First Gift!!

Kevin and I received our first official wedding gift in the mail over the weekend! So exciting! The day is coming so quickly now and it is finally hitting us that we will soon be husband and wife. Thanks to our friends and family for the continued support... and of course the gifts!

Our first sets of wedding China!! Can't wait to bust this out and host a meal... The picture just doesn't do it justice. The pattern is bEEEautiful!!

Trial Up-do!

This past weekend I met up with my pal Morgan. She is a fantastic friend who just so happens to be an amazing hair stylist. How handy!?! We were long over-do for a little QT so I headed to Eau Claire on Sunday morning to catch up.

Upon arriving I 1) realized how much I LOVE EC! 2) how much I MISS EC and 3) how much I miss my old roomie. As some of you may know UWEC is my alma mater. I had an amazing college experience and every once in awhile I feel a little "ting" of wanting to go back to school. Then I realize that going back would be no where the same. Like the say... keep the past in the past!

Anyway, Morgan and I went for a 3+ mile walk, made a little lunch on the grill, and then got to work on my hair for the wedding. I did come prepared with a few pictures and suggestions, but I try to let the experts be experts. And I sure as h-e-double hockey sticks am NO expert in the hair department.

This girl blew.my.mind. See for yourself...

So... I get home all excited to show Kevin a little sneaky peak and he is like... "Am I supposed to see that? Shouldn't it be a surprise?" Um... no Kevin, and besides, you've already seen my dress. Now, he hasn't seen me in my dress yet. But come on, it's pretty hard to keep secrets being that we live in 2 bedroom townhouse.

1 YEAR!!

We have been engaged for 1 year today!! And only 54 days until we are hubby and wifey! We are having such a fantastic time preparing for our wedding weekend. The RSVP's are rolling in and we are receiving many special notes from friends and family. We are so lucky and so happy!!

Happy Birthday Sissy!!!

Have a great day Sister!!! LOVE YOU LOTS!!!

The whole family came to Eau Claire to celebrate with Alli! She is loved :)

The Great American Past TIme

Kev and I have spent the last two weeks at two different baseball parks. A couple of weekends ago we headed to Mil-rockie to check out a Brewers game... oh, and visit my friend Kaitlin for her birthday! We pre-gamed with bags, ML's, and jello-shots (I know... totally un-necessary), as well as a little tippy-cup with our neighboring tailgaters. We had such a fun weekend and scored great on the weather. Thanks for letting us come visit Kait!

Wisconsin takes tailgating to a whole new level!

See... we're good at this whole sports thing.

Words cannot describe.

Really Kevin?? Lock it up...

Keeping in the baseball spirit, last night we headed to Target Field for the Twins v. SpankMe's game. This was our maiden voyage of the new park and it is fricking AMAZING!!!! I am finally proud to say I live in Minnesota! Despite the rain, we still had a fantastic time.

Snack time! Rippin' some nachos!

Fancy Scoreboard.

The sky is starting to look a little dark :(

Rain Delay

We don't care... we still had an amazing time!! Can't wait to come back again in August!!

Fore!

When Kevin found out he won the "pool" for the Final Four bracket he played, instead of buying his lovely wifey-to-be a gift he took the money straight to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought a new set of clubs. Although I like the first option better, this has caused us to get out and play a little more golf than usual. Some quality bonding time I'd say.

The first time we played it was a little windy, but we walked the front nine at the Cumberland Golf Club. As you Cumberland natives know, that front nine is nice and hilly. A GREAT workout!

The second time around... not so much. It rained, and rained, and rained... and finally I gave up. And we took a cart. I realized that the game is not so engaging when we are cruising around in a cart. I much prefer carrying my clubs. And I don't feel so guilty celebrating with this afterwards...

Breakfast of Champions!!!

Hilltop Wedding

Last weekend we hosted a private wedding at the Hilltop. This is the second wedding we have done at the restaurant and it went great!!! The B&G were very happy... and very low-key. I hope I can keep it as cool on our day.

Homemade wine!!!

I looked at this as my trial run. Now if only I can guarantee the "well pump" won't go out...

When the fiancé's away...

I sit and park my butt on the couch and watch back-to-back episodes of The Hills!

That's right! I'll admit it! I'm 27 years old and I still watch MTV. Minimally... but I watch it. It is awful, class-less television and I LOVE it!! Maybe it's because I grew up in the midwest, thousands of miles away from the drama filled lives of the rich and (kind of) famous. Or maybe it's because the weather is always sunny and their stories take place right on the beach. Either way, I have completely devoted my Tuesday nights @ 9pm CST to this show.

Hey... at least I didn't make Kevin watch it with me :)

Come on though... I deserve it. I also met with my trainer, made a Target run, picked up dog poo, watered the lawn and did 2 loads of laundry!

New look... New blog...

