Happy Father's Day, Dad!

When I was little I worshiped my father.  I was totally a Daddy's Girl.  And he was everything a little girl could have wanted in a dad...
Some of my favorite memories of my dad when I was little revolve around those less than perfect moments.  Like the day he went to drop me off at school when there was apparently no school.  I was maybe six years old but I remember that feeling of fear when I tried to open the school door and it was locked. I thought he'd driven away already and as I turned around eyes already FULL of tears, there he was!  Being a parent myself now I am quite sure that he probably freaked out a little on the inside in that moment as he had to testify in court that day. (As a police officer, see I told you he was everything a little could dream of looking up to.)  I'm fairly confident a curse word or two probably flew through his mind, at least I KNOW it would have mine.  But he simply smiled at me!  And off we were to court with a box of crayons and a coloring book or two.

A few years have passed since that day and since then I watched my dad be an amazing grandpa.  He has been an amazing, constant part of their lives.  I appreciate what he has done for them, for us, so much more than I can ever put into words.

But recently, I've been given the photos from my mom and my grandma (maternal) from when I was little.  Aw, yes I WAS cute, thank you.  But what really struck me, aside from the fact that my mom was in far too few of the photos (so get out from behind that camera moms) was how all of the photos of me with my dad looked so similar....

I know, it's Father's Day but I can't help but point out how beautiful my momma was.

Do you see what I do?  The admiration and love that I remember having for him, was so clearly mutual!!  

Thank you for loving me, and my boys, Dad!
I love you!!!!!!!!!

THE GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA ANNOUNCES NEW DATES FOR SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Grand Geneva is a great resort as it is but visit certain weekend this summer and you can enjoy some great music for free as well.

The AAA Four-Diamond Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, owned and managed by Marcus Hotels & Resorts, invites guests to revel in the sounds of the season during the second annual installment of the property’s Summer Concert Series. Held outdoors at the resort’s ski chalet, the season-long series offers lawn seating where guests can kick up their heels and enjoy a bevy of up-and-coming musical acts, including:

• Friday, June 28 – The Eddie Butts Band – a Midwestern favorite that plays a mix of soul, blues, and jazz classics.
• Friday, July 12 – Geoff Landon & The Wolfpack – Known for their powerful vocals, the band pays homage to today’s top musical acts and award-winning musicians.
• Saturday, July 13 – Bella Cain – This local country group brings their high-energy act to the Grand Geneva as part of their annual pre-concert event before Wisconsin’s Country Thunder festival. Concert goers will be able to enter for a chance to win sold-out Country Thunder Tickets, Brad Paisley Meet and Greet Tickets, and autographed guitar, and more.*
• Friday, August 2 – The South of Disorder Band – A suburban Chicago act that transports listeners to the islands with their renditions of classic rock standards from Jimmy Buffet. 

Doors open at 7 p.m. for each Summer Concert Series event, with live entertainment beginning at 7:30 p.m. Each concert will feature a variety of themed-menu offerings and drinks. Concert admission is complimentary for resort guests, and $10 for non-guests.

*For the Bella Cain concert only, doors will open at 6 p.m., with complimentary admission for resort guests, and $8 tickets for non-guests. Country radio station 106.1 will host a live broadcast from 6-8 p.m.; with live entertainment beginning at 9 p.m.

For more information or to reserve accommodations at the Grand Geneva, please call 800.558.3417 or visit www.GrandGeneva.com.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: http://media.marcushotels.com.

About Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is an award-winning all-seasons resort set on 1,300 acres in the legendary southeastern Wisconsin community of Lake Geneva, just 90 minutes from Chicago and 50 minutes from Milwaukee. The property features 355 guest rooms; WELL Spa + Salon; two championship 18-hole golf courses; The Mountain Top, a three-chair/18-run ski and snowboard facility; 62,000 square feet of meeting and convention space; three restaurants; and a 4,100-square-foot executive airport.

