Austin, TX

 Yeehaw y'all! When Jolene asked if Josh and I wanted to celebrate her birthday with her in Austin we said "duh". Jolene's mom Julie was already in an airbnb down there having just relocated from Mexico. Jolene was kind to let us stay with them and have some fun before her and Julie drove the last of her things up to their new home in Minneapolis. This long weekend was a banger. Every place we went was a great experience and we were in the best of company. My only regret is not getting a photo shoot of Julie's labradoodles Mesa and Molly. 

Day 1: We went to Mama Dearest for frozen espresso martinis on the hottest day ever and then had dinner at the delicious Pache followed by digestifs at Whislers.

Day 2: Juneteenth! There was a a parade! Josh and I were able to get a little Lime Scoot time and visit our all-time favorite taco and aqua fresca spot Vera Cruz. Then we met back up with Jolene and went to the experiential Tiki Tatsu-ya and had a boat full of salty foamy shots rowed out to us in the midst of a faux rainstorm. Then we went to my new favorite bar Frazier's and I'm not kidding when I say they made fried pickles taste like little Michelin Stars. We ended the night seeing Broncho at Radio East.

Guys! We took Waymos! They're cool!

Total Babe alert.

Day 3 Josh and I took ourselves to the Austin Motel in South Congress to belatedly celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. We mostly swam in the pool and let me tell you it was glorious. We had more tacos and then more tacos. 

Day 4: Our final day we laid around in robes and had iced coffee until it was time for SPLASH DANCE with Erica Nix! It was the silliest pool aerobics ever and I don't think I've ever laughed so hard (I did NOT pee in the pool despite laughing so much just in case you were wondering). Then off to the airport and back home. 

This trip went by too fast. How often can you say you went somewhere and the entire time was great? Jolene and Julie thank you SO much for hosting us and feeding us booze and food. If you are reading this and thinking "based on this experience what is the number one thing I should do if I find myself in Austin" and it is Splash Dance. Followed by everything else we did because it was all fantastic. 

Torin’s Pizza Farm Bday

 Hi y’all! I got a new camera and took it for a spin at Torin’s pizza farm party. Gorgeous day with gorgeous people and delicious pizza at Alpha & Omega Farm. 

Winter wasn’t so bad

 Winter felt very long. We didn’t take a mega tropical trip this year and instead focused on some local adventures and saving money. In retrospect, this felt like a poor choice but! we managed to find ways to have a lot of fun. 

We had Northern Lights in the Twin Cities. 

Bowie swam hard with the MN Flyers.

Bowie had his first double date.

We celebrated the holidays with friends.

I went curling for the first time.

The boys got very into local wrestling.

We protested the presence of ICE in MN.

Josh and I took a weekend vacay to Stillwater during their Ice Festival.

Bowie was in his first play as 'Sidney' in Murder on the 518.

We escaped this room.

We celebrated Luke and Lauren's new home with the Dear Hearts.

I spent a lot of time with these amazing women.

We went with Rob and Sarah to Chicago to see The Hives and The Chats. We got to hang with Marc and Janice and visit Janice at The Field Museum.

Bowie and I spent an epic day at the Mall of America.

Most importantly: We welcome Cosmo into our family!

Family portraits 2025