If we don’t take time to slow down, we let the little things pass us by. Lately I have felt we are go go go… Between work, house hunting and weekends being full, I try to remind myself to slow down to remember and appreciate the little things.
Here are a few photos to show the “It’s the Little Things!”
#1 Is a book I started when Carl and I first started dating to keep track of the restaurants we went to for our birthdays or anniversaries as we always wanted to try a new one. Now it is our Date/Outing book and it goes back to 2009. I am glad I started this and kept it up.
#2 I took this photo when we were sitting on the rocks by Lake Superior over our anniversary weekend. Feeling anchored and relying on God to keep me balanced.
#3 A clearer picture of my anniversary ring, per my mom.
#4 The post office was good to me this week. I got a pleasant surprise of Mindy Kaling’s book. I almost ordered it not realizing that I pre-ordered it a while back! Good thing I didn’t. Then I got my Pioneer Woman bowls that I ordered online from Walmart! I love them!
#5/#6 Photos I saw on Instagram that I liked. I love the photo of Duluth, it captures it all of it’s greatness. The other photo reminds me of all my close friends.
#7 I can’t have a post without Mr. Arie! What a sweet boy, he was taking my side of the bed from the other night.
Our Date/Outing book
Feeling anchored and putting it in God’s hands!
Here is a better photo of my anniversary ring
Mindy Kaling’s new book and Pioneer Woman’s bowls!
I saw this photo on Instagram and this is why I love Duluth!
I saw this saying on Instagram and I thought it was perfect for my friends
Of course a photo of Arie, he was on my side of the bed
Man did time fly! I feel like we were just printing our invites and putting center pieces together. I must admit, I am glad that stuff is over. Carl and I had a rather mellow, low-key, laid back wedding but making sure you remember everything is a task! The only thing I forgot was my niece’s burlap basket to hold flowers, I don’t think I saw the flowers that went in it. She ended up having a flower wrist thing and a little bouquet so it all worked out. I figured I was on my game if that was the only thing I forgot and we were 2.5hrs from home! I’m kind of a super freak when it comes to schedules and lists.
Here is our wedding invites and RSVPs.
These were our centerpieces.
This was our card box that Carl and my brother did.
Manicure-love this OPI color
One of the Captains of the boat married us
We are walking along side Lake Superior on Brighton Beach
I love this photo!
A year later, Carl and I went back Up North to celebrate our anniversary. We stayed north of Duluth, about 80 miles in Schroeder, MN at Lamb’s Resort. I actually grew up staying at Lamb’s, so my memories from there are great and have only gotten better. We would recommend Cabin #11 or Cabin #12 based on your view of Lake Superior.
We drove up Friday early in the morning and stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park for a few hours, the weather was beautiful! We drove to our cabin and there we did some more hiking and rock climbing. It was great cabin time, we had a bonfire every night and roasted marshmallows, hotdogs and I tried jiffy pop for the first time! YUM!
On Saturday we got up and found a diner in Silver Bay, MN for breakfast and then we headed to the Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, MN. That landmark is one of the most photographed ones, Carl has never been so we did all the touristy things while we were there. On our way back to the cabin, we stopped at the Silver Bay Marina where we climbed more rocks. Saturday night was spent by the bonfire, chatting, listening to nature, playing cards, reflecting on our relationship and what the last year has brought us.
Sunday, was our actual wedding anniversary. We got up and drove north to find breakfast and found Bluefin Bay. Interesting enough, Carl worked on their website. We split a wild rice, mushroom, pepper and onion omelet and it was delicious. On Sunday afternoon we drove south to Duluth for the evening. We had a complimentary dinner cruise with the cruise where we had our wedding. It was a great end to our anniversary weekend. We had a couple of drinks and an appetizer at the Canal Park Brewery then we made our way over to the Vista Fleet Cruise for our dinner and boat ride. The weather was about the same as what it was on our wedding, windy and cold. I wore a dress with a cardigan and I was cold. I saw other people wearing jeans, sweatshirts and jackets, I wanted to wear that instead. lol It was cool, to be back on the boat and remember our wedding day. Some of the staff on the boat were also there the night of our wedding, they had remembered us and our wedding. We had a chicken dinner with champagne.
My gift to Carl was MN Gopher football tickets. I didn’t realize how important the games are that I picked for us to go to, he was impressed. I also got him “vacation rings” so when we go somewhere or are doing something that we don’t want to wear our wedding rings, we can still have a band on. We didn’t wear our rings on our honeymoon and we got some questions. lol Carl gave me a beautiful anniversary ring (it was written in his wedding note to me)!
On Monday we were on the road back home by 7am, we couldn’t wait to get home and see Arie. Later on Monday night, we met up with my co-workers to do our draft for our fantasy football league. They were nice enough to include Carl! lol
Thank You for letting me share our fun weekend.
I will do a “Part Series” of posts so go in order to see all the photos.
