Memorial Day Weekend

Jon & I tried cramming as much into our Memorial Day weekend as possible. Here's a little taste of our adventures.

We started the weekend with a local Milwaukee parade near Veterans Park and the War Memorial.

We found a spot near Milwaukee's famous art museum, the Calatrava.
God Bless America

Troops in Training

Is that Mark Crozier? :)

After the parade, we finally went to pick up a wedding ring for Jon. Now we're 50% official - I'm next!

The next morning we took the quick drive to downtown Chicago. This was Jon's FIRST big city experience. To break him in, we went straight for the famous deep dish pizza at Gino's East, a popular hangout for celebrities, tourists, and locals.

Don't forget your white pen to make your mark!

The old Chicago Water Tower

Chicago has some amazing buildings and architecture

The Sears Tower

Using ninja skills in Millenium Park

The BEAN in Millenium Park

You can see the entire skyline in the bean. By the way, this is a beautiful place to ice skate in the winter time :)

The faces are always changing

The Art Institute of Chicago

Jon's first comment, "Hey! That's the Married with Children fountain!" Otherwise known as, Chicago's Grant Park

The next day, we went on a scavenger hunt to find a camping spot in Wisconsin! I quickly realized that I'm not in Utah anymore, where I can easily drive up American Fork Canyon and set up shop at any open spot. Well, it's not that easy here folks, but after a lot of searching and calling, we found a nice spot at Devil's Lake Campground. This was now our first official camping trip as a family!

We even took Maycee! This was her first camping experience, too.

Devil's Lake

Maycee loved chasing the squirrels

Jon & Maycee took a dip

Quite the little doggy-paddler

I think you'll all agree that she looks a little better with her make-up on :)

Jon innocently sits down to dry off and what happens.....a bird....poops...right on his shorts. YUCK!

After chopping the wood and starting the fire, Jon prepped to cook our tinfoil dinners

Our Home Sweet Home for the night

Maycee loved playing in the woods

Now time for MALLOWS

My favorite part about camping - SMORES!

Good Morning world!

We packed in a lot of fun activities for the Memorial Day Weekend! We kind of felt like we needed another vacation just to rest from all the running around :) Lots o' fun!

Kentucky Derby

I was lucky enough to go to this event a couple years ago and can't believe I actually get to write about a second trip to the infamous Kentucky Derby! Right after Jon & I were married, we had to go our separate ways. He had to return to North Carolina to be near the Marine Corps. base and I went back to Milwaukee, where I'm currently living and working.

Shortly after returning home as a 'newlywed,' (very exciting by the way), I was lucky enough to win a trip through my work. It was a trip for 2 to the Kentucky Derby!!! So exciting! Once I filled Jon in on what the Kentucky Derby actually was (hehe), he was fortunate enough to get work off and be my +1! Since we won't be taking our official honeymoon until next year, we considered this to be our first of many 'mini-moons'.

Our 'mini-moon' went a little like this....

When we arrive to Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, April 29, 2010, we were greeted by a very nice woman holding the sign 'CROZIER.' It was at this moment that I realized my last name was no longer Hewlett, but now Crozier! Kinda fun. Anyway, we were taken outside where a car service was waiting to take us to our hotel.

We arrived to the downtown Marriott and everything exuburated 'Kentucky Derby Weekend.' Roses, Mint Juleps and beautiful horse statues filled the lobby.

When we arrived to our room, we found a gift bag full of goodies, roses and a nice card from my colleagues. This was such a nice treat!

We had some time to relax and were then picked up by a shuttle bus and taken to the home of my colleague, Wayne Rose. He invited several people over for a catered BBQ in his backyard with live music, dancing and fun!

The next morning, Friday, April 30, 2010, we were greeted with a delicious breakfast in bed. Today was going to be another great day, as it's the day of the Kentucky Oaks Race!

Before heading to the track, we were able to visit the famous Woodford Reserve Distillery, official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.

Here we are - just arriving to the Distillery

I had to lose the hat for at least one picture

This place is so picturesque

Standing near the famous copper pot stills

Live bluegrass music followed you through the tour - so enchanting!

In the barrel houses

We then headed to the track for the Kentucky Oaks Race. This race is always the day before the Kentucky Derby. It's in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and remembering all of those who have lost their lives to cancer. It was amazing to see everyone in PINK in their honor.A pimp in PINK

Getting ready to charge out of the gates

And they're off.....

Crossing the finish line! When they say, 'win by a hair,' they're not kidding - just look how close this is...

Later that evening, after the Oaks race, we were treated to a beautiful dinner and given a gorgeous painting of the Kentucky Derby.

Saturday, May 1, 2010 - KENTUCKY DERBY DAY

As we were taken to the track, we were escorted by police, making us the first ones in and out, avoiding all traffic. As we entered into the gates, there were truck 'beds of roses' everywhere in site. It was beautiful. Then we made it up to our seats. We had a box right along the finish line, making the races that much more exciting!

Of the thousands and thousands at the track, Jon & I ran into my old Milwaukee neighbor and friend, Brad Tood and his date.

The $1,000 Mint Julep

This year the $1,000 Mint Julep partnered with Tiffany's & Co. If you know me and my thoughts on Tifany's, you'd know that in my mind, this is pure genuis!

Corinne and I - doesn't she have such a great hat! Love it!

At the track on Derby Day! It was a little rainy, but it made the race that much more exciting as the horses trudged through the mud.

The hats are always a fun part of the experience

My co-worker Doug and his wife! A big thank you to Doug for making all of this possible!

Rascal Flatts singing the National Anthem

Having fun at the track
Jockeys and horses battling it out for the win

Checking our tickets to see if we won

Although we didn't walk away winning any bets, we had such an amazing time! The Kentucky Derby is a once in a lifetime experience and a 'mini-moon' we'll never forget.