We're Engaged!!!!

On December 18th Justin showed up to Oakland to have lunch with me. Much to my surprise, he declared that he was "taking me away" now for any teacher that is unnerving but he assured me that I had a sub and plans to go along with the sub made especially for me by my partner teacher, Kristen.
We left after I asked my principal and partner teacher if everything was okay...they told me it was. When I hopped in the car Justin had lunch and a map. We were going on a real adventure.

The first stop??? Greenup, IL to Cameo Vineyards. We relaxed as we drank a glass of wine in the cozy tasting room next to a roaring fire. Justin excused himself and brought in a bag for me! Inside was a card made on his mac laden with photos of the first couple of months of our relationship. Inside was a narrative recounting some of the "big events" of the first several months of our relationship. Along with the card, was a pez dispenser. I laughed because I am the one to stuff Justin's stocking every year with a pez dispenser, I guess he beat me to it!

Second, we pulled into a winery in Coffeen, IL. After trying every wine on the list we sat down to enjoy a glass of our own. Justin had another gift for me, this time a second card highlighting all the general fun times that we have had together and with our families. Along with this gift, there was a two pack of Burt's bees lip balm! The best ever.

The next stop was Bretz's Wildlife Lodge and Winery in Carlyle. It was a safari theme and we had fun trying all of the African inspired wines. At this stop the card I was given highlighted our trip to England and France as well as all of the hard work we have been putting in toward our degrees at ISU. The inside of the card read "I propose a toast to Sara and Justin, we deserve a weekend away" Along with this card there was a cool necklace because Justin knows how much I love jewelry.

Finally, we ended up in Aviston at Hidden Lakes Winery. There we had reservations at the Barrell Room Steakhouse. We sat down, ordered a bottle of the double decker red and started to enjoy the wine when Justin asked if I wanted to open the last gift. When I opened the card it said "Future" and had a picture of a ring, house, baby and dog. I looked up and he was on his knee. He asked me to marry him and of course I said YES!!!!!

The restaurant treated us to champagne and dessert and we went to our cabin. It was a fabulous cabin with whirlpool, fireplace, and more champagne. We had a great time!
The next day we called our family and went ice skating at Forest Park in St. Louis. On our way home we stopped in Altamont to see my grandparents and parents and to generally show off the ring and our happiness.

We are busily planning a June wedding. As decisions are made we will let all of you know!

Ashton Robert

One month and one day later, we have another new family member. His name is Ashton Robert. I spent the weekend with ems, john, and mom. Dad and Justin were around for part of the time. We played, changed diapers, and relaxed feeling completely blessed by our newest addition.

Newest Arrival

We went to Kristin and Josh's to meet little Addison this weekend. There aren't words to explain how precious she is. We were most amazed with how perfect and tiny every part of her looked, especially her hands!

Old??? ME??? WHAT????

So this Tuesday I was off to a luncheon for new teachers. I was ready to spread my knowledge on to a new teacher! Almost skipping and ready to share, share and share some more. The girl I was paired with was a nice, sweet girl and listened intently when I shared things. She even had some great ideas of her own that she gave to me!

It wasn't until this other girl...lets call her girl #2 came over and sat down by us. She was quiet for most of the time until lunch was almost over. "So, how long have you been teaching?" she asks. I reply, "this will be my 9th year." and to this she says "Wow, you don't even look that old!" WHAT?!?!?!?!?! I'm speechless.

RAGBRAI 2009

So, we did it. Justin completed four days of RAGBRAI and I one. One was enough for me, although I think that I could have gotten my sore butt on top of my bike for one more day. It was the hills though that were tough.

Justin always told me how much fun it was to bike, stop in a town for a beer, bike, stop, bike stop.....all 78 miles. And that is what we did. It was clearly an experience and one that I want to repeat again next year. So, are there any takers out there??? How much fun would it be to get a team together. Start thinking of a name the more creative the better. It truly is a party on two wheels.

My friend Julie took a disposable camera and I am waiting on those pictures to be developed. It should be fun to see what comes out of those pictures. Without the immediate gratification of a digital screen I don't know what to expect.

We started on Wed. driving to Chariton, IA only to realize that I, forgot the tent. So, Julie and I had to sleep in the back of the Rodeo, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it rained over an inch on Thursday morning. Justin got rained out of his tent and ended up in the passenger side of the car. Thursday morning we tore down camp, and climbed on top of our bikes to meet up with the route. Our first stop was in Bethlehem, IA for homemade donuts being peddled by a third grader. The boys got a delicious chicken sandwich.

