Let's go to Mad-town!

After much anticipation, we find ourselves experiencing and surviving our first winter in Wisconsin. With the exception of a few days of sub-zero temperatures, I have found that it's not as bad as I expected. My tolerance for the cold has already increased and I have found that, after a little time, you just grow accustomed to being cold. It's all about the layers! Also, the snow is beautiful and gives the city a serene feeling. While I might be over the cold, I am definitely not over stomping through the snow in my snow boots. There is something very satisfying about walking through the snow! All in all, Aaron, the animals and I are keeping warm and happy.

It's been over three months since my last post and when I started to go through my pictures to add to this post, I realized why! We've been very busy! Almost every weekend has been packed either with travel or extreme relaxation; neither of which readily yields to constructive computer work.

Not long after my last post, we experienced our first snowfall on Halloween morning. It was just a little bit but was so exciting for this native Texan! Besides, our living room window allows for excellent snowfall-watching.

Aaron and I had tickets to see Dave Chappelle one night and, while the show was a little disappointing, we had a chance to catch UW-Madison's homecoming parade before the show.

UW's mascot: Bucky the Badger

The marching band was my favorite part, of course!

Before the cold set in, we continued to take regular long walks around the lake, especially on the weekends. We enjoyed a short-lived outdoor running stint and I decided that my next running goal will be to complete the 11-mile loop around Lake Monona. However, I made this decision about a week before the freezing temperatures came so I will start working on that goal when it gets a little warmer out. What amazes me is that some people continue to run and bike outdoors no matter what the temperature!

Khi and her tractor

One Sunday we drove about an hour northwest toward a little town called Baraboo where Devil's Lake Park is located. The drive was gorgeous with lots of rolling hills and farmland. Our goal was to try out the hiking trails around Devil's Lake and we spent an entire afternoon making the trek. Devil's Lake is a beautiful, serene glacier lake embedded between hills that were cut out over time by the glacier itself before it melted. It was stunning! According to the map, the circumference of the lake is only 5-6 miles but, because of the steep trails going up and down the hills on either side of the lake, it took us a few hours to complete the loop. Although we had no idea exactly what we were getting ourselves into, we had a total blast and were both pretty sore that evening.

The south shore of Devil's Lake. Those are geese!

Khi, me and some other dog hanging out at the top of the western peak

Aaron Taylor: mountain man

At the end of our hike: both exhausted and ready for dinner!

The weeks before Thanksgiving brought freezing temperatures and a few inches of snow. Most noteworthy, Monona Bay, the part of the lake in our "backyard", froze over! Luckily, it was still warm enough to go for long walks and get some pictures of this crazy phenomenon. It's science!

Khi and I kept watch in case a crazy person decided to try his luck at walking on the thin ice!

I'm just about to throw this rock onto the frozen lake to see if the ice will break. (it did!)

apartment courtyard barbecue

We traveled to Miami, Florida for our Thanksgiving getaway. Once we arrived, I played beach ball catch with the polar bear in the hotel lobby and then we headed straight for the beach!

We spent a lot of time on the beach and, although it was a little too chilly to be in our swimsuits, we were still able to completely veg out on the beach and listen to music, drink fresh coconut water and people-watch. We spent most evenings walking up and down Ocean Drive searching for the perfect place to eat dinner. Ocean Drive has restaurant after restaurant with patio seating that takes over the sidewalk so you are forced to walk through each restaurant and fend off aggressive hosts who all touted the best food and drinks on the strip. Aaron finally had to start telling each of them "We'll be right back!" We headed to Mango's one night where they serve dinner accompanied with live bar-top dancing and singing all night long. We had a leisurely dinner on the balcony while watching the performances.

We drove down to Key West one day to spend a day and a night there. I loved Key West and wish we had more time! Upon our arrival, we sat on the pier to watch an enormous cruise ship leave port and then stayed to watch the world-famous Key West sunset. We were sitting just across from an apartment complex where a celebration of some sort was taking place and one of the guests began serenading another with an operatic chorus which, unbeknownst to the singer, enhanced our sunset-watching experience tremendously. That night, we walked to the southernmost point in the continental U.S. and stood in line to take our obligatory pictures of the event. On our walk back to the hotel, we stopped off so I could get a slice of key lime pie (of course!). We sat as I ate and enjoyed the shenanigans of the cross-dressed bouncers promoting the club across the street!

signpost to everywhere in Key West

Back in Madison after a fun and restful vacation, we settled into the Christmas season with busy work schedules and still more plans. We wasted no time setting up and decorating our first Christmas tree. I made a Texas star out of paper and aluminum foil to serve as our tree topper as well as some funky paper and wire tree ornaments. Of course, many trees sprung up around our complex over the month of December but ours was the best!

