JUNE!!!!

I'm not even going to try and come up with a creative title like I normally do, because I have missed so many events that I now have to summarize them all with the name of the month. So silly that I can't find time, but I really can't!! Between my new job, summer hours (more daylight to be outside), and summer weekend travel....the free time has been minimal my friends. All good reasons, but still doesn't make the blog up to date!
So without making you wait much longer I'm going to TRY and summarize our month thus far by events!!!

Event #1: Rendezvous!!!
What you are thinking is exactly what it was!! The company AK works for pays for an all expense paid weekend for each of their employees and s.o.'s (significant others) to attend this weekend getaway and this year it happened to be located in Galena, IL. I had only driven through Galena, and was excited to check it out as was AK. It happens to be the loveliest little place that is the epitome of a quaint little town. We were put up at the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa, so we had a condo to ourselves, we were provided with more food and adult beverages than one should have in 2 days, and we had excursions to keep us entertained....AK opted for golf and I opted for the spa. We both won. But anyways this weekend was just amazing. I got to get to know and meet more of the cool people that AK works with along with getting a chance to mingle with their better halves, which in most circumstances were more wives. It really was a lovely weekend and again it was a great escape from the usual hustle bustle of "city life!" And after attending this event, it made me even more proud of AK for working so hard and landing such a great gig with such a great company!!

i love the bright colors!!!

casino night at rendezvous....the boys were bellied up all night!!!

big laugh!!

the cute couple. Miranda+Bryan

expecting in September....super cute!!

can't stop laughing!!!

so pretty! and notice the big tent....yes we were all served a wonderful sit down dinner with unlimited cocktails!! :))

Event #2: Meg and Micah return!!!
I'm sure you've read this a few times on and off over the past year, but if not, let me just explain. Our good friends Meghan and Micah got married last summer and following their nuptials they sold their belongings and each packed a back pack and were off for a year of travel/extended honeymooning to Europe/India/New Zealand, etc (yeeah, they are cool). So, after a year away, you can imagine how excited we were for them to land back on U.S. soil, and it just so happens that Meg was driving through Chicago on her way back to Denver so we were the lucky hosts for a night and I was the lucky co-pilot for a wonderful 16 hour drive out West!!! :) I can't complain though, because it was absolutely wonderful to see her and to be able to talk freely without Skype disconnecting us!! It was fun to show her a few of our favorite spots in Chi-town, and it was also fun to return to Denver with her and spend an evening with 3 of the best gals I know. We talked, we laughed, we learned about new love interests, we ate pizza, and we drank more than enough wine all while sitting around on a patio in our sweats and pony tails....#perfectnight!!!!! Meg and Micah we are thrilled for you and your wordly experiences, but we are even more thrilled you are "home" safe and sound!!!

they're baaaackkkk!!!!

good friends!!!

highlands street fair....fun! fun!

faces!!! cute! love these girls!

Event #3. Boating!!!!
This past weekend we were invited to go boating on Lake Michigan!!! AK has gotten to know a pretty cool dude (who happened to grow up in Iowa....just sayin!) that he works with and I happen to think his wife is as fabulous, if not a little better!! :) Anyhow, they have a boat that they dock on the lake, and they were kind enough to invite us to go with them. I'm not sure if there is anything I enjoy more than being on a boat on a hot summer day and when you're over looking Chicago....it's that much sweeter (believe it or not!). The sights, the lake, the people watching....all of it was fantastic and we enjoyed ourselves immensely and good thing we were well behaved, because we really hope to be invited again!! :)) And the day only confirmed my long term goal of owning a lake house some day!! A girl can dream, right???

boats in the harbor with the city in the background!

the skyline!!

a different angle....my personal preference b/c dead center you can see the trump building!!!

i love this picture!

also a cool shot as you can see navy pier on the right hand side!! 

As you can tell, our summer is off to a great start and we plan on it continuing!! People weren't kidding when they said "wait until June, Chicago will change for the better!" I will finally admit they are correct. Last Sunday, I'm not sure I would have been anywhere else....believe it or not!! ;))

I Love Home......and much more!!