Next, we stopped at Crazy Connies for Bloody Marys and beers. Along the route we found a state park that was serving micro brews...sure we said and had two there.
A little longer down the road we found a town with a beer garden. It was time for lunch so we grabbed walking tacos and beer. Our last stop along the path was a roadside homemade ice cream stand Beekman's. Justin and I had raspberry/chocolate ice cream. I saw a raccoon in a trap and got heckled by a little girl who thought I was crazy for thinking that the raccoon was kinda cute and should be let out. Apparently she thought the inhumane tiny trap was fine for it.

About that time it was looking like a storm was brewing so we decided to take the last 13 miles in one fell swoop and ended up in Ottumwa.

That my friends was my day in a nutshell on RAGBRAI 2009.
Maybe Justin will get on to share a bit about his experience. He's been a little lax on the blogging.

THE BIG SURPRISE

A great birthday celebration!

This weekend we went to Iowa for Justin's mom's birthday party. It was a surprise and a ton of fun. Let me back up a few days first. I got to spend a couple of days with my aunt and two cousins. We went to Chicago to spend a few days with Jen. She lives in Logan Square and her boyfriend, Barry lives three blocks from Wrigley. We shopped and went to a fun bar named Six Degrees. It is owned by someone from Springfield so naturally we had to say hi! Elton John and Billy Joel were putting on a concert that night so we grilled at Barry's to hear the musical delights while feasting on a delightful meat and potatoes meal.
The concert was fun, because after the meal we walked down to Wrigley to take part in the street party. Good times.
Friday, when I arrived back to Bloomington the car was packed and ready for our drive to Iowa where we went to a winery, rode a rhino and threw a surprise party. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.
Darla was truly surprised. Larry did a great job!

For other pictures you can always visit Josh and Kristin's website, Kristin is very good with capturing everything on camera! www.jkstanek.com

Call me a girl scout

Justin and I just got back from a great weekend in Door County. We had fun by the campfire, playing cards, reading, bike riding, and firework watching.
The campsite was very peaceful and the weekend was very relaxing. I have included pictures of the trip below!

Camping, The Great Urban Race, and Bump-Its

So, I was very bummed out that my summer school instructor gave me an extra assignment over the fourth of July. I thought I was being smart and working ahead in class so I wouldn't have anything to do this weekend. But NO she snuck one past me. That teaches me to try and be on top of things.
This weekend is my very first camping trip (in tents). Yes, in a tent. I am trying hard not to be too girly and pack only the essentials. We'll see what that comes to. Door County doesn't know what is going to hit it in two days. Check back here after the weekend to see if we made it through unscathed.
It has been brought to my attention that on Oct 16 in Normal, IL there is a great urban race. I have never ever heard of this but I visited the website and it looks AWESOME! I hope that I can convince someone to do this with me. I have a few feelers out there. What a great excuse to go crazy. JENNIFER are you reading this?!?!?!
The last thing I want to say is that I have figured out this thing called the bump-it. No, its not a Billy Mayes endorsed product (God rest his soul I was very sad to hear about his passing) but it is a hair tool to create those crazy bumps you see people wearing. Emily has it mastered and it looks great on her mommy head but it always looked freakishly weird on mine. BUT tonight things have changed. I have figured it out, and I feel good about that.

San Antonio Reflections

It was a great time to play in Texas this last week. The heat was atrocious but the fun and friends we had and got to see was well worth it.
Here are some things we most enjoyed about our trip.
10. San Antonio Missions Game
9. The Alamo
8. The Riverwalk
7. The actual AT sessions :)
6. Swimming at the Menger pool.
5. Durty Nellies
4. Half Price Margaritas and jazz!
3. El Mercado
2. Floores Country Store
1. Spending time with FRIENDS!!!! Jamie, Daniel, Hooker, Ellie, Amy, Joe, Mateo, Zoe, Jonathan, Josh and Jeska. PLUS all of the other fine Texans we met while we were there.

Yippie Kie Yay!!!!!!!!


