Allure of the Seas

So. Much. Fun.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas is the largest sailing cruise ship. It is like it's own little city on the ocean! I have so much to blog about and memories to blog, but I am still exhausted from our trip! More to come later this week!

Getting Things Ready...

I can't believe we are already getting ready to head back home! Have we really been in Cleveland almost 3 years?? I remember thinking when we first moved that this was going to be the l o n g e s t 3 years of my life. It seemed that way in the beginning, but once we settled in and learned where to go and what all there is to do, time started to fly... even in the winter months when it NEVER stopped snowing!
We listed our townhouse in February, and we've had 2 open houses so far. I am not a fan of having my house on the market... you never know when the realtor is going to just pop in or call with someone to come look! No bites yet, but we are hopeful!
I took some pictures of our house to remember it...

Our townhouse is downtown and part of the Avenue District. (Townhomes and Condos) We have 3 floors, but all these pictures are of the main floor. The first floor is the garage and Matt's office. The second floor is living space... kitchen, dining room, and living room. The third floor is our bedroom and bathroom, the laundry closet, and a guest room/bathroom. We also have a rooftop deck that overlooks the downtown area. You can barely see Lake Eerie from the deck! 

As excited as I am about moving back to Arkansas, I am sad to be leaving the big city. We have found some of the cutest little spots for shopping, movies, and dinner. Cleveland has been good to us... It's been good for Matt for his education, to me for great job opportunities, and to us and our marriage. 

I'm Back!!

I so did not realize how long it has been since I blogged! Holy Moly! Unfortunately, you haven't missed much. I have been sick since January 1st... and I'm just now on the mend, still with a runny nose. We have had a low key beginning of the year. Matt has been working his tail off and traveling some, so I have been home a lot by myself. :(
I did get a nice little surprise a few weeks ago...

This little thing found a new home in my garage :) She's a Buick Verano, and she is so loved!

Valentine's Day was also low key. We celebrated last Friday night at Chinato on East 4th. As always, it was amazing! I could eat their gnocchi every night!... and drink their wine... and have their dessert... LOL

We are getting ready to go cruising in a few weeks, and I am so excited! A break from this crazy weather in Cleveland... little drinks with umbrellas by the pool or on the beach... yes, please! I have already started packing. And I bought sunscreen and other necessities today... tylenol, tums, bandaids, etc. I also got these adorable shoes yesterday...

They are Gianni Bini... Love them!

This weekend I have spent some time baking. I love to bake... I take after my Aunt Dianne! :) Friday, I made homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with m&m's, and today I made a baked oatmeal with strawberries, bananas, and chocolate. Heavenly. I found the recipe on Pinterest...

Inspired Taste

Tonight, I am watching the Oscars... rooting for The Help! Have a great week!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!

Matt and I rang in the new year on the couch... and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. (Except the sinus infection that creeped up on me Friday.) We slept in Saturday after traveling the past 2 weekends, and spent the day catching up on some tv and football! 

Neither one of us really made any resolutions for the new year; we just want to be healthier, which will lead to shedding a few unwanted pounds, and just being happy. I know 2012 has a lot in store for us. First up is our cruise to Jamaica, Haiti, and Mexico in March, then Matt will graduate law school in May, we will celebrate our 3rd anniversary, we will move back to God's Country aka Arkansas. :) And we will both be starting new jobs and settling down! I can honestly say that I am more than excited for all of these things to happen! I am ready to be back in the south and be closer to family and friends. I am also looking forward to NOT spending all my time on an airplane. 

Hope this year brings you laughs, love, and happiness!

