Iowa Fun!

This weekend I went and visited my friend Kate in Iowa.  We had such a great time playing with her daughter, Charlotte, and catching up.  Kate lives in Bedford Iowa with her husband Sean.  I got to Kate and Sean's house Friday evening and enjoyed some great dinner and wine.  We spent most of the night sharing what was new with each of us.  We also skyped with our friend Mandy in DC.  I just love catching up with the girls.  We have to do this more often. 

Saturday, Kate, Charlotte and I went back to our old stomping grounds in Maryville.  We met Brooke and her son Dixon at A&Gs.  I have not been to Maryville in forever.  It was so wonderful to see the town, and just soak in Bearcat country.  We couldn't leave town without getting some new Bearcat apparel.  So we stopped by the Jock's Nitch and grabbed some goodies.  There was a figurine of Bobby the Bearcat so we grabbed a snapshot.

Later that afternoon, Kate, Charlotte, and I got back in the car and went to see Kate's sister Sarah.  She and her husband Zach are building a new house in Diagonal, Iowa which is about 20 minutes from Bedford.  Her sister has only 2 more weeks and she will officially move in.  Her house was absolutely gorgeous.  It is nestled in the country with trees and pasture all around.  She has simply serene views from all of her windows in her house.  I think she and Zach are truly going to enjoy spending the rest of their lives in Diagonal raising Jackson and any future kiddos. 

Sarah decided to come back to Kate and Sean's to enjoy a fun girls' night after we left her house.  Sean bbq'd some steaks and asparagus, while the girls munched on some snacks and drank some beer and wine.  He was definitely pampering his girls.  Kate, Sarah and I pretty much drank away the night just enjoying good company and sharing all of our fun adventures.

It is always so great to catch up with friends.  I can't wait to get together again.  This weekend has been a great girl's weekend.

Parkville Microbrew Festival...Beer anyone?

Aaron and I ventured off to Parkville today to check out the Parkville Microbrew festival.  It was a GORGEOUS day.  I don't think the weather could have been any more perfect.  As Aaron would say, we had the best day ever. 

We started things off with a delictable stop at the Corner Cafe.  This is Aaron's favorite breakfast spot in all of KC.  Aaron will rate any breakfast/brunch restaurant based on their biscuits and gravy.  So far, he hasn't found anything to top this place.  We got there around 11 am for a late breakfast early lunch.  While Aaron decided to go for the usual, I opted to try their lunch menu and had awesome fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and a roll.  It was amazing.  After we stuffed our tummys, we headed towards Parkville.

We met up with some friends and spent from 1pm - 5pm sampling over 40 microbreweries.  Each attendee received a sampling glass and free reign to drink and enjoy the great outdoors.  The festival had several live bands that played throughout the day and plenty of food.  My favorite beer was from Boulevard.  They had a new brew that will be released this summer called "80 acres".  I can't wait for it to go on sale.  Aaron drank a ton of great IPAs. 

I had a wonderful time relaxing in the park, while the guys continued to drink.  It was such a great place to people watch. 

After the festival ended, we headed up North to Molly and Trent's house.  We enjoyed a great BBQ and just caught up on life. 

It was a great way to enjoy a Saturday!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Well, the day is finally here...I have officially turned 30!  I have been showered with such love this entire week.  When I went to my desk today, my team had decorated my cube and baked some goodies for me.  They are so sweet and thoughtful!  It was such a great surprise. 

I also received flowers at work from Gary and Brenda.  It was my first delivery ever at Cerner.  The entire time I walked back to my building with my flowers, everyone gushed and raved about how pretty they were.  I felt so special.

My work girlfriends and I went out to lunch at the Cafe.  Laura even got me a bottle of Cloudy Bay wine, which was super great.  This was one of our favorite wines from New Zealand.  Today, could not have been any better. 

Aaron and I capped off the night with an amazing dinner at Cafe Trio.  I am so lucky to have such great friends, family, and husband.  I am definitely looking forward to everything that this next decade brings.  Aaron and I will undoubtedly have many more amazing adventures.  I cannot wait!  So long twenties, and hello thirties!

Happy EARLY 30th Birthday, Emily!

This weekend I celebrated my 30th birthday.  So, I am not exactly 30 yet, but boy did Aaron spoil me this weekend with a series of early birthday surprises.  We planned a birthday dinner with our friends for Saturday evening, but little did I know what else Aaron had in store for me.

Saturday morning Aaron kept nagging me to take a shower and get around.  As you can imagine I was like no, I have nothing to do today, I am going to be lazy.  I finally got around enough to go get a mani/pedi, when Aaron surprised me with a birthday card.  In the card, was the beginning of a FANTASTIC scavenger hunt.  It was such a creative and exciting adventure.  I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband who loves me so much.

