Christmas Crazy

We kicked off Christmas in Indiana where we celebrated Borntrager-style. We were lucky enough to completely dodge two major blizzards – one on the way and one on the way home. I guess if there’s ever a reason to get up at 5 AM, that would be a good one! We continued Christmas festivities back home in Minnesota spending a few days at the cabin in true Reichow fashion. It was a week full of family and fantastic food! We spent lots of time around the Christmas trees enjoying good company. We are a lucky bunch!

A walk in the woods  |  Birthday boy and Uncle Brent  |  Balancing act  |  Borntrager bunch  |  Joutfit (jean-outfit)  |  30 year old on baby sled  |  Back in the days when things were black + white  |  Blue eyes  |  Where they catch No Name Steaks  |  Cabin fever  |  Auntie + Finn  |  Light as a feather (disregard Brent’s facial expression)  |  Brent’s girls  |  The cutest trio  |  Finner ready to walk himself back to the cabin

Couples Retreat | Round 2

We wrapped our second successful Couples Retreat this weekend and it has been confirmed that every year we get a little better at camping and have even more fun. This year we took our 5-pack of couples to Camp Ripley. Thanks to Justin, our beloved soldier, we were able to gain access to this fantastic park (free firewood! free ice!). We spent lots of time around the fire, in the water, and with plenty of food and beverages to keep us all very full and plenty silly. Traditions being made!

God Bless America!

These fine people sum up our 4th of July festivities pretty well – perfect! Between whooping it up in Marine on St. Croix for the 3rd of July fireworks, dancing in a sunny, Stillwater swimming pool (to Call Me Maybe) on the 4th, and rounding out the weekend at the Basilica Block Party right in Minneapolis, this party was possibly the best string of events for the summer!

door county tour

We have not only returned to Minneapolis, but also to reality! Brent and I had an outstanding week off celebrating our very first anniversary, a festive 4th of July (more on that later), and a weekend with friends in Minneapolis.

Our trek started off with a realization that Door County isn’t actually “just a couple hours” from the Twin Cities … it’s nearly 7. WOOF! Strike one on my vacation planning ability. After our long-ars drive (I’d guess longer for Brent as he had to listen to my constant singing and in-depth endless life questions), we rolled in to the Chanticleer Guest House in Sturgeon Bay. The space was beautiful, the guest rooms full of character, and a pool to boot! Yes!! I win on this find! … or so I thought. Unfortunately, Sturgeon Bay is at one end of Door County – the end with little to do, leaving the “action” roughly 30 miles from us. Strike two! As we quickly learned, if you’re heading to Door County for more than one night of romantic bliss, you want to stay in Fish Creek, Egg Harbor, or Sister Bay. We loved our bed and breakfast, but I’d only recommend staying that far out if you’re just planning to enjoy the bed and breakfast property – or if you love to sit in the car.

We spent lots of our vacation driving to and from Sturgeon Bay but managed to fill our days with lots of activities including mini golf, a lighthouse scavenger hunt (thanks for my history-loving husband), a nature walk (complete with Wisconsin’s best beer), swimming pool time, breakfast in bed daily, and tons (TONS!) of eating – including a taste of our 1 year old wedding cake. Still delicious! Some of our favorite eateries are highlighted below – go hungry!

DOOR COUNTY MUST-EATS!

1. AL JOHNSON’S: GOATS ON THE ROOF! Seriously, there are goats on the grass-top roof of this Swedish restaurant – the food is good, but the exterior attraction is even better (pictured above). 
2. THE COOKERY: The history of this restaurant is right up my alley – a love story plus local, organic, delicious food – did I say delicious? I drovewould have driven 30 miles every day to eat at this place. 
3.  CHOP: Mmmmm! Our anniversary dinner was spent at Chop with big ‘ol SHRIMPS! So, so good! The perfect restaurant if you’re in Door County celebrating something special – quaint, romantic, and a little bit fancy.

 

Overall, I’d recommend Door County as getaway spot if you: 1. Love to shop for knick-knacks (strike three) or 2. love to eat (win). To sum it up, we had lots of fun together but I’d credit that to my hilarity, which Brent gets all day wherever we are, more than to Door County.  The biggest thing I’ve learned over this past year is that the best things in life are really worth waiting for – so cliché, but so true!

farm sleepover

if you think you’re too old for sleepovers, i’d suggest reconsidering! we had such a wonderful night out at the farm – lots of friends, furry animals, and a roaring fire! after visiting with Mazy (quite possibly Macy) and Gilly – the fuzziest cows i have ever seen – we all sat down to dinner outside, opened some red wine and talked and laughed. the blazing fire was started with one little match (high-five jan) and roared for a while before we were able to get close enough to roast marshmallows. it was beautiful. wouldn’t it be a dream to live on a sweet ‘ol farm – friend’s homes connected by walking path, an enormous garden, and animals raised for ambiance? knowing near nothing about all the work that goes into maintaining my fantasy leads me to believe it would be amazing. a HUGE thank you to the strandemo’s for inviting us out to their perfect place!

to the farm!

brent and i are heading out to one of my greatest friend’s farms tonight (i.e. jan) for a little bonfire, a lot of little wine, and a little cow! i can’t wait to get a little farmy with my rob and kate!  lots of pics to come … stay tuned! photo courtesy of Casey

1968

I visited the 1968 exhibit at the Minnesota History Museum and yes, it was groovy! I’d recommend it to anyone, especially if you remember 1968 or have had any fascination with the ’60’s. Be there or be square!