Snow Much Fun

It was a great holiday in the S household. We definitely enjoyed the white stuff that kept coming down: snowshoeing, snowmobiling, snowmen, shoveling, snowboarding off a jump (boys in helmets only)...

Everyone was home at some point except Darren. Brittany and Shane are still around. It was fun to see them and baby Mya! She really improved her walking skills at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Saturday, we traveled south to our rellies. With the just the two families, the house was crowded! It's fun how we keep expanding. Even my dad played a game (he never does), and won too! He was pretty proud, except he had a small suspicion that everyone let him win so that he would want to play more games. :)

4 square and a 4 hour boot hockey extravaganza closed out the weekend. Two great games!

Caroling and other Christmas-y things

As they pulled up to her Grandma's house, L wondered aloud if kyds still went caroling. Her husband scoffed and said that was like twenty years ago. Then they walked in and heard singing...

We still go. It makes me smile to think about a tradition started hundreds of years ago that is still alive today. It is one of my favorite days of the season. First the Christmas program at church, with all the adorable kids, each another year older, singing (or mumbling, in the case of the older boys) their hearts out. And then, around 20 of us kyds making our rounds through the cold to the homes of the elderly ("I didn't know we were old enough for carolers!" -Joyce and Martin), to sing and enjoy each others company. This year, we were offered lots of treats, and who can pass up Ellen's fudge? Not me...

I ended the day at my parent's home, with three little girls to cuddle and kiss. Mya, Viv, and Sierra were all there, along with their parents. I kept waiting for the older two babies to interact, but they mostly ignored each other (except for the occasional pluggy steal).

Sigh. What a great time of the year. Full of family, friends, and faith.

I beat Mike in pong!

Ok, he might have been playing left-handed. But he's really good lefty!

And, he beat me the next two games. But...

I beat Mike in pong!

Big baby, little baby...

what begins with baby?
Viv seems huge after holding Sierra!

I couldn't see much Salmen in Sierra, but my mom could. I think she looks more like Mya than like Viv. She's so sweet! Baby and mother are doing fine. Father too (other than missing some work due to sleepless night with baby).

Choir of Angels

Last Thursday was a girls day. My aunt, mom, and sister came down to the city, and Cor and I joined them at Macy's for some browsing, coffee, and meals (yes, we ate lunch AND dinner there).

And THEN. We went to Orchestra Hall for the Concordia Choir and Orchestra's Journey to Bethlehem concert. Cousin Kellie sings in one of the five choirs.

When the first notes were played, we leaned forward in our seats, mesmerized. The music was beautiful. and moving. and better than any I have heard in person. Almost two hours was not long enough for us.

One of my favorite parts was when the audience got to sing along. It made me feel like I was a decent singer :) It was exciting to hear the whole concert hall join in.

Even better, the choirs sang church songs #2 and #64. Music to my heart.

Kellie did a great job, and is a wonderful singer in such an amazing choir!

and Baby makes 7

Bev and Dale are the proud grandparents of Sierra Grace, born to B & C on December 8th. This is the 7th grandchild for them, and the 5th girl.

Sierra was 7 lbs 5 oz and 19.5 inches long. She came two days early, and made her mother's horoscope come true! Mother and baby are doing fine.

Apparently, she looks like a S-family bulldog when she is mad, but also seems to look like her mother a bit too (probably when she's happy). :)

I haven't seen her yet, but after I do, I will post pictures.

Edit: This pic is from her mother's facebook page.

Christmas, Christmas, Now Is Here

... festival most glorious...

I got to go home for the day today. It was one of those happy golden days. Snow blowing outside, fire in the woodstove, carols on the radio, hot cocoa in my mug, and me relaxing with my family.

Joce and I decorated my parents house, trying to stick with the colors brown and blue.

Brenda's flowers

I didn't take any pictures of the flowers (bad me), but here is the the throw bouquet. Picture taken from Ann B's facebook.
I really like the way the seeded eucalyptus leaves look with red roses.

Thanksgiving and The Start

My Thanksgiving weekend was great! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures...

Wednesday night, my parents had the Piefest like usual. There were less people this year, but just as many yummy pies and good convos.

I joined my mother's side of the family for a delicious dinner on Thanksgiving Day. Got to see lots of cousins.

Nichole, Joce, and I did flowers for Brenda B's wedding on Friday, and even squeezed in some shopping too. Brenda wanted red roses, so the flower process went quickly and smoothly.

Saturday was the wedding. Great food :) more shopping too...

We had ice cream for brother Brett's birthday on Sunday. He and Chrissy are anxiously awaiting baby number 1, due Dec. 10th. I can't wait to meet him (or her I guess)! I keep thinking it's going to be a boy, but I thought the same thing with Viv, so we'll see....

I started my internship today. I was nervous, but it went well. I was busy all day, and I got to make three arrangements using my choice of flowers. That was the best part! One thing I don't like is that they use bleach to clean their buckets, so my hands smell like a swimming pool afterward. Oh well... I'll be learning lots there this December.

