Life on the Runn...

Brian and I have visited a number of places, and it is safe to say that Yosemite National Park (CA) is one of our favorites.  Our first visit was nearly four-and-a-half years ago when we honeymooned there.  Since that time, we have been back twice, and a third trip is certainly in our near future.  Each time we are there, we do something different, stay in a different area, and fall in love with YNP even more.  If it weren't for the bears and my fear of them eating my kittens, I think I would agree to move there.....hey, I could be a great park ranger or bus driver?! Our love for Yosemite and our growing interest in art/photography were coupled recently.  Behold my beautiful Christmas present from my amazing husband! The picture certainly does not aptly capture the beauty of the painting, since I had to take it while the painting was on the wall; I wasted no time, and the painting is already hanging above our fireplace.  I cannot get over how perfectl...

It's never been my intention to keep my Badger love/pride/fanaticism a secret, and it is now very obvious that the news of my love for everything Bucky Badger and UW has made the rounds. This Christmas, a number of my gifts were Badger themed.... and I love every one of them. Check 'em out. Big Ten Champs T-Shirt  Badger Blanket - so warm! Stocking, ornaments, Snuggie, and Badger hat (pictures of me wearing the hat coming soon!) Wisconsin Lamp (it rotates to show Bucky) and a photo of BR and me at one of the games  I should note that I also received a Wisconsin serving platter and bowl and some fancy Wisconsin tissues that will be making an appearance at our Rose Bowl/New Year Pizza Party. On WISCONSIN!!

In the past, I've done my best to craft an entertaining and informative Christmas letter.   I've always delivered this letter via email in the interest of time and the preserving the environment - I figured the email was the "green" way to do this.  This year, I though it was only appropriate to use the blog as a way of sharing what's happened the last 12 months. January - March We took a long-weekend trip to  Steele, Alabama.  It was our annual winter bouldering trip, and the weather was pretty agreeable.  It's not often you can wear short sleeves in February, not when you're a Wisconsinite.   We spent a great deal of time at Adventure Rock, our local climbing gym, passing the winterish days and preparing for spring climbing.  April - June I secretly started my blog, figuring I was too boring to entertain anyone.  With the end of the school year in sight, I joined my cousin and some of her friends in the Illinois for her bachelorette part...

Today is my parents' 29th wedding anniversary.  They've truly modeled what marriage should be.  They're a happy, fun, successful couple (and rumor has it, they have a pretty great daughter :) ) Both Brian and I are lucky to have them in our lives, and we love them very much. HAPPY 29TH ANNIVERSARY, MOM AND DAD! They're a pretty darn cute couple, ha?! 

Last weekend was the second weekend of birthday celebrations.  I couldn't imagine what kind of surprise Brian had in store, so much like a little kid, I was very anxious.  Fast-forward to midday Friday, and I found myself in the Dells at the Kalahari.  In typical Amy fashion, I had fallen asleep during our car ride, so I had no clue where we were when I awoke.  I was extremely excited to be at the Kalahari, the place where Brian proposed six years ago.  The excitement only increased when I saw two tiger cubs in the animal enclosure in the hotel's lobby.  I wish I had pictures, but pictures had to be purchased, and they were well over $35 dollars....and you weren't allowed to hold the tiger cubs. Brian and I had a wonderful time; it was extremely relaxing and romantic.  We enjoyed a quiet, cozy evening and a tasty breakfast Saturday morning.  The scene at breakfast was a beautiful one, and the sky was white with giant snow flakes.   Thi...

As of yesterday evening, I am done with the classroom aspect of my graduate program; I completed the last of my nine course (32 credits) and now have only my thesis to complete before I earn my Master's Degree in Education. I remember enrolling in the program in the winter of 2008 and wondering how I'd ever find the time to balance school work, teaching, married life and a social life.  There were trying times, and there were plenty of times when I thought I might lose my mind, but there is an end in sight.  I am extremely excited at the prospect of graduation.  May (barring any unforeseen setbacks) will be a big month. Maybe I'll finally get that puppy I've been after - I think that would make a great graduation present!

My taste in music, much like other aspects of my life, is an interesting blend.  I enjoy everything from Country to Indie Rock.  So when the radio failed to capture my attention this afternoon, I turned to my trusted CD collection, which is quite reflective of my range of musical interests.  Today was definitely a Meatloaf kind of day. As I belted out some of my personal favorites like "Bat Out of Hell" and "Paradise By the Dashboard Light", I was struck with a memory that made me laugh uncontrollably.  I had vivid visions of singing these very songs with my friend Katie last Friday evening.  I also remember the horrified looks on Brian and Ryan's faces as we sang all too loudly and enthusiastically. I feel a 'Thank You' is in order for both my mom and Katie.  Mom, thanks for playing Meatloaf records and tapes when I was little.  I certainly learned to love him because of that.  Katie, thanks for loving Meatloaf enough to join me in a lat...

This past weekend was my birthday.  That's right, I'm the big 2-8 now.  Honoring the spirit of my birthday month tradition, the celebration has spanned many days...and it's not over yet. Thursday (my actual birthday), Brian and I went out for dinner.  I decided that laid-back was the theme, and we went to Sobelman's for burgers and beer.  My cousins (Dane and Erik) and my brother are so proud, I know.  They were the ones who just couldn't understand how I could ever have lived as a vegetarian.  If you happen to live in the Milwaukee area, I recommend eating at Sobelman's. Just like when I was little, I was very excited to open my birthday present.  Looks like this Badger girl is going to a Wisconsin hockey game.  It's important to note that about three years ago, we had similar birthday plans.  Unfortunately, there was a snow storm and I was in a walking cast, so we had to cancel.  I'm happy that this year I have no walking cast and ...

Long before I entered the blogosphere, Brian was making a name for himself via the Internet.  A few years ago, while nursing a climbing injury, he started his own blog,  ClimbingNarc .  Despite his modest response when you ask him about it, the site has been immensely successful.  If you've ever been curious about all my rock climbing chatter, Brian's site is a good way to see exactly what this world of climbing is all about.  I'm especially proud of Brian's most recent accomplishment.  Because of his hard work and the attention it has generated on the Internet and within the climbing community, he was interviewed in Climbing magazine.  The article appears in this month's issue. Congratulations to my husband, the Climbing Narc....and am and always will be his #1 Fan!!  The article (oops, our name is spelled incorrectly... but only in the title)

It's been a great season to be a Badger fan, and diehards like me are exhausted now that the season is coming to a close.  Many a Saturdays have involved early wake-up calls, miles of walking, hours and hours of cheering, and, as of late, lots of shivering in the cold.  It's all been done for the love of the Badgers.  And I would do it all over again...and I sure hope I get to next year. Saturday's game was an impressive showing and a great celebration; the football gods even granted us a 2:30 kickoff.  After a major malfunction on my part (I forgot the tickets, and we had to drive back to our house before meeting my parents) the trip to MadTown was uneventful.  We escaped the cold in one of my favorite Saturday morning hang-outs, The Big Ten.  We watched the other important games of the day, enjoyed some drinks, people-wathched, and I texted my fellow Badger fans/alums. The atmosphere inside Camp Randall was great, as always, and the energy level did ...