Sunday, was our actual wedding anniversary. We got up and drove north to find breakfast and found Bluefin Bay. Interesting enough, Carl worked on their website. We split a wild rice, mushroom, pepper and onion omelet and it was delicious. On Sunday afternoon we drove south to Duluth for the evening. We had a complimentary dinner cruise with the cruise where we had our wedding. It was a great end to our anniversary weekend. We had a couple of drinks and an appetizer at the Canal Park Brewery then we made our way over to the Vista Fleet Cruise for our dinner and boat ride. The weather was about the same as what it was on our wedding, windy and cold. I wore a dress with a cardigan and I was cold. I saw other people wearing jeans, sweatshirts and jackets, I wanted to wear that instead. lol It was cool, to be back on the boat and remember our wedding day. Some of the staff on the boat were also there the night of our wedding, they had remembered us and our wedding. We had a chicken dinner with champagne.
Sunrise on Sunday
Bloody Mary with breakfast and a seagull outside
Went to Father Barga’s Cross.
Beautiful nature
It was windy and cold
I really enjoyed watching the waves
They got pretty intense
Love you lots!
This was the boat we were on a year ago for our wedding
Walking the boardwalk
Love the Aerial Lift Bridge
Boarding the boat
It was cold!
It was perfect, We got to see a ship come in.
Ironically, when we got married, we had to wait to leave the docks because a ship was coming.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary!
My anniversary gift from Carl.
I tried taking a photo of the lift bridge and cool the carpet reflected in the glass
We got to go under the bridge
So cool!
Selfie from where we said “I Do”
A similar shot was taken a year ago when we got off the boat.
Last weekend we went to my parents house to visit with family. My sister flew in with our new baby nephew, 6th grandchild in the family. He is the sweetest little peanut and looks like his daddy. (Grandchild #7 is on the way for June) It was great to be home and see family, we hadn’t all been together since Thanksgiving last year. We had lots of laughs, good food and great company. Unless you come from a big family you don’t know the abundance of people and crazy that a big family is.
Carl and I have different family sizes, his is smaller and his extended family lives all over. My family is 6 kids, 5 significant others, 6 grandchildren and 7 dogs. We all live somewhat close, except my sister and family-relocated for work. We get together and celebrate holidays and birthdays more than most probably do; however, I appreciate it and glad I have grown up with the closeness of my family.
While we were home, we asked Grandma if she could trim Arie’s bangs, Yes, he had bangs, his hair was long. It took both Carl and I to hold him and my mom did a great job. P.S. Arie is almost 1 year old and weighs maybe over 60 pounds.
Here are a few pictures:
He had a lot of hair in the dust pan.
Look mom and papa, I can see now. Thanks Grandma. My parents dog is in the background, Maggie an OES.
Arie is sleeping in the back seat of the truck. That is what going to grandma’s and playing with the other dogs will do to you. We call it puppy crack.
After a night at my parents house, we stopped at Carl’s parents house to swap vehicles. While we were there, his dad let us know that my watch came it. Carl ordered a chocolate watch for me for a anniversary gift. It has a bigger face plate and band, but I like it and something different. It’s a fun, classy, casual watch. Thanks to Carl and his dad. 🙂 I love the watch so much and have gotten compliments on it.
Here are a few pictures:
It was a great end to the weekend. However, I had to go to the Minute Clinic for my ears-diagnosis, I had a bi-lateral ear infection. Not really gone yet, I don’t care for them.
Well, I am a bit delayed (yes, ha-ha) with my posts; that is what the holidays and a 163 hour training will do at the end of the year. I will catch you all up a bit, so please be patient with my amounts of posts! You will get a little of everything.
We had a great holiday season filled with lots of love, laughter, joy and wine of course. After almost 5yrs of being together we have our system down with seeing family around Christmas time. We do Christmas Eve church and dinner with Carl’s family and then on Christmas Day we travel to my parents house for a late dinner. So because this year was on weird days, we opened our gifts at home so then we didn’t have to pack them with us. I got some pretty awesome gifts. Here are a a few pictures of them.
Carl made me a calendar of Arie, 1 for my office and 1 for home.
Carl got me the crockpot I wanted from Target. I love the clamps.
Then I got a beautiful pair of earrings and a bracelet. 🙂
I had to share this awesome gift from Carl’s sister. It is a two piece pottery set. It is a small bowl that sits in the base. You can put ice in the base to keep whatever you put in the bowl cold. I love it. She also got us a few other pottery pieces that are so cool. I may need to stop at the store she went to.
I had gotten carl a few shirts and a jacket from Eddie Bauer and then the best gift was Whiskey. It is called Templeton Rye a Prohibition whiskey. I also got his dad a bottle as well because it has a cool story behind it.
Happy Easter to you and yours and may God bless your family.
I find it interesting that we put more of an emphasis on today because God gave his son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Well, shouldn’t we be putting an emphasis on every day then and be just as thankful and blessed the rest of the 364 days of the year. Jesus has gone through the most tragic experience to ensure we have everlasting life and our sins are forgiven and that we may to go to heaven.