Khi and Mowgli's winter portrait

Yes, that's all he got

peanut butter and jelly blondies- part of my holiday baking spree

Christmas treats all around!

One weekend in December, we took the train from Milwaukee to Chicago for a quick trip to see Aaron's youngest sister, Rebecca, sing the National Anthem for the Chicago Bulls! She was incredible and had a clear, booming voice that was right on key. After she sang, we met up and chatted for a while before she had to rush off to make another gig in Kansas the following morning. The next day we had lunch with Aaron's BFF Marc and then headed back to Good old Madison.

Becca on the Big Screen

Christmas Day didn't feel much like Christmas to either of us because we are in a new place and without family. However, we still had a wonderful day! We watched Christmas movies, napped and made a delicious Christmas feast followed by Aaron's mom Marcia's delicious Povacita for dessert. The week after Christmas, we left for Red River, NM where we met with my family to ring in the New Year! The trip was amazing and perfect. The family found a great balance of doing and relaxing and we were able to spend a lot of quality time together. We went sledding, snowmobiling, played Bingo and ate a lot of holiday food. Aaron and I spent one night out with Angela, Jack and all the cousins watching a live honky tonk band, dancing, singing and laughing until we cried. That is one night I will never forget!

Exploring Red River's main drag

another signpost to everywhere!

Feeding our neighborhood deer with popcorn. They loved it!

I couldn't feel my fingers or toes

My riding buddy, Carter

Aaron catching air on his sled

The fam!

Cousin's night out!

Aaron and I have had a whirlwind of a year with many ups and downs, changed plans and lots of personal growth. We are both excited about the New Year and are already taking 2015 by storm!

Upcoming events:

1/15-1/16: Aaron's 37th birthday celebration with a UW men's basketball game, dinner, a movie and walking on the frozen lake!

2/27-2/29: I will be spending the weekend with my new dear friend, Misty, at a women's spiritual retreat.

Spring 2015:

I am enrolled in an online pathophysiology class that I am taking in preparation to apply to PTA school. But the DPT fat lady hasn't sung yet: I am presently on the wait list at TWU and still waiting for a response from UNT.

A date hasn't been set yet, but my parents plan to come visit!

We went to Chicago for my birthday weekend and had a blast! We drove in from Madison on Friday and started our weekend with a scrumptious sushi dinner. Saturday was my actual birthday and we spent the entire day exploring the city. It was so beautiful and nothing like I expected. The sidewalks of downtown were crawling with people and between the hustle and bustle and the towering skyscrapers, Chicago reminded me of a cleaner, better-smelling New York.

The view from our room- Buckingham Fountain and Lake Michigan in the distance

2nd anniversary of my 29th birthday!

We spent Saturday exploring the city. Aaron has been to Chicago countless times but he let me play tourist the entire weekend. We took the architecture boat tour and paid a visit to Willis Tower where I did a little yoga in the sky box. That night, we visited Second City- a comedy club that has served as a springboard for many SNL stars including Mike Meyers and Tina Fey. We were randomly seated in the front row and I was laughing for two hours straight.

We were waiting in line for two hours! I needed to stretch!

The Second City stage

On Sunday, we ate pancakes for breakfast and took our coffee to go to do a little more site-seeing before we headed back to Madison. We visited Millennium Park including the obligatory visit to the Cloud Gate sculpture (The Bean) and The Crown Fountain. We ended up at the Buckingham Fountain. It was the perfect weekend and one of the best birthdays I've ever had!

The Boeing Gallery

The Crown Fountain

Aaron approves of The Bean

Buckingham Fountain's hourly water display

My parents sent flowers to meet me in Chi-Town!

Back in Madison, we have finally fully settled into our apartment. It is beautiful and warm and full of lots of natural light. The animals have completely adjusted to their new space and are as happy as ever. Aaron and I continue to spend our weekends walking around town, eating at new restaurants and generally scoping out the city. We finally made it into the capitol building, where we ventured to the observation deck to get a 360 degree view of Madison.

Our cozy living room

Mowgli will never take furniture for granted again

Family portrait

Chairs lined up for a wedding at Monona Terrace

Wisconsin State capitol building

The northeasterly view from the observation deck

Madison fire department festival on The Square

Sometimes we take the train tracks home (our building is the last one on the right)

In the last few weeks, we have been marveling at the beauty of the trees as their leaves change color. It is absolutely stunning and the trees seem to be glowing. It is a sign that the brutally cold winter is on its way. Almost every day, I receive some sort of sympathetic comment about this being my first Midwestern winter and the concept is too abstract for my brain to process. However, I am optimistic about my ability to adapt! I have built up my winter wardrobe and have been practicing dressing appropriately as the temperatures start to drop. Winter is coming but I'm ready to take it on!