Wedding in Wisco

So I am a terrible sister. I only took one picture of my sister's wedding last weekend, and its on my Colombian cell phone and I have no idea how to get it off. Hopefully, others will start posting pics on Facebook that I can steal, or the photographer will get some ready to go. Here wedding was absolutely beautiful and was an absolutely wonderful day. I don't think we could have had better weather or that her two boys could have been any cuter in their tuxes. If I'm able to get some pics from somewhere, I'll post them soon!

We're Engaged!

On Christmas Eve, Jesse proposed! We haven't figured out any wedding details yet, but since I didn't get to show off my ring to too many people when we were home, here's a few pics of it!

Packer Game

Well I lost my Lambeau virginity this last week- went to my first Packers game! We went a little bit early to walk around the stadium a bit and to run into some friends. And the Dads went with us!
And they won! They creamed the Giants. Which made it even more fun!

Christmas!

Just a quick note to say that we are flying out tomorrow for the U.S. for Christmas! We're excited to see family; Jesse is excited to see snow (I am less than thrilled to be cold). We will see the fam soon!

A Piece of Grad School

As some of you know, I am currently enrolled in a master's degree program through the University of Alabama. They send a professor down four times a year to give us a whirlwind graduate course in two weeks. Friday was the last day of my last class. Since Jess and I have been so incredibly busy these last few weeks, I thought I would share something I wrote for that class. We read the poem Where I'm From (click to read the original) by George Ella Lyon, and were told to write our own. I only had 7 minutes to write, so take that into consideration while you read. I don't think this would be ready to be published just yet. Enjoy!

Where I'm From

I am from Wisconsin
Land of beer, brats, and cheese
Summers by the lake,
soaking up the sun, laying on the boat.
Winters in the snow,
with red cheeks and noses
coming in to warm by the fire.

I am from the land,
farmers are my heritage
growing corn and cows
picking strawberries with Grandma
or watching the tractor with Grandpa

Brothers, sister, cousins, all together
a noisy bunch we were
We still get together,
although less each passing year.

Moving from country to town
was hard for all of us.
Little league, flag football, track and field
Sports became almost all we knew
Seasons were not winter, spring, summer or fall,
but cross country, wrestling, track and softball

I'm from homemade cakes and cookies
never from a box or store
Crisp fall apples made into applesauce
country food at its best.

Summer in Wisco

After completing our first year in Paraguay, we journeyed to Wisconsin for some family and stateside time. We never stopped moving the entire four weeks we were home, but it felt good to be around back. Since most of our readers were with us at one point or another during our stay, I’ll keep the commentary short, but rest assured, it was a good month. There’s nothing better than Wisconsin in the summertime.

Jesse is pretty set in his ways about a few things, and one of those things is seeing baseball live at least once per year. As an avid BrewCrew fan, that means of course, a Brewers’ game! We combined families a bit, with my dad, Justin, Amy and Jake, going with Jesse’s Mom, Gail, Greg and Anna. Tailgating is of course a for sure thing!

We were lucky that, while visiting Tricia in Minneapolis, there were seats available for a Minnesota Twins game during the inauguration year for their new stadium, Target Field. It is a beautiful field, with wonderful views of the Minneapolis skyline. We actually ended up with good seats, right behind home plate.

After Minneapolis, it was Cabin and Hodag time! A few days for the 4^th of July spent with my family, lounging around on inner tubes on the lake, catching up with everyone. Jesse and I got to try out our new tent, and I think it will work wonderfully on our next vacation. I regret not taking more pictures of our time at June’s cabin, but sometimes its dangerous taking a camera out on the water!

At Hodag, there were a few celebrations- one for Elena’s 50^th birthday, and another Hodag Christmas celebration for us- complete with a Christmas tree, carols (courtesy of Tricia and Gail), and cookies.

My last little trip was out to Minneapolis for a second time to catch up with Maggie and see her new apartment. We had a blast, hanging out and enjoying wine on the patio. And I had to include the skyline view from Maggie’s street- just incredible!

The time went by quick, and I’m pretty sure Jess and I traveled over 1500 miles during the month, it felt great to see everyone and feast ourselves on all that Wisconsin has to offer. Namely, really good beer, brats, and cheese.

Counting Down

Right now, it is Monday night of the last week of our first year in Paraguay. It has been crazy hectic around here, trying to finish grades, go out to farewell dinners, continuing to train for the half marathon, and of course, catching as many World Cup games as possible. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that in less than a week, we will be back in Wisconsin seeing family and friends. These Wandering Wisconsinites will be heading back to the dairy state for some much needed r&r. Things that we are definitely looking forward to (well besides the obvious- seeing family and friends)
- Brewer's game
- testing out the new camping equipment we have been slowly purchasing over the last few months
- seeing a new nephew be born
- dark, good, tasty, delicious beer
- the cabin
- Hodag Music Festival
- Italian cheese fries, Wisconsin style
- grilled bratwurst
- canoeing
- trip to Minneapolis
- cheddar cheese
Oh Wisconsin- we'll be there soon!

Summer in Wisconsin

I didn't blog much over the course of our five weeks home- it went by so fast! But, I have decided to share some pictures of our time home on here.
Our first weekend in the states, Jesse and I went down to Milwaukee to visit my brother and sister-in-law, and we went to a Brewers game.
Two weekends later, we went to Minneapolis to visit Jesse's sister Tricia. That is Jesse and Tricia walking on the riverside downtown Minneapolis.

I spent a weekend camping with the girls-Jenna, Maggie, and Mary Beth. We have already decided that it has to be an annual event.

During the fourth of July weekend, we went up to my aunt's cabin in the northwoods. It was freezing!!! But Nathan (nephew) was able to entertain himself with the singing bass fish on the wall.
Hodag music festival! Country music and good Wisconsin beer.

It was a good time home!

Remembering the Snow

As I was sweating cooking dinner tonight, in our small kitchen without airflow, Jesse forwarded to me the pictures of us cross country skiing when we were in Wisconsin for Christmas. There is just something for how beautiful the snow can be, especially if one hasn't seen it for awhile, and really doesn't have to worry about shoveling it or scraping it off of one's vehicle. We really had a wonderful time in Wisconsin, and here are some of the pictures.

Jesse and I skiing around the bend.

Us wrestling in the snow. I think I was at a bit of a disadvantage.

The pristine view from the trail. A beautiful lake in the Wisconsin Northwoods.

The only way I can be as tall as Jesse.

Christmas break in Wisconsin

It just seems incredible, that the long awaited Christmas break is over. For the 10 days spent in Wisconsin this holiday season, it was wonderful. Despite the fact that one certain nephew was sick for a decent portion of the break, it was defnitely worth it coming home for a bit and seeing everyone. I got to: meet my new niece, attend two Packer parties, go cross country skiing, see Maggie's dad play, and spend some much needed time at home. It seems like the more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. It was great getting to see everyone again, and it reminds me of how much I miss when I'm gone, and how happy I am to come back and visit. We will be back in the states in four short weeks to attend an international job fair, where hopefully a job somewhere in South America awaits. I'll add some Wisconsin pictures later.