Thanksgiving November 27, 2009

Yesterday was time for Thanksgiving again. This year it was a bit more sparse than usual because not everyone could make it including my dad because he had to work. We did have a good time though and it’s nice to see family especially since you usually only get to see them during the holidays.

Chuck making his famous Cajun turkey. This is the food item that most of the family drools over.

Lindsey & Erin with my favorite Thanksgiving food, homemade rolls.

Jamie & Jake

Mike & Grandma

Jake brought tupperware along so he could bring food back home.

The couch, a great gathering place.

Samantha, Jamie, & me.

Re-enacting a photo from last year minus Kaleb.

Mom, Craig, & I. Craig doesn’t take “normal” photos.

Free backrubs.

Plenty of desserts left to bring home.

 

a birthday, a visit from my brother, and loathing of my physique. October 20, 2009

Well it’s been some time since I’ve made a post in this blog so I thought it was time for an update.

On October 10th my mom, dad, and I went to my aunt Denise’s 40th birthday party:

My cousins Tony & Tricia, & me.  Tony lives pretty far away south of here and Tricia lives all of the way out in South Dakota so I only see them a few times a year (although that goes for most of my family).

Aunt Amy & my mom.

Aunt Amy, my dad, & aunt Carol.

Some of us ladies: Kristi, Tricia, Amy, Amanda, me, Carol, Denise, & my mom.

Uncle Chuck brought some Brew House beer. That stuff tasted like coffee.

The birthday girl.

My aunt Carol loves to stand and dance on top of furniture. It’s just her thing.

This past Wednesday Craig came home for MEA break. I think he really likes coming home. This is proven by the fact that he has to drive 6 hours each way. I think he gets home sick plus he gets to see the dogs, sleep in his own quiet bed, and eat all he wants.

This is him preparing a bowl of ice cream which he doesn’t get much of up north:

And big news! It stopped raining and the sun came out from hiding! I think it got into the lower 60′s which is waaaay better than the 30′s & 40′s. That more like it! This is how it should feel. I was thinking that Minnesota was skipping fall completely and heading into the longest, darkest, and worst season ever like some sort of cruel shock treatment. (I HATE winter!)

Today I went with my mom to Kohls to see if I could find a pair of jeans that fit since I haven’t bought a new pair in almost 3 years and mine are getting worn out. I tried on 13 pairs and gave up. NONE of them fit me right and I feel like crying. I’ve always hated trying on pants. Once in a blue moon I can actually find a pair that fits and I treasure that special find so very much. This is one of the reasons that I LOVE skirts and dresses. They are so forgiving and help cover up my larger bits that give me so much trouble (hips, butt, & thighs). Plus they are so easy to find the right size and fit into! I wish this was the 40′s or 50′s so I could wear those clothes all of the time.

Father Hennepin State Park August 13, 2009

I spent August 3rd through the 8th with my parents and aunt Mary & uncle Dan. (& Craig for 2 days) We stayed at Father Hennepin State Park up in Isle, MN on Mile  Lacs Lake. Craig came home during the weekend while I was up at the cabin in Amery, WI and the day after I came home the two of us drove up to stay with the others in the campground. I think this was my first time camping that I really didn’t need any bug spray! The park has a really nice long & sandy beach, paved paths, and some hiking trails. The downsides were that it was crowded and the sites had no privacy and the park itself is kind of small. I think it would be the perfect park if the campsites had more privacy because that was a BIG downside. There were people walking through our site to theirs and while sitting around you almost had to look at your neighbors because they were so close with nothing seperating the sites.

Luke riding in Craig’s lap. Craig put on the brakes and poor Luke’s head smacked into the horn on the wheel. It was pretty comical but also a good reason your dog shouldn’t ride on your lap.

Gracie in the back seat where she later threw up a clump of grass.

Craig & Luke on a dock on our first walk around the park. Notice how you can’t see the shoreline on the other side of the lake. Mile Lacs is huge!

Nice sandy beach.

Me.

Dan & Craig.

Duckies!

It seems like everyone has these recliner chairs now.

Playing some washer and box game. (Almost the same as but not as good as cornhole).

It took some time for Gracie to get used to being tied up because at home she’s always running free.

Sunset!

Dad & the puppies.

Some funky mushrooms.

More duckies! (I love ducks).

On another walk.

We played a very loooong game of Canasta followed by a couple games of Liverpool.

The only deer I see the whole time I’m there & it’s an albino one!

Send Me Home Pre-CD Release & Farewell Show July 13, 2009

This past Friday on the 10th we took a little trip up to Minneapolis to see my cousin Jaspar’s “farewell show”. I’ve always felt so bad about not making it to any of her shows and I thought this would be an important one to go to since it’s one of her last before she moves to South Africa for two years. It was held at The Glacier Fringe and the show started at 8pm but we ended up being about an hour in a half late because Eric didn’t get off work until 8pm so we waited for him so we could all drive up there together. We hit some traffic on the way up and then drove in circles for a while trying to find a place to park which can be very dangerous for pedestrians when a middle aged man that hates driving in the cities and is becoming enraged is behind the wheel. He almost hit two kids and then a guy in a wheel chair but I think the guy in the wheel chair had a death wish anyway because he was using one of those motorized chairs at night with no lights of reflective tape so he was almost invisible. I was afraid that we would miss the whole show with being so late! It ends up that we got there during intermission (so we missed the first half) but we did get to see the second half and got to mingle with family for a while before and after the second half.

Jaspar can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/jasparlepak

Here’s just a few photos from the night:

Jaspar’s husband Kale played the accordian and provided some harmony vocals:

Mom & Eric

Mom & Teri

Carol & Jake

Dad & Greg

Eric, Jaspar, & Jake

Me & Jaspar

Kale & Jaspar