It's Official ;)

There are big moments in life were you find yourself constantly pinching yourself, asking "Is this really real?". Whether it be landing your dream job, finding your penguin, or finally getting to check off an item off of your bucket list; it's such an awesome feeling to finally be able to say, "I'm here". 

I've been pretty quiet lately. Not too many posts throughout the social media universe; absolutely no blog posts. It wasn't for a lack of business or news; there was just something bigger going on. :)

As you are reading this blog, I would like to formally announce on behalf of both Gus and I that it's official. ;)

Photo taken by the fabulous Kristy & Vic Photography

That's right! Gus and I have purchased our first home. :D

We've already received many "Congratulations!" and "Welcome to the Mortgage Club" from loved ones and close friends. We've even been jokingly (maybe not jokingly) told that the bank owns us now. But honestly we couldn't be happier!! We've been taking time to get the house ready before our big move. Applying fresh coats of paint, getting rid of the rug (YAY TO LESS ALLERGIES), and taking the time to add our own little touches to the place we are so excited to call "HOME". 

As you read this, we will be moving and saying goodbye to the small apartment that we moved into five years ago at the beginning of our marriage. Those walls could tell so many happy, sad, and all around wonderful stories. I think I speak for both Gus and I when I say that we are excited to close this (apartment living) chapter and begin a new one here in our house (still feels weird saying it...remember the pinching yourself thing I mentioned earlier...kinda doing that right now). 

Thanks for keeping tapped in with us and I can't wait to share all the goodies and photos I've been piling up in the mean time.

Our Magical Evening on Broadway

We recently took an amazing last minute trip to New York City for Valentine's Day Weekend. Besides the fact that we almost froze (more about that here), one of the biggest highlights of our trip was a major check off my bucket list. We got to go see Aladdin the Musical on Broadway.

For any of you that might not know, I am a huge Disney Fan. Aladdin is my absolute favorite movie. So much so, it was our wedding theme. ;)

New Amsterdam Theater

Photo Credit: Disney Insider

Photo Credit: http://newyorktheater.me/

Photo Credit: http://newyorktheater.me/

To quote one of the lyrics from the show, "It's the plot that you knew, with a small twist of two, but the changes we made were slight". In this stage version of the 1993 film, our favorite characters have been given a lot more depth. Aladdin recently lost his mother (insert song Proud of Your Boy by the late Howard Ashman) and is trying to become the great man she always dreamed he'd be. Jasmine has a lot more spunk and is a woman who knows her worth. Genie is just WOW, Jafar is as sinister as ever, and, in place of Abu, we get the funny and witty bunch of Babkak, Omar, and Kassim. To put it plainly, it is a show that can't be missed. ;)

I literally sat in awe as the story unfolded and the familiar sounds of Arabian Nights were sung. Each scene so well thought out. ;) Every detail polished to perfection. It was like Agrabah was real. Best Part: The reimagined A Whole New World scene. It was everything I could have ever dreamed (naturally wiping tears of joy while mouthing each syllable to the familiar melody). And of course, we went to the backstage door to nab some photos and autographs from the actors who have literally been with the show since its beginning in Seattle. Although we missed Jonathan Freeman (the one and only Jafar), everyone was there. :)

It was truly a magical night and was a Valentines Day I will never forget. I leave you with some photos from that night. 

We were so excited to be sitting so close to the stage in a pretty much packed house. ;) 

Needless to say, I think both Gus and I couldn't believe how close we were sitting. ;)

The details of the theater was amazing. You could just feel the history from the entry way to the very seats we were sitting in.

Curtain Call

Courtney Reed (Jasmine)

Adam Jacobs (Aladdin)

James Monroe Inglehart (Genie)

Until Next Time!

Our New York Adventure

We had planned to make a short getaway during the Valentine's Day weekend to St. Augustine, Florida for some rest and relaxation. That was until 3 weeks before we were to leave. That's when Gus made a change in plans. Instead, he thought it would be better to go to New York!! This way we could hopefully see snow and mark some memories off of our bucket list. 

Needless to say, planning with 3 weeks until the trip was not easy. We were really lucky to find a great hotel, decent flights and, third row seats to Aladdin the Musical (more about that in a later post). Take a look below at some of the amazing memories we made in New York.  :D

Time Square is more overwhelming than I ever thought it could be.

What would be a trip to Times Square and not go to the Giant Disney Store?!?!

Let's not forget to mention checking out the NBC Building in Rockefeller Center and sitting at the Today Show Desk

This was ice that had frozen INSIDE our hotel room. Our Valentine's Day weather broke the record apparently. 

Seriously the best chicken and waffles we have EVER HAD!

We also took time to see one the most popular icons in the Museum of Natural History....aka the Night of the Museum museum. Meet DumbDumb (and no...he didn't ask for gumgum).

BEST. VALENTINE'S. DAY. GIFT. EVER.

We had a great 360 degree view of New York from the One World Observatory. 

9/11 Memorial

We got to see the original Batmobile and some of the props, costumes, and drawings from the beginning of the Comic (Illustrated Novel) Days at the New-York Historical Society.

Across the street was Central Park. Three Words: WE. SAW. SNOW!! We got to see it cover everything!!

Had to make a pit stop and visit Alice in Central Park. 

Full on Snow Selfie!

This trip was definitely one for the books. We had so much fun. I have no idea if we will ever be able to top this trip to New York. Seeing snow fall for the first time, all the bright lights, and the all of the amazing food! Yup. Its going to be a tough one to beat, but I'm definitely glad Gus vetoed our location for the trip. :D

Until Next time!