Hello, New Home!

We are officially home owners!  We signed the paperwork in the early morning of Saturday, 10/22/11 and had a hectic day full of deliveries, cleaning, heavy lifting and moving boxes.  It was exciting and tiring all at the same time.  We couldn't have done it without Nate's mom, Chris, who drove down EARLY from Marion, OH, to help clean our house and be there for deliveries.  She is a saint!

Here is the view from the cul de sac of the front of our house:

Stairs in the foyer when you walk in the front door:

 

This is the family room, which is behind the garage: 

View of Nate in the kitchen from the family room:

In this shot, I am standing in between the living room and the dining room, facing the front door/ stairs:

View of the dining room from the living room:

Now it's time to fill this house up and start to decorate! :)

Goodbye, Apartment!

It is finally time to say goodbye to our apartment.  While I'm happy to be out of our crowded living space (we were so cramped for space we also had a 10x10 storage garage packed to the brim!), it was the place that Nate proposed, so will always hold a special place in my heart!

Above - He proposed on 9/14/10 while I was making a spaghetti dinner... kneeling down on the carpet right outside our tiny little kitchen.  Great memories! :)

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

One of the clients I work with has a partnership with the Chivas USA, Major League Soccer team.  The client was unable to attend the Sponsor Summit, so myself and a colleague went on their behalf.  The kicker?  It was in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!

Just another day at the office... :)

Nate's 30 Things in Cincinnati - #11 Bike Ride in Cincinnati

We rented a surry (2-person bike) and took an hour long ride together along the Ohio River.  It was hilarious to ride together; Nate had control of the steering wheel and the brakes and I just provided all of my muscle, ha.

Iowa at Iowa State Game 2011

September 10, 2011 - The entire family all traveled to Ames to see Andrew at his first apartment and go to the Iowa at Iowa State football game.  Dad, Mom and Joseph came from Iowa City... Elyse came from Chicago... and Nate and I from Cincinnati.  Uncle Dan, Aunt Gretchen and Emily also came over from Iowa City to see Brendan who also attends ISU.  It was the AbElAnJo Bus' first away game and we had a great time grilling and catching up with the family.  Unfortunately for the majority of the family... the triple-overtime game ended in a L for the Hawkeyes.

Nate's 30 Things in Cincinnati - #10 Go to a Cincinnati Oktoberfest

September 18, 2011: Nate and I went downtown to Cincinnati's Oktoberfest.  We had beers, bratwurst, "German Nachos," Goetta Mac n Cheese... delicious!

Annual Brown Family Trip to Lake Erie

Our second annual trip to Lake Erie and Put-In-Bay was a success!  This time we had the Labor Day weekend so an extra day to spend with the family.  We kayaked, had big breakfasts, visited a local ice cream shop, and of course... took the Jet Express to Put-in-Bay for a night with our favorite local Ohio State bank, the Danger Brothers.

Our Honeymoon!

Two months after getting married, we were READY to enjoy some R&R.  Nate did all of the planning and we hopped on a plane to Aruba for a week.  We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called the Occidental Grand Resort.  It was everything we hoped it could be; relaxing, beautiful, warm and FUN!  We're ready to go back, ha.