2011 in a Four Words - Kelly

Friends







Family








Training




Travel





It's been a good year. Here's to an even better one in 2012!!

Broken Ankle - Brady

Well, I broke my ankle. I've been meaning to update this blog but I was too bummed to write about it. The short version of the story is that last weekend Kevin and I went up to this little town in Wisconsin - New Glarus - because they have a cool brewery and a downtown decorated like Switzerland. At the end of the day we were walking home from getting ice cream, and I did that thing where you kick your foot up to the hit the person next to you in the rear end...know what I mean? I think I may have used the wrong leg. Or I was just clumsy. And I fell and twisted and broke it.

I've basically been moping around for a week. It hurts. I can't walk. I've had to finish all my Christmas shopping online. I'm not sure how I'm going to go New Orleans for New Year's Eve like we planned. I won't be able to run until late winter. I might have to do physical therapy.

But, the bright side is that (1) It could be way worse. I could've needed surgery or hurt the ligaments or joints around the break. The emergency room doctor said that he doesn't expect I'll have any long-term problems because of this. In the grand scheme of illnesses and injuries, this one is pretty small potatoes. And (2), more importantly, you're never more aware of how wonderful your family and friends as when something like this happens. Kevin has been phenomenal. He thinks of every single little thing I could possibly need and makes sure it's laid out for me before he goes to work every morning. He's been running all my errands, listens to me whine about pain and how stupid this whole thing is. He literally wakes up with me every single time I move my leg around at night. He's dealt with the logistics of taking me out to dinner and to a movie, just to get me out of the house. And my sisters have been fantastic. Amy brought me a Starbucks peppermint mocha, made me smoked gouda mac & cheese, and watched a movie with me the other night. Kelly's coming over to bake cookies and keep me company today. My dad has offered to swoop in and bring me to La Porte for a day or two if I get too bored in Chicago. My mom and grandparents and friends have all called to check up on me. My in-laws brought me the most beautiful care package with my favorite chocolates from Fort Wayne, a comfy sweatsuit to hang around in, reading material, and all kinds of other goodies.

So that's what I've been up to. And will be up to for the next five weeks. I know most of the people who read this are friends and family - so thanks so much to all of you for your thoughtfulness. :)

Birthday Fun - Kelly

Last Thursday I turned 27 and have to say- it was quite the birthday! It was a pretty regular work day for me but ended up being filled with some fun surprises (like a bright purple cake from my coworkers, multiple voice messages with people- including Amy's 4th graders- singing me happy birthday). I made it to a yoga class with one of my favorite instructors then met the fam out for dinner at Chilam Balam, a pretty amazing little Mexican small plates restaurant in our neighborhood.

with my sisters :)

the gentlemen

it's not a birthday without a little tequila!!

partying down

Friday night I met friends at a neighborhood bar, Sheffield's, for drinks then spent last night a club for people WAY cooler than me celebrating a joint birthday with another friend. It was honestly a fantastic few days- thanks to everyone who made it so fabulous!

Happy Birthday to Kelly! - Brady

The three of us say all the time how lucky we are that we live not only in the same city, but in the same neighborhood. We don't forget it or take it for granted.

I have had the best year with Kelly.

From visiting her cozy little coachhouse...

to being tackled by her monster dog...

to attending the adorable parties she hosts...

to meeting her at the corner of Belmont & Broadway for 5 a.m. marathon training sessions...

to driving eight hours up to Duluth to run the race (and driving what felt like a longer eight hours back with sore, sore legs)...

to planning other, less running-oriented trips together...

to laying out on the Siesta Key beach and walking to the Village...

to organizing our parents' anniversary trip to Michigan...

to calling her to ask if I could spend the night at her place when I was upset over a stolen wallet (and knowing she'd say yes)...

to debating education policy over red wine...

to always going to her for hair and clothes and home decor advice...

to meeting for beers at neighborhood bars...

to looking forward to her ridiculous stories the next morning when, once in a blue moon, she has one of her epic nights out...

to letting her introduce me to hot yoga...

to accompanying her on impromptu Target trips...

to hosting an educator party/networking event together...

to counting on her to help us with Veggie Thanksgiving leftovers, especially the dessert...

to being blog buddies...

to, now, celebrating her 27th year! (Whoa!)

Happy birthday Kelly Jones! You are a fabulous human being.

Christmas at the Jones-Rasps' - Brady

It's officially Christmastime at our apartment!

Merry Christmas to Me!

Guess what I found waiting in our apartment when Kevin and I returned from our Thanksgiving trip to Indiana?

This beauty!

He bought me a keyboard! He says it's an early Christmas present to both of us, but then he also told me this morning that we should still buy each other "something small" for the holidays. So I think maybe he was just being sweet.

I'm really excited - almost giddy. I took piano lessons for 10 years as a kid, but since I started college haven't played more than sporadically. Kevin has been saying for awhile now that he wanted to get a piano for our apartment, but I was worried about dragging one up the stairs and in our door, maintaining it, and bothering our neighbor downstairs. This is a perfect compromise. It's light and obviously doesn't need tuning. And, although it sounds a lot like a real piano, it won't resonate through the floor, and we can turn the volume way down or even plug in headphones.

Last night he brought me home a book of sheet music, and I immediately turned off the album I was listening to (A Very She & Him Christmas, which I'm really enjoying!) and sat down to play. It actually came back quickly, although I don't think the songs in the book are particularly hard. Kevin said he was impressed with how well I could sight-read, to which I reply, in a whisper...that's because I had to learn how to sight-read really well as I never practiced as much as I should've before my weekly piano lesson! I hated disappointing Mrs. DeMarco.

And there's one last thing that I really loved. We were heading out the door last night to pick out a Christmas tree (photos to come!), and Kevin was still fiddling around getting ready. I automatically gravitated toward the keyboard to play a song. That's exactly what I used to do as a kid - when I was waiting for my sisters to be ready or my friends (or boyfriends) to come and pick me up, I'd just sit and play until it was time to go. I slipped right back into the habit.