2017

Happy New Year! 

I think we spent a total of 25 hours at Myron and Nancy's for New Years.

Aaron got the flu - which caused us to head to their place a day late. And then we're currently in another winter storm warning so left a day early to come back home.

Oh well...a little time together is better than no time!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday 2016 

>> Ate Easter lunch with my grandma<<

>> Drove home and saw a pretty puff ball sky <<

>> Watched Ruger play with Wylie <<

>> Started scraping the old door that will soon be our headboard <<

>> Appreciated the fact that there is no school tomorrow! <<

Easter Break '16

Easter break.

I am thoroughly enjoying the time off from school! Aaron went dirtbiking today with his brother and friends and I spent the afternoon with my sister-in-law. We walked the tree rows and enjoyed being outside in the crisp spring air. Ruger thoroughly enjoyed it too, running back and forth and through the trees. I think he only treed two of Nathan and Heather's cats this time (ugh!).

I ended up bringing our in-law's dog, Wylee, home with me since they are going on a quick overnight trip. I put him and Ruger out in the back yard when I got home and so far things are very quiet, which is great (and unusual)! Usually Ruger wants to play and so Wylee will screech out a snarl at him. I say screech because he's so old, his snarls are all scratchy and screechy. Poor Wylee.

I'm very thankful for facetime this Easter, since I wasn't able to be home with family. (I really miss not being home!) I was able to see my two little nephews and their mom, along with my other sister and my mom via internet.

Now I think I'm off to bring up the old door from downstairs that mom brought me last year. I'm finally feeling motivated to sand/scrape all the old chipped paint off it and paint it. I'm ready to have a headboard on our bed! Stay tuned for pictures!

Valentine's Day

One of my most favorite traditions growing up happened on Valentine's Day. Every February 14th, my mom would shut the dining room doors and when they would be opened, the table would be transformed into a beautiful Valentine's Day display. Candles would be lit with the lights off, Yanni would be playing on the Bose in the corner, Fine China dinnerware was set with Meier's sparkling duck in fancy glasses, and little Valentine's gifts would be sitting on our chairs. The meal was delicious. Everything was beautiful. 

The picture above is from one of mom's Valentine's meals. 

I've decided to carry on that tradition, although our meal this year wasn't quite as fancy. We don't have china place settings or fancy drinking glasses (yet!), and we don't have tall beautiful candles (another, yet!), but we ate by candlelight anyways! Our candle was a fat chunky candle from bath and body works and our music came from Pandora on my computer. Our meal for this first year of carrying on the tradition was steak, creamed corn, and apple slices.

Thanks, mom, for a wonderful and beautiful tradition in the bleak and cold month of February!

(The picture below is the last candlelight supper in our "Lisbon" house - my senior year of high school. This was four days after I broke my leg on the ice.)

New Years

Days with my in-laws are always cause for lots of laughs. If only I could record all the hilarious conversations! Take two was played, we learned lots about the Philippines, Heather and I took some cold walks up and down the driveway, and good, good food was eaten...especially those frosted sugar cookies. And of course I can't forget the white elephant gift exchange!
I asked Aaron to get some nice photos of the day and he ended up taking lots of personal, unplanned photos of individuals...hence the collage I made below. Aaron missed me, Heather A,, and of course himself but oh well. We did get a great picture of the whole gang that was present, though!

Christmas 2015

"Oh there's no Christmas, like a home Christmas," was a song Elizabeth had playing on Christmas day as mom was prepping Christmas dinner. I currently have it on repeat now, already missing time at the lake.

