A Quick Trip

I just got back from a quick trip to Minnesota and Tulsa for a wedding of one of my best college friends.  Allie came with me to Minnesota so Nana and Bopa could watch her while I went to the wedding.   Allie also got to spend time with my parents, my grandma, Aunt Sue, and her cousins (on both sides).  It was a whirlwind trip, but such a blast!

My friend Deana got married in August in Columbus, but I need my friends to send me photos since I didn't take a single picture at either wedding. (Friends that are reading, please send me pictures, so I can blog about Deana's wedding too!).  I already got pictures from Katie and Sarah from Kat's wedding this past weekend, so I wanted to do a post. She was, of course, a stunning bride.  The rehearsal dinner and wedding fit her sense of style and personality to a T and it was fun to FINALLY visit Tulsa for the first time.  I loved it!

The beautiful bride.

The couple.

The reception was at a really funky garage that repairs vintage cars. It was the most unique reception I think I've ever been to and it was SO fun!

The DePauw guests.  All Theta's except the one guy who is married to a Theta.

Sarah, Katie and me at the reception.

The "Minnesota Girls" in the fun photo booth.

It was a wonderful wedding and so much fun to get to see all my college friends at the reunion in June, Deana's wedding in August, and Kat's wedding in September.  It was sad to leave since I don't know when I'll see a lot of these ladies next, but I know that you can't keep us apart too long, so we'll be planning another fun trip within a few months!

Peanut Butter Anyone?

This is what your child eats for breakfast when they have a double ear infection, a sore throat that might be strep, and multiple teeth coming in.  

I was just trying to get her some nutrients in a way that didn't really involve chewing and she loves peanut butter. Clearly this kid does not have a nut allergy!  She is over her ear infection and now we're just dealing with a grumpy toddler who refuses to nap due to the teeth situation.  I never realized how painful getting teeth can be...on the kiddos and the parents! :)

Today when I was getting Allie dressed I pulled out her skinny jeans and she said "oh CUTE!".  I totally agreed!  I thought I could get a cute picture of her in her cute jeans, but she was way too cool to cooperate.  

Just chilling by her chair.

Too busy playing.

Stop it with the paparazzi antics mom!

Finally I got the tongue.  Allie can be a bit sassy at times and I wouldn't have her any other way.  I put away the camera after this, so no cute shot of Allie. But, aren't her jeans cute? :)

First Day of School...Sort Of!

We were going to send Allie to a montessori toddler program a couple days a week, but decided not to for various reasons. One of the main reasons I didn't want to send her was because she would miss out on the children's program at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) and I really wanted her to continue to get the Christian education she receives there. I also wanted her to be able to go to the children's program at my MOM's group at another church one morning a week. So, all that being said, today was the first day of BSF, which is sort of like the first day of school for her since they run a program that is almost like a Christian preschool. 

Here she is, ready for her big day!

Sooooo big!  She's still not sick of this one. I'm just a little sad because it is starting to be true!

So, although she didn't really have a first day of school, it does kind of feel like we are starting a new chapter with the beginning of fall and the return to routine.  Everyone in the Mauer household is looking forward to another great year in Canada!

Please Mommy!

Allie was very disappointed that mommy wouldn't shell out the big bucks for this sweet ride at Toys R Us yesterday.  Despite her repeated pleas, (please mommy, please mommy, please, PLEASE, PLEASE), I forced her to leave the car at Toys R Us.  What a mean mommy!  

Vacation (part II)

We spent the first part of our vacation in beautiful Whistler and it lived up to all the hype!  

I loved Whistler's villages (the upper and the lower).  They were so quaint and reminded me of a European ski town. 

Allie and I waiting to get some Cows ice cream!  Dan and I first had this ice cream in Banff and it is the best!

Dan and Allie before our first dinner in Whistler.

On the first full day Dan, Allie, my dad and I went for a hike.  The scenery was gorgeous, but what really stood out to me was the size of the trees. They were enormous and so, so, beautiful.  This hike was one of my favorite things we did.

 

The next day brave Josiah (and Mercy!) did this:

We missed Mercy's turn, but got to see Josiah. They are braver than me!

That night we went out for a raclette dinner. My parents lived in Geneva, Switzerland just after they got married and that is where the love of raclette was born.  My entire life my family has enjoyed this Swiss meal and it was so fun to go out to a raclette dinner (just the adults!) in Whistler.  

Allie got to eat a lot of cheese that night too...just before her babysitter came!

In the morning we went bear watching. Turns out we probably didn't need to pay to go on a tour to see bears since we all saw plenty up close (more on that later), but the scenery was great, and we did see some bears.

This is what a real bear den looks like. I had no idea.

The pool was so relaxing and had gorgeous views.  My brother swears Tom Cruise was at the same hotel as us and came out on his balcony over the pool area to tell Mercy and Josiah to be quiet in the morning when they were swimming too early for Hollywood's standards! :)  Who knows if he was actually staying there, but we do think John Travolta was at our hotel in Vancouver since the hotel staff was talking about him being there. We had no sightings of him though.

Aunt Sarah warming Allie up!

On our last full day Dan, Allie and I hiked around.  

A little father/daughter bonding.

We had a blast, especially when we saw this guy:

Then we were a little nervous when this guy decided to join us on our walk!  He was maybe a little too close for comfort!

Our final dinner in Whistler.  

It was a trip of a lifetime and we'll never forget the memories we made!