So I'm changing this up a bit. We had originally put this blog together to keep our friends, families, and randoms informed of our daily lives. Well... being that I, Cassie, am the only one who writes the posts, the meaning of our blog didn't really make sense. Husband-to-be doesn't get into this as much as I do... no big deal.

So I have changed this to be more of an "our lives from my perspective" kind of blog. I think you all will really like the changes and I also think the tone of this blog will be more "us" even though I am the one writing it.

Please post comments so I know who is following!!!

xoxo

- Cassie

New Restaurant!

This past week my step-dad John opened his new restaurant in Shell Lake, Wisconsin! I am so, so, so proud of him! This place has a great location and that fantastic small town support. We are headed back there this weekend and look forward to spending some time on a bar stool. The Lakeview is very family oriented with games and tv's. Very affordable too! Try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza... that is Kevin's favorite!! Hope to see you all up there soon!

A boost...

So lately I have really been focusing on my diet and exercise to gear up for the big wedding day! (Only 4 months away!!!) Recently I have made the decision to try a personal trainer. Now... I go to the gym 3-4 times a week as it is. I take spinning and weight training classes, as well as hit the treadmill. I also understand the difference between good, nutritious food and garbage. And for the most part I do pretty well with my diet, although I do enjoy me some garbage from time to time. So the idea of adding another 1-2 days a week of high intensity, high cardio, heavily focused weight training did not sound all too appealing. Regardless, I bit the bullet, and the hefty price tag and signed on the dotted line.

So today was my first meeting with the trainer. We focused on upper body strength. All in all I did pretty well and left the gym in high spirits. Currently, as I type this posting I cannot lift my arms any higher than my shoulders... no really, I can't. After the session Kevin and I ran a little 3 mile jaunt... where he proceeded to push, push, push me along, in a good way.

I must say, even though my whole body is in pain right now I appreciate the boost in support. Yet again is another example of moral support at its finest. This wedding is one of the most important days of my life. I am so excited to start this adventure and I want to start it feeling better about myself and my body. I look forward to the seeing the results! -Cassie

We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends...

Kevin and I have spent the past three days kicking off the summer season with friends. I have the sun burn to prove it!

Friday Night Garage Party

Saturday Wine Tasting in Stillwater

A pit stop at the candy store...

Sunday Fun-day at the Millers!!

After reviewing these pictures I am awaiting my kick-back $$$ from Miller Co.

Priceless

Plane Ticket to Seattle: $315

A night of partying at my first gay bar: $35

Taking the ferry to Forks, Wa, buying a poster of Edward Cullen, cutting out his face and taking pictures with it: $102

Finally visiting Jenny after almost 1/2 decade in Seattle: absolutely priceless!!!

Thanks for an amazing weekend! You are the best tour guide and vampire hunter I know!!

Easter Weekend

What a weekend!!

As some of you may know my parents are opening a new restaurant in Shell Lake, Wi. They have been pouring an amazing amount of energy into remodeling, cleaning, and redecorating the bar & grill just in time for the cabin season. We are all so excited to get the place open and running somewhat smoothly.

After a Saturday full of interviewing potential employees, a trip to Menards, talking half my Hilltop staff off the ledge, and helping John after he fell of his ledge, I was ready to come back to work on Monday. Trust me... I don't say that very often. Even the dogs were worn out...

Read it and weep...

Yeah... that says 63 degrees... in March... in Minnesota. FINALLY!!!

They CAME!!

They came... they came... they CAME!!! My shoes for the wedding are here!!! Here is a little sneaky peaky...

(Sorry about the no-pedicure situation... it's still winter-y here)

Green shoes!!! My wish has come true. :) And really, the pictures don't do them any justice... they are an amazing green satin shoe that I had custom died to match the bridesmaids' dresses.

In all honesty, this wedding thing hadn't really hit me until now. I mean obviously I know this wedding is happening, and I understand everything that does along with the meaning of the wedding, but it is really getting close!! So much to do, so little time!!

Wedding Checklist

Wedding Cake... check, Tuxes... check, Flowers... check. Successful weekend... check.

5 months to go!!! Getting more and more excited every day!!!

Bryna and Matt's Special Day

And it has been a long time coming!! Matt and Bryna have been dating for about a zillion years and they FINALLY became hubbie and wifey this past weekend. I know this couple from their high school days but we really became close when they opened up their home to me for 6 months while I lived in Milwaukee. I think they were a little hesitant at first but when Matt learned of my rollerblading and cooking skills I was his new best friend. And having buyers remorse was never an issue because it's okay to order multiple $$$ worth of merchandise from Victoria's Secret when Bryna and I were BOTH charging the goods.

Transportation for bridal party... only in the Northwoods :)

The beautiful bride!!

Happy couple... and 3rd wheel!!

Family!!

I caught the bouquet!!! Guess who is getting married next...

Thanks for letting us celebrate!!