The 12 Dates of Christmas (Part I)

Last year, a few bloggers that I follow were writing their versions of the  "12 Dates of Christmas." Many were actually going on 12 Christmas-themed dates with their significant other during December and taking magazine-quality pics to include in their posts. I think it would be seriously impressive if Joe and I were able to manage 12 dates in one calendar year!

However,  I really like this idea, so I've definitely expanded the definition of "date" to include play dates, lady dates, and basically any family outing or times with friends this month. (Just you watch. I'm really stretching with some of these ; ) 

Date #1 : Family sushi dinner! Ok, there's nothing remotely Christmas-y about this, but it was still a great time. If you haven't noticed by now, Joe and I have basically traded in our 10-year obsession with Chipotle for an obsession with Kyoto. Whenever I'm not up to cooking... we kind of always end up here and now the kids really like fried rice.

Date #2: Meeting Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton! I don't think this qualifies as a date really by any means... more like a lifelong dream come true! He was in town promoting Nationals next month and I heard he was making appearance in a couple of northwest suburbs. And I kind of dragged the girls with me to meet him. Honestly, Cece was way more pumped about meeting Snowplow Sam. I, however, couldn't stop smiling and was as starstruck as a girl gets and wanted to tell him my whole life story and all about my mediocre skating career, but that didn't happen. Instead, I told him about Cece's upcoming dance recital and he got down to her level and wished her good luck. Heart melted. he's just as nice in real life as he is on TV. I'm so glad we got this opportunity!

Date # 3: Cece's winter dance recital! (Do we know how to embrace arts and culture or what?) This was previously posted on the blog, but it deserves another mention as it was adorable. (And the pizza after-party at the Olsons wasn't shabby either.)

Date # 4: Daughter date to the Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul! There is a cool new Medieval exhibit there, but the girls' favorite activities always seem to be the ones that include splashing around in water. 

Date #5: Night out at Cece's preschool Christmas program! I love that her school does this. Being one of the big kids this year, she got to shake some jingle bells in addition to showing off her singing skills. We attended a little Christmas cookie reception afterwards and I think that was Rosie's favorite part.

Date # 6: Dinner at Barrio in Edina. And it was a real date; I wore a dress and lipstick and we got a babysitter and everything. We ordered too many tapas (or at least I did) , had some uninterrupted conversations, dessert, and didn't have to do any dishes afterwards. The only downside to this date was that Joe decided that he loves Tres Leches cake and wants me to learn how to bake it. (HA!)  It was quite an indulgent date, and you bet I made it to Zumba this morning to work off all those tacos.

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The following pics have nothing to do with the "12 Dates of Christmas." They are just some more fun shots from my phone, including my holiday manicures (wahoo, Jamberry!), some cute Christmasy pics of our house, a mall outing with Rosie (we got lucky and got to listen to some holiday music!), and lots of cozy snuggle time and story-reading. Winter is sure the best time for snuggling. Cuddling in the summer just makes people hot and crabby in the I've found...

I know your December is probably crazy busy, but I hope you've had some moments of calm and coziness in between all of the festivities!

Stay tuned for part II of the 12 Dates of Christmas!

And we're off to join the circus...

I decided for my 29th birthday that I wanted to check off a bucket list item and take a flying trapeze class. It took a little effort to pick a date and arrange for a babysitter. But we made it happen!

And I wanted Joe to take it with me, of course. Even though he warned me that he might be really amazing and I might get jealous of his skills. (Obviously.)

Here is a video of each of us during our first class, successfully making our first "catch."

 I would highly recommend Twin Cities Trapeze Center for anyone who enjoys, well, anything fun!  I seriously feel like I've fallen in love. I find my mind constantly wandering back to trapeze and smiling whenever I'm thinking about it. And I'm trying to figure out when I can go back next.  Even though climbing the ladder, standing on the platform, and grabbing the bar was nothing short of terrifying, the thrill and exhilaration I felt once in the air was just incredible. I mean, come on, it's FLYING!

Love Rocks

 

Over the weekend, we attended a wedding for a couple of rock stars. My friend and former teammate Rachel married her Jeff over the weekend in a seriously rocking fashion. The ceremony was at the Loring Pasta Bar and the reception was at the Varsity Theater which set the stage for an evening of fun and shenanigans (particularly at table #12...).

If there's one thing I'm sure of in life, it's that these ladies are the very definition of a fun time. It has meant so much to me to stay in touch with this group over the years, long after we've graduated and hung up the pom poms. (Just a few of us pictured here!)

 Post college, some have move across the country and some have moved across the world. We've gotten married, had babies (like yours truly), have gone on to MORE school, and have pursued grown-up careers. No matter what directions our lives are moving in,  it's still pure fun when we can get together at a happy hour, wedding, or generally any event where we can still be "WOO" girls.

I am so thrilled for Rachel. We were two-of-a-kind during our Gopher hockey cheerleading days (being in the same line, having the same name, her lifting me in the air, all stuff that will bond two people.) I have such admiration for her eternal optimism, intelligence, steadfast determination, and sweet and generous spirit. 

Congrats again to the happy couple! It's clear that the world is cheering for you guys and you're going to have a beautiful and blessed life together.

