Bzzzzzz......

Halloween . . . I'm not sure what it is about that holiday, but it sure brings out a lot of excitement in children.  What a crazy holiday!  I remember dressing up when I was a kid and I loved it.  I also remember that my parents never had quite the same sense of excitement as the 3 of us kids . . . And now, I know why!  It's a lot of work to get candy that you don't want your kids to eat anyway.  HA!

Hopefully, my daughter only sensed enthusiasm from me as she dressed up for her Halloween party at school on Friday . . . and as she dressed back up for "trunk or treating" at church on Sunday . . . and as she dressed up one last time for the real deal last night!  Yes, we've had one busy bee!  And she loved every minute!

All fall, people were asking her what she "wants to be" for Halloween.   At our house, we take a different approach (while we can):  what do you "get" to be!  We found her costume early this summer at a garage sale for $4!  It was warm, hooded, practical, and cute.  SOLD!  Paired up with a cute little tutu she just happened to have gotten from her cousins last spring, she looked like a hundred bucks!  And was happy as could bee!

Here are some of our 2012 Halloween memories with our excited little Bumble Bee:

With Daddy at her school party.

BFF - Spidey! 

Trunk or Treat!

Every "trunk" had a theme . . . Can you guess ours?

I think this was the first time she experienced pumpkin guts! 



Halloween Treats/Dessert







Trick or Treat

 

She ran out of steam a little early, so we didn't quite make it to all of the stops we had hoped, which means she may have to dress up for a belated trick or treating stop next week. I'm sure it won't be too hard to convince her!  





Like a Kid in a Candy Store

As you know, recently we celebrated our 8^th wedding anniversary.  The evening of our anniversary, we took Cory to the airport for a business trip to Chicago, and then Pinky and I went home and ate leftovers.   I would have been pretty bummed about the day had I not gotten a beautiful bouquet of flowers and yummy candy delivered at work.  Not to mention that I hosted bible study that evening, so I spent the night with some of my best girlfriends eating chocolate fondue in our sun porch.  And did I mention, I also had a plane ticket to Chicago, scheduled to leave that Friday . . .

Since we have been married, Cory has flown all over the country for work related trips.  Each job that he has had has involved a little travel.  He’s been to Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Atlanta, Orlando, Nashville, Seattle, and Sydney Australia (to name just a few).  You can imagine how excited my favorite Cubs and Bears fan was to travel to Chicago!  And this trip I was actually able to join him!  We met up with some friends (and fellow Bears fans) and spent 2 nights and 2 days exploring Chicago, sampling the cuisine, enjoying the local brews (well, one of us did that), and of course, cheering on the Bears as they defeated the Rams.   

The first night there, we enjoyed a fabulous fish/seafood meal at Catch 35.  We ate burgers at the Billy Goat Tavern or something like that. (Double is best!)  Had a drink on the 96^th floor of the Hancock Building.  (The view from the ladies room was amazing!)  We had a slice of pizza (a must on Cory’s to-do list for the trip) before going out for steak dinner at Harry Caray’s. (Yes, I had to look up how to spell that and No, I didn't know who he was.)  The night cap on Saturday was a trip to Howl at the Moon, a popular piano bar. 

We also did lots of walking to see some of Chicago’s touristy spots.  We stopped at “the bean”.  Walked down by the water.  And of course, Soldier Field.  It’s pretty amazing.  On game day, we got up early to tailgate for a bit, and then went inside to find our seats.  We allowed for plenty of time to make a loop inside, get some free Bears paraphernalia, and grab a nice hot cup of hot chocolate and some pizza! There’s just something about sitting at an outdoor football game in the fall!!!

Here’s a look at some of the weekend highlights.

A self portrait with the view from the ladies room!

Bears Fans

the Bean

At Harry Caray's

Tailgating before the game

Got milk?

Soldier Field

In Heaven!

Like 2 kids in a candy store.

da Bears

And of course, checking their fantasy football scores after the game.

Fun trip.  Quick trip.  Must be repeated trip!  (Maybe without the week-long work trip before hand next time!)

Margie

There are some people in our lives who are just so special, you can't really explain it.  My great-aunt Margie was one of those people.  Friday afternoon, she left this earth to join her Lord and Savior.  And although we rejoice in knowing she celebrated 93 birthdays before she died, my "aunt" Linda said it best when she said, "I just can't imagine a world without Margie."