Enjoy the Pictures

Bluegrass Nation

Yesterday was a great day for me! I met up with Zoe and Jeska and we went to El Mercado, which is the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico. We went to a very cool Mexican bakery and I got a pumpkin empanada which was good. We shopped around there for a while and then went to Jeska and Josh's house for a bit of a rest.
At 6:30ish we went to eat at a burger joint and went to the Floores country Store which was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Here is the link: http://info@liveatfloores.com/index2.htm

What a great atmosphere. I need a pair of cowboy boots is all I have to say. Fun times.

Robert Earl Keen

Tonight we are going to participate in a little Robert Earl Keen action. He is singing at the Floores Country Store in Helotes, TX. Apparently this is a very "Texas" thing and I am looking forward to it.
I didn't realize how large San Antonio is...Last night Zoe and Jonathan picked us up to go to Jeska and Josh's house. We were in the car for a while and finally got there. They had great food laid out for us, steak, chicken potatoes, corn, and chopped beef. It was great eating home food. You know, there is a difference between restaurant and homemade food. It was nice to get homemade food.
This morning Justin jetted out of here at around 7:45. I am still in the room, taking my time getting ready and doing internet things. I plan to do some shopping with the girls today.

The Alamo

Still here in TX and went to the shrine of Texas independence - the Alamo. Since this was my third time there it didn't change much. Davey Crockett's vest and gun are still there and all of the flags representing all that died in the battle. It is nice, just the same.
After that noise we went to a San Antonio Missions minor league game. We got a great deal! The NATA was charging convention goers 30 dollars to go to this game, not us! We are too smart for that. Justin and I got tickets online for 11 dollars a piece (front row) and hitched a ride on the charter bus to and from the game that the NATA had for the suckers who paid 30 dollars. HEE HEE HEE we're smart!
Today Justin went to the Convention center to do AT things and I had a rough day of swimming, reading, sleeping and shopping. It was NICE.
I am expecting Zoe and Jonathan later today, and know we will have a great time hanging out with them. They are so much fun!

(Insert Clapping Here) Deep In The Heart of Texas

Justin and I are playing in San Antonio this week. We got here with no airplane wiper motors failing and believe it or not our luggage arrived just fine. I have forgotten just how HOT Texas can get with temps in the 100s. It is nice and toasty. We walked a bit around the Alamo and riverwalk.
Then, we enjoyed the small but tropical pool and then washed up for margaritas and jazz. I successfully drank my dinner last night as we weren't hungry for a meal but cocktails were half price. There were these jazz musicians and from what I could tell some groupies sitting at a table near us. The lady was sure that we didn't know anything about jazz (which was true) and made it her mission to talk to others around her about how we were unable to appreciate the music because we were "too young" Other than that she was nice :)
After that we took a nice walk and ended up at Durty Nellies for entertainment from a piano player, we found our way back to the hotel and today we are off on more adventures. We may take a river cruise and tour the Alamo, and we have tickets for a Missions minor league baseball game today.

Fun in Cincinnati!!!

This last weekend Justin and I traveled to Cincy for some fun with relatives and friends. We stayed in Kentucky and did some shopping (Sara) and gambling (Justin spectating) after that we went to The Great American Ballpark to watch the Cubs take on the Reds. It was a great game! Lots of Cubs fans travel to support their team as about half of the fans there were wearing some kind of Cub propaganda. The game went into extra innings, or overtime as the extremely pumped up elementary aged kids behind us kept SCREAMING. However, in the end the Cubs could not pull off the win. The Cub fans who were with us were disappointed but were not allowed to pout as Justin sometimes does when his Cubbies are sucking royally.

We spend Sunday at Jill and Scott's cooking out some exceptional sausages and playing with Anna and Marshall. Anna is very resilient walking around the backyard putting about anything into her mouth, getting splashed in the face by her big brother and giggling the entire time. Marshall, is very much a boy going on bug hunts, digging in the dirt and swinging on his backyard swing.

Justin jumped right in on the fun when Marshall asked him to go on a bug hunt. Both boys tramped down to the decaying boards that Marshall likes to turn over and found many ants, rolly pollys and slugs. However Marshall hadn't found his "buddies" so, they started turning over rocks to uncover many "buddies" (worms) for his collection. Marshall was a very happy boy and Justin was well, a little tired. :)

It was a good weekend!

Last Day of School

Yes,
It is my last day of school until August! I am looking forward to a summer full of relaxation. To kick things off, we are going to Cincinnati for a Reds/Cubs game.
Then, a trip to San Antonio for the NATA convention (athletic training stuff) where I will get to spend time with Zoe!!!! YEAH!!!! and then (insert scary music here) my first camping trip over the fourth of July. Justin and I will be camping in Door county with Krit, Josh, Deb and Randy. This will be my very first "roughing it" experience.