We arrived home about 45 minutes ago. We unpacked our vehicle, unpacked our suitcases, fed and watered Ruger, opened a few Christmas cards, opened some bills, and now I'm sitting on the couch drinking hot chocolate and looking back at the moments I documented through the camera. I find myself smiling broadly as I think about the time Elizabeth, mom, and myself took the dogs for a walk on the lake and decided to cut up to the road by climbing/slipping/crawling up a steep embankment. I chuckle as I think about us playing Monopoly and Balderdash. My mouth waters as I think about the gingerbread cookies, the "salads", the mashed potatoes, the fudge, the ice cream dessert, and ooh so much more. My mouth quits watering, though, once I think about Aaron and I feeding each other a piece of our wedding cake. Mom found our wedding cake in the freezer and we decided to give it a try! A little dry, and a little tasteless...but it brought back memories! And lastly, my heart warms as I think about the people that we spent the holidays with. Although a little chunk of my heart would be a little warmer if my eldest sister and her family could have made it and spent a few days at the lake, too, but hopefully next year! We missed you Kristin! 

 

Merry Christmas 2015

Thanksgiving 2015

It was a whirlwind of a vacation. My stepsister, Chelsey, her two boys, and her dog from Wyoming made the 8 hour trek this way to see us. Thursday found us at my in-laws, eating way too much and chatting it up. A few games were played and the day flew by way, way too fast.

Friday we decided to go black Friday shopping. We left around 9 or so, intending to get back early afternoon. Early afternoon turned into 7 o'clock at night. Oh well! On my list of things to get were two comforters, clothes for Aaron, and possibly some perfume. I came home with a new coat, new mittens, and Mukluks. Ugh! Archer and Bridger were troopers and did so well shopping all day. My arms were a bit sore, though, from holding a zonked out Archer while walking around Hobby Lobby!

Saturday was spent touring my school, chuckling at Cabela and Ruger, playing with the boys, and Chelsey made supper for us. Fettucini Alfredo in the oven. Yum! The day ended with a movie, all five of us crowded onto the bed. We attempted to fit six, but it was impossible to have our 85 pound German Shepherd on the bed with us. Sorry Rue!

It was a great Thanksgiving and now the house seems so quiet as I sit here this Sunday afternoon. It's sad when company leaves! Ruger is feeling the blues as well, I think, and is laying quietly at my feet. He misses Cabela!

Hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Now three more weeks of school about until Christmas break. I guess this afternoon I'll be putting all the Thanksgiving decor away, getting out the holiday decor, and wishing (and wishing and wishing) that I had taken some photos of the weekend, besides the three I took on my phone.

New Years Walk

We took an afternoon new years walk today. Above, my sister demonstrates the safest way to decline down the bank to the frozen lake. My mom soon joined us, along with the two retrievers, and we made our way into the back woods. 

I soon fell behind the rest, meandering slowly through the snow, taking in the little details of the first day of the year. 

The sun was shining, which made the snow sparkle. I fully appreciated the crispness of the walk (it was 10 degrees out), even though my thighs turned into ice cubes on the way back. I ended up having to forfeit my down coat from my top half, to wrap around my bottom half.  I'm not complaining though - what other type of weather do you expect in January in Minnesota?!

And a pro about this cold weather? The absolute tastiness of hot apple cider when you arrive back inside as well as warm cozy blankets!

Thank you, 2015, for a calming and beautiful first day.

Good Bye 2014!

2014 was a good year. It wasn't as eventful as 2013, but there were still a few changes and things to get used to. Aaron and I continued to adapt to married life. We worked more on, and almost finished, the main level of our house, and I got my first teaching job!
I'm looking forward to 2015 and the plateauing of our life. No more stressing about job hunting (hopefully ha!) or finding a place to live. We can just live and enjoy life as a couple (+ 2 cats and a puppy arriving in March) for awhile!

I have three main new years resolutions this year.

1.) Drink more water

2.) Be more diligent in planning and making meals. (This was a new years resolution last year, and was a fail, so I'm trying for it again!)
3.) Become a "comment-er" on blogs I read. I am so bad at commenting on blogs I enjoy reading/posts I like.

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one." -Brad Paisley

Christmas 2014

It was a special Christmas this year, having all of my husband's family together at one time. The last month for my in-laws has been tough. About three weeks ago my husband's grandpa had a heart attack. A few days after his heart attack, we found out my father-in-law has non-hodgkin's lymphoma. It's hard to put into words the feelings you have after hearing news like that.
I'm so thankful for the last four days, which included laughter and happiness mixed in with a touch of sadness and tears.