Margie was one of those women who was truly a lady.  She had class and grace.  She had poise.  She had a wonderful sense of humor.  She always looked like a hundred bucks, and yet still shyed away when the camera came out.  She was generous with her time, her talents, and her giving.  I had such love and admiration for her. 

When I was about 11, my mom and I traveled to Norway with with some of our family.  Margie was our "roommate" for most of our hotel stays while we were gone.  Every time we checked into a new hotel, we would take just enough time to put our bags down, then the 3 of us would check the door to examine the fire escape route for our particular hotel room.  Then, we would proceed to leave our rooms and practice the route in its entirity, before returning to our rooms to settle in.  This is something I have only ever done with my dear Aunt Margie.  But I do have to say that I think of her every time I see the maps on the back of the hotel doors, and I hope I always do!

Visiting Margie was always such a treat. (Literally!)  Whenever we sat down for tea, you could be certain something homemade and delicious would be served.   I'll never forget the homemade strawberry jam, chocolate brownies, banana bread, homemade fudge sauce, and cinnamon rolls.  (the list could go on and on!)  Makes my water water just thinking about it!  One time, it was probably Labor Day weekend, she was making a big pot of her homemade beans.  She had accidently put cinnamon instead of chili powder in the pot and didn't realize it quite quick enough.  She served it anyway, but needed a lot of persuasion from her family!  She was so disappointed, but I am pretty sure no one went hungry, and I'm also pretty sure there weren't leftovers. 

One of our favorite places to visit Margie was, of course, at the lake! Oh, what a treat it would be to join her, even if for just a few days, every summer. I'm not sure if she was ever prepared for the invasion of my family, but she always let us come back.  The memories at her cottage are many, thanks to her hospitality.  There's no wonder "the lake" is still one of my favorite places on earth!

A few years ago, my mom, sister and Margie were shopping at Herberger's.  Somehow, Margie and I got dropped off first, so we shopped around the store, searching for yellow-dot specials.  We shopped just the two of us, then met up with the rest of our shopping party, and continued to shop.  I'm pretty sure by the time we left, the two uf us had been in the store for, dare I say, FIVE hours!  My favorite shopping line I heard from Margie that afternoon, is one I still use today, "It's so cheap, it's practically disposable!"  (You can imagine how many yellow dot items you pick up with that yellow-dot-attitude!)

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Margie from my younger years ready to upload for this post, but here are a few of some of my favorites from the last couple of years. 



Family Reunion Scavenger Hunt in 2005





 



One of our first visitors after we brought Pinky home in 2010.





 

Margie gave Pinky this blanket.  One of the ladies at her church made it and she decided "Pinky needed to have it."   It is still one of Pinky's favorites.

Reading books together.

July 4th, 2005.  At the lake with our cousins. 
 

It is with much sadness we say good-bye.  But it is with overwhelming joy and gratitude we remember all of the wonderful memories we were blessed to share with one of the most amazing "ladies" we have ever met. 



"I do"

8 years ago this morning, my sister came into the bedroom where I was sleeping at my parent's home.  She crawled into the twin bed next to mine and asked me if I was "ready".  I answered, quite honestly, "No!"  I don't think that was the answer she was looking for, and I'm pretty sure my matron of honor was about to go into panic mode! 

What I meant, and explained to her as best as I could, was that I wasn't ready to start the day, because I knew how quickly the day would go by and I wanted to enjoy every single minute!  I wanted the day to be perfect.  I wanted to see all of our friends and family!  I wanted pictures!  I wanted to dance!  I wanted hugs!  And I couldn't wait to say "I do!".

The next morning, as my hubby and I drove to the gift opening, on a drizzly, foggy, chilly fall day, (complete opposite of the day before) we were overwhelmed with joy as we thought about our wedding day and how perfect it was.  The church was packed, standing room only, with people we loved the most in this life!  We smiled for the camera, we danced, we hugged, and we said "I do"!  And even now, 8 years later, when I look back at that day, there isn't one thing I would do differently . . .

