Niagara Vacation Day 1: Hamilton, Ontario

Brandon and I went on vacation for four days earlier this week. We spent a night in Hamilton, Ontario, then a night on the New York side of Niagra Falls and finally, a night on the Canada side of Niagara Falls. On the first day, we headed out in the morning and drove over the bridge into Canada near Sarnia. We got into Hamilton around 2:30, unpacked a bit and freshened up. That evening, we headed out for dinner and then down to the beach. We were going to play some putt-putt, but it had started raining, so we headed back to the room, watched some TV, went back out for ice cream at a local shop and then headed in for the night.

At the beach

 Overcast and Chilly

 Like a GQ cover....so handsome



My Favorite Things

Water, wine, chocolate and my loving man- all in one place? Perfect! On Friday night, Brandon surprised me with a special date...a chocolate and wine tasting tour on a boat! The tour was in Frankemuth, on the Cass River. The boat was small; it held ten people, the driver, the tour guide and a table in the center. Our leisurely ride lasted an hour and we got to try 5 different wines, 5 different chocolates and then were offered a glass of our favorite tried wine.

The ride was beautiful; our departure time was 8pm so the sun had gone down a bit and it had cooled down just enough to be the perfect temperature. The tour guide and the driver were so interesting and fun; they told historical tidbits, stories and jokes...the perfect compliment to the ride. The wine was delicious and the chocolates were to die for! After we got back to the dock, we headed up to their store where we were given 2 more free wine tastings and then were able to purchase both wine and the chocolate.

After our tour, we walked down Mainstreet to the Brewery restaurant where we had dinner (and more wine!) It was such a great evening! If you are looking for something fun and relatively cheap to do (20 dollars per person), I highly suggest this wine and chocolate tour!

On the dock before our tour

He Loves Me

It has been a rather stressful last couple of weeks. I have been finishing up my last semester of class and trying to move into the apartment with Brandon. Mom and Dad helped me last weekend move the rest of my stuff into the new apartment. Brandon and I are finally all settled in and it feels like home.

Today was my last exam of my didactic year of school. Clinicals start in two weeks and the pressure has been on to pass everything to go on to clinicals. Today's exam was the BIG one....last exam, biggest exam, hardest exam...no pressure or anything. After the test, I went out to dinner with the girls and when I got back to the apartment tonight, I opened the door to find small bouquets of roses all over the entry way and a large "congrats" banner that Brandon had made and strung across the room.

 The banner in the entry way ( already put the roses in large vases....on the counter)

My 9 DOZEN (!!!) roses!! So beautiful and smell so good!!

It was the perfect end to a really long day....and the (2nd) best part...I passed my test!

Fore!

Photos of our recent golfing trips....can't say my scores are getting much better, but my tan sure is!

 4th of July with Jenn and Dave

 Saturday round with Chris and Kristin

Weekend Getaway

This last weekend Brandon and I headed to Ludington for an impromptu romantic weekend getaway. We went to the beach, played putt-putt (I won!), went on a dune ride in Silver Lake and climbed up the lighthouse in Sable Point. Such a great weekend...sad it was over so fast!

On the Pier

Lighthouse way in the background

Beautiful Lighthouse

Sunset on the Ludington Beach

At the putt-putt course

In front of Lake Michigan on our dune ride

Mac Wood's Dune Rides

Sable Point Lighthouse

View from the top of the lighthouse- 137 steps up

Me too terrified to leave the wall on the observation deck

Pivoted away from the wall...about to pee myself

Loooong way down

Dow Gardens Date

Pretty poppies

Art in the garden- glass Poppies

More art...glass Willow

More art.......glass Morning Glories

Baby bunny in the garden

Stolen From Mom's Camera

Found this on Mom's camera from a couple months ago....

Sure snagged me a handsome fella!

I'm So Lucky.....

These were waiting for me when I came home today. It was a long day- 7 hours of lecture and a two hour exam. The note read "I'm so proud of you my sweets. Good job on the exam today. Miss you! Love Brandon." It completely made my day. He's in Texas until Saturday....can't wait for my sweet boy to get home!

Backing It Up a Bit...

Let's get you up to speed, shall we? Valentine's day was nice....Brandon made me a beautiful, candlelit dinner, complete with a playlist of lovey dovey songs he picked out just for me. He also got me beautiful roses and made a framed picture page of us that is gorgeous. He's such a thoughtful, sweet guy.

And speaking of sweet and thoughtful, a couple of weekends ago, Brandon went to a golf show in Lansing. He came home with a little surprise for me...actually a big one: my own set of PINK golf clubs! Love, love, love them...and him! I can't wait for it to warm up so we can hit the course...or at least the driving range!

Midterms are over-ish. I had most of my tests a week ago...most of which I knocked out of the park. They split them up for us, so I have a couple this week and next, and then 8 weeks and this semester is OVER...thank goodness. This has been a jam packed semester...29 graduate credits will do that though. Ugh.

Anywho...this last week was our spring break and I took an AWESOME trip....but it deserves it's own post, so that's all for now. :)

Sunny Sunday

Yesterday was such a perfect winter day; the sun was shining and it was warm enough to be outside without your eyes watering and nose running. I bought a set of cross country skis with my birthday money and because the weather was so perfect, Brandon and I headed out to hit the ski trails. The park was pretty quiet- very few people, and incredibly gorgeous in the winter sun. I had forgotten how much I loved to cross country ski; I can't wait for the next sunny day to head out again!

Lovely View....