Dancing Feet

My cousin Mary Kate got married on June 23rd. It was wonderful to be back in Chicago with my family for a quick trip. Cheers, Mary Kate and Kirk! I wish you guys many, many years of happiness!

Stained glass windows at St. Vincent de Paul in Chicago

 Me and Michael. Heck of a cousin, heck of a dancer. 

 My cousins Brendan and Bridget

 Bouquet

 Mi familia

 Gorgeous maids of honor. My cousins Nora and Bridget.

 Brendan and Gracie

 Parents of the bride - Aunt Barb and Uncle Tim

 Father and son

 There they are looking stunning! Mary Kate and Kirk!

 Little jokesters

 Lovey dovey

 Me with my cousins

 Grandma Marge's ring

 Centerpiece

 Cahill cousins

Me and my sista sista Lindsey!

Want vs. Need

I was taking a walk around Lake Harriet, and then I got to thinking...

One time I heard a way-too-smart 1st grader say, "I have all that I need," when asked what she wanted for her birthday. Boy, oh boy, that certainly made me do a life check. But, seriously, what do you want for your birthday? Come on. Cake? Pony? Polly Pocket?
So clearly this girl was wise beyond her years. The Winston Churchill of her day some may say. She got me thinking about the distinction between what we as humans actually need and what we just want.  I want a whole lot. Selfish. I mean, at this very moment I could really go for a Philly Cheesesteak. But, again, a want, not a need. (This could be debatable.)
I started to compile a list of my needs versus my wants. Probably just scratching the service. 

Need

1) Family

2) Friends

3) Love

4) Laughter

5) Shelter

6) Nutrients

7) Education

Want

1) Food involving cheese

2) Ryan Gosling

3) A front porch with a breathtaking view

4) Weekly Harry Belafonte dance parties (again, can be argued as a need)

5) A trip to Ireland. Particularly Gougane Barra

6) To be bffs with Harry, Ron and Hermione

7) A baller style that looks effortless but actually isn't

Bridesmaids

 It's funny how certain people can bring out these childish emotions. 

Don't tempt me. 

{via}

TWIN CITIES BBQ

I hosted a BBQ and Olympics party this past weekend. It was a success. Dancing, eating, drinking, singing, games and lots of laughing. Not a shabby weekend one bit. 

{Allison, Stacey, Ari -  Team Azerbaijan}

 {Rachel, me, Kyle - Team USA}

 {Natalie, Ali, Megan - Team Espana}

 {Mal and Carlos - Team Belarus}

 {Rachel just strutting her stuff}

 {Natalie and her beautiful smile}

 {Game spectators in my backyard}

 {Chicas bonitas}

 {Natalie either crushing it or whiffing}

 {Kyle and Ali}

 {Dancing}

 {Dancing and collapsing}

 {Possibly the tango?}

 {Part of the group}

 {Driveway dance party}

 {Stephen and Allison}

 {Allison and Rachel}

 {Team America a lil bit hot and sweaty}

Camping in Somerset, WI

I went camping for the first time. "What you are 23 and never have been camping?" Yeah, yeah, yeah, hush up. I don't come from a very campy family. When I was in 6th grade my best friend Sam and I had a tent sleepover in her backyard and we watched the movie Anaconda on a portable DVD player. Does that count? Nah, didn't think so. 
On this camping trip we had a bon fire, floated down the Apple river, hunted some wild geese and discovered unchartered territory. Those last two didn't actually happen. 
Fun was had be all! Especially me because I didn't even have to use a porter potty or go outside; there was an actual bathroom within 100 steps. Score! In conclusion, I'm super outdoorsy. 

Candid shot in front of DQ wonderfulness - Allison, Mal, Rachel, Stacey, Ari

Me with my first beer/bon fire combo of the summer

Cute friends

Allison

We decided these two songs would make nice companions to our tube floating experience. 

Oh my. Those mutton chops.