2 Christmases

My December was a mess. After Thanksgiving I was hoping to slow down a little before the holidays hit, but I had no such luck. Ha! Each weekend was filled with shopping and getting last minute things together to travel 2 weekends in a row. We had to get all of our gifts wrapped and shipped early to make sure they beat us to Arkansas.
The weekend before Christmas, we flew into Memphis for Christmas with my mom and dad and family. We celebrated Saturday night with the family. We had dinner and gifts and lots of fun! When the family left, we had Christmas with my mom and dad. Our favorite gift was a razorback print in a big red wooden frame. It's not this exact one, but close. :)

We flew back to Cleveland because I had to work. Unfortunately, things never slowed down. We left for Russellville for Christmas with Matt's family. I think all the traveling and going non-stop caught up with me. Friday morning I woke up sick with the stomach bug. I tried to keep going, but just couldn't. I stayed in bed all day Friday and most of the day Saturday. Luckily, I felt a little better and enjoyed Christmas Eve dinner with the fam. It also helped that Matt surprised me with this...

It was hidden on the Christmas tree for me to find! LOVE. 

We woke up Christmas morning and exchanged gifts with Matt's mom and dad and Brad. Then, Mike, Whitney, and Emily came over to open their gifts. Emily was the cutest! She had so much fun... mostly with the wrapping paper. :) 

Matt and I got 2 new pieces of luggage, new cookware, lots of Razorback stuff, a Breville tea maker, a new camera, and gift cards galore. 

We are so blessed and had an amazing Christmas! 

Thanksgiving

I'm a little late on this post, but I have been working a lot, and when I get home I just wanna do nothing! My mom and dad drove up to Cleveland the Monday before Thanksgiving and stayed the week with us! Luckily, I was able to take off Thursday and Friday and spend some time with them. Tuesday they picked me up for lunch at Paninni's. It was a nice break in my day! That night, Matt made a taco bar for us- one of our favorites! After work on Wednesday, we headed out to Crocker Park. Dad and Matt went to the bar for some drinks, while me and Mom enjoys pedicures with martinis. :) Then we ate at Vieng's. Oh, Vieng's. I can't even describe how much I love this restaurant! We ate and ate and ate, and drank and drank and drank. :)
Thursday, we were up early. Pumpkin spice coffee and the Macy's Parade! Matt got the turkey in the oven, and I got the dressing started.
This was our Thanksgiving Menu:
Turkey
Mammaw's Dressing
Green Bean Bundles
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Rolls
Pumpkin Bread
Apple Pie and Ice Cream

It was sooo good! And... we only had leftovers for about 2 days! HA!

Friday, mom and I battled the crowds. We got to the mall about 6 am and hit the ground running. We shopped the mall, Target, Pier One, and Books A-Million. Then, we came home for some Razorback football! The HOGS got beat, but no big complaints here. They were playing the #1 team!! Mom and Dad decided to get on the road Friday night. They drove all night... and I'm sure they were EXHAUSTED the next day.
I don't know what I was thinking, but I didn't even get my camera out all week. We just had a great time visiting and relaxing.

Playing Catch-Up

I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted! Last weekend we went to Fayetteville to cheer on the HOGS for homecoming, and we had a blast! Zak met up with us in Atlanta Friday morning, and we flew right in to NW Arkansas. Zak's mom and dad came up to visit, so of course, Mrs. Debbie and I got in a little shopping Friday! That night, The Hemmer's took us to dinner at Mimi's Cafe, which is one of my favorites. Saturday, I slept in while the boys took the Ethics part of the Bar... just one step closer!! Brad drove up in time for lunch, and we headed to Five Guys. YUMMY. That afternoon, Mike and Teresa came up and, once again, me and Teresa did some shopping! :) She bought me the CUTEST Razorback tree. EVER. It is on its way to my house right now... pictures to come when I get it up!
The game was at 6, so we went down to tailgate a little while with Justin and Jenny and the boys. It was a little colder than I had expected, but the weather didn't stop us from having fun. Then, it was time to go call the hogs! Matt, Zak, Brad, and I sat with Mike and Teresa. We had a great time!

Teresa found these gloves... how cute!!

It was another WIN for the Razorbacks! We beat South Carolina 44-28.