Michigan in the Fall

Luau Tent

This weekend my family headed to Michigan for a wedding. It was a beautiful time of year to be there with all of the leaves starting to change. My parents rented a beautiful cottage a block off of Lake Michigan and close to all of the weekend activities. The wedding weekend started with a sunset luau/rehearsal dinner in a tent on the beautiful sand of Lake Michigan. Saturday we had free time to explore the small towns and sand dunes in the area before the evening wedding at the International Friendship Gardens.


Hiking the Dunes


McLaren/Brandenburgs at the Wedding

The wedding was beautiful and followed by delicious food and dancing. After a brunch the next morning, for all who came to this destination wedding, Ben and I headed out for our 10 hour drive home but not before visiting one of Ben's college roommates who lives in Michigan. It was a great weekend to see old friends and family.


Friends since preschool! (Toni and Susan with their husbands)


College Roommates (Justin and Ben with their wives)

Birthday #27!

This is a fun picture of my birthday dinner at the famous Philly restaurant El Vez. Thanks to everyone who called and sent cards to make my day special!

Labor Day Weekend...Part III

On the famous Art Museum steps

Over the the long weekend my mom and Aunt Carol were able to fly out and visit Ben and I for a fun few days in Philly. Ben gave us a tour of all the historic sites, we shopped in beautiful Rittenhouse Square, made it down to the Jersey Shore for a day, and had fun cooking together. At the end of every day we would head up to the roof with dessert and a cup of tea to look at the city. It was so good to have them here. Thanks for the visit!


Picnicing in Rittenhouse Square


In Cape May on the Jersey Shore


Last night on the roof

Labor Day Weekend...Part II

Last weekend Ben completed his first triathlon (swim, bike, run). My mom and Aunt were out visiting and were able to come help me in the cheering section. Congratulations Ben!

Labor Day Weekend...Part I

At Independence Hall

Ben and I had a very fun and busy Labor Day weekend. It started with a morning visit from our good college friends Ben and Becky Wolcyn. We were able to show them around our stomping grounds and catch up. Then we took them to get the famous Philly Cheesesteaks before they headed out. It was a great morning. Thanks for the visit!


College Roommates

Lake McDonald 2008

Where in the World is Lake McDonald?

This is the question Ben asked when I first brought him to the lake where my family has vacationed for the last 21 years. Four years later Ben now knows it is snuggled right between the thriving metropolises of Vergas, Dent, and the mighty Perham, Minnesota. As usual, the week was filled with lots of fun and relaxation doing water sports, eating--there's always eating, and new to 2008--Phelpswatching.

We were also able to spend time with Ben's family and our friends the weekend before and after being at the lake.

Below are some pictures from this all-American week.

Toni, Judson and Kata on the boat


Siblings Sailing


Brandenburg/Muhr Family

Girls Weekend!

Last weekend I was able to head down to DC for a girls weekend with my 2 sisters-in-law and 1 year old niece. It was a great weekend filled with girly things. Thanks for the fun weekend!