Kohl's Cares

So my life has been taken over by what's known as Kohl's Cares.... at work and beyond. Kohl's Cares is a campaign to give 20 schools across the country $500,000 each. The 20 schools that get the most votes on Facebook will win! Sounds easy right? NOT. We are in the top 40, and trying to move closer to that 20. We are getting tons of volunteers to events off site, hosting phone-a-thons, anything and everything to get votes. I'll update all after these shenanigans are over.

If you'd like to vote: go to facebook.com
Like Kohl's
Go to the Kohl's Cares application and search for Pius XI High School in Milwaukee
Vote for Pius XI Five Times

Thank you.... Bethers

2 Posts In 1 Day - Uh Oh

My sweet lil family!


Before I get too bogged down with other things for the weekend, I'll post some pics from a few weekends of fun!

Day at Harrington Beach and Kohler-Andrae State Parks
Since Ben and I now have an annual park pass (thanks sister!) we decided to check out some state parks along Lake Michigan a few weeks back. Couver definitely does not enjoy crashing waves.... :) But we enjoyed a great day with not-so-hot weather and took in the scenery!








Madyson's Baptism
Our little angel, Mady, had her Baptism last weekend, and our family came out to celebrate at church and after at Nate and Kelly's. We had a fun time, and then Ben and I headed to a friend's for a going away party.


Aly and her man!


Outside the church...


Ready for bed after that day!

Until then... Bethers

Wisconsin State Fair

So I went to the State Fair this week for the first time in about 5 years. I used my $14 groupon that included 2 adult tickets and a 3-pack of Cream Puffs (a $28.50 value). Anne and I met after work on Monday anticipating a smaller crowd and we were ready to look through every nook and cranny at the fair. It didn't disappoint - we saw llamas, alpacas, cows, pigs, horsies - visit the products building and dairy areas and the expo centers. We saw carnies, rides, big slides, pickles on a stick and most of all... A TON OF FOOD! My goal was to try between 3-4 foods I'd never had or at least enjoy some I've had before. I reached 3 foods I've never had although the first I'll describe I've had in theory, but just not this particular brand/style. So, I made it!!! We spent 3 1/2 hours enjoying the heat and stuff at the fair and I left, well, STUFFED!!!!

Fair Stop 1: Products Building
Pretzel Bites with Cheese. These were reasonably priced and I'd never had this kind before - they were made from the same dough as pretzel buns/rolls, so they were much lighter and airy than the normal soft pretzels I've had before.

**** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 2: Robert's Stand
Deep Fried Pickles with Ranch Dressing. Tasty as usual, I've loved these lil guys for awhile now. The only issue I had was that the quantity you received looked small in the large container they served them in. Either use a smaller bowl or give us more!!!

*** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 3: Saz's
Combo Platter. I started to get frustrated about not finding something unusual to eat... and I was not about to have chocolate covered bacon or a krispy kreme cheeseburger... so Anne and I split a combo platter at my old standby - Saz's. I absolutely love that they use egg roll wrappers around cheese for their mozz sticks and their cheese curds are usually spectacular with their garlic fries.

**** 1/2 out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 4: Dessert Stand
Frozen Banana Dipped in Chocolate on a Stick - or as my coworker calls it a "Monkey Tail". I only had a bite of this sweet treat - Anne fully enjoyed it though, and the small bit I had was tasty.

*** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 5: Carnie Looking Stand
Deep Fried Oreos. Going into the fair, I had heard good things about these lil guys from my father-in-law. I was already full and ready to leave when I spotted this stand and had to get them. Only problem was, their one size was 7 of 'em! So for $6, I got all the deliciousness I could handle and left with a tummy ache. Anne had her sweet fix and would only eat half of one, so I "HAD" to eat 6 total. Completely delicious like a warm cakey-donut, but I thought I may have a heart-attack later that night. I already eat too many donuts, no need for more anytime soon!!!

***** out of 5 stars

Fair Stop 6: NEAR EXIT
3 Cream Puffs To-Go. I shared these with Anne and my family, so I only tried a sliver the next day - but as usual, the State Fair did not dissapoint. If you are from WI, you grow up enjoying cream puffs, and I'm happy to say it was as good as I remembered.

**** out of 5 stars

Time for a fooooooood coma...
Until Then... Bethers

A year of firsts

So far this year has been quite the year of firsts... let me rephrase... the last 12 months -
... 1st niece - now she's one!
... 1st year of marriage - going on 8 months
... 1st move back to Milwaukee - hopefully never again!
... 1st time living with the in-laws - surprisingly not bad!
... 1st time camping in WI - other than backyard tenting

The last six months have LITERALLY flown by, and even the past two have gone quickly with Ben here. It seems like yesterday I was having a little party at my crazy house in the boonies in Phoenix to say goodbye to all, working a MBB game at Wells Fargo Arena or just hanging in my office with my sweet iMac computer. As much as I miss those memories I'll cherish forEVER I can't wait to see what the next 6 months of this 1st year back in Milwaukee will bring.

Life Recap:
- July 16-18: Madyson's 1st Birthday party!!! Yeah, she's getting SO BIG (arms up)




- July 24-26: Camping at Blue Mound State Park with Stacy and Marty. Had a great time soaking up the sun and relaxing during my one (and only) mini vacation this summer.




- July 30-August 1: Ben and I used our annual State Park pass to visit Harrington Beach and Kohler Andre State Parks (thanks sis) along the Lake Michigan coast. Although it was a yucky day out we enjoyed the hikes and the lake. We ended the night at our newly crowned "fav" bars of Milwaukee: Cafe Centraal and Sugar Maple. Cafe Centraal has great imported beers and Sugar Maple boasts 60 American Craft ales. Sadly, Kelly Pertzsch, no Rogue was to be found :(. Sunday was spent at my parent's lake house enjoying a fun boat ride and my favorite meal prepared by my mom: cheeseburgers!

GROUPON UPDATE - Ben and I visited Transfer Pizzeria ($20 for a $40 gift card) on Saturday night. All I can say is either the pizza was delicious, or my beer made it that way. We enjoyed a caprese salad with balsamic vinegar... for some reason I've seen some menus around here listing caprese with olive oil no vinegar. SAY WHAT?!? Needless to say, this was authentic and great! We also shared a 'za with tomato sauce, pesto sauce, spicy sausage, fresh tomatoes and asiago cheese. Good crust, great 'za!!! Highly recommended.

On Deck:
Family things next weeked per usual! Hopefully hitting up the State Fair with my groupon. My goal is to try between 3-4 things I've never had before - whether or not they are on a stick. If I end up trying fried pickles and cheese curds (which I definitely HAVE had) I will still accept that as success.

Adios!
Bethers