So cute, hey?

Not that I'm biased or anything...

Pictures taken by Emily Hammar Photography.

Absolutely fantastic.

This lady takes the BEST pictures.
Here are some she took of the flowers/process at the Huotari wedding.

It's fun to see my talented troop in action :)

Thank you Jen!

Recently.

Fun. Bowling!!! I love it!
Work. J just has to wear sunglasses when there is the least bit of brightness. On our way to the zoo...

This particular day, he wanted his "phone" in his pocket, like me. :)

School. Here is my personalized casket spray for Sympathy class. Kind of morbid, but funerals are a large part of the floral design business.More Christmas inspiration. So funky and non-traditional!

And that's my recently.

Flashback to Summer

I was looking at the pictures on my jump drive, and there were a whole bunch from this summer. sighhhh. When it gets dark so early, I just long for the long, sunny days of June.

Here are some girlies on our way to the Taste of MN...

And tarp saunas. I would love one right now. My fingers are cold. The guys rigged this up with a wood frame and tarp. It comes complete with stump stools and rocks hot off the fire. A Finns way of making do, I guess...

Dave and Paul showing it off:Only 7 months until the sun stays out til 9:00 :)
We can do it.

I love getting mail

for Abdinasar Sheil *or current resident*.
Haha. Who's he?

Internship!

I got one. I'm so relieved. It's been weighing on my mind for a while now.
The place is called Linsk, and the owner seems really nice. They do mostly corporate work, which should be interesting.
I'll be spending my December there. Can't wait!
P.S. They are the florist for the Timberwolves. How cool is that?

Steps to a perfect Sunday

1. Get up early without alarm. Make ham omelet.
2. Church- communion.
3. Hamburgers for lunch!
4. Watch cutest baby eat real food for the first time.
5. Cookie, coffee, nap.
6. Walk through the crisp air while the sun is setting over the lake.
7. Get out the glue and CREATE. Centerpieces for Mom.
8. Solo hour drive with music blaring.
9. Chat with roommates.
10. Finish homework in record time.
11. BED. Ahhhhhhhhhh.

I'm inspired

by this.

I went to a design show last Sunday at Koehler & Dramm (my floral wholesaler), and another today at Lakeland. Wow! Some of the Christmas pieces were amazing.

So now I keep asking my mom: What colors are you going to do for Christmas? Do you need any centerpieces? Wreaths? Something?! I just can't wait to get out my glue pot and MAKE SOMETHING.

School

I haven't blogged much about school. I'm really enjoying it! Right now, my classes are Personals (corsages, boutonnieres, and hair pieces), Sympathy (funeral pieces), and Visual Merchandising. We do a lot of hands on (of course), and it's so fun to hang out with the other students while creating something beautiful (hopefully).

Here are some pictures of wristlets I did yesterday (ignore the wilting roses) with coordinating bouts. I love all the supplies we have at our disposal in school; rhinestones, buillion wire, ribbon in any color...

The pink roses in this picture are actually two rose petals rolled up. The green flowers are dendrobium orchids.

Christmas Card Preview

Apt 109: Amanda, Coralie, Becky, Krista. Minnehaha Falls.

Craig & Lindsey 10-3-09

This was a very elegant wedding, and such a fun weekend! Best of wishes to the newly married couple.
I did bouquets, Coralie did corsages and boutonnieres and helped Lynda with reception flowers, and Lynda did all of the big pieces (and a whole bunch of the smaller ones too). I'm so grateful for their talented help!
Not sure why this stayed sideways... It's Lindsey's bouquet
Bridesmaids bouquet

Bridesmaids resting their feet before the ceremony

Me, Lindsey, and Coralie

Ahhhh. Such good memories.

It looks snow strange outside

I knew it was going to snow, but I guess I didn't really believe it. But sure enough, the ground is white. Wahhhhh, it's too early! Oh well, gotta get used to it. Time to pull out the snowboots and trudge to school. Ugh.

My voice is hoarse

from yelling and SCREAMING at the Twins game last night. I have never been to a more intense game. At times I didn't want to watch, but couldn't tear my eyes away. Tigers, bases loaded, one out. Eek. We worked out of that jam. And a whole bunch of others too.
The Metrodome was almost full to capacity. When the Twins did something good, the stands were one waving white cloud. Everyone received a homer hanky at the door. I'm sure many were twisted and pulled as people took out their stress on them. I did, until I put it on my head as a rally cap.
I'm so glad I got to go. Whether they beat the Yankees or not, last nights game was an unreal end to the season.

I'm going!

to the Twins game tomorrow! Disregard earlier post about my last Twins game at the Dome. This really is the last, and I CAN'T WAIT.