My amazing mother-in-law making some amazing Christmas goodies.

'Ticket to Ride' was played religiously. I do think Thing 1 (Lana's term the boys) was having a good time, contrary to what it looks like here!

One side of the table during our big Christmas dinner.

The other side of the table. At least Nathan, Heather, and Aaron were paying attention! :)

I snapped this photo of my grandparents-in-law during our photo shoot. They held hands the whole time.

Aaron and Vernon

Cousins - working together

Us - 2014

We had a mini photo shoot this December morning.

Aaron and I were in dire need of an "us" photo. I sat down to do our Christmas cards the beginning of December and realized there was not one, non selfie picture of us taken this whole year!

So we trucked on over to our in-laws house and Heather, our SIL, snapped a few. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Viggys!

Vacation

The 

kindergartners 

were super excited 

the beginning of the
day, but by the end they
were a bit on the tired and
cranky side! What a stimulating
(almost over stimulating for some)
day it was today! We fit in a small party, 

the kids got to open Christmas gifts from me,
we went to the local movie theatre and watched
'Anabelle's Wish', we played a few games, I got 17 hugs,
and the kids were out the door! The sun is shining brightly
as it makes its way towards sunset, the temperature is a warm 36 
degrees, the snow is melting, my feet are up as I munch on Christmas
treats, and I 
have a full 
two weeks 
of vacation 
coming up!
I'm looking forward to waking up without an alarm, drinking coffee in the morning without
being rushed, working more with the settings on my camera, and spending time with family!
Let the Vince Gill Christmas Pandora station continue!

early christmas present

Oh how I wish there was more to take pictures of in and around our little home!

My early Christmas present from Aaron - a Nikon DSLR camera. 

Okay, in all reality, I say it's from him but I picked it out. And he picked out a range finger for his gun - but it was a Christmas present from me. I guess that's just how our Christmas presents worked this year!

I read through the manual front to back last night. It really does give a lot of helpful information! Especially this tid bit. --> "When framing photographs in the view finder, hold the handgrip in your right hand and cradle the camera body or lens with your left. Keep your elbows propped lightly against your torso for support and place one foot half a pace ahead of the other to keep your upper body stable."

I thought about not putting up a tree. We didn't last year because it's not what Christmas is all about. But, I do love the simplicity and light that this tree gives off. As I sit here in the evenings, it's cozy! As you can see, we only have two ornaments. I decided that every Christmas Aaron and I are together we'll add another one. The branches may be droopin' after 50 years....

Anyways, be prepared to see lots of shots as I try out the settings and explore more with this neat piece of equipment!

Thanksgiving '14 - 2

A glimpse into the dining room at supper time tonight. 

I tried using the panorama setting on my phone - distorts the pics a bit!

I think dinner/supper times during the holidays are some of my favorite times. And no, it's not just because I love to eat the scrumptious food. :)

Everyone's together and the conversation's always good!

Now to look forward to Christmas!

Thanksgiving '14

My stomach is full. My heart is full. And our trunk will be full from the shopping done Friday!

Oh wonderful, Thanksgiving, days.

I will regret saying this...

I know I will regret posting this when February rolls around but, I'm ready for snow! I'm excited to see the white flakes coming down and coating everything that is brown and blah in a pretty, crisp white. My sisters and I used to get so excited when the first snow appeared - it meant we could set up the farm set. I remember doing cartwheels and flips in the living room when we saw that first flake even if it did melt right away!

In honor of my anxiousness (if that makes sense) I'm currently listening to Christmas music and I just ordered some pretty sweaters for winter. I'm also excitedly thinking about the upcoming festivities this month will bring. 

I can honestly say, with the turn of another calendar month, that we are getting into my favorite time of the year!

Glimpse of a past Christmas

Happy Halloween

This made me laugh. Here are a few of my hubby's co-workers that dressed up for Halloween.