I love football in the fall!!

This weekend was one of my favorite weekends!!! I love the fall in Minnesota...I love the chill in the air & the crisp, sunny days. I love cuddling up and watching college football on Saturdays...and the Vikings (+Favre) on Sundays. Sometimes I wish I would've been a boy - so I could've played football (my dad & Nate think I'm crazy when I say that - but seriously, I just LOVE the game!!!).

We spent most of the weekend up at my parents' house - my mom was up at the lake taking care of Papa, so we spent the weekend with my dad. We relaxed all weekend! Saturday was so fun. We slept in - and then went to visit the house my parents are building - we had not been up there for a few weeks, so we were very excited to see the progress! It's beautiful. We love it. I can't believe how quickly they're building it - it's really coming along nicely. I can't wait till they move in! It's going to be a great home. Then we made a quick stop at the farmer's market & stocked up on some fresh food for dinner. We spent the rest of the day watching football & cooking...I made fresh, homemade salsa (it was delicious!!!!!!). For dinner, I braved a 'slow-cooked' meal - I know, it's easy...but I'd never used a CrockPot before...so I was a little nervous. It turned out great though. We had picked up some fresh potatoes, and carrots at the farmer's market....and I made a yummy slow-cooked meal. Nate was not excited about it at first - but he gave me an A+ after eating it...so I guess it turned out ok!

We were excited to see the Badgers beat Michigan State- (and Nate was happy to see the Buckeyes crush Illinois). After watching football all day, it was great to get out on the golf course Saturday night. Dad, Nate & I played 9 holes- not my best golfgame of the season - but, it was still really fun. It's a nice golfcourse - and it was a perfect night for golf with my favorite 2 guys!

Went to church with dad yesterday morning. Very nice. Then we headed to the Vikings game!! I was so, so excited! We got lucky with 1st row tickets - - it was so fun to be so close to everything! The metrodome is actually really fun for Vikings football games - it gets SO loud in there!! It's crazy exciting. If you missed the football game, I would highly, highly recommend watching the highlights. Here's a 4 minute clip definitely worth watching: YouTube: Favre Favre & the Vikings won the game with a last-second unreal touchdown pass. It was AMAZING!!!!!!!! The pass was incredible - the catch was unbelievable - the Metrodome exploded!!!!!!! It was an incredible feeling!!!! I love cheering for the Vikings - and I love seeing Favre succeed. He is so talented. Anyway, I could go on & on about how exciting it was - it was a great moment in Minnesota football!!!! We loved every second of it!

We're excited to go to the Badgers vs. Gophers game next Saturday with dad & Uncle Mike at the new Gophers stadium - I loooooooove football! I wish every weekend were as fun as this! Doesn't get much better!!

baby stroller!!!!!!!!!!

We made our first "baby" purchase yesterday! We ordered our stroller!!! I'm so, so excited.

We wanted to get a running stroller - and my friend recommended the BOB strollers - so, we visited REI & loved it & went home and ordered it! :) I cant wait for it to arrive!!!!!!! It was pretty cute seeing Nate testing out the strollers!! Funny! I'm so glad we bought a running stroller - and it even has cute colors: chocolate brown & baby blue.

Nate & I are waiting to find out if we're having a girl/boy. We want to have the surprise!! My mom is very sad about this...she'd like to know as soon as possible...but, we think it'll be fun to wait & see!!!!! Mom asked if she could call the doctor & find out - I would let her...but I think she'd give it away...Only 6 months to go! I cant believe we'll have a little baby in 6 months! I'm so excited.

Labor day weekend was really fun for us. We went up to mom & dad's on fri & sat....hung out with Dave & Rachel for the day on Saturday! It was great to see them!! Unfortunately, the dogs got into some reeeeeeally bad burs right before they arrived (reeeeeeally bad), so we spent the first hour - hour 1/2 pulling burs off of the dogs. I felt SO bad for them - there were 100s of burs...stuck in their hair/skin/paws. Poor dogs. It wasn't even their fault - Nate & I took them on a walk & were throwing the frisbee for them...in a mowed, school field - and then realized they were covered in these awful burs....painful! They couldn't even walk! Poor, poor bella & kip. Anyway, thanks D&R for helping!!!

