Josiah's Birthday Party at Black Bean!

After much debate, Josiah decided to have his B-day party at a small Cuban restaurant near campus.  What a great decision!  As it turns out, this place had a back room with a dance floor where they used to have DJ's, but on Josiah's birthday they let us have the whole back room for free and Annie was our DJ!

Zel, Birthday Boy, Maria, and Nancy!

We ordered food and were all served massive portions! Even my appetizer was the size of a full blown meal!  The service was great, and the owner's had their two adorable kids there, who requested a piece of Birthday cake - but... only if it was good cake, hahah!  So cute.

Anna, Josiah, Cuban portions, and Annie!

The night really picked up when the owner's dimmed the lights and turned on all of the black lights and strobe lights - it was like a high school dance!  The strobe lights were making me look like I was dancing much faster than I was, but I didn't mind the help.  I was also lucky enough to pick a bright white t-shirt to wear at a black light party! HAhah, man the dancing was fun.  I wish Lyssa was there to rip up the dance floor with me... I was begging people to do the worm, mainly because I knew Lyssa would have!

It was a great night, and I'm so glad that I went out.  I wasn't sure, because I was having a rough day... but then I thought "WWJBD"... "What Would Joel Buck Do?" and I knew that he wouldn't miss an opportunity to celebrate with friends...  I'm so glad I listened.

Seymour in the U.P. ey!

I couldn't stay in Pittsburgh for long, so a quick ten days after getting back from Christmas vacation, I was heading back to Milwaukee where Westerhoff was picking me up from the airport! It was MLK Day weekend, meaning a free Monday off of school and a perfect excuse to head home during the winter to show my parents my engagement ring!  I'm so glad that Paul proposed just in time for me to go home and spend some time with my parents, what an understanding guy ey?


When Chris picked me up at the airport, of course parked in the pilot lot, he was looking for a big bruise across my back or face... because the two weeks prior I hinted that Paul is getting excited about getting engaged...  His classic response was... "Aahhh, I see... Paul's thinking that he's got the fish in the boat, only thing left to do is SMACK it with the OAR!!!"  So, I told him I got hit by the oar.

Me on the Sabercat at Look Out Point

On the way home Chris showed me where he spends most of his days, at work in Appleton.  Sweet shop, with lots of massive toys including cranes bigger than our house!  Ridiculous!  It was pretty sweet, and I'm glad he showed me the garage, although I am sure that they were a little puzzled why a small girl was running around through the shop.

That night we met up with Chris's parents and made our way to Eddie Whipp's for their Friday night fish fry, but made a pit stop at Stadium View to meet up with Pretty Ricky and Hill Bill.  It was so nice catching up with those two over a Blue Moon!  After Whipp's I was SUPER tired, and passed out under Stu's massive coat after prank calling Lyssa to try to get her to leave her work party.  Apparently getting up at 2:30AM to catch a plane isn't the best way to energize for a Whippy party.

Downtown Houghton, getting ready to go the KBC!

Curty in front of his pride and joy, Lake Eva!

-SATURDAY & SUNDAY-

Me, Mom and Dad by the railroad bridges! So scenic!

Saturday morning, we got up early and went up to Lake Eva to do some snowmobiling!  That afternoon we went to the KBC and I cooked dinner at the camp.  It was a fun run on the sleds, and the Sabercat was purring like a little artic kitten!  Joel made such a good choice in getting that sled, thank goodness I don't have a lead thumb!

Groomer we met on the Freida Loop!

Sunday we snowmobiled down to Rockland to grab a bite to eat at Henry's.  They have excellent food!  It was a fun run on the sleds, because you get to go over the old railroad bridges and see the massive bluffs of the UP.  We went up to look out point and took some photos too.  The elevation is pretty impressive.  We made our way back to base camp (The Mosquito Inn) and were going to watch the game there, but it was terrible and I was itching to get back out on the trails while everyone was inside glued to the TV.  We ran the Frieda Loop and met the groomer on our way - FIRST tracks on the smooth trails, now that is HEAVEN!  Such a smoooooth ride!

