Take me to the Tap House.

I come from a big, blended family. I am one of eight kids from a mix of four marriages, and there is nothing I love more than being home in Minnesota with my family. I am so happy with the choices I have made and where my life has taken me, but I am always envious when I hear about all of the family gatherings back home when I am in New York. So, when I am in town visiting, I make sure to be at as many family functions as possible. Now that all of us kids are between the ages of 19 and 34, we manage to have such a good time whenever we are together.

Last Thursday, I got to spend some time with my step-sister, Katie, my sister-in-law Jamie, and my step-brother Chad. After touring my little sister's new townhouse, we drove to Minneapolis and met up with Jamie. We picked up some iced coffees at her neighborhood coffee shop and walked around Uptown shopping and talking. We also just hung out for a bit at Jamie and Chad's apartment with Boo's Doppelganger, Taela.

Before our dress fitting that evening, we met up with Chad and headed to the Lyndale Tap House for drinks and appetizers. I am still shocked every time I see happy hour prices anywhere outside of New York City; two for one beers and half priced apps will get me every time. Such good deals! We chat over cold beers as we eagerly awaited our not one, not two, but five appetizers we ordered.

We devoured sliders, pretzels, bean dip, sausage bits, and...

...the most delicious, crispy onion rings I have ever had. Oh my god, they were so good. We had to laugh as we looked at all of the food we ordered before getting measured for our bridesmaid dresses for Katie's upcoming wedding. 

Our final stop of the evening was The Wedding Shoppe on Grand in St. Paul. After Jamie and I were measured for our dresses, we walked across the street for Katie's first wedding dress fitting. I was so happy that I got to be present when she tried on her wedding dress for the first time! It is beautiful and I can't wait to see it again on her big day next June. We had a great night hanging out!