Happy Birthday Richard!!

Richard turned 26 today!

I forgot to take a picture of the cake before we cut it!

We spent the night eating his favorite chinese food and relaxing. I had to get him this goldfish cookie since it was so cute! He thought it was too cool to eat.

The Crane Invasion

The History of the Paper Cranes:


According to Japanese, Chinese and Korean tradition, cranes stand as a symbol of peace, happiness, eternal youth and long life. Legends hold that the crane lives for a thousand years. Cranes also mate for life and remain devoted to their partners. The male and the female work together to build their nest and care for their young. Crane motifs were often used in Japanese weddings, on the wedding kimonos and in Japanese wedding decorations. It is said that if you fold 1000 paper origami cranes the gods will grant you a wish, be it for peace, health or luck.



Today, couples will fold 1,000 cranes as a wish for a long and prosperous marriage. Others will fold the cranes as a get well wish for someone who is ill and many people fold them for peace in the world. The folding of the cranes can be done with entire families and friends, not just the bride or the one making the wish. It is believed that the more people involved, the more luck you will have!



Chris, Chelsea, and I folded 1000 cranes. With the help of Angie and Lane, we were able to surprise Molly and Ryan.

Angie was able to get Ryan and Molly out of the house for a few hours. Then Chris and I ventured to Red Wing and placed cranes all over their house (bet Molly is regretting giving me a house key!)

The cranes, waiting to go to Red Wing.

1000 cranes!

We started with the bookshelves. Molly has so many, we thought we would be able to fit most of them on the bookshelves. We were wrong.

We had to get creative. We shoved them in door frames...

Attached them to wall hangings...

Attempted to make a "heart" on their bed....

Attached them to dresser handles...

Used skewers to create an arrangement...


"Enhanced" picture frames....

Stuck them in the blinds and the window frame...

Don't worry! We didn't forget Ryan's space!

Ryan's computer...beautified!

Yes, we are nerds

Michelle and I ventured to the Maple Grove Borders at 9:30 pm on Friday night. Our Mission: to capture the new Harry Potter book at 12:01 am. Here is a photo blog of our adventure:


I purchased my copy at 12:20 am. Michelle (who did not reserve her book before hand!), got her's closer to 1:00 am. Thank you for coming with me, Michelle! It was fun!

What we learned from our midnight bookstore adventure:

*Death Eaters wear black plastic bags and are afraid of sex books.

*Little kids dressed up in Harry Potter costumes: cute! Adults dressed in little Harry Potter costumes: disturbing

*Michelle LOVES Ron Weasley

*People will tar and feather you if you don't have the right color wrist band on ("There are people with BLUE wrist bands who are trying to buy their books! SILVER ONLY!)

*Your Mom Eats Shoes!

Home Sweet Home

It has been one year since we bought our first house.

We started looking for houses shortly after we became engaged. We started in Elk River. After no luck of finding the house of our dreams, we moved on to Anoka, then Champlin and Ramsey, then Andover, and Coon Rapids. All the houses started to blend together until we couldn't distinguish between them. After 50 houses, we expanded our search west into Dayton, St Michael, and Otsego. It was the fifth house we looked at that final day that caught our eye.

Our realtor was reluctant to show it to us because it was a Model Home. Typically, builders will erect one Model Home in a development to showcase the different styles and options they offer. These houses go up for sale almost immediately, but the builder won't release them until they are finished building in the development. Our wonderful realtor was worried that the house wouldn't be available for several months.

As soon as we pulled in the driveway, Richard was sold. We had started looking at newer split level houses, but they all looked the same. Especially on the outside. This was a three level split and it looked different. I fell in love with its brand new smell and clean slate. My parents had built their house; I'd never lived in a house that had memories of other families. Richard also loved the newness, but also the unique floor plan. I loved corner kitchen sink with two windows. I love the laundry room was on the 2nd level next to the bedrooms. Richard loved the undeveloped field behind the house (but for how long would it stay undeveloped). And we both loved the quiet, family neighborhood. And best of all...we could see the stars at night.

We made an offer that day. The house was available immediately, but we weren't the only family with an offer on the table. The next day we left for Tennessee for my Grandparent's 55th wedding anniversary.

We were stuck in St. Louis, our plane delayed multiple times. Our realtor called us. The builder accepted a different offer because she could close sooner than us. We were crushed. I sat on the floor near gate B29 and cried on Richard's shoulder.

When we arrived in Memphis, we got a call from our realtor. The initial buyer refused to agree to arbitration if something went wrong, so the builder backed out. The house was ours if we wanted it.

We moved in six weeks later.

Happy Birthday Antonio!!

This is a little late. I meant to post this last week. Antonio's birthday was actually July 2nd. And his party was July 7th. I apologize for this belated post.

Blowing out the candles!

Antonio was very excited about his Monster Truck plates

Baby Brother Jack!

Jack with Papa

Richard LOVES birthday cake!

My sister, Kim

Antonio and Jack with Papa and Ema

Blue Velvet, RIP

Richard and I left Green Bay at about 1 pm Sunday afternoon. We would pull into our driveway around 5:45 pm.

About 30 miles outside of Green Bay, we pulled over because my car was overheating. It was 95 degrees outside and extremely humid. Richard was able to cool the car down with the help of my dad (who we had called for advice). So we continued our trek home. About 87 miles outside of Green Bay, Richard wakes me up (I had been taking a nap in the passenger seat). "Call your dad. The car just died." Sure enough, every warning light had come on. Some I had never seen before. Richard coasted the car to the shoulder of Hwy 29. The car wouldn't start.

I pulled Logger out of the car and gave him water while Richard poked and prodded under the hood. My dad was going to come get us. Some how, Richard was able to get the car started. My dad and Richard agreed that we should go back to Green Bay. We weren't going to make it home, at least not in my car. Richard quickly figured out that if we didn't use the stereo, lights, or air conditioning and if we went less than 55 mph, the car ran fine. It was the most miserable car ride ever.

Poor Logger was panting nonstop. Richard and I were sweaty and frustrated. The heat was suffocating even with the windows down. I was extremely crabby. Richard was trying to keep the mood light, but I was ready to cry.

Four hours after we left Green Bay, we arrived in Green Bay. We swapped cars with my parents. We left Green Bay at 5pm for the second time. We arrived in Otsego 9 hours after we originally left Green Bay.

Until we figure out what is wrong with Blue Velvet or if she is even worth saving, I get to drive my mom's car. It has wonderful air conditioning.

PS: These pictures are from when my parents gave me Blue Velvet in 2000. She looks so shiny and young!

Not Again

I stepped out of the shower this morning. Usually Logger greets me at the shower. He didn't this morning. Which lead me to believe he was up to no good. And he was.

Logger decided to eat a tube of Bactracin. I was able to read around his teeth marks. And of course if ingested, call poison control.

I locked Logger in the bathroom with me and induced vomiting (a trick I learned from his last mishap). Of course, he didn't vomit. I called Richard to tell him what his naughty puppy did. He called his mom and poison control (FYI: calling the Animal Poison Control costs $55). Poison Control said he would be fine, but he'd have a scorching case of diarrhea.

We're leaving for Green Bay tonight. Sorry Mom and Dad, but we're bringing Logger and his diarrhea.