We went to 8am church service near us this morning and it was packed, the church had a 6:30am, 8:00am, 9:15am and 10:45am services, that Pastor was a busy guy. I am fond of Easter for many reasons, it is an indicator that spring is here and so excited for the budding bushes and the plush green grass. I remember when I was a little girl, my parents and I would go to the Sunrise church service- at 6:30am in the morning and then we would get home and start cooking the Easter Dinner- Easter ham, yum. I grew up going to the Parochial grade school through 8th grade, attended bible camp, was a camp counselor at the bible camp and facilitated a women’s bible study in college. I by all means continue to walk in my faith and learn more about myself as well as what the Lord has done for me and will continue to guide me. Since my grandma had passed away in Sept of 2005, I have had a little harder time attending Easter Sunday church service and Christmas service. She loved her Lord and church so much and enjoyed singing and I am pretty sure she was the best grandma ever. (I may be a little bias) 🙂 I always get teary eyed and get choked up during the church service, same thing happens with Christmas service as well. I always know that my grandma is there with me and giving thanks and singing praises.
Normally, we are home with my parents and siblings for a big Easter Dinner. This year we were a few family members short and a few weeks ago Carl found out he had a work conference where his company was a big sponsor of the conference. I had let mom know that we wouldn’t be able to make it and we decided to meet somewhere for a Sunday brunch. Mom left it up to me to find a place as I am the one with the food issues! 🙂 We decided to try the restaurant Pier 500 in Hudson, WI. They had a gluten free brunch menu that looked tasty, however I did not have the breakfast because I am allergic to egg whites and did not want to have stomach pains for the day. I ended up having a good burger w/o a bun. 🙂 We then went to a near by park to walk around and see the pretty scenery of the St. Croix River.
All of us kids, love Easter because the Easter bunny always comes to our house. This year the Easter baskets travelled to Easter brunch.
We got lots of goodies! There is some of the treats that I can’t eat, so lucky Carl! 🙂
It was a great afternoon with family and there was no dishes, but do miss the leftovers.
Happy Easter and remember to be thankful every day that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
I was driving home and thinking of what clothes I am going to change into. Well big surprise to me when I got home. I got home and Carl was making supper. 🙂 He had made steaks, Pioneer Woman’s Crash hot potatoes and roast brussel sprouts. Yummy! To top it off we opened the fancy Italian wine that a friend gave us. It had a glass crock. Fancy.
While we were waiting for super to cook we decided to open presents. I actually gave Carl his present on Saturday. I had gotten him a nice tool box with a few odds and ends tools he didn’t have.
Low and behold, Carl was amazing again. I thought the flowers were beautiful and he topped himself.
Carl had gotten me beautiful diamond hoop earrings from Martens Jewelry and he had gotten me a money tree from Bachman’s.
I feel so special because of Carl. What a nice evening staying home and enjoying each other and our company! 🙂 I love ya Carl!
My friend Natasha and I exchanged gifts a few weeks back and she was talking about her holiday party, which lead to ugly sweater talk. I opened my big mouth and said “I should make mine.” bad idea! Natasha kept telling me I should and it would look hilarious.
Well one night we went to Michaels craft store and to Target to gather my ugly materials. Well here ya go!
My supplies, the before picture!
My stuff from Michaels.
My stuff from Target.
The after picture! It looks a little ridiculous, but of course that is the point!
Happy Ugly Sweater Season! 🙂
Here are a few photos from the Holiday Party.
Carl and I at the party! My ugly sweater was a hit. 🙂
Me and the lovely Hostess with the Mostest! 🙂 Great party!
For a while now, I have noticed that anything involving feathers is the “In Thing”! I have seen feather earrings, necklaces, head pieces and even trees! I have been looking for peacock feather earrings for months. I wanted the right shape and size. They have been really hard to find.
I had Friday off for Veterans Day.
God Bless all who have served, past, present and future. Thank for being so brave to ensure our freedom. Thank You to your families as well!
I had a physical therapy appointment and a few errands to run. I was looking for just a couple of long sleeve shirts and a pair of nice khakis. Well I found the shirts at Gap but no pants. (I hate pants shopping) Apparently they are not in season. I stumbled upon the store Gordmans. 🙂 How exciting. I didn’t care much for the clothes but the housewares/domestic sections were fun to browse. I loved looking at all the Christmas decorations. I also went to Pier 1 Imports, what a fun store as well. I had self control and stuck to my list. 🙂 Then I got home and waited for my younger sister to arrive. We had a wonderful weekend with her. We had went to a few stores on Saturday and went Christmas decoration shopping. All we have left to get is our tree! Can’t wait.
While we were bumming around on Saturday we went to The Buckle. (I really like the store, but for as little fabric you get with the clothing and how much it costs is a little crazy. Still like the store though) And there it was that caught my eye! FEATHER EARRINGS! They weren’t exactly the ones I had been looking for but still pretty cute! I wanted to share with you what they look like!
Also, here is a picture of our lighted garland on the loft railing.
Go Blondie! 