I’m a little late on this article, but better late than never.

This halloween we headed to Aurora to spend the weekend with the Leepers. We left our sweet, limping dog with my brother (who was slightly annoyed with all the love she gives). Friday night we went to downtown Naperville which reminds me of a bigger Valley Junction, cute stores, yummy eateries. We ate some mexican food and then did a “ghost walk” around town. The guide took us to the most haunted places in Naperville. It was really fascinating, especially the “smashed bananas/zombie chicken” story, I’m not making this shit up! Afterwards we headed home and I crashed.

The next morning Kari had a wonderful morning planned. Starbucks in hand we headed downtown Chicago for some magenta shoe shopping (for my wedding). We went to bucktown/wicker park and lincoln park, however, we arrived about an hour too early before stores even opened. We walked around a little and it is a cute area, loved it. So, instead of waiting we headed to Michigan Ave/Water Tower Place. We went to all the big named stores and came up with nothing. Everything was brown, black and purple. Apparently we are in the wrong season for magenta. Sad. So instead I did some emotional shopping and bought my first Betsyville bag 70% off. Then we were going to have lunch at the John Hancock building (95th floor), but there was a line just to get on the elevator, so we nixed that and headed into the ‘burbs. We had lunch at the White Chocolate Grill and let me tell you this was the first time I ever wanted to cry over food it was that delicious. First let me say the service was awesome. The atmosphere was very Frank Lloyd Wright. We ordered martinis (mine was a white chocolate martini) halfway through lunch our server brought us over freshly chilled glasses and changed our martinis. That was awesome. Then our lunch came, I had the most delicious prime rib french dip. Holy cow, the meat was perfectly cooked and tender the au jus was so amazing. I wanted to contain myself and be proper just eating half my sandwich, nope I couldn’t help myself it was too good to go to waste. We then headed home.

They don’t do beggars night, kids just trick-or-treat on halloween, so Andie was getting ready when we got home. She was a zombie-prom-girl. Also, it seems that Iowa kids are the only ones who say jokes for their candy. I think this is so wrong! Kids need to earn that candy. After trick-or-treating we went to Eric’s new apartment and watched a little Evil Dead 2. Headed back to Terry and Kari’s where Andie made us a Halloween-themed dinner with dessert. We played some games and then went to bed.

Had a fabulous weekend shopping and spending time with family. Didn’t find the shoes there, however the awesome internet found them thanks to Kari’s searching. So, another awesome wedding item crossed off the list!

Back again and again life has gone screaming by.

Here is a very brief update on life with the Leeperlands.

We saw Matt Nathanson again, at the Fair this time and I must say it was one of my favorite shows. The greatest moment was Matt started the intro to “Lose Yourelf” by Eminem for kicks and challenged someone in the audience to come up and rap. He grabs this chick and she did the first half of the song and chorus, it was awesome.

We did Jasper Winery/Brother Trucker for Deb’s birthday. It was a perfect night, afterwards Chad, Nick and I hit up Mezzodis on the South side for yummy Italian food. Recommended!

Mom and I hit up the Bridal Fairs which were out-of-control. I hate those things and thankfully that should be my last ones. And wedding plans are still going on, just when I think I’ve got them all wrapped up, fifteen other things pop up. Dress shopping is happening mid-October and we are still looking for a videographer. Other than that plugging away at some little things.

And last weekend we celebrated four birthdays! Nick’s cousin Lauren is turning 16 so they had a gathering at Cherry Glen which was really nice. And my uncle Rick, cousin Joy and Grandma Rose all had birthdays close together so we went out to Walnut Woods this Sunday to celebrate. It was a super nice day and a super great time. So chill and fun.

Engagement photos are this week and I am super jazzed. I love our photographer and she is really trying to incorporate what we are about as a couple. I love photography!

This weekend was all about Broomball.