I loved watching college football this weekend- so happy it's that time of year again!! Victories for all our favorite teams this weekend - so we were both happy fans!! We played a lot of scrabble this weekend (3 or 4 times...). Nate golfed a lot....we played a little tennis yesterday...went for a late night walk in Excelsior on Sunday night (gorgeous at night!)...played bocce ball in Excelsior Park yesterday (Nate beat me both games!), went out for icecream at Adele's (my favorite!)....ate at a really yummy mexican restaurant...watched movies...fun, fun, fun. I wish every weekend were a long weekend! It was so fun to spend time with Nate.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

little baby Cartwright!

Nate & I went in for an early ultrasound this morning - it was amazing!!! It was so incredible to see the little baby moving around - with it's legs crossed & hands by it's face - so cute! I loved watching it - and it made me so excited!

The duedate is still March 8th, 2009! And, we're not having twins (woohoo!) - Hope you enjoy the pictures - they're not the best resolution, but still pretty amazing. We're so excited for the little one!!! Such a great way to start the day.

Love you all.

big news...

we have some big news....we're HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!! (a honeymoon baby!!)

we went to the doctor today & heard the baby's heartbeat! it was incredible...we're extremely happy & excited...and can't wait to be parents!!!!!

weekend fun!

I have a wonderful husband!! I'm so happy I married such a kind, loving & thoughtful husband. I haven't been feeling very good lately, and on Monday night, Nate surprised me with a big bouquet of lilies & huge pink roses, and some amazing bubble bath from Origin's (my FAVORITE bath store!!!) and some Origin's candles!! It was great! I've had a bubble-bath every night since - it's been so great! He's so thoughtful & really looks out for me. I was so surprised & felt so loved.

Nate's also a fabulous best friend - we had such an enjoyable weekend together. On Saturday, we drove into Minneapolis to the farmer's market (**sidenote: I've wanted to go to the farmer's market ALL summer...and I talk about it all the time & we finally went...I was so excited!!). We spent a couple hours there, just walking around, taking it all in - it's such a cool atmosphere. I love all the people that go to the farmer's market - and the happy feeling I get by being there! We ate some delicious freshly grilled corn-on-the-cob (one of my summertime favorites!!!)...and we bought a bunch of fresh fruit & veggies (fresh tomatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, red & yellow bell peppers, onions, sweet corn, strawberries & peaches)...and some fresh flowers! I was in heaven!!! I just LOVE fresh fruits & veggies - and it's so fun to buy it all at the farmer's market - from people who work hard everyday to make a living by farming. I really respect farmers because they are such hard workers, and humble people. I can't wait to have my own gardern (hopefully next summer!!). It's so fun! I'm so excited to go back!

After the trip to the farmer's market, we drove into Uptown & spent the rest of the day at the Uptown Art Fair!! It was great, walking around & seeing all the artwork. While most of the art wasn't really my "style", it was a good way to spend a summer afternoon in Minneapolis - and we bought a really cool photograph of a little french cafe - with lots of blues & yellows. It's adorable! It's our first piece of art purchased together as a married couple!

We had a great day at church yesterday...and then enjoyed relaxing, watching golf together yesterday afternoon. Last night, Nate made a very, very delicious dinner - with most of the food from the farmer's market - he made a terrific angel-hair pasta - with fresh tomatoes, balsamic vinagrette, mushrooms, onions, and garlic (it was deeeeelicious!). He also made a great marinated pork tenderloin on the grill & some roasted veggies (yellow squash & zucchini, and peppers & onions), and some sweet corn! He's a great cook & I feel so spoiled when he cooks for me. We're hoping we can make this same meal for mom & dad...maybe next sunday...After dinner, we went on a nice evening walk on a really serene, wooded trail in Eden Prairie. It was a great way to end the weekend together!

We're excited to spend time with mom & dad next weekend - we're going to the PGA tourney with them, and are so excited!! I love summertime weekends with the people I love!!

chicago trip!!!!!!

