Christmas

For Christmas this year we spent a couple days in Holland, MI with Alex's family and Christmas Eve night and the day after at my mom's. With Alex's family, we went ice skating with his niece and sister in Grand Rapids, hung out with friends and ate yummy food! We enjoyed ourselves and the time we spent with the family.

We had Christmas morning with my mom and family. Alex and I were very blessed this year and can not thank everyone enough who made our Christmas one we can never forget. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Engagement!!!!

Alex proposed!!! It was such a magical night! Alex and I made dinner together followed by a drive through the Wayne County Lightfest! While we were on the drive through the lights Alex surprised me when he said he had my ice skates in the car. If you guys didn't know, I LOVE to go ice skating! Detroit was the perfect spot under the stars and city lights with the snow falling and that's right were Alex took me. Little did I know that this night on Campus Martius would be the night I would get engaged.

Just before midnight, in front of what had to be over a hundred people, Alex got down on one knee in the middle of the ice rink, with the huge Christmas tree in the background and snow falling out of the sky. I was shocked and embarrassed as I hate to be the center of attention. I wish I could say I remember the exact words Alex said all I know is I said YES and held my hand out without even looking at the ring....Alex had to tell me look at the ring!! It is very beautiful, I could not be happier to have such a wonderful man as my fiance! Of course through all of this I didn't have my camera with me so here are some photos from our romantic morning after.

My Beautiful Ring!

Flowers from my Fiance

Breakfast together the morning after our engagement

 Morning after our engagement!

Expeditors Christmas Party

Alex and I attended his work Christmas party at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Detroit! It was such a great time, between being the center of Alex's work video to the railing on the Hard Rock bus falling off on the way back to the hotel while singing"Jingle Bells". It was an EPIC night!

Fall Festivities

Rachel loves fall; that time of year instantly brings to mind cider flowin', crunchy leaves underfoot, college football, Oktoberfest beer, a crispness in the air, and who could forget the cider mill! We always look forward to this time of year and our adventures did not disappoint.

 Decorating fall inspired cookies

 Hayride at Obstbaum Orchards in Salem, MI

 Together at Upland Hills Farm in Oxford, MI with Rachel's cousins

 Posing with Kylie and Hailey

MSU Football 2011

Fall brings the time for MSU football. Alex and I made a few trips to East Lansing to see friends and cheer on our Spartans! Go GREEN!

                                             

Chicago

Alex and I made a trip to Chicago for a weekend to attend our friends engagement party. The trip was short, but we were able to get some sight seeing in, along with shopping and of course good eats. Alex was not leaving Chicago until he got a Chicago style hot dog and all I wanted was a piece of Chicago style pizza.

The Bean

Our friends Alex and Holly sight seeing at the Chicago Bean

Alex and Alex looking spiffy in their new bow ties purchased in Chicago

Alex and Ian 

Black Keys Concert

We had the pleasure to attend an amazing concert this summer by the Black Keys. The concert was in downtown Indianapolis on the river front. Alex and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, I even played the air guitar lol a first for Alex to see of me. Our friend Luke attended the concert with us, it was great to see him. It you have not checked out tunes from the Black Keys before I highly recommend it, they are an amazing band!!

Wilderness State Park/ Camping/ Road Biking Trip

For Memorial weekend Alex and I went up to Wilderness State park. We had a GREAT time. The weather was quite cold but to be expected for Michigan. We enjoyed  two days and three nights of camping under the stars. We packed our road bikes with us for the trip and took a day trip down the shore line of Lake Michigan through the Tunnel of Trees to Harbor Springs. It was a beautiful trip and our first day trip on our new road bikes that we got for our birthday! We also took a trip to Mackinaw City on our bikes to see the bridge and re visit the first place we went on vacation together last summer. It was a wonderful start to a summer full of adventures.