Logan Time

As Melissa & Scott are sitting on a beach in warm, sunny Mexico, I got to stay here in cold, snowy, Minnesota.  The only benefit of them being gone was the fact that I got to watch Logan on Wednesday!  I got to their house just before 6am, said goodbye and then my dad came and got them to take them to the airport.  I got about an hour and a half of work time in before buddy woke up.  As soon as he woke up and I went to get him out of his crib he said, "down?"  Meaning lets go downstairs and play!!!!  We first changed his diaper and then it was non-stop until mom got there at 1:00 and it was time to put him down for his nap.  It is so crazy how within a matter of months he has added so many words to his vocabulary!  He is such a smart 21 month old baby.  Inbetween breakfast, playing and poopy diaper number #1 I attempted to get him out of his pj's to put play clothes on him.  Well he is so quick he ran away from me, giving me a perfect chance to get my camera and take some pictures of how silly he was being.  Needless to say, it was a fun filled morning!!!!  Check out a few of the many photos below!!!

1 ton van on a frozen lake....

So I am not a big one to want to celebrate Valentine's Day.  I have strongly told Brian to NEVER buy me flowers on valentines day.  It is that one day that has gotten soooooo over materialized, I cannot allow Brian to spend $50 on roses or any other flowers just for the "I love you - its Valentine's Day"  This year we had decided to not buy any gifts for each other, but before we decided that I had already bought Brian a few new items of clothing!!! I gave it to him on Saturday so he could not claim it as a V-Day gift!!!  He was mad because he did not get me anything, but I was happy because he really liked what I got.  Anyways...onto our weekend.

This was the first weekend in a long time that we actually did not have anything planned.  We were supposed to do a few things on Saturday night but that was about it.

Friday started off great! I had my performance review and got a very unexpected raise and a very nice bonus, so I was pretty pumped!  Then after Brian got home we met up with some of our friends for a quick happy hour.  From there we went to Melissa and Scott's to have dinner with my parents and then watch Logan for the night so Lis and Scott could go hang out with the "soon to be newlyweds, Aaron and Andrea". We put Logan to bed and fell asleep not too long after that.  We had fun spending time with my parents as well as Logan. It was a very relaxing night!

Saturday we woke up and decided we would go ice fishing. I haven't had a chance to be out all season. So we got everything ready, packed up Brian's parents van, and off we headed to Albertville.  Everything that could have went wrong, did!!!  We first missed our exit to get off to go the the lake, so then we turned around and decided to get a quick "early" lunch. Culvers was closed, so we decided to look for something else. We went to go find the public access at the lake. We found it and as we were turning around in the parking lot, the van got STUCK.  I said....REALLY, is this happening???  Luckily another guy was headed out onto the lake and helped Brian push.  We went back to Montecillo and went to get some bait.  The guy at the gas station said you have to go to the bait shop. By this time we were hungry so we decided on McDonalds.  Then we went to the bait shop, got our worms and headed back to the lake.  I got a little nervous after already getting stuck.  Brian though we would be able to make it but he wasn't sure, so we said we would go for it.  We figured the path out to the fish houses would be plowed well because there we a TON of houses on the lake, our only fear would maybe be turning around.  As we began on the ice, it was not too bad, then the path split and it got more narrow. Every vehicle on the ice was 4-wheel drive.  As we continued it got more narrow and thicker with snow and then we were stuck.  We managed to get it unstuck and then about 400 feet more we got stuck again. At this point we figured we were not going to be able to get turned around, so we stayed where we were, set up the house and started to fish.   We called Brian's dad to tell him what happended and we asked him to come and bring us some chains or a tow strap with my car and then join us for the day fishing.  I caught the first two...and only two fish of the day!  Cindy and Doug finally arrived and we tried multiple things to get the van out...nothing was working.  We really just wanted to get it turned around and then figured we would be okay.  We hooked the tow strap up to the back of the van and the hitch of my car and after a lot of pushing it got loose.  Cindy was in the van and Brian the pathfinder and as soon as they got going, they did not stop.  Doug and I chased for a moment but it was two miles back to shore. We figured Brian was just going to go all the way.  It was pretty comical seeing a van being pulled backwards on the ice.  They got a number of  "hoots" and "hollars" along the way.  Upon their arrival back we all fished for a couple of hours and nothing was biting so we decided to pack up, get off the ice, and head to Maynards for dinner.  After a long wait we were finally seated and had a wonderful dinner.  We were either going to go to Azia or Mayslacks with groups of friends, but felt it would be nice to continue to spend the evening with Brian's parents since they came and helped us.  We got back to the house and decided to go sit in the hot tub for a bit.  Then we came hope, popped a bottle of champagne and watched the movie "Extract." It was pretty funny.

