The best day.

Over two months have passed since our wedding day and I'm still over the moon. So many people I've talked to have said their wedding day was the best day of their lives. I've had many "best days" in my life, but none really do compare to our wedding weekend; those days were truly the most wonderful, happy, and love-filled days I can remember. Everything all flew by so quickly, despite the months of planning that lead up to it, and that's why I'm so, so grateful to our amazing photographer. Sarah Blesener's photos allow me to relive our day over and over again. She captured what I want to always remember as well as those little moments that I didn't even know were happening around us. It's impossible to pick favorites, but here are a few that I love...

We had an absolutely incredible time at our wedding, and Sarah's photos remind me of just how lucky we were to be surrounded by our friends and family on our favorite day. We can't thank you enough! 

Life by numbers.

7: days since October began. OCTOBER, the tenth month of the year. While I'm not the biggest fan of how quickly this year is coming to an end, I do love the colors that are out this month. Anne, from Anne of Green Gables (my absolute favorite books when I was younger) says that she's "happy to live in a world where there are Octobers." I think she'd still feel the same way if she saw October in WI, or MN, for that matter, and not in PEI. 

2: the potential number of sibling visitors I'll get this weekend. I really do think I lucked out in this department - my brother and sister are pretty cool dudes, and I can't wait to see them! Oh, and they take good photos, too.

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5: pairs of glasses I'll be receiving from Warby Parker in just a few days. I can't wait to get new glasses. I've had my current pair since senior year of college...and I think maybe (just maybe) trends in eye wear have changed since then. Warby Parker lets you choose up to five pairs of frames from their website, then they send them to you for free to try on at home for five days! Once you've decided, you give them your prescription and place your order, all for a very reasonable price. And, for every pair that's purchased, the company gives a pair to someone in need. Win-win.

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46: days until Turkey Day 5k. I just registered for this - now it's really time to start running. My sister and I did the race last year and loved it, although I think I was more motivated last year to run than I am at this present moment...but I'll get there. Let's hope for good weather and no snow! 

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7: hours that my mom spent traveling to get to us in MKE last week, thanks to the silly train...but we loved having her here! We went to the museum, out for walks, to dinner, and just really enjoyed spending as much time as we could with her. And we're sorry that it took even longer to get back to MPLS (again, thanks, train).

383: miles between MKE and Des Moines, where we drove this weekend to celebrate John and Kellie get married! Andrew was an usher in their wedding, and we were so, so happy to be able to share in their day. We wish them nothing but the best - congrats, newlyweds!! 

Five things.

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My mom and sister went to the best apple orchard in MN today. Who's jealous? Moi.  What I would give for a turnover with cinnamon ice cream...

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Today is the first day that it hasn't felt HOT outside. There's an actual chill in the air this afternoon.  While I'm ready for the weather to change over from 90 degrees and humid to something much more pleasant, I'm sad, too, which is strange for me since I love fall! This summer was beautiful, in every sense of the word, even if we did have to turn the bedroom into a makeshift kitchen to survive the heat (that actually happened). The changing season is already making me miss all the wonderful adventures of summertime. 

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I finished writing our thank-you notes to all our friends and family last night. I already knew this, and have said it before, but we really do have THE BEST group of friends and the most generous families. Just rereading all the lovely cards put a huge smile on my face. I'm a sucker for all kinds of stationery, even blank cards with puppies on the cover with a quick but heartfelt note inside...so everyone's messages and good wishes made my day. 

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I made this for dinner the other night. So, so good, probably the best thing that's happened to cauliflower yet. Ms. Izard does not disappoint. For proof, see here...and here, and here. 

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The X-Factor is back. It's one of my guilty pleasures since...last year. We were hooked last fall, probably because it was one of the few things on non-cable tv that we didn't hate watching. It took a bit of adjusting to get used to being limited to 6 channels, though we're doing just fine now...thanks to Netflix, Hulu, etc. But really, I don't know why I like this show - it's basically the same as American Idol and America's Got Talent, which I don't watch at all. Andrew put it well last night, tweeting this: 

Watching #XFactor is like listening to this. You can't help but enjoy it even if you know you should be hating it.

Michael Jackson - Will You Be There - Version Free Willy - [HQ]

MN Mondays: wedding week.

My sister came to MKE a week before our wedding, spent a few days here, and then she and I drove back home to MN to get everything ready for the big day. While there was a bit of running around and plenty of last minute planning, we had so much fun enjoying summertime with our family and close friends.

