DUKE VS. IOWA STATE

Last week Joey's brother Mikey came for a week long visit. I will be posting more on this later but first I must cover our big event of the week:

DUKE VS. IOWA STATE

@ THE UNITED CENTER CHICAGO, IL

What fun we had Enjoy the pictures!

When I got home from work the day of the game Mikey surpised me with a Duke shirt to wear to the game. I have been a Duke fan for a long time since my I watched college basketball with my mom. I know it was hard for Mikey to but that tshirt but i was awfully grateful.
The boys in front of the Michael Jordan statue!!!!

The game was awesome the last time I was in the United Center was for the Janet Jackson conernt. We were pretty happy with our seats, I wish I could of gotten a better picture of Coach K who I adore but was unable to do so. It was a great game. Duke started off on a hot streak but the Cyclones powered back and kept it a close game through the 3rd quarter but the BLUE DEVILS pulled away with the WIN and needless to say I was the only happy camper in the car on the way home!! Way to make me proud BLUE DEVILS!

NEXT POST: BROTHERHOOD

2010

NEW YEARS EVE 2010

This year for New Years we headed to Des Moines. We were able to spend some quality time with Joey's cousin Adam and his Wife Kendra. We are very close to the two of them and only wish we could spend more time with them.

Kendra and I after Dinner at Graze before we headed out into the COLD!!!!! BRRRRR

Joey is wanting to know why he always gets stuck with my Camera!!!

All of the girls: Myself, Kendra, Lindsay(kendra's friend, and a friend of Lindsay) Good Times

It was a great time. We drove home the next day and enjoyed the long weekend!!!!! I have a strong feeling 2010 is going to be a good one!!!!

Next Post: DUKE VS IOWA STATE

Joey's Christmas

Greetings,

Hope Everyone had a great New Years!! Can you believe another holiday season has come and gone!!!! Some of you may of heard what I got Joey for Christmas but if you haven't then get ready. . . . . .

A DOG!!! Joey has wanted a dog for a long time. When I first met him he told me that he has wanted a dog ever since he was a little boy. It was my pleasure to get him this gift becaue he spoils me with so much of his uncondtional love, support and faith!

We have decided to get a chocolate Lab. We have settled on a name and it is WRIGLEY. I will be posting pictures of him very soon!

Below are some pictures from Christmas at Joey's Nana's.

Next Post: NEW YEARS in DES MOINES, IOWA

Engagement Party In Rockford

Before I moved to the great state of Iowa I lived in IL my entire life. I actually lived a large portion of it in Rockford, IL. When I moved to the Quad Cities and started telling people where I was from thy would say "that's a suburb of Chicago" Technically it isnt but I let people think whatever they want. It has become a big joke with the Haluska's as well! Two of my dearest friends from Rockford now live in California. They are also my Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid. They came back a few weeks ago to celebrate the engagement with me in our old hometown of ROCKFORD!

The day started with us meeting at Granite City and the girls opened their Bridesmaid shirts.

During the day we shopped and then headed back to Lindsay's to get ready to go to our favorite dinner place which is a Japanese Sushi Steakhouse JMK!

Lindsay found this PINK Saki and said we HAD to have it since that is color of my wedding! It actually was delicious!

Our good friend Marc came into town from Chicago. We went to High School together and the three of us girls adore Marc! He actually took all three of to dances when we were in high school! IT was great to see him and we always have a great time laughing and talking about the future and past memories.

During the night Sammi would show of my Bling we got this picture of her actually doing it! Cracks me up!

Finally, they asked me what it feels like to be in love and engaged and this is what I did:

Such good times thanks girls!!!!

Holiday Decorating and Entertaining!

Hello Again,

Have I mentioned I LOVE TO ENTERTAIN!!!! I love to create a menu, invite the fun and loving people in my life, decorate, and COOK! Besides Entertaing I like to decorate. Since I started blogging I started following DIY decorating blogs and have found a slew of ideas on them. If you look at Just one check out Thrifty Decor Chick!! She is awesome!

Ok now on to some decorating:

This is a wreath that I started our color scheme for the tree was a bright green and red and I wanted a wreath to coordinate the door. When I first started this wreath I got completly frustrated and Joey took over and what a great job he did! Who knew he was crafty!

This is the banister is one of my favorite parts about the house. It matches the woodwork around the house and for Christmas we put garland, lights and ornaments. It really spruced up the foyer.

Last week on Tuesday night Joey had in my family in for a dinner party to begin the Christmas season.

The menu:

Appetizer: Chicken Bruschetta and Lemon Garlic Shrimp

Main Course: Ribs, Cheesy potatoes, 7-layer salad, biscuts

Dessert: Oreo and Cake Balls

This day our brand new dining room table was delivered from Des Moines and we had to wait over two months but it was completely worth the wait.

Joey had this arrangement delievered the day of the dinner party it matched the tree with green and red colors- He thinks of everything! Thanks Joe!

The Kids Table

The gang eating dinner!!!!

My Mom, Uncle Ken, and Aunt Susan

The name cards I had in front of everyone's plate!!

Next Blog: Christmas with the famalies!

Christmas Tree and Entertaining!

Greetings,

It has been awhile since I blogged but I decided that the holidays should be spent with my family and not the computer. This is going to seem dated but I figured that I would show pictures of our first Christmas tree together.

This was Joey's first "real tree" He wasnt too excited about it at first but once he got going he was feeling GOOD!!! Straight the first try- WAY TO GO JOE (in my cheer voice)

Once Joey got the Tree up he celebrated with some VINO- it seems that the more VINO you drink the better the decorations go up!!!!!! What fun we had !!!!

Our Finished Project:

Many Laughs!!!!

Many Memories

And a Very Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next Blog: Holiday Decorating and Entertaining!

The Meaning of Christmas To ME!

I have been thinking alot about Christmas and what it means to me. When I first think of Christmas I think of my memories as a child. I think about how special Christmas Eve has been to be because of my family and the traditions we have togethter. I think about the rush down the stairs to see what Santa had brough and asking my Poppy every year" how did he get away this year?" Now that I am older I have such a greater APPRECIATION for this time. I realize that we are celebrating one of my favoite people's birthday and if you dont know him on a first name basis his name is GOD!!! Secondly I realize that this time I have with my family is sacred.

The past couple of weeks have been so busy with family tasks, wedding planning and preparing for Christmas. I really hadnt felt excited yet about Christmas until a few days ago when I was at my grandparents (grammie and poppy) having dinner. I was feeling tired and stressed to say the least, when "Charlie Brown's Christmas" came on. I was doing dishes when my Grammie demanded that I come out and watch it with them. It only took a few minutes to relax and by the time it ended I felt completly filled with the CHRISTMAS SPIRIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the spirit of Charlie and his dear friends who helped him prepare for the season!!!

I wish all of my followers of this blog, family and friends a very Merry Christmas !!!!!!! Hark the Herald Angel sing Glory to the New Born King !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Next Blog: GUESS WHAT . . . . . . . . . . . . .