skype is nice...

but it isn't as nice as seeing this cute man's face in person.

i miss Ryan.

Tasty Tuesday.

I plan on learning how to cook all the things Ryan loves to eat.

And gosh darn it, the boy loves his Cheesy Gordita Crunches

from the Taco Bell.


So.
Behold.

The Homemade Cheesy Gordita Crunch

with spicy Baja Sauce.

Sounds fancy, no?

It's really not.

 Spicy Baja Sauce

1/4 green pepper, diced

1 small onion, diced

1 cup mayo

1 tbsp vinegar

1/4 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

ground black pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together, and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours to let flavors blend. About one tablespoon of the sauce is sufficient for one gordita. 

Ta da!

Lilah Grace

This little sugar pie turned 3 yesterday! I wish I could have flown to Nebraska and celebrated with her in person (it sounded like her folks threw her a pretty rockin' party!) but I did get to chat with her over the phone, and she was as giggly and excited as she looks in these photos. Her requests for her special birthday meal went as follows:

"Spaghetti-lasagna, breadsticks, salad,

pink cake,

and caffeinated tea."

What a stinker.

Happy Birthday Lilah Grace!

Happy Mother's Day!

Check out this foxy lady.

That's right. She's my mom.
Happy Mother's Day to the sweetest and prettiest and funniest 

and best mom ever.

I don't know why.

For some reason, 

whenever Sarah and I take pictures, 

they always end with this pose.

I have like, 40 of them.

: )

And to the tiger in the zoo, Madeline just said 'poo poo!'

Ryan and I had the best time at the zoo with the whole family (minus Matt and Jason) last week. We were all expecting chillier temperatures, but it was a beautiful day and we had a great time walking around, eating the delish picnic lunch mom made, laughing at the babies (who were so sweet and good) and at the animals (P.U.) and at dad (who had never been to the MKE zoo before, and was about 30 eager steps ahead of everyone else the entire day.) Nothing is sweeter (or more hilarious) to my sisters and I than seeing our manly dad get excited about things like tigers and grizzly bears. 

It was so wonderful to see little Lilah, with her pink fingernails and hair ribbons. Everything about her is fluttery and pretty. 

And sister Gretel, with her little belly and glossy pregnant lady hair, looked absolutely beautiful.

Such a good day!

Let the planning begin!

My motto for wedding planning goes a little like this:

"I will be as crafty as Martha Stewart,

on a Laura Ingalls budget."

Here are a few things I have found online that I like:

to love, honor, and share a toothbrush.

Wedding bells are chiming, folks.

I can't wait to finally dig in and start planning, crafting, creating, and listing for everything. All I want to do is look at pictures of other people's weddings and get ideas. I think my parents' wedding was beautiful and simple, which is what I want so much for my own wedding.

ps: my mom had seriously awesome dresses back then.

pps: i can't wait to marry ryan. he's dreamy.

Instead of going to class, studying for tests, attending meetings, or participating in any act of adult responsibility at all...

...Ryan and I decided

fake registering at Target

binging on Taco Bell and a 44oz Coke from Speedway

visiting little Ollie on his 1st birthday

eating even more

watching Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, and Glee (while snuggling)

and contemplating moving the wedding up (!)

seemed like a much better way to spend the day.

So we did.

Suck on that, responsibility.

In other news,

Happy Birthday Baby Olivaire!

we love you!

is it really almost monday???

This weekend went by too fast.

I was having so much fun (see below), and then Monday (and homework) had to show up and ruin everything. Stupid. I wish I could just live during the weekends until the wedding.

So, Ryan and I had a little Mambo Italiano picnic in my livin' room on Saturday. Because our love is as red as strawberries in the summertime. (on sale, 2 packages for $3.00! Heyo!)

smooch smooch.