All the Pens Were On the Floor

Tyler and I have noticed the past couple of days that pens keep appearing on the floor right next to our desk. Maya loves to sleep on the desk, and I assumed that Tyler or I left them sitting on the desk after being used and she accidentally knocked them off as she slept. How wrong was I...

Note: My camera cord isn't working correctly, so the Christmas post will have to wait. I promise that it is coming!

It's Been Way Too Long

Yes, yes. I know. It has been way too long since we have posted. It is crazy how busy life gets when the holidays are near and your husband works retail!:)

We spent the first part of Thanksgiving with my dad and stepfamily, and the second part at Tyler's parents' house. It was great to have some downtime and really enjoy the day. Tyler was not scheduled to work at midnight on Black Friday, but alas - we went out and braved the crowds. Neither of us had ever gone out at opening time on Black Friday (although we each had worked, but let's be honest - it's an entirely different experience. Despite the fact that I worked the next morning, we had a great time and got some really good deals.

I have been terrible at remembering to have my camera along when we are doing things, such as putting up and decorating the Christmas tree. Yes, we set up the tree the day after Thanksgiving and just decorated it last night. We had bought a tree on clearance after Christmas last year. It was much...smaller...than we remembered, but it fits in our apartment well. Maya has been curious, but so far we haven't had any disasters. Although I think she thought she had found kitty heaven when we were taking the ornaments out and putting them on the tree.

I had a mini nativity set that I had gotten years and years ago, and it made sense to put it up. We found the perfect place - on the top shelf of our living room bookshelf. The only problem was, Maya found it, too. I woke up one morning and Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus were all missing. It took some hunting (luckily I've learned where she likes to hide her toys), but by the end of the day all had been found. Needless to say..the nativity set didn't last too long.

My final note: you should be proud of me, as I drove in the terrible snow and ice on Saturday night! Yes, it may not have been that bad, but please don't judge until you have driven my car in winter. I did concede that the snow is pretty, but I continue to be reminded that I am not meant for Minnesota.

The Chicago L Breaks Down

Tyler & I, along with his mom and sister, took a weekend trip to Chicago. To sum it up:

• Shopping is fun, spending money is harder than it sounds.
• When the annual Lighting of the Lights parade is going to be happening, make sure you are on the side of the street you want to be.
• Beware of the L. It may break down. The cars may fill with smoke. You may be crammed in like sardines because of previously mentioned parade. And it may take awhile for things to be fixed. Oh yeah, and while that is happening - don't count on the train sitting flat on the tracks. It will most likely be leaning significantly to the left.
• The Super8 in Evanston is so bizarre. No words.

The Cloud Gate/bean

My first jumping picture ever. Worth it.

Pretty fall colors in Chicago > than cold, snowy icy crud in Minnesota.

Giordano's Pizza.

After the lights were lit, while waiting to be able to cross the street.

We had perfect weather, despite the subway debacle, it was a really great time. And if we're honest, even that was a fairly good time. Until the engine cut, all the lights turned out and it felt like we were in a sauna..

I always forget how fun road trips are. Tyler already has one planned if we ever move out to the west coast. It will be the trip of a lifetime.

Maya Thinks She's a Dog

I am hoping to post a video later, because this has become my favorite thing.

Maya plays fetch. Maya loves fetch.

This morning, I was in the kitchen getting a lunch ready and she brought her 'blue puffy ball' (which I have named Cleo) and dropped it at my feet, nudged my leg and just looked up at me. I picked it up, threw it, she pounced after it, brought it back in her mouth and dropped it my feet. Over, and over and over. She followed me along all of my getting ready routine, from brushing my teeth to putting on my makeup to checking my email. And just sat with it at her mouth, head tilted as I put on my jacket and walked out the door for work...

Fetch is at least a daily occurence - she just loves it. And so do we:)

We Introduce Hermione Charlotte

Yes, as of Friday afternoon, we are officially pet owners. We adopted Maya from Blue Sky Rescue. She was rescued at about three months old from a pound where her life may not have lasted too much longer.
She is so much fun to have. Our work schedules can be so opposite that we each end up being home alone a lot, and it is nice to have something else there.