It was one of those nights

where you can't stop smiling. I love those nights. I'm smiling still because it was so much fun.
We had girls over to our apartment for Kayla's birthday last night. I was stressed, as usual, that there wouldn't be enough food (there was), or that people wouldn't have fun (they did). I should have known it would all turn out fine. Better than fine, actually. We played three crazy rounds of Catch Phrase (my all-time favorite game). Our living room was filled with sixteen girls screaming, laughing, waving their arms and fingers (that was my team), and chattering loudly. It's always interesting to see the personalities that come out when we play lively games.
The energy from the game spilled over into our conversation afterward, ending the night in a cheerful way.
We need more nights like that. Especially with winter approaching.

Personal Trainers and Blind Dates

Not together, no way. He was really cute though.

His name was Seth, and he was my personal trainer. I got a session for free after joining Bally fitness (which is really cheap, compared to other gyms).
So yesterday I worked out with him and found out just how wimpy I really am. I couldn't even last a full hour. My legs were like jelly afterward. And they're burning today. I kind of like that kind of pain though, if it means I'm getting stronger.

At the fire at the guys house last night, we decided we were going to set people up on blind dates. It seems like you never hear about people going on them anymore. I wonder how many have actually worked out? I know my grandparents got set up on one. If I could find what they have, I would go on a blind date in a heartbeat! Actually I probably would go on one anyway, as long as I trust the people setting it up.
We thought of three couples we could set up, and now we just have to convince them. In general, it seemed like the guys were more for it than the girls. I think they would have fun if they just gave it a try :)

5th Annual Kyds 5k Run

What a beautiful morning for a run. Until it heated up, that is. This year we had two water stands, because we allowed 3-person relays, and we definitely needed the extra water.
Before the race...
Team Crinkle. Relay time of 23:11.
Sisters. Two did a relay, and one ran the whole race. Thanks for running!
I just like this picture because it looks as if I'm keeping up with Kurt. Really, I only ran a mile, and Cor was about to take over for the last leg of the relay.
First place for girls (time of 22:31), second and third place girl finishers. Third and second place finishers for the guys (first place finisher, with a time of 18:38, left early).
Group pic. First one we've taken. Not sure why, it's so cute. :) Kind of reminds me of the typical sweaty, hot, smile-grimace, detasseling photos.
Overall, the run went well, the barbeque that followed was fun, and the weekend ended with some spectacular soccer and ultimate football.

Kids, Kids, Kyds

My brother Shane and his wife Brittany, and their baby Mya, came up for a visit. Bro Darren and his gfriend came along too. It was nice to have almost the whole family together. And lots of people showed up for their wedding reception. Shane seemed really touched that so many people were there.
Viv and Mya met for the first time. Mya kept reaching for Viv, and when we put them on the floor together, she would steal Viv's pacifier.
Viv was sick, poor thing. Totally not her usual smiley self at all. If you look closely at this picture, she has a tear in her eye. :(
Adria and Daylen came to our apt so Cor could babysit. No high chair, no problem. Probably one of the only times we've ever used our phonebook...
Another hot Sunday afternoon spent at the lake. We sure enjoyed the last days of summer.

Farewell to the Dome

My last game at the Metrodome. :(
It was an awesome game though! The Twins were down 0-3 to the Indians, then scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to win.
This is the girls and Neil cheering after a Twins homerun.
We were all sad to leave. Except Maria, she could care less, coming from MI and all...

CKydsWeekend

is here again. Wow, the year flew by!
Hopefully lots of people here this weekend. I get to completely enjoy it this year, since Kayla is doing all the planning. She is impressive. Not even stressed. When it was me, I was a mess.
Anyway, I'm off work now, so here's to a fun weekend!

Kwood

This is a neighborhood of the city where the standard is to have lawncare service, and a nanny. Or both. As well as a gardener and a cleaning lady.

I happen to be one of the nannies. And every day that I work, I see the lawncare guys. By now, I recognize their vehicles, and I'm sure some of them know mine (it's quite recognizable, after all). We usually exchange waves and smiles. It's almost like we're a club (not the Mickey Mouse club), and now we just need a handshake. Oh wait, we have that too. :)

I enjoy seeing the guys. And even if I don't know them personally, it feels like I do. Because I see them at church all the time. So I smile inside and out when I pass them in Kwood.

And, in a roundabout way, one of them is even responsible for me finding my job.
And yes, I'm writing this at 5:30 am. I can't sleep.

Finally some pics!

The reason I haven't put any pictures from my trip on yet is because most of them are still on R's computer, and our internet hasn't been working until today. These are the ones that were still on my camera, all from Maine when we were nearing the end of our journey.

Pemaquid Point, ME. I wanted to see a lighthouse, so we came here specifically for this. Totally worth it!

St. Ann's church in Kennebunkport, ME. So small and quaint.

The elder Bush's summer home in Kennebunkport. I think I saw George! Ok, jk, it was probably a lawn maintenance man.
Kennebunkport Beach, ME. The sun was beating down on us, until we lay down. Then the wind cooled us right off. All the houses/cottages along the beach were amazingly awesome!Once I get my pictures from R, I'll post more...