Grand Geneva recently completed property-wide renovations, which included improvements to all guest accommodations, the outdoor pool deck and WELL Spa + Salon, and the addition of Embers Terrace, an outdoor fireplace experience. For more information, please visit www.grandgeneva.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@Grand_Geneva).

I have not been compensated for this post.

My To Be Read List #TBR 6-13-13

For the record there are actually 60+ books on my 'To Be Read" Shelf on GoodReads.com and that doesn't even include a ton of book that I have bought but not added to the list.  But my Top 8 are current books I took the time to put at the top of my list based on trusted recommendations or love for the author.

What's on your list right now?

Picturing Perfect by Melissa Brown Book Review

If you are a child of the 80s, a fan of John Hughes or simply a hopeless romantic...you'll want to read Picturing Perfect!

Melissa Brown has this way of writing a male lead that truly makes me want to be the one they love.  In this third book in the series of related characters we follow the story of Jason Kelly who is a creative, boy next door type.  I love that he's written with the most amazing thoughtful side without coming off weak or unmasculine.  He really does remind me of the fabulous guys from some of my favorite John Hughes movies, which Brown is also clearly a fan of.  Along side Jason Kelly is the girl who's been in love with him since grade school Hadley.  Hadley is a strong female lead who is very relate-able.  She is just the right amount of confused to make her believable without making us want to smack her.

If you haven't read Bouquet Toss and Champagne Toast, you should absolutely check them out as well but you don't HAVE to before reading Picturing Perfect.  This series develops the story of supporting characters in previous stories instead of building on the same relationship.

I give Picturing Perfect 5 Stars for being the perfect amount of hope and romance without being gag worthy!  You'll swoon, you'll cry (at least I did) and you'll totally giggle!

Find Picturing Perfect on Amazon here.

I bought this book myself.  I've reviewed in on my blog for the sole purpose of sharing something I have enjoyed.  I will receive no compensation if you purchase the book via the provided link. - See more at: http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com/2013/05/in-stillness-by-andrea-randall-review.html#sthash.sFNc8BMX.dpuf

Also check out Bouquet Toss and Champagne Toast

I bought this book myself. I've reviewed in on my blog for the sole purpose of sharing something I have enjoyed. I will receive no compensation if you purchase the book via the provided link.

It's a Miracle(Gro)! #Sponsored

Remember just a few weeks ago I shared with you that the boys had helped my pot some pretty flowers from Miracle-Gro?  Well they made some pretty big claims on how well these plants would grow.  And given my serious black thumb I wasn't sure I'd even be able to keep them alive long enough to see how true they were.  But....it's been right around a month.  I have done NOTHING to these plants aside from having the kids throw a little water on them a couple of times we've gone a stretch without rain.

Here's Miracle-Gro's 12 week claim...

 And in just a month we've gone from here....

To here...

 I'm thinking to make it to 12 weeks, I'm going to have to find this guy a bigger home. What do you think?

Thank you to Miracle-Gro for the chance to check out these plants!

Thanks to Miracle-Gro for providing us a gift card so we could check out the Premium Plants line.  All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. - See more at: http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com/2013/05/celebrate-spring-chicago-with-miracle.html#sthash.3RJof4OL.dpuf

Thanks to Miracle-Gro for providing us a gift card so we could check out the Premium Plants line.  All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. - See more at: http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com/2013/05/celebrate-spring-chicago-with-miracle.html#sthash.3RJof4OL.dpuf

Thanks to Miracle-Gro for providing us a gift card so we could check out the Premium Plants line.  All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. - See more at: http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com/2013/05/celebrate-spring-chicago-with-miracle.html#sthash.3RJof4OL.dpuf

Thanks to Miracle-Gro for providing us a gift card so we could check out the Premium Plants line.  All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own. - See more at: http://www.ohboyohboyohboy.com/2013/05/celebrate-spring-chicago-with-miracle.html#sthash.3RJof4OL.dpuf