Today we woke up and went to church at 11.  There is a series going on called "The Vow" so we felt what better to go and see what could pertain to our upcoming marriage to each other.  It was a really good service.  We missed last weeks because we went to Anoka's service, so we will have to watch that online as well as next weeks as Brian will be ice fishing.  After church we headed to Chipotle for a quick lunch, got our cars washed, went grocery shopping and then headed to a 4:00 matinee to see "Valentine's Day"  with a large list of big named actors and actresses, it was pretty funny and cute.  We came home and watched "Inglorius Bastards" and then Brian was off to hockey.

We had a perfect, unplanned, very fun weekend.  Theses are the days I love to keep in my memory forever.

Sweet tooth and house projects

Thursday night after dinner I was craving some chocolate chip cookies!  I love to bake, but Brian and I don't like having sweets around because we eat them, so I have gotten out of baking sweets for awhile.  So about 7:30 as the Wild game was starting I ran into the kitchen and made a quick batch of chocolate chip cookies with mini morsels.  I was glad I made them because they proved to be a nice snack over the weekend to much on as we were working on the bathroom.

Brian and I are very much the "do it yourself" couple, even though sometimes I think paying someone to do it would be easier, but in the long run, it is much more rewarding and we are saving money.  Last spring we had to redo the upstairs shower fixture so we learned how to soilder and do all the copper piping.  We did spring one leak on the upstairs so it was our mission not to have that happen in the basement.  We took our bathroom downstairs and completely gutted it a few months ago. Since then, Brian busted out half the concrete, our plumber friend Dan came over and laid new pipe for the shower, new toilet and sink.  Then my dad and Brian framed everything in and this weekend it was time for us to do the piping for the shower.  We had to tap into the existing cold and hot water lines in the ceiling.  We got to the cold shut off valves on Saturday night without any problems. Today we worked on the hot water and the piping for the shower head.  So far, no leaks!!!!  Now we need to secure a couple of things, next weekend do the since piping, get the electrical done, sheet rock and secure the shower walls and add the tub and vanity and we will be done.  We are keeping the bathroom pretty roughed in for now (no tile, no paint, etc) just so we have a full bath for us and the roomies to use and then the upstairs will get the full gut this spring.  Stay tuned for more updates!!!

We did manage to also go out for dinner and some darts Friday night in Maple Grove and some dinner and drinks last night in St. Louis Park and church this morning.

State Sections Meet at Giant's Ridge

As some of you may know, Brian is in his 8th year coaching the Alpine Ski Team for Champlin Park High School. Over the past 2 years I have gotten to be a part of this (a.k.a. single lady from Nov-Feb. j/k). This is no easy job for Brian as he still works his full time job at Minco (starting at 6-2:30) and then he goes and coaches at Trollhaugen in WI, Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, usually not getting home til 9:30 or later. This takes a toll on both of us, but in the end rewarding as well. It is pretty awesome because Brian has gotten to coach his brother Caleb, sister Bryanna and currently his sister Casey!!!

