The Best Year Yet... In a Nut Shell

2012 was AMAZING!!!!!!! 

If I didn't think it would bore everyone else, I would post pictures from each individual event that took place (there were so many awesome memories made!!!). In an effort to hold your attention I've decided to highlight just a few events from 2012. 

Cheers to a great year and hopefully an even better one to come!!

The year started out with wedding showers and bachelor/bachelorette parties. So many family and friends to be thankful for!

Next came a long weekend in Colorado for the BIG wedding. Activities and events that we'll never forget with our closet family and friends.

I got to marry the love of my life and BEST friend while 34 of our nearest and dearest witnessed!!

Our officiant, Gretchen, added another notch to her cowgirl boot in honor of our ceremony.

After the wedding weekend a trip to Vegas was in order.

We celebrated our nuptials in MN on an unforgettable, balmy, 80 degree day in March.

We had our first Zoe scare and had to make an emergency trip to the vet. Turns out it wasn't anything a little ice pack couldn't fix!

The remodel of the back yard took place. (before)

(after)

We attended the 1st annual Kentucky Derby party to support the JDRF-YLC.

Neon pedal pub with the Best of Blaine!!

Because Dan had to work over labor day weekend, we decided to make a trip our of it. We enjoyed a weekend of shopping, walking and eating in NYC.

One of my best friends also tied the knot in 2012. In the quaint town of Montevideo!

We attended several weddings in 2012 and two of our close friends went above and beyond to cut the mold of wedding receptions and brought in dueling pianos. They win the creative card for weddings in my book!! What a fun night!!

We roamed the streets of San Francisco and had a blast visiting with our west coast friends.

Next we drove up the coast to Napa and enjoyed several days of  sunshine, food and lots of wine!!

I finally made the trip to Texas to visit the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Young!

We celebrated Grandma's 75th birthday with a holiday trolly light tour.

We said goodbye to 2012 and rang in the new year with champagne and friends at the Local in downtown Minneapolis.

Holiday Treats

I am now in FULL holiday mode!! The other day I decided that it was time to make some treats for the holidays. This week being the kick-off to the holiday party bonanza ended up being the perfect week to make the goodies!

The menu consisted of Oreo Truffles, Pretzel Holiday Hugs and White Peppermint Snowballs. None of the recipes were my own and I have to admit that I specifically chose these recipes above others for their simplicity. Two of the recipes I got from one of my favorite blogs, Cooking Classy, and the other I got off of FoodNetwork.com.

Recipes can be found via the following links:

Oreo Truffles

Pretzel Holiday Hugs

White Peppermint Snowballs

Holiday Crafting

Time has flown by so quickly! I realized the other day that I haven't been cooking new things lately and therefore I haven't thought about posting as much. Anyhow, I did bake a delicious homemade mac n' cheese for a Christmas party we attended last weekend. Dan and I also co-cooked chili for football last Sunday. Both recipes can be found in the recipe section.

This weekend Dan and I are babysitting my nieces and nephew. I am SUPER excited as I love all things holiday and now I have an excuse to have some silly holiday crafting fun! We are going to make gingerbread houses together and I'm hoping it will be a hit with them.

What does your gingerbread house look like? Fancy or fun?!