This is going to be a great summer!

I kept runnin' and runnin' and runnin'

Justin finished his third marathon today in Champaign, Illinois. He had a personal best time of 3 hours and eleven minutes. I am so amazed of his endurance and accomplishment.

I ran the 5K for what started out as fun, but as I was running I vowed to myself not to let certain people along the course pass me up! It was a good little game to keep me motivated.

Deb and Randy were great cheerleaders! It was good to have them there with us.

Surprise Video--Thanks Krit!!

Suprise Birthday Bash

I got a huge suprise this weekend!!!
I thought we were spending my birthday in Chicago for a little fondue, friends and Tony and Tina's wedding (a show in Chicago) but when we started traveling down the wrong road on Friday I knew we were not going to Chicago. Justin had planned a fantastic suprise party that involved all of our family.

We drove into Galena, Illinois to a four bedroom house that he told me was owned by someone Josh knew. I thought...alright this could be cool. Relaxing and eating some good food. But the house sure seemed empty and a bit large for two people. We went into Galena for a steak dinner at The Log Cabin and Justin sure had to use the restroom a lot. I later found out that he was getting phone calls from Emily and Josh. Emily was lost and Josh, pulled over by a cop. So, he kept thinking of things for us to do. We stopped over at the local VFW for a beer. Then he said that he wanted to go back to the house. (it was 8) When we got there....I was immediately scared. There was a light on that I knew wasn't on when we left and there was a DVD screesaver going on the TV and we definately didn't touch the tv. I told Justin I wasn't going in there and he kept walking behind me feeding me to what I was sure were the wolves. When we got in the door I saw someone sitting at the breakfast bar and I said there is someone in here! and then the lights came on and everyone yelled SUPRISE! The large house was now full!!!!
We played pool, darts and foosball. It was GREAT! The next day I was treated to a massage at the spa and we went shopping, wine tasting and hung out with everyone!

What a great feeling to have someone who cares so much for me.

What a suprise! He is a tricky trickerson! The pictures are of our weekend in Galena and the bar crawl we had for Justine's 21st!

Tubing at Villa Olivia

COMPLETE THE PUZZLE TO FIND OUT WHAT WE DID!!!!!

We had a fantastic time at Villa Olivia today with Emily, John and all their friends.

It was nice to speed down a hill and then have a tow rope to take you back to the top!

Frigid Weather

It is official....the weather is atrocious.
Like everyone knows, the temperatures have been below freezing for the past few days resulting in days off for Justin and me.

One day is fun....two and it's pushing it. By the start of the second day I wasn't sure I could stand the inside of the apartment any longer. So, I decided to make cinnamon rolls.

Let's be seroious. I had no idea what I was doing. But, after a trip to the store and a call from grandma I was well on my way. Let me tell you what, they were fantastic! Not to pat my own back or anything but...I was pretty proud of myself for not knowing what I was doing!

That took up most of the day. Thankfully.

Happy New Year!

We had a fabulous Christmas Vacation. Starting with Darla's and ending with my mom and dad's every stop was enjoyable and full of festive spirit.

The video below was taken at Darla and Larry's when we went sledding in their backyard. There was a substantial amount of ice on top of the snow and our trip down the hill was well worth it at about a minute!

Next, on the list was a trip to Randy and Deb's. We had a Christmas Tournament complete with events in pool, Sequence and the card game Golf. Justin took third place honors in Sequence while I took home the first place prize in Golf.

On Christmas day, we traveled to my parents' house where we exchanged gifts, got to play wii and went to my grandparent's for more eating and game playing. The highlight of my grandparent's house is a Yankee Swap that we do. This is the third year for this event. My uncle works with Sysco Food Distributors and so he moves "dead inventory" onto us in a lighthearted gift exchange. Justin and I fared well this year as we left with six bags of vanilla wafers and a jelly caddy. Some of the "not so hot" gifts included an economy sized can of pitted prunes and tuna. You never know what you are going to end up with in Yankee Swap!

I had a wonderful Christmas and feel so at peace with the love and excitement shared between all the family members that I got to visit this holiday season. I was completely spoiled by all of the wonderful gifts too!

It was all capped off with a New Year's bash in Milwaukee with Josh and Kristin. See all our pictures below!