Who says you can't come home?

Well, change of venue and change of day. What can we say? We're tricky.

Our wedding will be on ...wait for it... September 11th of 2010! I know, I know. Why would we have it on September 11th, you ask? Well, because that was the only day the historic Riviera Ballroom in Lake Geneva had an opening (gee, I wonder why?) and because, as Brian so eloquently put it, "we can't let the terrorists win!"

There you go.

The backyard reception at my parents would have been beautiful; however, all of the rentals were adding up - along with weather, parking and outdoor worries. The Riviera is fantastic and we were lucky to book it. My sister had a winter wedding there and I have never seen anything so beautiful (ala Janice Borri). So, our glamourous 30's like theme will be gorgeous in this old building. It is right on Lake Geneva and in the heart of the little town itself.

Lake Geneva, although a resort town, is where I basically grew up - 'cruising' the blocks in our cars in high school...Pizza Hut after the basketball games....frequenting Champs when I turned 21. Even my junior and senior prom were held at the Riviera (which now shocks me because that had to be a pretty penny for our school!).

This is 'home' for me - and what's even better is that Brian LOVES it. Even as I looked at other places, he kept bringing me back to this one.

So - save the date! (We think it will be easy to remember...) And we still have plans to mix this wedding up a bit - don't think just because we're in a fancy old ballroom that we plan on being all dignified...

Do you not know us at all?!

The Cat in the ...basket.

Coloring eggs!

Easter morning. Notice the 'wolves' surrounding Hannah...

Daddy came up with a new dessert: chocolate chip pancakes, hot fudge, ice cream and whipped cream!

"Are you getting this? Are you getting this? Do something! He's not supposed to be in there!"

And again...

And the next day...

And the next day...

We took the basket away and he's back to the sink (in the wet bar).

We hope everyone had a great Easter! We missed being with family and friends - but it was a great day!

In the words of Beyonce..."if you like it, then you should've put a ring on it." Well, Brian must like it! "It" being me, of course...

We're engaged! Not that this is a suprise to anyone by now, I'm sure, but we were reminded again in the last few days to update the blog (thanks Emily and Ben!) - so here it is. The official word: Brian has decided to buy the cow!

The proposal was sweet and funny - and that's all you really need to know. Brian called my dad for his blessing earlier - and then popped the question shortly after - well, actually he didn't really ask. After some sweet teasing, Brian snuck the ring on my hand and said, "Let's get married!" I don't believe that I ever actually agreed... I was too busy jumping up and down and screaming. After some sweet words between the two of us ("Seriously? SHUTUP! You want to marry me?! For real?!"), the phone calls began...

I can't tell you how excited I am to be Mrs. Farmer! I hold that name dear because it represents my wonderful husband-to-be and his sweet, kind grandfather that he was so extremley close to - and who we will honor on our wedding.

We are planning a summer wedding for 2010 - most likely July 10th, so mark your calendars! It's going to be an outdoor affair with the reception being at my parents home - a huge tent reception that evokes old hollywood glamour! And you know how we like to mix things up...so expect the unexpected.

We don't do "normal."

"Oh my God. Oh my God, you guys!"

Yesterday was a very busy day! We woke up early and took Hannah to Cheer Camp at the local high school. She was SO cute! After we arrived and checked her in, she just ran right into the gym, plopped herself next to another little girl about her age and immediately started stretching with the big girls. I am so amazed at how brave she is. She didn't look back at us once! On Monday, she will 'perform' at the high school's basketball game (before the game and at half-time). I was a cheerleader from the 5th grade all the way through my senior year of high school, so it is surreal to see Hannah out there doing toe touches (which, I swear, she can honestly do!!).

While Hannah was cheering her heart out and making new friends, Brian and I worked out (I'm so gonna win the challenge, Jim!) and then went grocery shopping. We picked up Hannah, came home for lunch and then Brian took Hannah to get micro-chipped (ha! something like that...). Then we had a family date (the three of us went out to dinner).

But the best part of my day... Brian had bought me tickets to see Legally Blonde - The Musical for Christmas and the show was last night. I LOVED it!! If you've seen the movie, it's very similar. It was smart, witty and very funny. I'm a huge fan of Elle Woods - especially working in law firms. When I first started out working in the legal field, I think I might have actually been Elle Woods. A bright, shiny, giggly girl that didn't have a legal clue.

As they say, "You've come a long way, baby."

p.s. Oh my God. Oh my God, you guys! is a hilarious song from the musical that Brian and I cannot get out of our heads...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow (after we get to Wisconsin)...

Our Christmas tree (before Sinjin worked his magic on it...)

Sinjin and Oliver (worn out from terrorizing our home).

My first pie!

It's Christmas Eve and I have the day off. Unfortunately, Brian does not; however, he'll be home before 3pm and then our holiday officially begins. We will be opening presents here with Hannah before heading out to Brian's dad's home, where we'll have dinner and dessert with Jim, Carol, Sarah and Chris.

Speaking of dessert, I made my first pie ever - and I have to say, I'm pretty excited...that it didn't turn into a pile of mush. I actually took a picture of it, because the odds of it turning out well the next time I attempt it may not be so great. (It may look good - but how it tastes might be a whole other story. Time will tell...)

It's been really busy around here lately. Hannah had her Christmas recital last weekend and it was fantastic! I have to say, the churches out here are very different than the ones I went to back home. Our church in Wisconsin was over 100 years old and very solemn and...solemn. The churches out here have more high-tech gadgets than you can imagine! Big movie screens, Wii for the kid's areas... And they even had a tour bus outside that unloaded a 'recording artist' and her backup singers for the recital! All in all, it was fantastic. And Hannah...well, she did phenominal!! She's been running around here singing Feliz Navidad for weeks - and it paid off! As Andrea said, "She is the perfect picture of Christmas!" She had on a little plaid red and green dress and her Grandma Mimi had her hair all curled and cute. SOOO CUTE! (Pictures to come...) We had a great time there (after convincing Brian to stay for the whole thing). :)

Tomorrow morning we will get up very, very early to go watch Hannah open her gifts from Santa, and then we will head to Wisconson for my parents. I honestly can't wait... I love Christmas with my family. It's my favorite holiday! We will stay in Wisconsin for a few days. In fact, Brian's mom and Jim will be meeting/visiting with my parents and us on Saturday (on their way to Missouri). It will be great to all be together.

Happy Holidays!!!

Love,

Brian, Jen, Hannah, Oliver & Sinjin

The Star Award!

**Doting father alert** Hannah had the honor of receiving the "Star Award" from her teacher yesterday. She was chosen among two other students from her class for outstanding behavior! We are very proud of her!


Hannah with her teacher and the other 2 recipients from her class.