My first clue came with my birthday card.  I got a gift card to the movies and the following clue.

CLUE #1:
     Go to the room where wrinkles get flat
     Look up at the yellow crack
     To start a journey of fun
     A trail of birthday clues has begun

     ANSWER #1:
          The bonus room over the garage

I instantly ran up stairs to our office upstairs.  We store our ironing board up there.  As I looked up in the yellow room, I saw an envelope taped to the ceiling.  I ripped open the envelope to find the next clue.

CLUE #2:
     Go to the place where work is done by others
     She is the opposite of brothers
     Don't forget to put on your shoe
     Use code #### to get your next clue

     ANSWER #2:
          Amy's House

By this time, I was like oh my goodness!  Aaron, do I need to drive to my sister's house?  He said yes, so I thought, well heck where else will these clues lead me.  I better put on some make-up and put myself together for this adventure.  After some quick make-up, hairspray, and shoes, I was out the door to my sister's house.

In a few minutes I was at my sister's house.  I entered her garage code and as soon as the door lifted, I saw Happy 30th birthday balloons.  Another envelope was attached at the bottom of the balloons.  My next clue was filled with a re-charged Starbuck's gift card.  Yay, many more chai tea lattes to come!  The next clue read...

CLUE #3:
     This is a magical place
     Full of style and grace
     Got to the Loft of Ann
     In Town Center your next clue awaits

     ANSWER #3:
          Anny Taylor Loft store

Man was I excited.  I couldn't believe that Aaron had left me a clue at Ann Taylor Loft.  I called Aaron to see if I was supposed to go inside the store or not.  He said go inside and ask the ladies at the counter.  I walked up to the counter and asked if a clue had been left for me.  The ladies immediately started gushing.  They wanted to hear all about my scavenger hunt.  A woman making a purchase was just like your husband sounds amazing.  I couldn't help but feel pretty special that Aaron was doing all of this for me.  I was literaly on cloud nine.  My next clue came with a gift card to Ann Taylor Loft.  Yay!  So much fun shopping to do.

CLUE #4:
     You have taken many family pics
     At this original House of Dix
     There is a new kitchen and floor
     With your next clue in store

     ANSWER #4:
          My parent's house

Off I went to Olathe.  I called Aaron to tell him I was on track.  He said I could spend a little time with my parents catching up and checking out their new car.  Yes, my mom got a brand new loaded Equinox.  She and my Dad are so excited about it.  As I was driving to Olathe, I recorded a video for Aaron.  Check it out.

I got to my parents house and saw by the fireplace an arrangement of balloons and a gorgeous flower bouqet.  This scavenger hunt couldn't get any better.  My fifth and final clue read...

CLUE #5:
     Go to the place where our journey began
     Cookies and a picnic basket were in the plan
     One of the best days of your life
     I asked, will you be my wife

     ANSWER #5:
          Jacob Loose Park

I kind of teared up a bit, when I thought back to the day that Aaron proposed.  I have, and always will, treasure the great memories associated with Loose Park.  I was thrilled that this was my final destination.  I said goodbye to my parents and headed to the park.  The sun was out.  The clouds were so nice and fluffy.  I parked the car and headed out into the green space.  As I came over the hill, I found Aaron sitting with a picnic lunch.  He had grabbed food from "The Mixx", one of my favorite restaurants.  We enjoyed a fantastic picnic and gorgeous Saturday.  As we were talking and just enjoying being together, he said he had one more surprise.  Out from the picnic basket he pulled a wrapped present.  As I unwrapped the present, I couldn't believe what he had bought me...a new iPad 3!  I couldn't believe all that he had done for me to make this milestone so special.  This was the best day ever!  What a great way to welcome in my thirties.

Later that afternoon, I did end up getting a mani and pedi.  Then Saturday evening, Aaron and I headed to Pandolfi's restaurant in Columbus Park, just East of the River Market.  We had our friends the Londquists, the Jessens, and Tarryn Hickman join us for a great dinner.  We had wonderful food, drinks, and friends to close out a truly amazing day. 

I have the best husband in the whole wide world.  I cannot wait to welcome in my 30s this Friday, April 20th.  Aaron has made sure that I feel special and loved.  I hope that I can always make him feel the same way.  I look forward to a brand new decade full of awesome adventures and memories.  I know this is going to be even better than my twenties, because this decade, I get to spend the entire decade with my husband and best friend.  That is all I could ever ask for!

Thank you, Aaron.  I love you a million times over!