where we spent many many many many many moments just sitting throughout the 4 years. I often went there when I was missin home, or stressed, or just wanted to look at the beautiful Lake. It was great to enjoy the beautiful weather together.

My home for 4 years.....and outside of winter it is the most wonderful place in .....WI. So it doesn't measure up to many places i have been, but for a college home it was perfect. Lake Michigan is big enough you can imagine you are walking along the ocean on your way to class every morning....

And since I promised I would not bore Micah with a weekend of all MY friends, we headed out early Saturday afternoon to go visit Micah's old roommate and his family. It was wonderful visiting with you Raz and Autumn come see us soon! And Welcome little baby Carter....he is too cute for words, what a blessing.

A warm weekend in FREEZING Kenosha

Sometimes you just need time away with some great friends. It has been entirely too long since I lived in Kenosha with some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I didn't realize how much I missed being in Kenosha until I was back.

It all worked out wonderfully with schedules and getting everyone into town at once. I was really in need of a bridesmaid weekend and it could not have been better. I drove the horrid 5 hour(should have been 3 hour) drive up to WI to be greeted by my favorite roommate...Laura Lu. She was kind enough to be my roommate once again for the weekend. It was so nice to just catch up for the evening and play with her little puppy. It was also exciting because another wonderful friend, Brit, is now Laura's new roommate so I got to see her too. It really is a huge adjustment from College to real life. You get used to being able to run down the hall and have 50 wonderful friends there whenever you need them...then being stripped of that luxury is really difficult.

Mike taking out the puppy so we didn't have to freeze :o)

My favorite roommate Laura!

Saturday we spent the day running around town, shopping, enjoying life in Kenosha, and just remembering the good old days. In the evening we joined up with the rest of the bridesmaids and friends. It was Courtney's birthday so we all went to our favorite Mexican place in Racine, Hose's Blue Sombrero. It was just as wonderful as I remember, and then we all headed to the house (the place to be across from campus).

Part of the group- Mal and her BF, Court, Kyle and Brit...

missing Liz, Laura, Mike, Dave, Sarah, and James

Myself and the Birthday girl - Court

XO's Brit and Liz

Sunday was spent on campus visiting with the XO sisters who remain. It was great to run around the floor and see happy faces. I just couldn't get enough and 1 weekend was just not enough time. We tried not to spend too much time in rooms on the floor since the whole group had be struck by the Pink Eye...thats the bad think about living on campus. You share your closets, secrets, and germs hah. All of the ladies were getting ready for their final recruitment party and they got some WONDERFUL new sisters. I miss you all and am so proud of how you are leading Chi Omega.

Laura-thanks for the wonderful weekend and for being an incredible host.

Court- I am so glad i got to celebrate your birthday with you! Love you

Liz- i wish i was still in San Diego so i could see you every other week when you are there on business...maybe we can convince Micah i need to be back there!!!

XO's - miss you all and love you all

Mike - thanks for letting me claim your girlfriend for the weekend :o) And thanks for the frosted animal crackers haha.

Honeymoon Bliss

Destination: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Resort: RIU Palace (All Inclusive)

Our Room when we got there...with our little Dinosaur Towel to greet us

Every Night they turned our bed down for us and put little Hershey Kisses at the corners of our bed.

The endless supply of alcohol in our room....yes in our room (we didn't even drink any, but it was cool that it was there)

Off our balcony

The pool, at night obviously. Those chair things are places to tan...and some people decided they were great places to tan topless. Funny thing about topless women on the beach....none of them are even slightly fit. They are all fat nasty old people....Micah was quite disappointed

Ohhh i love the beach

Towel swans. Micah and i taught ourselves to make these and anyone who visits will get a little present on their bed

Fancy Dinner....They expect everyone to get wine but Micah wanted Pepsi so they put it on ice where our wine would have been. haha

My Dinner...it was seriously amazing

Desert, even better. Ice cream on one side, and a 'muffin' chocolate brownie that was filled with hot fudge. I hate cake...but when i tasted this i was amazed!

Fountains, pool past the fountains, and swim up pool bar behind that.

We decided one of our "honeymoon memories" was a painting. This man painted it for us while we watched and did it all using spray paint. it was amazing!

He then put a sealant on it and heated it with the flame!!

My blue drink that i didn't like AT ALL

Me and the Hubby waitin for dinner

Room Service....yes all inclusive means you can order room service anytime you want. So we did :o)

Mexican party, free tequila shots. They were free all week but this was the only time that there was a cool set up.

Toured Tulum one day. basically a bunch of rocks that they call Mayan Ruins. It was rather interesting though

I like this place

Horse Back Riding. Micah and Pirate his horse.

Me and Prince....The ranchers liked me so they gave me the best horse

Riding around on the beach

Some Wave Running with my lovely hubby

Mexican Traditional dancing. Rather cool

Eating at Margaritaville...I find it funny to see prices that look like USD but are really not. Divide by 10 and that is USD

Last Day saying by to the beach