Good news.

Bring out the champagne!

{via}

We'll be home this evening, ready for a long weekend in the Cities. Our days are going to be filled with family, cuddling with the pup, wedding preparations, dancing (the concert's tomorrow!), and grilling in weather that's supposed to be nearly perfect. That, on its own, is plenty of reason to celebrate.

But there's also this, something I've wanted to write about for a while, but wanted to make sure everything was in place and settled before anything was mentioned. I'm superstitious that way - I'm that person that actually knocks on wood when I don't want to jinx anything. Last week, Andrew received the news that we've been waiting to hear for months. After two semesters of extremely dedicated and committed work, hundreds of pages of (great) writing, plenty of hoping, emailing, and yes, a bit of anxiety, he was awarded a teaching assistantship for next year. We cannot believe how fortunate we are; so few are given out, and there was a good chance that this was going to be just out of reach for him this fall...but sometimes, when you least expect it, life decides to prove that hard work, patience, and persistence pays off.

{blurry, but bubbly}

We celebrated together when we found out last week, but now, our trip home this weekend means so much more because we'll be able to celebrate this news with our families, who've been so supportive and encouraging throughout this whole process. Next fall, my fiance (he'll be my husband by then!!) will be teaching two classes in addition to continuing his PhD work. It's already on UWM's registration website, which I happen to think is pretty fantastic. I'm so, so proud of him, and can't wait to see what opportunities this presents for us!

Summer is off to an amazing start.

MN Mondays: A Twin Cities Christmas.

A quick post on MN Mondays this afternoon, but hopefully a useful one!

Photo by Doug Wallick 

If you've never been to Minnesota, you may believe that it's a frozen tundra of ice with nothing to do but stay inside for 6 months out of the year. Well, you're wrong - there's so much to do during wintertime! Minnesotans have embraced the cold and have come up with all sorts of activities, both inside and out, that are especially fun to do around the holidays. And with just enough snow, it's remarkably beautiful as the streets and parks turn into quite the winter wonderland.

If you're visiting MN or coming home for Christmas, below are just a few of my favorite things to do: 

Photo by Dave Peterson

Go ice skating, outside! St. Paul's Rice Park has an outdoor skating rink open almost every day from now until February 3rd. The park is lovely, right in the heart of downtown St. Paul and in front of the Landmark Center. Afterwards, drive up to Grand or Summit, and admire all the gorgeous houses decorated with Christmas lights.  

Go ice skating, inside! If it's too cold but you really want to go skating, the Depot Hotel in downtown Minneapolis has an indoor rink open through March. I've always wanted to do this - maybe this year we'll get the chance! You can make a full weekend out of it - stay at the hotel and go skating one night and goof around in the indoor water park another night!  

Take part in a Minneapolis tradition at the Holidazzle parade! The parade runs down Nicollet Mall, and true Minnesotans will watch outside, all bundled up...but if you can't handle the cold, you can watch it from the skyways on your way back from Macy's 8th Floor Auditorium Christmas display. The last day of the parade is this upcoming Sunday - I'm so sad to be just missing it this year! 

Head out to the Guthrie Theater for another Christmas classic: A Christmas Carol! Make sure to take in the views of the Mississippi from the Endless Bridge before the play: breathtaking. 

Photo by Norbert Marklin

Stretch out after all those Christmas cookies and holiday feasts and take a walk around Lake Harriet. Perfect in the summertime, this lake is one of my favorites, and it's just as beautiful during the winter months. 

Photo by Ron Traeger

Check out Van Gogh, Monet, and fantastic skyline views at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Also free. I could easily spend hours here. This Supper with Shakespeare exhibition looks really cool! 

Photo via Como Zoo's FB page

Visit Como Zoo's arboretum. An indoor flower lover's paradise, this place is gorgeously decorated for Christmas! The zoo itself is also open year round, and it's free (one of the last free zoos in the country!). 

There is so much more to do and see, but these are just some of my favorites. Maybe we'll check out a few (and add a few more) when we're home...NEXT WEEK!

Photos (1), (2), (3), and (4) via Capture Minnesota.

Twin Cities bound.

We can't wait to be back in the Cities for a few days. We're ready for family dinners, outdoor grilling, perhaps a bonfire, and some East Hennepin fun. 

See you soon, MPLS!