We're home from Chicago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that city! We had a great trip to Chicago last weekend...spent some time with Nate's friends, went to a Cubs game, went to the Chicago Institute of Art museum, wallked around Millenium Park, ate at a really funny Italian restaurant....had the BEST breakfast I've ever had on Nate's birthday morning....(soooo delicious!!!!), visited Wheaton (where Nate grew up), and swung through Janesville on the way home....it was a great trip!!! I only wish it would've lasted longer.

The Cubs game was my favorite - we had really sweet seats - best seats I've ever had at a baseball game. We were 6 rows back, right behind the visitor's dugout - - right on the first-base-line. They were awesome seats & a great game! The Cubs are really fun to watch - and it was great being at Wrigley Field. The fans are fantastic & the energy is great there!!!!! We lucked out with a great game too - lots of offense (lots of homeruns, a "pickle-in-the-middle"...) - It was super exciting. I LOVED it!!!!!!

My 2nd favorite part of the weekend was our visit to Wheaton. We saw the house Nate grew up in...and then visited Nate's highschool. We were able to walk around the school, with Nate's friend who now teaches there - - it was so fun to see Nate's name on the "records" wall in the gym - for his 4x800 record (still unbroken....). Nate also still has his photo mounted in one of the hallways from his glory days!!! It made me very proud of my hubby! I think it's great he still has an unbeaten record there - especially at such an athletic school. Wheaton is a really cool town. I'd love to live there - lots of old, charming homes. I thought it was adorable.

Chicago is a great place!! I cant wait to go back!

Nate & I celebrated his birthday when we got home - we went to a great spot for dinner...and then headed over to the Edina Creamery (Nate's favorite!) for some delicious homemade icecream & hot fudge sundaes. It was a great way to celebrate Nate!!!!! He is an amazing husband & my best, best friend!

chicago!!!!

we're headed to Chicago for a long weekend & I'm so excited!! I love chicago!!! we're planning on going to a cubs game, eating lots of yummy food, catching up with nate's friends, and celebrating nate's 31st birthday!!!!! should be a great weekend - we'll post pictures when we get home! I'm so excited!!! I love roadtrips...and Chicago is so much fun!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July weekend!! Nate & I are headed up to spend the weekend with some of my favorite people! It's sure to be a weekend full of happy memories!

We're staying with my parents tonight...and then will be visiting my grandparents in Wisconsin tomorrow...(should be great to see them again!) And then...we're headed up to the lake!!! I love being up at the cottage! It should be a fun-filled weekend of boating (watching Nate trying to ski!)...sparklers...fireworks on the water...good food...bonfires...scrabble...I'm so excited!! I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July! It was this weekend last year when Nate & I started dating again! Crazy...a year later & we're married!! So fun!

Love you all & I hope you have a wonderful & safe weekend!!

...sneak peak!!

This is my little brother, Mark. He was our photographer for our wedding weekend & he did an incredible job!!! Our pictures are beautiful & I absolutely love them!!

If you'd like to contact Mark, here is his info:

Mark Miller
Mark Miller Photography
952. 220.2912

I will post a link to view all of the pictures once I have some time to upload them- but here's a little "sneak peak" at a couple great shots that I love.

Thank you, Mark (and Ryan & Libby), for doing such a wonderful job!! We are so excited to have such beautiful photos and are really grateful for all your hard work!!

"22 and a half" - www.dayswithmyfather.com

"I want to think seriously about what I can accomplish with what's left of my life."

incredible. endearing. affectionate. beautiful. heart-warming. tender. absolutely amazing.

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

My little brother shared this website with me today - and it is one of the most beautiful accounts I have ever read - I was eating my lunch at my desk, with tears streaming down my cheeks, thinking of how amazing & incredibly beautiful this "diary" is.

At minimum, it takes about 10 minutes to read through & look at the pictures, but I found myself spending more & more time looking back at the photos & finding more beauty in his loving words & sweet memories. This website reminds me of some simple, but tender & beautiful elements of life & makes me so grateful for the beauty, happiness & love that I have each day in my life.

Take a look at it & let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Love you all!
Love, Leanna

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

luckiest, happiest girl...

I am so excited to marry this man!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a very happy girl....we're getting MARRRRRRRIED (in less than a week!!!) and I couldn't be more excited. I'm very in love with him, and very grateful to be marrying my best friend. We had a really wonderful weekend this past weekend...full of really great experiences together & a lot of happy moments that reminded me...I'm a lucky, lucky girl to be marrying such an incredible man!!!!!