I was so lucky to get plenty of girl time with my mom and sister. We took Medyk for a walk, let him play soccer while watching the Blues (in his jersey!), went shopping, went to dinner...girl things. Twice, we went to my aunt and uncle's house in Stillwater to gather barvinok, periwinkle, for the place settings at the reception. Periwinkle is traditionally used in Ukrainian weddings, symbolizing eternal and faithful love, and, lucky for me, it was overtaking a corner of their garden. It turns out that my grandfather had actually planted it many years ago! My aunt and uncle's backyard is gorgeous (it's where we had my bridal shower!), and summertime has made it even better, full of green. My sister and I jumped in the pool both days, and were so relaxed and happy to savor two afternoons at one of our favorite places from our childhood. 

One of my favorite things we did was have a baba's vechir, which translates to "old ladies' evening" at my mom's. When we were little these evenings used to be more frequent; every month, a group of fantastic women (NOT old ladies) from our Ukrainian community would get together, drink wine, and cook or bake. Just for fun. Just to talk, get together, and stay connected outside all of the other activities they were already so busy with. I, of course, wanted to be a part of that group as a little girl, and looked forward to these nights just as much as the adults. As we grew up, everyone became even busier, and these nights stopped happening. I was so, so happy to be able to reconnect at our own baba's vechir before the wedding. These women have all played, and continue to play, such an important role in my life. I've looked up to all of them since I can remember, and now they have their own kids who are much more grown up than I like to admit. We had a wonderful night...perhaps Medyk felt a little too much love, but it was still perfect. 

It's hard to believe this was all three weeks ago. Time flies. We miss you all so much! 

Bliss.

{via our incredible photographer, Ms. Sarah Blesener!}

There aren't enough words to thank everyone who shared in our day, who helped make our wedding a dream come true. It was an amazing, unforgettable day, one filled with happiness. Andrew and I are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and we're so grateful you were all there to help us celebrate. That's the thing I remember most from Saturday - this indescribable feeling of being surrounded by love all day long. 

More photos will be up soon, some are already posted to FB (confession: I can't stop looking at them; it's as if I'm seeing them for the first time every single time). I can't wait to see more! This weekend we're taking a "mini-moon" to Chicago, and enjoying our first little vacation as a married couple. 

Much love to you all! 

#nak824wedding, for those still following along! :) 

10, 9, 8...

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This summer. Full of planning menus, programs, and schedules and buying more stamps in three months than I think I've ever purchased in my entire life (fine, a bit of an exaggeration, but work with me). In the craziness that is planning a wedding, one can forget that it is, after all, one day. It will, of course, be a wonderful day, no matter what happens, because we get to share our love with those we love most. And while that day has been at the center of our minds for months now, I know that what's to come in the days, months, and years after that day is even more important and more wonderful. The commitment we're making for all our lives is the true celebration, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. 

In the middle of all of this planning, we've still had plenty of time to enjoy life's "little pleasures" - walks to the lake, making dinner for ourselves (AND for friends and family who have visited!), iced coffee breaks outside. The summer has flown by, and I know this week will, too. I'm going to try to savor les petits bonheurs for as long as I can; I don't want to forget a thing. 

This will probably be the last post that's up before we're married. Married! I'm blown away by the support of our family and friends, all those who have rallied around us since the beginning. We can't wait to share the day with you, and are so thankful to be surrounded by our favorite people as we start our new life as husband and wife. 

Andrew - I can't wait to marry you!!! 

We're still here!

Almost melted, but still here. Kind of like this painting of this beach - everything starts to get blurry and all you can see is a hazy outline of what's in front of you...but like I said, I won't complain. I'll try to keep telling myself that. We'll be missing this in a few short months.

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We've adapted by turning the bedroom (the only room with a/c) into the everything-room: we turned the dresser into a buffet table/wine rack, some of the living room furniture has been brought it, anything to stay cool. We've got our priorities set.

This weekend (in a few hours, actually), we're off to MN - the last time we're there before we leave to GET MARRIED! I can't believe how this summer has flown by. I'm so excited to see my sister who's been in NY for the last few weeks, cuddle with the pup, catch up and celebrate with some lovely ladies at my bachelorette party, and of course, soak in as much family time as possible. They are our favorite people, after all!

Showered.

I can't find words to express my love and gratitude for all my friends and family who were at the shower this weekend. It was perfect (no rain!). My aunt's home looked amazing, as usual, with gorgeous flowers everywhere. She, my mom, and my sister outdid themselves with all the work they put in to making the day so beautiful. You ladies are all incredible, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Here are some photos of the day; some are mine, most were taken by friends, and all are absolutely lovely.