Well, maybe I would make sure the fan wasn't pointed at the unity candle.  And maybe I would have made sure the wine was being distributed, since all of the bottles got opened.  I certainly would have said more thank yous at the reception.  And I probably didn't need to get my panties in a bunch when some chick I didn't know requested a song about "rednecks" for "the bride". 

But that's all minor, right?  (Funny what you still remember!)

Here are some of my favorite moments from 8 years ago today:

1.  Having our friend come to our house to do all of our hair the morning of the wedding, while we sat around the dining room table drinking coffee in our pajamas! 

2.  The pictures - there were hundreds.  I'm sure most of the groomsmen and ushers were less than impressed, but our wedding album is beautiful!  Flower gardens, main street, wheat fields, and the church. 

3.  My dress - I loved it.  I still do!  My aunt and cousin were with me when I tried it on and fell in love with it.  I think I only tried on 4.  (I told the lady if I couldn't buy it off the rack I didn't want to try it on!)  Although I still wish I had been able to go dress shopping with my mom and sister, it was an honor to share that experience with my aunt Kim and it makes my dress that much more special to me!

4. The toasts!  My sister had us all in tears with hers, and then the wedding party passed the mic.  It was so fun!

5.  The cake - it was delicious!  And beautiful!  But definitely delicious!  I remember when we ordered it, our friend asked me which layer I wanted on the bottom (chocolate or white).  I was more concerned about what flavor would be on top (the one we got to take home and freeze for our first anniversary, only it was sooooo yummy we ate it as soon as we got home, because I didn't want to risk good chocolate cake to freezer burn!)

6.  Dancing with my dad, my brother, and my husband!

7.  All of the people who helped us and made things for our wedding:  beer, rootbeer, norwegian wedding cake, my veil, the programs, the centerpieces, the music ..... Honestly!  It was amazing!

8.  Friends and family - they came from everywhere!  Chicago, Denver, Omaha, Phoenix, Couer d'Alene, Oklahoma, and all over Minnesota, South Dakota.

9. Walking up the aisle with my dad.

10. Walking out of the church as husband and wife!

It was the best day ever! 

It's fun to remember!

It's a wonderful day to celebrate!

I'd do it again a hundred times over!

Wedding Party

my girls!

my mom

Loved the wheat in the bouquets.  Beautiful!



my hubby (so handsome!)

my sister and brother

"Feels Like Home" - our first dance

my daddy - a little blurry, but check out those smiles!

Happy Anniversary, to my wonderful husband!  I still say "I do!" 

Labor (day) of Love

Labor Day Weekend – the last “real” weekend of summer is officially in the books.  Even though the calendar says we have a couple more weeks of summer, it’s kind of the last hurrah for most of us.

Typically we spend the weekend camping with the family.  This year, we decided to head to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a “work weekend”.  Although many spent the weekend working much harder than typical on a holiday weekend, the results were great as Grandpa's garage got a make over!

We did take time to run to the farm.  We took family pictures (most of which you won’t be seeing until Christmas).  We prepared/ate lots of “pinteresting meals”.   The kids enjoyed playing with grandma’s wigs and dancing in the garage! 

Here’s a peak at the weekend:

Telling stories!

Making ice cream

Working hard or hardly working???? 

Dance break!

Wigging out!

Wigging out take 2!

You'd never guess they were related!

HA!  Brotherly love!

<3
 

 

In "summery", 2012

I often compare Sundays to the season of fall.  I would like Sunday a lot better if it wasn't followed by Monday; just like I would enjoy fall better if it wasn't followed by winter. 

But tonite isn't just any Sunday night.  Tonight is the Sunday night of all Sunday nights.  After an absolutely wonderful summer vacation, tomorrow morning Pinky and I have to head back to school.  It was bound to happen!

Here are some summer memories of 2012 that may or may not have made a previous post: 

Playdates!

"Lip Lops"

Sunsets

Farm

Emergency Room

The Lake

Vintage hand-me-downs

R-n-R

ice cream

Streets Alive

Summer Fruit



Movie night

Learning letters

Tonight I am grateful for my husband who agreed that I didn't need to work this summer (and let Pinky and I run all over the country while he worked).  I am grateful for my spunky little 2-year-old who makes each day an adventure.  And I am grateful I have a job that I love.  There are several little ones I am super excited to see on Thursday morning! 

Now it's time for bed . . . Tomorrow morning is going to be quite a shock!