Did I mention that even Joe had a good time? He did! PROOF! ^^^

The Cutest Third Wheel Ever

Sometimes, it can be challenging to come up with the time, energy, and babysitter for a date night. But when Joe and I can go, one of our favorite things to do is climb at Vertical Endeavors and follow it with all-you-can-eat sushi at Kyoto. (Because that's probably the healthiest way to consume sushi... first work up a ravenous appetite and then eat your weight in dragon rolls...)

Last month, we decided to take Cece with us. To put it simply, she is becoming quite the delightful little lady and loves getting in on grown-up time. 

After a good afternoon of climbing, we headed to part II of our date night. Using training chopsticks, Cece did an awesome job picking up and trying several different rolls.

Tucked right behind Kyoto in Minneapolis is Vera's Garden. We took a stroll and took some pictures before heading home. It's probably evident from all the smiles that we had an OK time ; )

A Vertical Endeavor

 

Not even an entire week into the new year and Joe and I have managed to go on a legitimate date! (High-fives all around.) Last fall we started going rock climbing fairly regularly at REI. Everyone there always talks about Vertical Endeavors, and over this weekend, we finally made it out there to see what all the fuss is about. Since we went on the weekend, the place was filled to capacity with people climbing walls like spiders. Lots of these climbers had seriously impressive skills.

 

 We took the tour, learned some more etiquette and safety, and learned how the self-belay systems work. We got to do several climbs and attempted bouldering (climbing without a harness or equipment, but not too high!) for the first time.

 

 

All of this fitness was, of course, followed by all-you-can-eat sushi with some of our friends. Life is about balance, right? Am hoping we can continue to make it out there and also go on more dates in general this year so we can become American Ninja Warriors continue to be adequately fit people and happy parents.

 

Four Years!

 

 

We FINALLY got around to going on a date to celebrate our anniversary! Life has felt a little hectic lately, but I suppose that is to be expected with a new-ish baby. For instance, just as we were about to leave for our date, Rosie basically exploded and I had baby poop all over my white jeans, new shirt, etc. Instead of gracefully leaving, I threw all of my clothes at Joe and told him to "Shout it out and run the sanitize cycle!" while I cleaned up Rosie. Of course, she was just smiling this entire time and I couldn't help but smile too.

 

This was the first date we have been on in three months (basically since Rosie was born). I had hoped to go on some sort of cutesy summery outing, but it was windy out, and I was HANGRY. So we just ended up going to Bubba Gump's which was nearby. Joe had never been there before and we stuffed ourselves silly with seafood and shrimp. We got a couple of drinks and appetizers and the time just flew as we talked. There wasn't even time to be taking photos of our food and playing with Instagram filters. It's funny how you can see each other everyday but can still spend a couple of hours "catching up."

 

It feels great to be celebrating another year of marriage. I won't lie, I feel mighty grown-up when I can say things lie "We've been married for four years." Or when I can reference "the kids" in conversations. It still blows my mind that we have kids. Plural. I love it. And I love you, husband.

 

Thank you for giving me a beautiful life and for working on it with me everyday. As important as it is to celebrate each year of marriage, I think it's also important to be proud when you make it through another month, week, and day of marriage. There are certainly tough, tough moments in between all of those anniversaries and photographable days. Those times make us stronger and better and I wouldn't want to experience a moment of this life with anyone else. Happy anniversary!

 

 

(Wedding image courtesy of R.E.M. Photography)

 

An Up-North Date Night

 

 

 

 

 

 

As mentioned previously, Joe and I lucked out and went on TWO date nights last week. First, we saw World War Z, which we both enjoyed. On our second date, we dined al fresco at Iven's on the Bay which overlooks North Long Lake.

By this time, we had spent about five straight days together (and eight of the previous years together), so we literally had run out of things to talk about. Which was fine, we still like each other plenty. At first I REALLY wanted to sit right next to the railing so I could get the best lake view possible. Then I proceeded to sweat like mad while I baked in the sun and asked if we could switch tables (I bet this happens to those poor servers all the time.) Anyways, we ate two appetizers and then split a yummy surf and turf entrée.

Although we both had significant food babies after dinner, we took a little walk, snapped some photos, and then proceeded to the 371 Diner for dessert. And then I was so full that I told myself I wouldn't eat again until next Thursday. Obviously, that statement was a little dramatic. But only a little. Much thanks again to my in-laws who let us enjoy being grown-ups for a couple nights!

Stella's

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be perfectly honest, I haven't blogged all week because every day was... well, rainy, gloomy, and slightly uneventful. During the day, Cece and I were back to the great indoors, coloring, sculpting play-doh, reading, getting some household organizing done, and watching the occasional Disney movie. Each night, after Cece went to bed, Joe and I hunkered down and watched several episodes of season three of The Walking Dead. (SO. GOOD.) The majority of our conversation this week has been about our zombie apocalypse survival strategies, which is a completely normal thing to do.

 

However, the sun finally showed itself yesterday. Even though it was still brisk, EVERYONE in the city was outside again. And since I was promised a date night, I insisted that we had to dine al fresco. So, we ended up in Uptown at Stella's Fish Cafe shivering sitting on the rooftop patio. Because of all the newly popped-up construction, instead of getting a great view of the Minneapolis skyline, we got a great view of cranes, cones, and partially competed buildings. Ah, well. The food was mighty tasty and the company wasn't so bad either. We ended the night with a little stroll around Lake Calhoun and even glimpsed a bit of a regatta happening. And, you guessed it, more Walking Dead when we got home.

 

And that, my friend, is how one gets dated.