Harley’s

September 10, 2016

Year 5!

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❤

5 years of marriage

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10 years together

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An incredible ride

 

The saying time flies when you’re having fun couldn’t ring more true.   As you are reading this, we are currently in Illinois for the weekend, staying in a cabin and exploring life along the Mississippi river from the seat of our two wheels.  In honor of year 5, I felt like taking us on a little journey back to 09.10.11 when we both said I DO to this crazy, fun adventure we’ve gotten ourselves into.

Our Wedding Day

The morning of September 10th, 2011 started off as most typical weddings do…

√ with the girls all shoved into a hotel room

√ clouds of hairspray in the air

√ and slight buzzes all around from mimosas

Or if you are the Bride, you are buzzed from drinking champagne straight outta the bottle.

Don’t you dare deny it.  You know you did.

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These girls provided much laughter and entertainment as we each got ready for what was bound to be a fun filled day.

Once the makeup, hair and jewelry were all set in place and the dress on; my sparkly orange shoes and I made our way downstairs to see Clint for the first time.

I believe the look on his face says it all.

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With a little dress help from the soon to be husband…

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…we set out on the Pre-Wedding Party Bus for an afternoon of photos, boozing and laughter.   The thought of doing photos with zero beer sounded insanely boring and not our style.  Plus, who wants a party bus after the wedding when you only get to use it for 5 seconds?

Psssh…. Let’s do this RIGHT.

Load ’em up!

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We chose the old train station in the Old Market as the location for all our photos.  Off the beaten path, a little edgy and zero stuffiness of a traditional setting.

Just the ticket.

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I crack up every time I look at these photos of the boys.  They took the potential awkwardness of photos together and threw it out the window with their ridiculousness.   Priceless.

I love those boys.

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To be serious is really hard.  I believe there are more laughing photos than smiling or serious.  Which is cool for me!  After all, this is a true reflection of our marriage, but most importantly, friendship.

I dig the shiz outta this dude.

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❤

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After we wrapped up the photos, we trekked on over to Joe Banana’s Bar for a few shots and relaxation before making our way out to Westfair for the Ceremony.

Wait, wait.  We hadn’t gotten hitched yet and we were still out having a good time?

BINGO!

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Party Bus loaded, we made our way back to Westfair to actually DO this thing!

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For the walk down the aisle, Clint and I chose to walk together.  We’d already established ourselves as a team and a united front.  Why not go into it as such?  Plus, it took the pressure off my non-spotlight kinda dad and soft-spoken step-dad.

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While my brother played the guitar for our entrance, the wedding party made it down the aisle (and up the stairs in a straight line, might I add) before we made our own way down with a pit-stop at both sets of parents for hugs and love before taking our own spots on stage.

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With the girls to our left and the boys to our right, we said our own vows, prayed for the Lord’s Blessing on our marriage and said our I Do’s, surrounded by the folks that mean the absolute most to us.

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And just like that we became Husband and Wife

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Post-ceremony we made sure to grab our families for some photos before we lost them all in the sea of friends and beer.

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Then came the eating, drinking, laughing and reminiscing with friends past and present.  A SPECIAL shout-out to Claire’s mama, Kendra, for the insanely delicious frosted sugar cookies that proved to be painstakingly tedious to make.  I fell in love with Kendra’s sugar cookies in High School.

COULD NOT. CANNOT. GET ENOUGH.

So, when I asked her to make enough cookies to feed a few hundred, she didn’t hesitate once.   Unfortunately, I nearly ruined her of making these for eternity after this stint.   But, I am happy to report, I have had a few of her creations since then.  Whew… crisis diverted.   Thank You, Kendra!  ❤

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And then the rest of the night?

DANCING

Oh, the DANCING!  With Lemon Fresh Day taking over the Westfair Stage, you KNOW we danced and partied hard.

What an incredible night.

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Cheers to year 5 and to many, many more.

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Venue: Westfair

Catering: HyVee

Photography: Gulizia Design

(please note photos are slightly distorted due to program I used for cropping and combining, NOT from actual photos)

Ties: RokGear

 

July 19, 2016

2 Wheeled Weekend Shenanigans | July 16th, 2016

 

Impromptu “hey, let’s ride” texts tend to always produce unpredictable days.  Unplanned, unrehearsed, let’s just go with it kinda fun.

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And the personalities that come with it?

Seriously.

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Tyree went with a very extra special look for the day.   It garnered a few glances from unknowing townsfolk and multiple laughs from us.

Zero cares, folks.  Zero cares.

And that kinda free spirit is why I hang out with these animals.

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The pretty princess look was in for about 2.5 seconds as well.

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The July Birthday Party Bar celebration in Pacific Junction that we just happened to stumble into ended up leading to a golf cart ride through the community.

Only in small towns do you get this kind of service.

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Thanks, sir.   We dig your cruising style.

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Our next stop landed us at the Wild’s where Tracey discovered her secret stash of toilet paper.

Tails for days.  It’s the new thing.

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We stayed at this bar for so long we ran into this green loving beauty.

