Softball Awards Banquet

This fall, I played on a softball team with a bunch of co-workers. It was actually really fun. I was most known for, and recognized for, Josh's ability...but what can I say. I'll take it.

On Thursday, we had an "awards" banquet (i.e. Happy Hour). And this was what I won.

I guess if being recognized as "happy" is what I am, I'll take it.

Band Hero....a success!

This past weekend we had a few people over to try out this....

and it was a very big hit! The songs are awesome, recognizable, and all very different! I even sang a Taylor Swift song. Overall, a worthy $30 purchase. Here are some action pics:

Notice how small that guitar is for Josh! Plus, his Badger shirt. The Badgers were playing the OHIO State...and Josh decided to show his Badger spirit. I promise I didn't even recommend he wear that shirt....he just did. Obviously, he received some crap from his friends.....

This made me cheer in my cube today!

http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2010/10/tim_mckee_consu.php

Finally - a good sushi place in Nordeast! Super excited.

Pumpkin Seeds

After all of that pumpkin carving....a TON of pumpkin seeds were left at my disposal. So, I spent half an hour digging through the guts and ickiness....and had a HUGE bag of seeds! Josh definitely thought I was crazy and I knew he thought it was a waste of time (witnessed by him helping me for 3 minutes, getting frustrated, and going back in the house).

Obviously, I had to prove him wrong. I took the seeds out, washed them, put them in a bowl with 1 tbsp of butter per each cup of seeds (I had 4 cups!), some garlic salt, and sea salt. Then, spread them on to a pan, turned the oven to 300 degrees and put them in for an hour, stirring every 15 minutes or so.

And they were amazing! This whole bowl was GONE by the time everyone left our house on Saturday. Leah even said they were the best pumpkin seeds she had ever had.

I'm pretty much the best cook ever.

Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest

For the last two years, Josh and I have joined in the Krogman's Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Last year, I earned second place, while Josh earned two votes. It's started to get very competitive, but I really look forward to it. Here are some pictures from this year's extravaganza!

And of course....my FAVORITE picture...the one that makes me laugh....obviously Bill went for the "self-portrait". Thanks Sheila for this WONDERFUL picture:)

Eeka. It was Monday!

Towards the end of the day at work yesterday, I had the perfect opportunity to talk to my boss about some of my employees....but to also discuss my future. It was a great discussion - but went a bit long! By 5:45, we decided to discuss more in the next few days. Being so late, I grabbed my keys and my phone and headed out the door.

Not until I returned home....did I realize, I FORGOT MY PURSE! I felt sick to my stomach. With a ton of grading to do, I didn't have time for this....but I turned around, drove back to work, found my purse in the top drawer of my desk. Eeka.



On the other hand...Josh and I LOVE BINGO at Sarna's! Since Josh left this morning for Des Moines again, we spent some quality time together. Third game - horizontal line - $66 dollars richer! The best part - Josh won't call bingo. Apparently, he's too embarrased. So, each time he wins, I get to yell BIIIIINNNGOOOO!

One of the things I love

Josh travels a lot for work. I've gotten a bit used to it, but I really love the days when he works from home. Why? Because during the day, I get updates on what is going on at home. This morning, I received this picture and just started laughing.....

What a weekend!

Sunday's are my day to grade papers....while Josh refs basketball or watches television. This week, he did some basketball games....so Lila and I had a nice night together. And by nice night, I mean I spent four hours grading...and Lila didn't leave the couch. She spent her WHOLE night in this position (well...until Josh came home, gave her part of a meatball, and then she threw up...arg...what disgustingness).....but she wasn't just sleeping. She was DEFINITELY dreaming.....all the grunting, snorting, and snoring means she was having a good time. Oh, do I envy her sometimes.....

Pajamas and Josh's St. Cloud BDAY

This weekend we headed to St. Cloud, MN to visit with Josh's parents, celebrate his birthday (a bit belated), and carve some pumpkins! When we got there Friday night - the first thing on the agenda was to eat some yummy tacos (Josh's request)....then move on to drinking a few beers, relaxing by the fire, and cards! Lila, of course, also got dressed in some pretty good clothing items. I think she's gained a few pounds...I swear this outfit fit better in the past...

Josh is celebrating the big 2-9. That's a pretty big feat....and of course he need to make some wishes and blow out some candles!

Lila's Costume Hunting

Lila isn't sure what she's going to be this year for Halloween. I've been throwing out ideas to her...but she's really not excited about any of them. Her first year, she was a witch....and didn't love it.

Two years ago she agreed to match me in the ladybug outfit.....and she looked SO cute - but again, hated it. Though, with the option of a treat in the future, she's always up for a quick 5 minutes of humiliation.

Last year....she failed. She didn't wear an outfit. She feels like she missed out. So.....we are still in search of the PERFECT costume. Any ideas? Lila's really open to anything. For the right treat.

The Eighth.....

The eighth person has told me that my jacket looks like I'm ready to go deer hunting. I'm not happy....since it's a vest I asked for FOREVER and waited so long for. And it's not cheap. Though, admittedly - it was ordered without seeing...and the color is a bit orange. When it was ordered, I thought it was red!

In response, I've decided THIS is the new one I'd like....

PLUS, JCrew is offering 20% off if you spend $150 or more. You know how much I love a good deal!

Can this wait until Christmas?

This guy.....

..... is Josh's favorite thing to drive...and is completely PAID OFF.

Josh and I set this goal as our 2010 New Year's Resolution - and we did it.

WHOOP WHOOP!

THREE YEARS?!?!

I've been married for THREE years! It's fairly amazing to me actually.....I love this man SO much!

First Year: I can't even remember what we did! Pretty sure it involved a few beers and missing our dinner reservation.
Second Year: Took the day off...had reservations to go to Capital Grille....decided to watch the Twins game.....and hung out with Sara and Anders:)
Third Year: Had lunch in Uptown, went for a long walk around Lake of the Isles, took an hour nap, and watched game one of the Twins vs. Yankee at Sarnas.

These days are special - and I've been sure to capture them...even if I am HORRIBLE at keeping up with pictures and posts. I'll try to do this more often.

Wisconsin Badger Game vs. MN

This past weekend - Josh and I drove to Wisconsin to see mom and pops....but more importantly to watch the Badgers play the Gophers. The MN Gophers have been horrible this year....and on the way I asked Josh at what point...would he give up and become a Wisconsin fan? The 22 point (Vegas spread) point was decided......

Thus....Josh started the game wearing this.....

..

and finished the game wearing this......

How embarassing....but it was well deserved. All in all, we had just a wonderful weekend! So thankful to have a great family.

Lutsen in the Fall

The hubby and I have loved Lutsen for way too long.....mostly because it was officially the FIRST place we visited as a couple! This year we stayed at the Lutsen Resort, which we've done a few times. Our favorite is basic...the cabin type room in the main lodge, where we can access the fun (i.e. the bar) easily and hang out together without having to do the cooking, cleaning, etc.

In typical fashion, Josh took the first couple pictures....

I love that he's so predictable. Each time we go, he takes one of these pictures!

That being said....the colors were AMAZING this time of the year! We hiked and enjoyed the scenery. Perfect getaway!