It's going to be a wonderful weekend!!!! So excited to share this joy with each of you!

my new favorite movie...

I have added a new movie to my list of "all time-favorite-flicks"....UP!!!

Its a WONDERFUL movie! Nate & I saw it last night. I've been so excited for this movie since I first saw the previews for it...and after hearing my brother & sister-in-law rave about it, we HAD to see it! So, we took a night off of wedding-planning to relax a bit (much needed)...and this movie hit the spot! It is honestly one of the greatest movies I've seen. Its a wonderful story!

My favorites from the movie:

1. I love Carl & Ellie's bond - I love watching their relationship develop (from childhood...and on...) & their life experiences together - it was honestly touching to watch their lives together...(yes, I know they are cartoons, but it made me smile...and cry...and laugh...to watch them together)

2. I love Ellie's SPUNK!!- and her passion- and their cute, exciting adventures together.

3. I love the creativity in detail - of the story...and the characters...and their adventure..FANTASTIC!

4. I love love love Ellie's "My Adventures" book...and especially her "Things I'm going to do..." section of the book...(I'm thinking of making my own book)

It was a great movie...and I highly recommend it to everyone. It reminded me to show more love...to engage in exciting/adventurous experiences...and to develop special relationships with people in my life....OHHHHH!!! and I want to go SOUTH AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha....Nate laughed at me when I asked him after the movie if we could take a trip there....ha!

Nate & I are getting very excited for the wedding...it's going to be wonderful! I am lucky to marry such a sweet man. Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking (preparing for this next stage of life)...and I feel extremely grateful to be surrounded by amazing people in my life. I have an incredible family, full of wonderful people who encourage me to be a better person...I love my parents so much & I have the best brothers & sister (and sisters-in-law)!!! Really, I do! They strengthen me as a person so much! I feel very blessed & full of gratitude for all the wonderful people in my life. I hope you each know how much I truly adore you.

Love, Leanna

celebrate!!!!!!!!!!

My dad ran a GREAT race this morning!!!!! He ran a half marathon in less than 2 hours....VERY IMPRESSIVE....he is a great runner and motivator to all of us! ...and...Mark ran a full marathon this morning & qualified for the BOSTON MARATHON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are REALLY excited for him....this is a HUGE accomplishment...and he should be very proud of himself!!!! We love you both & wish we were there to celebrate with you today!!! You guys are both such great athletes! Love you!!

CRUISIN...

Nate & I are buying bikes when we get married!!! I love summertime & fall in Minnesota...and we think it'd be super fun to develop a new hobby...biking! 

I see myself as a Sunday-afternoon biker...cruising with my hubby around the lakes in Minneapolis...packing a lunch, watching the sunset over the lake & cruising home...so, this is the bike I've picked for myself. (I tried to talk Nate into a cruiser as well...not happening!) He will get a more manly bike, I'm sure...I'm very excited! I love the summertime, the sunshine & being outside. I think this will be a wonderful activity as newly-weds!

bridal shower...and a surprise!

I had a wonderful weekend! My friends threw me a bridal shower on Saturday morning...which was very, very fun! The best part was about 20 minutes after the shower started the doorbell rang...and I opened up the door, and there, on the doorstep was my MOM!!!!! She flew in from Minnesota and surprised me at my shower. It was such an exciting surprise!!! I cried...she cried...we hugged...and then she spent the weekend with us! My shower was so much fun. I love my friends here...and will miss them a lot. They are all so sweet & they each make my life a little happier...and it was such a great surprise to have my mom there! It made me so happy!! Best surprise ever!!

The rest of the weekend was packed full of fun...my favorite part of my mom's visit was Sunday afternoon...we went on a long walk up in the mountains. It was a beautiful day...blue skies & super sunny!!!!! Then, we had a bbq with my family. It was great to be together (we missed Nate & dad though)...

I miss my mom already! It was such a great weekend....thanks, mom & dad, for the wonderful surprise...and thank you to all of my sweet friends who made me feel like a special bride on saturday. Love you all!!