Home Sweet Home

Brendan got a job!

It's in Milwaukee!

It starts in three weeks!

So...we have lots to do!  But all things I want to do, because it means moving back home.  I am SO relieved to have things figured out, and even more relieved that we're going back to Milwaukee.  It's funny because at one time in my life, being in one place for too long made me itch to move, go somewhere new, see new things.  Now I'm all about staying in one place for a long time.  I like that I know Milwaukee, I know neighborhoods, good places to eat, parks to go to, people to see.  Yes, finding new things is fun, too, but I'm an old fogey now that just wants to know where she's going, how to get around a place, and I like having a million people I can call if I'm bored. 

Also, thrifting is so much better in Milwaukee!  I know that seems silly, but considering I buy a large portion of clothes and house stuff at thrift stores, it's a real bonus that I can go to seven different really good thrift stores as opposed to the one here. 

We found a house for rent in a great neighborhood, a friend is checking it out for us today.  Hopefully it will be good and not a dump, it would be really nice to have a place lined up for us.  And a whole house!  With restaurants and bars and things in walking distance!  Brendan and I have been just giddy talking about all the things we're excited for.  Yay us!  It's finally coming together.

Halloween in Milwaukee!

We took a quick trip to Milwaukee this weekend.  Brendan has an interview with a company there, and we thought it was going to be today, so we decided to go as a family for the weekend before.  Then we found out it's actually next week but we had our hearts set on going so we went anyway.  Ingrid was awesome in the car, fell asleep right after we got to Grandma and Grandpa's, and just traveled so well.

We went to the Public Museum, which I've been wanting to take Ingrid to forever.  She liked the butterfly exhibit, where you walk through and they all fly around you. 

In the afternoon we traveled down to one of our old neighborhoods and went to the park.  They have a beach of all rocks, which we figured Ingrid would love.  Yep, she did!  The views of the city are great from here, and she and Brendan spent an hour or so skipping stones.  Ahhh, simple pleasures!

On Sunday we met with some friends for brunch.  The place is on the river, in an old lodge, with gingham tablecloths and a big huge wood burning fireplace.  It was so cozy on a fall day!  And so much fun to see my friends!!  Ingrid was so funny with her new pal, 6 mo. old Poppy.  She was all up in her face and stealing her pacifier and making her cry...We are going to have SO MUCH FUN with a new baby around here!

We also went trick or treating with Ingrid up and down Grandma and Grandpa's street.  God bless Milwaukee, the guy handing out candy was drinking a Hi Life!  Ingrid was such a nosy little grabber, she wouldn't let people put candy in her bucket, she had to grab stuff for herself.  It was her first time going, she had fun but didn't quite get it.

All in all it was a good trip, and really made us feel anxious to get back there and settle down once again.  Enough moving around, I want to stay put for more than two years!  Everyone cross your fingers for Brendan's job interview next week, we'd like to get back to Milwaukee, please.

Milwaukee

We got back late last night after a great trip and a very long train ride.  Here are some photos from our weekend, most of which are from a crazy little department store called Dretzka's.  This one is my friend Katie and I looking goofy.  We also have a picture like this from when I was pregnant with Ingrid and she was not... 

And these are from Dretzka's.  I cannot say enough about how awesome this store is.  Dusty shoes from the 60s?  Check.  Gogo boots and American flags?  Check.  Boxes of souffle cups from 1972?  Check.

Gramma's Here!

In just a little while Brendan and I are off to the train station!  We are going to visit friends and family in Milwaukee--without Ingrid!  It's been a year since we've done that, we are so looking forward to it!  My mom came a couple days ago and it's been nice to spend time with her and watch her and Ingrid together.

Gramma came with a silly outfit that actually looked quite cute on Ingrid:

We also took advantage of the sunshine to go splash in mud puddles-one of Ingrid's favorite things to do.  She and Gramma looked around for "treasures" (sticks, rocks and dead leaves!)  They are going to have such a good time while we're gone :)

I ordered a birthday present for Ingrid's birthday already and it came yesterday!  This girl is obsessed with Gabba and there's a woman on etsy that knits little finger puppets of the characters.  Oh my god, they are so adorable!!  I can't wait to see her face when she opens them!

Well, time to go catch a train with my husband!  Yay!!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving this year was amazing.  We drove the six hours to Milwaukee and had a great weekend!  Dinner with the family, Ingrid slept the whole night through, all THREE nights!  And we got to see friends we haven't seen in months.  Made me homesick (see here) but we only have a few months left in Michigan and then we'll be off to the next adventure.

We had Christmas with Brendan's family since we'll be celebrating with my family this year.  Ingrid loved to help open presents.  She got some cute wooden toys and some money for her college account.  Or her traveling account, whichever she decides to use the money for :)

Ingrid had so much fun playing with the dogs.  Brendan's parents have three, two really old ones that didn't really care for Ingrid (that's Oreo down there, unable to get up and run away from Ingrid...) and an 8 month old 100 lb puppy, Bear.  He loved Ingrid, they played together very well. 

We also went to Fuel to see our preggo friend Katie!  I can't wait for April to meet baby girl Johnson.

And we went to Madison to FINALLY meet Camryn, who is about two weeks younger than Ingrid.  They had a blast playing together!

Aunt Mirabelle Comes to Visit!

Our friend from Milwaukee was passing through town and came to visit. She got in late last night and slept on the couch. When Ingrid got up this morning, up popped Mirabelle saying good morning and oh my god, did Ingrid freak out! She cried so hard with no consoling. She was absolutely terrified! Luckily she got over it and had a fun day with Aunt Mirabelle.

We went to lunch at Beezy's and took lots of pictures of Ingrid in her cute dress. It was so good to see an old friend :)