Maya is extremely playful. She entertains herself, but loves when someone will play with her. Tyler's parents, sister, brother and his girlfriend came over yesterday and Maya was a champ. We were sure she would hide the whole time, but that was not the case. She was out and loving being the center of attention. And enjoying her new toy that the Jass clan brought:)

On Friday night, she was out and exploring for about an hour after we got her home. However, she then discovered a wonderful hiding spot..underneath the hutch. She stayed there for a couple hours, but was so conflicted about coming out (and VERY playful). This video doesn't quite do it justice:

She has even come and snuggled up with one of us a couple times today - how perfect is that?!

Kelsey & Tyler Have a Surprise.

I will be picking her up on my way home from work tomorrow. She is not yet named, so suggestions are welcome! Current selections:

• Charlotte (her foster name)
• Boom Goes the Dynamite (call her Boom)
• Sounder (to commemorate our trip to Washington & the Puget Sound last spring)

More to come!

Tyler Carves a Pumpkin

It came out this past weekend that Tyler had never carved a pumpkin. Ever. In his life. Clearly, that had to change. Now, I'm not a pumpkin-carving fiend, but it is something that one must do in his/her life. So while at Target this weekend, we bought a pumpkin. And a carving kit.

PS: We have been married one month. As Tyler says "being married is way better than being not married."

the Apartment Finally Feels Like Home

With all the craziness of new full time jobs, last minute details of planning a wedding and a small amount of procrastination, neither Tyler or I did much to prepare to move prior to the day we had the UHaul. Combining that with many wedding gifts created a very stressful moving day. We finally feel settled. Here are some pictures of our new place!

Before:

 Aaaand After:

Tyler & Kelsey looked forward to the weekend.

What a last few weeks we have had! Once we got back from our trip. we have been busy non-stop with working full time, moving and settling into our new place. Tyler looked at me last night and said "What are we going to do once we are done moving in and our thank yous are all sent out?" That is now the question.

Plans for the weekend? NO work. Sleeping in. Continuing to settle into the apartment. Play disc golf. Grocery shop. Make tacos. Have some friends over. Watch the Vikings. 

It is going to be a great couple of days!

Tyler & Kelsey See a Few of Their Wedding Photos

So excited to be able to share a link to some of our wedding photos! We can't wait to see the rest.

Kimi did a GREAT job. I absolutely recommend her if you are looking for a fantastic wedding photographer.

http://studiokh.com/2011/kelsey-tyler-edina-mn-wedding/

They Honeymoon to the Bahamas

We spent our honeymoon on a NCL Bahamas Cruise. It was absolutely perfect. The only minor bummer was that I (Kelsey) was sick the entire time. The sinus infection/bronchitis/other ailment I have has stuck around since the evening of the wedding until now. It is much better than it was, though. Antiobiotics work wonders!

Back to the trip recap. We flew into Miami and headed straight to the port. Our days were spent in Freeport, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau.

We were on our way for our much anticipated scuba excursion when we noticed a little piece of paper tucked in our door. Due to "in-climate weather" and "lack of participation," our excursion was canceled. Luckily, our room was within feet of the excursion desk. We went to talk with them and were convinced to change to spending the day "Wyndham all-inclusive Resort." It was a cheaper excursion, plus we saved 10%! Not bad. Unfortunately, all-inclusive resorts are not quite so fantastic when the weather is uncooperative.

They are gorgeous, though!

We had a great time, but ending up grabbing a taxi back with some other people around lunchtime and ultimately got half of our money back. How rare is it to make money on a cruise?!

Day two was spent at Great Stirrup Cay, a private island owned by NCL. We did an awesome kayak tour and were able to be wading in water within feet of giant stingrays, starfish and even jelly fish. A little scary, but a great memory. (Sadly, they said not to bring cameras with. A good choice, as they would have gotten drenched and probably been wrecked).

Day 3 we docked in Nassau. We at at Senor Frogs, shopped the straw market and bought ferry tickets over to Paradise Island. The beach there is unreal. It was a bummer that we did not have swimsuits and were running low on time.

The cruise ended and we spent two days in Miami. We had the perfect morning at South Beach. We had the place as much to ourselves as I think is possible in such a hoppin' place.

 

Kelsey Decides to Start a Blog

Tyler may or may not know I am creating this blog. I will tell him tonight, and then we will know if this will be our stories from my point of view only, or also from his. Either way, the hope is to use this blog to share snippets of our life as we begin this journey called marriage. Join us?