Curty making the best of the freshly groomed trails, smooth as silk!

 -MONDAY & TUESDAY-
Monday we took off early before the sunrise and headed down to the flat lands of Seymour.  We went to see Grandma Marsh and spent some time around home.  We even took a trip into Green Bay to pick out some tile for Buck's cabin.  After, I ran down to Appleton to spend some time with the Anderson's and show them the bling!  It was fun to catch up with Kathy, Mark and Dooze!

Railroad look outs on the trail to Rockland!

Monday night we had an impromptu dinner party at the duplex with Chris, Liz, Lyssa and Bergs.  Chef Chris fired up the cast iron and whipped up some delicious Mexican food.  Then we proceeded to stay up much too late for a week night talking about funny stories and good times.  It's always a blast at the duplex, and I like trying to fit into Bucks small flannel pants and snuggling into bed.

At Milwaukee Airport

I flew out of Milwaukee Tuesday evening, and Mom and Dad drove me down there.  The time home always goes too fast, and it was hard to say goodbye.  Lately I would fly home only to anticipate flying back in a few days, but this time I don't have a flight home for a while which makes it hard to go back to Pittsburgh.  At least my fiance is always waiting for me upon my return.  I'm so thankful that Paul is out here and that I have friends that are willing to put up with my antics.  I am sure my excitement for school will gradually return, but until then I'm going to take it day by day.

Me and Curty outside the Mosquito Inn!

Engagement!

Well, it's definitely big news that requires a blog update... Because, I'm engaged!  Or, I should say that we're engaged!  Yep, it's official that we're going to tie the knot!  Of course I'm assuming that you all want pictures and the story.  I will have to put it all together for my wedding website again, but I thought that a good preview here would be welcomed by many.

Our engagement, we cannot wait for the big day!

So, last Monday (1/9/2012) Paul had a long day at work at the pediatric emergency department, and I had a week full of exams.  I just finished making up my ethics test that afternoon and then spent much of the afternoon in the library attempting to prepare for my Cell Path exam that was rapidly approaching on Thursday.  I got back from Christmas break on (1/4/12) and was leaving again for Wisconsin that Friday morning, so it was a brief return to Pittsburgh to begin with.

Anyway, I beat Paul home on Monday, because I was famished and needed dinner.  I went home, ate, and started studying at my computer post on the kitchen table.  Paul texted me and told me he was getting a few things at the grocery store, mostly cereal, and that he would be home soon.  So he comes waltzing up the stairs a few minutes later with grocery bags of cereal.  I welcomed him home, and then he asked if I could help get the rest of the groceries out of the car.  I said "Do, I have to? I really need to finish this lecture...  ugh, okay, fine."  After Paul convinced me to help him, I through on some slip on heels and headed downstairs, Paul insisting I go first.

When I started down the stairs in our entry way, there were rose petals and notes leading down the stairs.  That's when it finally sunk in what was happening.  I followed the notes down the stairs all giddy, and at the bottom, Paul got down on his knee, and started whispering things I didn't understand.  I said, "Let's go upstairs, let's go upstairs!" and I ran up to the apartment.... haha, and he followed I guess, and then came in the apartment door and got down on one knee again.  I still didn't really understand what he was saying, but I said yes and slid the ring on anyway!  Later that night, he told me the speech he had rehearsed, and it was perfect.

The story of our engagement in a collage, what a perfect engagement...

After the excitement, we took a lot of pictures, and I texted and called my buddies!  We were so excited!  I cracked a bottle of champagne had a glass, then we walked over to Anna and Josiah's place to tell them about it and drink cheap champagne with them.

Paul had also planned to go to a really nice restaurant called Salt of the Earth, but we just ran out of time, and I was feeling full from dinner that I had had 30 minutes prior.  He also bought a REALLY nice bottle of wine for us.  We'll go out to eat soon to celebrate our engagement, and I will most definitely post pictures of the event!

Paul did such a wonderful job picking out the ring and planing the whole event.  The ring is beautiful, and perfect!  And now, I can officially say.... fiance!

Joel Buck and Paul, my two boys.