The Des Moines Winter Games were happening around town and The Shams happened to be a part of it. The played both Friday night and Saturday night. And when I say “night” like at 10:30pm Friday (they won!), on Saturday at 9:40pm (they won!) and finally at 1:30am for the championship (they placed second!). I was only there for the Saturday shenanigans, which was awesome. We meet up with some friends at Legends for pre-game warm-up, then Amy drove Nick’s car with just Kari and I in it to the arena. Kari came prepared with three glasses, a nalgene of vodka/cranberry and one straw, which we split three-ways.

After the first game we decided to head to Locust Tap. I had to use the restroom (and not that this is a great story), but the bathrooms at LT need to be mentioned…two small unisex bathrooms neither had a sink, both had urinals, neither had locks on the doors, my bathroom had wet toilet paper and a urinal completely full of pee. It was kind of like camping. I digress, the guys got some beer to go and headed back to the arena. Amy then drove Kari and I to Big Tom’s for some after midnight pizza. And while waiting for the pizza The Shams fan club was born. More info to come from our president, Mindy.

Back to the arena, The Shams take the ice in the championship game against the Ice Monkeys, Nick did a little dance, kicked some ass, the team played hard, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Shams placed second, but placed first in our hearts.

2:30am Sunday morning, finally we get home, I get into bed, but from my waist down I am ice cold. I shake until 6:19am (that was the last time I looked at the clock). I awoke a good five hours later to do absolutely nothing the entire day. Chad came over with a computer virus problem. I read magazines, the paper, did my hair, did my nails…it was a wonderful Sunday, oh and the Superbowl was on as my background noise.

So check out Derek’s awesome pictures from both Friday & Saturday…make sure to see Trent’s broomball injury, it is a rough game.
Here are the rest of my pics

Last weekend it seemed we were never home, it was one busy weekend.

Friday night Nick, Derek & Zach participated in a Broomball exhibition for the Des Moines Winter Games during first intermission on the Iowa Chops game. It was pretty awesome. They did a play-by-play during the whole five minutes they played. Afterwards we stayed and watched the rest of the game which was actually really good. For dinner we went to Raccoon River and then headed home.

Saturday we ran some errands, went over to my grandma’s for a visit and then headed to lunch at one of my favorite places, The General Store. I separated from Nick and headed to Megan’s baby shower for dinner and baby debauchery. Nick headed to Stix for Nathan’s first night DJ’ing.

Sunday we met my brother for a HuHot lunch then left for Altoona to do Christmas with Nick’s grandparents and Kari and Andie. Got some great stuff, like Wii Fit! After that we headed to Pleasant Hill to visit Deb & Bruce and had some amazing Buffalo Wing Dip! And finally Nick went to Broomball and I had a major design breakdown.

And that was our packed weekend. Here are the Broomball pictures.

Two things happened this weekend: Girl Talk & Bridal Forum.

Saturday we met up with Derek & Kari for sushi (tempura for me) at Miyabi 9 in the East Village. Afterwards we headed to Peoples and joined up with more friends for Girl Talk. Before I get to the show, I have a few gripes about seeing shows at Peoples, the bar is in a completely different room where you can’t see the stage or even hear it. You can’t bring the drinks back to the stage area. It is so stupid. The crowd was crazy. The crowd was also all ages, which made me feel about 10 years too old and 100% too sober. With all that said, the show was pretty good. I mean it was basically his CD playing the whole time, but I loved it, I shook my groove thing. Afterwards we headed down to Liars Club for a second. Again, I think we were too sober and Nick was a little lame, so we left that scene for home.

Sunday we went to a Bridal Forum at the Sheraton. Yep, Nick joined me and he was a trooper. However, I always said that if he wants a wedding he has to help (I would elope in a second). The forum was very informational. We found cake, photographers, invitation help and the most importantly we talked to a travel agent who was super helpful. I think we also nailed down dates, not posting them just yet, but I think we are finally getting somewhere.

So my next step is surgery. I am hoping to get this done in March. Then I will start the dress shopping.