This past weekend I was able to spend the entire weekend with my family, which was just what the doctor ordered. It's no secret (via Facebook) that "real" city life (I say "real" b/c we now realize Denver, CO is not a "real" city) wears on me so heading home to the sticks was a nice change of pace. I got to escape traffic, loud noises and the general hustle bustle!!!! Why do I like home so much?? I ask myself that a lot, because in all reality Eldora is a small little town with essentially 1 of everything that happens to reside on the IA river. But I've come to the conclusion that, some of my favorite people live there, the smell is always refreshing and spending time at our house is always a treat!! Life is easy and when I visit, everyone is always happy to see me....LOVE THAT!!! :)  I'm also lucky, because my parents have lived in the same place my whole life and I've never really had to uproot on their behalf....thanks guys!!
So while I was home I ran at Pink Lake, caught up with old friends, shopped a little with my momma, enjoyed sitting on my parent's peaceful deck, attended a graduation reception of a lovely, lovely young lady, and watched Cade (my nephew) dominate in baseball!! He's such a stud!!! :)
It was a terrific weekend and I would not know what to do without this wonderful familiar place I call home. I sometimes think the Beer of this equation thinks I'm silly for loving home so much, but the more and more I take him there, I think he's starting to see the light. I do happen to love the fact that he is so willing and supportive to make the trek to IA often and jump right in to be a part of our wonderful family. Unfortunately this trip he stayed back, but it's not like I left him alone with a stress fractured foot....what kind of fabulous girlfriend would do that?? Instead I sent him on his way in the car up to Northern MI to help his parents prepare the cottage for summer!!! Probably was the perfect place for him as my sympathy is limited and his mom's is over pouring as she has a pretty kind soul wrapped in a lot of patience!!! :) LOVE THAT as well!!
Last but not least, there is some bittersweet news from the weekend.....my parents sold our house that they currently live in and are planning to build another one starting next spring on the new property they bought by the river!! Even though the spoiled brat in me made them feel incredibly guilty for doing so, I'm very happy for them. They have worked so hard and deserve their dream home!!! I'm just very sad for me as I love the home I grew up in and love even more all the memories that surround our home. I think mostly because I don't technically have a home of my own and I still consider that my home (and probably always will be to some extent). And hopefully sooner rather than later, I will have a home of my own or our own (depending on how nice Beer is:). Really I am happy for them and I know it was a tough decision to sell, but I would be lying if I said I didn't cry the whole way down the road as I was leaving on Sunday!! Ho-hum!!! ;)
But here is to enjoying the last few months on 237th Street, to welcoming a new family to Eldora (the new superintendent bought it), and to building and DECORATING a new home (I hope Pottery Barn is well stocked!!)!!!!!! :)

So without further ado....enjoy the pics of the weekend!! (they ended up in a silly order and I'm in hurry so take it or leave it!!) :)))

I LOVE THIS HOUSE!!!!! in full bloom and everything!!!

a sunset at the lake....always a beautiful sight!! (and stolen cold handed from Peggy's Facebook page.....thank you!!!)

I love this pic of AK...so relaxed and in one of his favorite environments!!!

big pitcher!!!!

had to have been a strike!!!!

and strike 2!!! he is seriously a treat to watch play....definitely a talented dude!!!

so serious!!!

all 4....emma, jack (in front of me), tommy (on my shoulders) and cade (the ball player). PRETTY. DARN. CUTE!!!

i left them to go tubing and they left me to drive back....it was a tough decision. love the cut offs, the "tubing hat" and I. Love. Them!!!!

quick stop in the IC.IA to celebrate a graduation (no pics, sorry) and to keep an eye on kinnick and my first place of employment (UIHC in the background)!!! 

 

Happy late Memorial Day my friends!! And a quick shout out to some of my favorite veterans....my Dad, my grandpa Spieker, and my grandpa Kenny.....all very special men and I'm happy to know them and to have known them!!! :))

I think that's all for now.....