It's the New Year... 2012

The past year has brought about so many changes including moving to a new city in a new state and starting medical school.  Despite the many overwhelming changes of the year, I feel fortunate to still be so blessed in so many ways.  For example, spending New Years Eve in Lake Eva with family and friends.  Lake Eva is by far one of my favorite places to spend time and soak in the beauty, silence, and beautiful scenery. 

We were able to snowmobile up there and into camp.  It was great to be back because I haven't been up there in the winter in a while!  I drove up with Chris after a blast of a pit stop in Fence.  We set up camp one night with John and KJ and had the chance to catch up, pour a few "Buck Shots", share a few laughs, and dance like crazy Taylor Swift.  It was a blast.  The next morning, Chris and I split the Tylenol down the middle, with one Excedrin each.  Once in Houghton, after a Walmart pit stop for cheap champagne, I found myself in the driver seat of the Burb as Chris was pushing it out of the ditch full of snow, hahah! It was quite a site, and I suggested that Chris take the curve a LITTLE slower next time...

Me on the Cougar, heading into camp!

On New Years Eve we took a quick snowmobile trip down to the Skeeto eager to use our Skeeto Drink chips that George gave us all for Christmas!  Mum had a blast, stealing chips from everyone around her!  It made for many laughs throughout the weekend, that's for sure!

Christmas chips!  You better guard them!

Chris and I managed to stay up until Midnight, fighting to stay awake from the fun we had the night before in Fence!  We had a great time none the less!  New Years Day we make a trip to the KBC and Chirs and I topped off the day watching Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation, and I laughed so hard I couldn't breath.  That night we had a beautiful batch of lake effect snow to wake up to in the morning.  The snow comes down so slowly but constantly that it coats and frosts the trees.  It's such a pretty snowfall, unlike anything else.

Dad in the front, me, and mother!

That day we took advantage of the fresh powder and hit the trails to Twin Lakes.  It was a white out, and I couldn't see dad's taillight in front of me because of the fresh white.  When everything is white, it's hard to tell where the trails are, but we had an absolute blast! 

Heading to the Mosquito for lunch!  Me, Dad and Mom on the trail!

I absolutely enjoyed the time up there, so much that on my last day there, I booked flights to go back in 10 days!  I thought that the best time to head home was MLK Day which is creeping up soon!  I was able to fly out of the Houghton airport and head back to Pittsburgh.  I love that airport and will surely look for flight out of there any time I get the chance to run home between exams!

Houghton County Airport, yep that's the whole place!

I cannot wait to get back! My mission is to study for my Pathology exam like a dedicated student, then pack my bags again to head back to Milwaukee!  Wish me luck!

The view from the cabin - Lake Eva.

A few moments...

I wanted to post a few photos from the past few months... I couldn't find the perfect post to incorporate them, but they deserve a spot just the same... 

Paul and I cooking the turkey...

Grandma and Grandpa Marsh

The Westerhoff Family at the Duplex - Merry Christmas!

My Madison girls... Miss you both very much!

Dad's new Buck knife from the boys, such a good Christmas Eve!

House in Green Bay that programmed lights to music, good catch Curty!

Back to Wisconsin for Christmas...

Fortunately, my time back in Pittsburgh was brief and shortly after arriving I was able to go back to Wisconsin to be with my family to celebrate the holidays.  We approached the holidays and made sure to celebrate and cherish the short time we had together in Wisconsin.  I flew into Milwaukee and my parents came to pick me up and we made our way quickly to Madison to meet up with all of my roommates and the Winsand crew!

Kendall Ave reunion in Madison!

We checked on the beloved Kendall Ave, and it brought back some amazing memories of the times we had living together in college and sharing that cozy house.  Shoveling the sidewalks in house robes and enjoying the weekends to their fullest!  We migrated quickly to the Blue Moon, a fine establishment down the road and had dinner and met up with friends and some of my Madison co-workers! 

Nathan, fun chatting med school with ya!

Windpants family!

Early the next morning we made our way back to Seymour to get things ready for Christmas which was rapidly approaching!  I am so happy we were able to make a Madison pit stop and catch up with everyone!