Season Updates

Alrighty, lets do some updates! I have gotten lots of emails and phone calls about what is happening lately, so I figured I would fill everyone in! Work is chaotic at this moment, but hoping to get a couple of slower weeks here at the end of the month. Chris is doing great, hiding away behind warm doors for the past few days, hoping that I don't ask him to put up or haul down any more Christmas decorations. We have been spending lots of time around family and friends which makes for a joyous season!

Pictures... we have been so busy lately, that I have just become more and more scatterbrained. For example, we made Christmas Cookies last weekend, I remembered to take a picture half way through and then nothing... Cookie Exchange at work, one picture and then nothing... and to top it off, I took them on my camera with no memory card inserted, so now I have to track down my little camera cable... ugh, I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Ruger is getting ginormous! She loves the snow, but hates the cold... I can tell she is thinking of spring already. So let's see...

Yes, we are still alive.

Yes, we are doing great and enjoying the season.

Yes, I will be back to blog soon.

And no, I don't have a ring yet!

The end of the countdown...

Like every year, the countdown to Tiana's birthday started early and came to an end last Monday! Chris and I went over to the folks' house earlier this week to help Tiana celebrate. We ate a great meal, Tiana opened her gifts and we had birthday cake.

Here's to wishing you a very happy 17th year munchkin!!!

Carving Pumpkins

This year, Chris and I were going to carve pumpkins for Halloween, but we just never found the time for it... Time is getting to be very limited as I am heading into the busy season at work.

This however was not going to stop Ruger from doing some carving of her own... this is what I found on the porch Saturday morning! If she looks sad it is because she was just scolded, and then told to sit next to it for a picture so I could blog about it. I realized this week that I hadn't had an update all month, so I'll try to squeeze some in over the next week, before we jump right into the busy holiday season! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanking My Lucky Stars!!!

Today I thank my lucky stars for bringing me a sister as fabulous as Tiana!

Love you!!!

Costumes of Yester-Year 5

And last, but certainly not least, my favorite costume... One pair of pink footie pajamas, one crafted oatmeal can and a pair of socks attached to earmuffs equals... The Energizer Bunny!

Happy Halloween!!!

Before I knew you...

...we both wore big smiles...

...we both rode bikes...

(I love the shorts and boots combo by the way)

...and we were very proud of our pets...

I'm so glad things haven't changed!

Family Trap Shoot

This past weekend we had one of the most fun family gatherings that we have ever had. Jared came home from school with his girlfriend to visit, so we all came home to share the day!

The guys, and some of the girls, took part in a trap shoot while the rest of us watched and snapped pictures of the event.

It was a great time having everyone there together! That evening we played games and had some great conversation!


Jackie and DaShawn were able to make it to spend the day, and having DaShawn in a great mood made everything run smooth!

We were very excited they were there, as it wouldn't be a true family gathering without them!

Costumes of Yester-Year 4

Another creative one by mom, Plain M&Ms... Jared was Peanut!

Even the mighty start small...

On Sunday, we decided to head to Itaska State Park. None of us had been there before, so we thought this would be a great opportunity! We visited the Headwaters, drove the Wilderness Trail and climbed Aiton Fire Tower. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining and temperatures were above 60 degrees. I got a little camera happy at the park, taking over 220 pictures… I thought I would share just a couple of my favorites. Costumes of Yester-Year postponed until tomorrow.

Marsha - do you know what this fuzzy yellow pine tree is?!

Scavenger Hunt

While on the road trip this year, Beth created a scavenger hunt with two pages of tasks to be completed, each task earning points. You definitely need to be on the lookout at all times, but it was a lot of fun. Here are a few…

Picture with Giant Chair: Holly 2pts / Kelli 1pt

Eat a Wild Berry: Beth 2pts -- Obtain something with Feathers: Holly 2pts -- Find someone over 6’5” tall: Kelli 2pts

Picture in a Police Car: Kelli 2pts / Beth 1pt


Everyone take picture drinking from the same cocktail: Kelli 2pts / Beth 1pt / Holly 1pt

Everyone take a picture with a hunter wearing orange/camouflage in our orange shirts: Holly 2pts / Beth 1pt / Kelli 1pt

Point Totals at End of Trip:
Holly – 21 Points
Kelli – 30 Points
Beth – 35 Points

Walk of Fame

The Celebrity Walk of Fame in Fargo is a growing collection of over 100 celebrity signatures and hand/foot prints permanently preserved in cement. The first star to be inducted was trumpeter Al Hirt over 10 years ago. Each concrete square weighs about 150 pounds, some were broken during their move from the original location to their current location, and some have simply been weathered. Even so, this was an interesting place to visit while in Fargo…

Styx – Joan Jett – Garth Brooks – KISS – Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie

Metallica

Def Leppard


And of course… Barney!

MN Oddities 2009

Hello again! As many of you know, last year Beth and I went on a road trip and stopped at many MN Oddities along the way… click here to go back to that post. In keeping with tradition, we made several stops with Holly on our 2009 trip to snap pictures with the Oddities that are scattered around the state. Enjoy!

Me and Big Ole in Alexandria

Me at Hobo Park in Star Buck – Holly at the Continental Divide in Fergus Falls – Beth with St. Urho in Menahga – Me with Big Tom in Frazee

The Tiny Church in Long Beach


Beth and I riding the Big Otter in Fergus Falls

Beth with the Muffler Horses near Starbuck – Me with Little Tom in Frazee – Holly being attacked by a Booming Prairie Chicken near Rothsay

Finally, Holly kissing her shoe goodbye at the Shoe Fence near Downer – goodbye fair shoe, we’ll always remember that the pair won’t be the same without you!

Northern Bound

Last year Beth & I went on a road trip up to the Superior area, this year, Beth & I were happy to hear that Holly wanted to join in. The three of us, left on Friday at noon to head towards the Fargo/Moorhead area.

We of course did some sight-seeing, including our infamous MN Oddities - Part 2! This year we added a new aspect to the trip... a scavenger hunt! We followed the rules and tallied points for the trip, a great idea for fun and photo opps!

Last, but certainly not least, on Sunday we went to Itaska State Park. This is the first time any of us had visited this park and we couldn't have picked a better way to end the trip!

Keep watching this week to hear stories and see photos from our journey up North!

Costumes of Yester-Year 3

Shiney silver with a long white flowing ribbon... yes, this is the year I was a Hershey's Kiss! My mother was wonderfully creative and I love her for it!