Yesterday (Tuesday, 2/2) was the State Section Meet. This is held up at Giant's Ridge. So Monday night about 5:00 after work, Brian and I got on the road to head up to the Ridge. His assistant coach Dan rode the bus with the kids on Monday morning (they go up early so the can hit the hills and practice for the day before the meet). When we got to the Ridge we were greeted by Brian's parents to help us unload the car and fill our tummies with Pizza. We headed up to the coaches room and Cindy and Doug's to unload our stuff and eat.

It was really nice to spend some quiet time with Brian's parents. Since they still have 3 kids at home we don't always get the quiet time to just sit and chat! After awhile we went and hung out with some of the coaches in the other rooms while Brian checked on his kids, helped them wax and tune their skis as well as round them all up for bed!!! After that us adults headed off to the lounge to have a few cocktails. It was about 12:30 am before we decided to head up to bed.

We got up about 7 am to feed the kids and get the tent set up on the hill. Brian had a bunch of coaching things to do so I headed out with Cindy and Doug to get things ready. I hadn't decided if I was going to ski at all (since it has been 7 years) so I bundled myself up and figured I would decide later.

There were 18 teams at the section meet. Each of the kids get to races. Champlin was the 18th in line for the first race and the 1st in line for then 2nd. According to Brian it is better to be in the middle, but they draw so there wasn't a choice. The first race (boys and girls) got done about 11:30. Most of the kids did really well with only a couple tumbles. 6 boys and girls from each team are allowed to participate in the race. After the first race, there was a break until 1:30 so they can re-set the courses. I FINALLY decided to ski. Brian took me up for my first run and we went down a green (EASIEST!) course. He was very impressed with my control. I quickly overcame my fear of not skiing in 7 years and was ready to head up the chair lift again, after loosening my boots!!! Brian was very patient with me :) Then after a couple runs he had to go imspect the courses so I headed off with Melissa and we hit the slopes until about 1:30 when the race began again! I had soooooo much fun and can't wait to get back out there.

The kids did their second race and then awards started at 4:30. The boys and girls teams ended up getting 9th, so right in the middles which isn't too bad. Josh was the only boy that made it to state which is next Wednesday. This is pretty exciting as he is only a freshman, and excellent skier and has lots of time to grow. I was happy because his dad Gary has been a huge asset to the coaching staff and has volunteered his time all season to help Brian and Dan with anything they need; riding the bus, helping with gates, and just being a great cheerleader for the kids!

I wish Josh the best of luck since I will not be able to head up to the State Race!!!! What a fun day it was and we had beautiful weather too!!!! We got home about 9:30 last night and we were exhausted!!!

Dinner Night

Sunday night Brian and I had some of my college friends over for dinner. We decided to host dinner as Tracy wanted to do lunch or something on the weekend because trying to get together for lunch during the week is too hectic and there is never time for anyone to catch up! So, we decided to have it here so it was more comfortable and fun for all!

We decided that I would cook and everyone would show up around 4pm. Tracy and I decided that the theme would be Mexican! I picked up stuff Sunday morning to to make fresh guacamole and fajitas for dinner! I spent a couple hours in the kitchen prepping all the food so i didn't have to do it once everyone arrived (I know I get this from my mother!!!!)

Tracy and Sam arrived first at 4 and Tracy brought a yummy buffalo chicken dip!!! We started to munch on appetizers. Jenny arrived shortly after 4:30 and then Tonya and Chris made it around 5:30 when I was just starting to cook!

On the menu was steak and chicken fajita mix, Spanish rice, black and refried beans and all the fixings (guac, salsa, cheese, sour cream, lettuce!)

We all sat down and stuffed ourselves. After we ate, the guys headed into the living room to watch the Pro Bowl and us ladies did the dishes and continued to sit in the dining room to drink wine and talk more about life, our upcoming weddings, work, etc.

Everyone left about 9pm, but not before we took a girly picture and said goodbye! We decided we will do this monthly and rotate our houses :) We had such a fun night, i cannot wait to do it again!