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And recruited one more to the shenanigans.

Heyyyy Elise, hey!

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A random day of nonsense.  Always a good time with these crazies.  I unfortunately bounced early due to a rager of a headache and a birthday party to freshen up for.   But we clearly managed to pack some fun into this short and sweet day.

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Cheers till next time, ladies. ❤

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June 27, 2016

June 2016 Wrap-Up

Final two weekends of June in review starring:

Harley’s, Beers, Best Buds and the Hubs.

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Two weekends ago I parked the Jeep on a Thursday night and didn’t get back in it until the following Monday morning.   I miss those days like summers past.  Teaching + Summers Off = no 4 wheels unless I had to.  Life now doesn’t give me that luxury anymore, so when I get the opportunity, I take full advantage!

Friday, June 17th

Jeans Day Friday’s is my favorite day of the work week.  These have only been implemented in the last year and when it did, my Harley and I sent a Thank You note to our President.

No, I am definitely not kidding.

This was big time, kids.  BIG TIME!

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An invite to Testicle Festival in South Bend, NE with a group of friends had us on the road for a fun little Friday.

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An evening of cold beers and fried testicles?  How could you say no to that?  😉  After a handful of hours, four of the five couples in attendance decided to ride down to Louisville to Heron Bay, my fave little bar on the river.  Unfortunately some bike issues had Tracey and I sidelined while we waited for the boys to work their magic a few miles back.   The neighborhood dogs didn’t much appreciate our presence, however, the neighbors were eager to help out a few damsels in distress.  Even offered a beer while we waited.  Thanks small town Nebraska.

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Soon after we were rolling on home to a sweet lightening show and a few sprinkles.  A most perfect and serene Friday night ride.  Some of the best!

❤

Saturday, June 18th

Each year Tyree and I head out on a Thelma and Louise day, without the lunatic ending.  The last few years we’ve used it as a not-so-dry run to the annual B!tch run.  I like to test out my map, check the roads, notify the bar owners of the date and use that day as my chance to make any necessary adjustments, which works out perfect.  Our day began at 10am and we were off!

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Slightly overcast in the morning but after a few of these ridiculous shots of hell, recommended by a bar patron, we were nice and warmed up.

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Many miles, new friends and laughter later, our photos always turn into nonsense.

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Certainly nothing to do with these…

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Now the question is, were these our shots of schnapps and crown … or something more yummy and a new location?

We don’t shot and tell.

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A perfectly magnificent Thelma and Louise day and have the 11th Annual B!tch Run nailed down.  Check Check to another lovely June summer day.

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Sunday, June 19th – Father’s Day

Due to an unfortunate last minute Fathers Day plan cancellation courtesy of an illness,  I found myself flying solo Father’s Day morning.

Which was a-ok with me!

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I set out mid-morning for some solo riding, of which are most often my favorite rides.  I started riding 12 years ago and when I wasn’t on a poker run (which seemed to be every single weekend back in the day), I rode on my own during the weekdays.   I’d set out in a direction and go, just me and my Sporty.   I was in a deep transition period both physically and mentally while I was closing out my life in Clarinda and making the plans for a clean slate in Omaha.  It’s those solo rides that always put everything into perspective and truly helped define who I was.  I still love those solo rides and heading out on Father’s Day Sunday was like a breath of fresh air.  I rode all the backroads leading out of NE into IA for a few hours and then soon found myself in Clarinda, crashing Clint’s fathers day plans with his dad, Kyle and the rest of the fam bam.   Ok, so I didn’t crash it, I was always welcome, but I had planned to be elsewhere, so I like to say I crashed it. 🙂

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They had just gotten in from riding the horses around the acreage when I rolled in.   How cute is this pic of Clint and Kyle?   They are alike in so many ways.

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A few hours of shooting the shit, beers and dinner on the breezeway was a perfect ending to what started out as a botched Sunday.

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And then it was time to roll!

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For my two-wheeled riders, you know how much gravel sucks.   But, I’ll do it.  Just give me time.

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Tuesday, June 21st.

Justin Bieber – Lincoln, NE.

Brooke had some extra tickets.

Jessica asked, “wanna go?”

I said, “You bet!”

Belieber?  Nope.   Life experiences?  Yep.

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Bieber was a total douche on stage, lacked enthusiasm in the worst way imaginable, rarely interacted with the audience and was so self-righteous he paused to take at least 6 water breaks during the concert and made a complete spectacle of it by pausing all music, standing center stage, spotlight on him.

While he chugged a water bottle.

Really, Biebs?  REALLY?

Get over yo’self.

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Friday, June 24th 

Date night with my hubby and my first glance at his newest bulletin board!  Walkup Woods is coming along, folks!

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Saturday, June 25th

A day of riding through Southwest Iowa with Tina, dodging rain drops and rain clouds.

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A few hours spent with Troy, Sara and their two girls in the late afternoon before heading back to Omaha for dinner with Clint, his mom and Gaylen rounded out Saturday and as for Sunday, an early afternoon INSANITY class followed by some pool and sun time with Claire and Briton.  I might have gotten schooled on Shopkins too. 🙂

 

Basically,

Summer needs to NEVER end. 

