Wishing for Sun Vicariously Through my Bleached Blonde Roots...

Hello everyone! Before I begin this post, we would like to wish my dad a very "Happy 55th Birthday" tomorrow and my sis Alyssa a "Happy Belated 26th Birthday!" Lyssie's birthday was last Monday. We love and miss you guys!!! xoAs you can tell from the pics, I am back to my fake roots! HAHA....maybe the blonde is just wishful thinking for the sunshine, but either way I am back to the old Brookie (at least for now-those that know me well know how I am about switching up the hair). So the weather continues to SUCK, but at least the snow is gone!!! Rain, rain, rain for days. We have endured some gnarly thunderstorms though and we do enjoy those :)So when it is ugly outside, we have no choice but to beautify the inside. So we decided to work on our new loft area. We bought 6 barstools on clearance at Menards (similar to a Lowe's/Home Depot) and some artwork from Bed Bath and Beyond. Here is Ry putting together a barstool...

By the last barstool, Ryan was ready for bed!Our work in progress (excuse my laundry hanging up in the doorways)...

We still want to build a bar along the empty wall to the left and mount a flat screen. maybe that can be a project possibility for summer... Sammy wanted to say hi to everyone! So did Frodie...

It's official... No more empty lots on our surrounding streets.

Come summertime, I imagine we will be free from construction noise and debris.... View from our backyard- The final foundation on the street behind us has been poured and the house near the end of the street is framed and ready for siding...It is crazy to think that our neighborhood is almost finished! I am glad we live in a sub-division because I love our neighbors, but I am thankful we live in the back of it and will always have this pretty view when we look outside our windows... Two more weeks until Spring Break Do-Dah, Do-Dah, Two more weeks until Spring Break and WE CAN'T WAIT!!!Until next time...xo

Another Wonderful Week of Winter...

WOW!!! Can you believe it is already March???? CRAZY! We cannot wait until the end of the month for our Spring Break...YIPEEEEEEE!!! No big plans this year, but we are both looking forward to some rest and relaxation!

Even though spring is just around the corner, it does NOT feel like it!!! SNOW, SNOW, SNOW- this has been such a loooooooooong winter!!! Is it ever going to end????? I wanted to share two new pics of my friend Amanda. This past Thursday on her actual birthday, I helped her first graders throw her a little party. Here are a few of her kiddos about to adorn her with a crown, necklace and a booklet of cards they made for her...

I stayed after school with my co-worker Blaire the night before and decorated her door. Here she is posing with all her birthday flair! Yes- I made her wear that on her head ALL DAY-That's what friends are for!!! We love you, Amanda!!!

On the homefront, Sabrina, Liz, Kristin and I threw our neighbors Steave and Lisa a Wedding Shower on Saturday. Since it was at our house, I decided we needed a little bridal decor... Sabrina made the most delicious carrot cake and Liz decorated it! In case you were wondering, Steave's nickname is Scuba. Haha!!! They are not getting married until May 8th, but this was one of the only times all of the couples were able to get together under one roof...Here's a shot of the gifts and if you look out our window, you can see the snow...BOO!!!Liz was in charge of the games. Here are Brian and Kristin working hard on trying to solve a word scramble... Here is Ryan grilling (yes outside in the C-O-L-D) our main course- marinated chicken breast...Here are the sides. We had green salad, 2 types of pasta salad and french bread. Yum!!!Me and Liz :)

I AM IN LOVE with this pic I snapped of Elise! She is getting so big and her little personality is coming to life! She is so precious...

Here are the guests of honor opening all of their loot!!!Here is a pic of Zach, Liz, Sabrina and Lisa's best friend Jayme (who flew in from Wisconsin to surprise Lisa).

Ryan, Eric and Elise... Brian and me :) Congrats again and best wishes! We are so happy for the two of you!!! Speaking of weddings...Does everyone know that Greg proposed to Kel???? Yes- over Valentine's weekend my BFF/sista Kellie got engaged!!! Sooooo, that means a trip to California for Ry and I in the fall to witness our pal walk down the aisle. Here I am walking into David's Bridal in Indy to get fitted for my bridesmaid dress... So the skies remain grey and the temps remain in the 20-40 degree range. Not too bad, but we are looking forward to that thing called the sun! In the meantime, at least we have daylight savings quickly approaching! I am SICK of waking up and getting home in the dark!!! Snow + Lazy Sunday = Another trip to the library... Growlers from the local brewery and free movie rentals from the public library. Gosh, we are a cheap date...hahahahaha!!! LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Oh, and I need to update everyone on the diet. We did cheat this week, but Ryan has lost 20 and I have lost 11 pounds since New Years...We don't have much to go IF we stick to it!!! However it is really hard and this indoor thing is killing us in terms of activity level...

Until next time...xo

Snowy Celebration

Hey Everyone! It is hard to believe we are already nearing the end of February! The time continues to just fly by...This weekend we celebrated my friend Amanda's 30th Birthday at Taylor's Pub in Indianapolis. Amanda and I work together. She teaches first grade. I service the ESL kiddos in her classroom. She has been a wonderful friend to me...Here is a shot of Alissa, me, Amanda and Carol (all co-workers of mine).

Cheers to the Birthday Girl!!! Here is a shot of Amanda and her husband David. David and Ryan have hung out a few times. We really enjoy their company. The four of us get along really well together and have quite a bit in common.Make a wish!!!We had to snap a shot of Alissa's shoes...Too hot to handle :)Happy Birthday, Amanda!!! May is approaching quickly and "Club 30" is heading my way- won't be long until I am an official member. Wow, 30- that sounds SO SO SO grown up!!!

We continue to be surrounded by grey skies and snow...We are trying to make the best of it...Can't wait for the snow to melt, the pond to thaw and the sun to shine...

We went to the library today and checked out a couple of movies. When trapped indoors, there is not a whole lot to do. This winter has been a LOOOOONG one!!! I picked up an Indiana Recreation Guide at the library. Time to start checking out all the campsites and hiking/biking trails. If you haven't already guessed, we are anxious for spring!!!

Have a fantastic week. Soak up some sun for us!!!

Until next time...xo