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Cheers!

 

April 17, 2016

Life Lately | April 2016

Hi Friends!   I was inspired this weekend by my girl Katie over at Yellow Mango Life to start blogging again.  She took a year off and I missed her updates!  When I saw that little notification come up in my inbox that she had a few new posts up, I jumped for joy.  She’s back!  And with the CUTEST little addition to her family.  Go check it out!

So for me… where do I even start?  Here we go!

Clint’s Birthday – January

The annual Des Moines trip for Clint’s Birthday, aka Winter Party, ensued.  A riot as normal.

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February – Certifications

Certified some AMAZING new TurboKick and INSANITY instructors in Knoxville, IA.  I love my Master Trainer job.  LOVE!

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Colorado – Copper Mountain – Annual Family Ski Vacay

Our annual trip to Copper Mountain Ski Resort with Clint’s family was, as always, a GREAT time away from work and everyday life to just enjoy family, clean air and fresh powder.

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Master Classes – March

The first two weeks of March I spent traveling to Northwest Iowa and Red Oak, IA to offer free TurboKick and INSANITY Master Classes.  Offering Master Classes is a way to spread the format love across the States and to notify folks of upcoming certifications.  Always a great way to spend a day!  Want me to come to you?  Hit me up and let’s work it out.  Bonus?  I don’t charge for Master Classes! 😉

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Biker B!tch Winter Sucks Party!

An evening with the Biker B’s.  Shenanigans all around with these ladies.

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St Patrick’s Day Shenanigans

…with my morning INSANITY crew at the YMCA!  I didn’t get to drink a green beer on St. Pat’s day this year because at 7pm, I was boarding a plane for California.

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Master Trainer Newbie Bootcamp – California – March 18th-20th

Master Trainer Newbie Bootcamp.  A time for Master Trainer’s within their first year as an MT to come together, learn, workout, learn some more, get pushed, learn some more, repeat, repeat, repeat.  It was an experience to remember.  It was hard, it was rewarding, it was eye opening, enlightening and humbling.  I made new friends, connected with my 2015 Ambassador audition group, met some of the most influential folks in the fitness industry and learned from some of the best of the best.   I look forward to future bootcamps when I am not the newbie!  🙂

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Master Trainer newbie bootcamp was the culmination of a year long learning experience for me.

February 2015: Auditioned in Colorado to become a Master Trainer.
March 2015: Entered the 6-12 month master trainer ambassador program to start the learning and training process.
March 2015: Advanced into the fast track program for TurboKick.
May 2015: booked my first TBK certification as a trainer
June 2015: Cancelled my first certification. 😕 I wasn’t ready. There are times in life when you have to know when to push through something and when you have to pull back. I wasn’t mentally prepared to offer my own certification. I am hyper critical. Hyper aware. Hyper sensitive. I knew going into the certification wasn’t in my best interest, my future instructors or the companies. I chose more time to continue to hone my skills and craft.
October 2015: Hosted my very first TurboKick certification as a trainer. I finally did it.
2016: hit the ground running with five certifications completed, an added format of INSANITY and many more certifications on the horizon.

What a CRAZY 3 days of intense training, education and fun with fellow master trainers and ambassadors facilitated by some of the best MT’s and format/industry experts in the business.

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The remaining Colorado Auditioning Crew.

❤

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Super Workout

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Region 2: Represent!

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Sarah.

I officially met Sarah in California after speaking with her for a few months prior.  I have grown so close to this girl through this experience.  She is genuine, loyal, honest and you always know what you are getting with her.  She and I continue nearly daily conversations and use each other to bounce ideas off of, talk through scenarios and build each other up.  I dig her.  She’s my jam.

April

Time with Friends – Erin was back for a few days.  The three of us were roomies 10 years ago.  TEN years ago I moved to Omaha and these chicks took me under their wild and crazy wings.  Then Erin left us and we were forced to grow up. HA!  It’s always fun to see her when she comes back.  My oh my have our get-togethers changed.

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Grandma Evan’s 80th Birthday!

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I just LOVE this woman.  What a fun weekend of celebrating her greatness with family. ❤

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The Brother. ❤

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The Nieces ❤

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The Husband

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The Mom

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Wine and Junk Run – Saturday, April 17th

Sara owns and operates SW Iowa Primitives, Antiques and Furniture in Emerson, IA.  Each Spring and Fall she does a tour of wineries and shops in neighboring towns.  Each stop requires a signature or stamp from the owner, you hit each stop and make your way back to the shop for food and prizes.  It’s a great way to bring business to the small communities, find unique items and enjoy a day with your friends.

And if you have friends like mine, we definitely make it a day to remember.

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Present Day!

There you have it… a quick recap of a few highlighted moments over the last few months.  Today was a day of housework, meal prep, dog snuggles, an afternoon Harley ride with my man and now evening downtime.  Cheers to a great week and maintaining at LEAST a weekly blog update. 🙂  No promises, folks. No promises.

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