Staycation - A Glimpse

I had to burn a week of vacation before the end of the year. So, this past week, I took a staycation. Here's a glimpse of what I did this week (most of these pictures are from my camera phone):

Zumba! My class is on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week. So, naturally I didn't skip them this week. My trusty puma's I got before my last Europe trip.

Up front is our instructor, Larissa. It's so nice for her to be on the stage as we can all see her well to follow along to the routines.

I spent a lot of time working on this door. A lot. And it's nowhere close to being finished. I'm stripping the laundry room door. This is the hallway side and as far as I can tell it had 5-6 layers of paint on it. I've almost got all the paint off this side... almost. I had to improvise a new attachment to my sander so I could get into all those tiny cracks and crevasse's. And let me tell you... GENIUS!! It's working and working very well... WAY better then doing all those tiny details by hand.

I spent a little bit of time in this ground blind. I have been trying to get a close up picture of some deer. Unfortunetly, they have been coming through too late in the day when it is too dark out already. I tell you, the habits of wildlife are going to drive me nuts... probably especially next April when I'm on safari in Kenya!

I did snag this picture of the sunset from my perch though...

I insulated the outer wall of the to-be laundry room...

Saturday we had the first snow of the season. NOT ready for it yet.... at all. I am so a wuss for the cold and blowing right now, I was much enjoying the snowless winter we were having so far.

I did a little late-for-the-season Thanksgiving decorating. We aren't having anyone over for Thanksgiving, so it's just for us now. Can't wait to break out the Xmas decorations next. I need to find a new (or a couple) tablecloth.

Also this week: lots and lots of laundry, organized the basement & finally put some of our totes down there, Chris and I worked on cleaning out the working shop, a Menards run, some scrapbooking, a few new recipies, finished destructing the to-be laundry room, new closet shelving and rods in 2 closets, River City Eatery & the fall high school musical (Singing in the Rain) with Amy, her mom, and her grandma, and chicken foot dominoes afterwards.

All in all, I'd say I had a pretty productive week!

Jennie & Jason Tie the Knot

Jennie & Jason got marriend on September 24, 2011. Anne flew in on Friday morning so she could be in the wedding. I picked her up from the airport (actually she was supposed to fly in on Thursday night, but because of some plane problems she was delayed) and then we spent some time at the Mall of American before heading home to Windom. Friday night was rehersal and the Groom's Supper at the Windom Country Club. I was asked to be Jen's photographer for the rehersal.


Saturday morning we were all up bright and early for hair and make-up. We went down to Jennie's mom's hair shop in Jackson. I didn't want my hair down like normal, so Anne did my hair for me. It turned out wonderful! Here are all the girls: Me, Molly, Amy, Sarah, Jennie, Chelsey, Alicia, and Anne.

Then, we got Jennie all gussied up in her wedding dress and I performed by Personal Attendant duties. Isn't she lovely?

After I sent her down the aisle at the church with Nate, I grabbed my camera and headed to the balcony to grab some shots of the wedding from above. I loved how the pictures turned out!

And you may kiss the bride. The new Mr. and Mrs. Sykora!

Picture time after the wedding. Waiting for the bridal party to board the limo-bus for the trip up to Jackpot Junction for the reception.

Quick pit stop at the Phat Pheasant for a drink.

The photographer had the bus stop in Springfield for some more photos of the bridal party. We grabbed a quick girls shot.

And I of course grabbed my camera too to grab some shots of the happy couple.

And I may have taken a few of the shots the photographer set up as well.

I had to take the opportunity to take a pic with Chris in a suit again... not sure how many more times I'll get him in a suit.

We took the Corvette up to Jackpot - I love this car :)

All in all it was a wonderful night!

The next day we all traveled back to Windom, and before we knew it, it was time for Anne to return to Germany already. Of course I couldn't let her leave without a fearsome foursome picture. Miss you already Anne!

1st Snow & Craig & Kiri's Wedding

So yesterday, 10-10-09 was the first snow of the season. We woke up to a light dusting of snow that dissapeared by the afternoon (unless it was in the shade).


It was a cold day, but snow & cold do not stop weddings, so we headed out to Craig & Kiri's Wedding. The wedding was in Jackson and the reception was at the Horse Barn & Hunt Club outside Lakefield (a familiar place for us as that was where our reception was). It was nice to see you can still expect to have a great time there!




Waiting for them to clear the dining tables to start the dance :)

Chris & Craig during the dollar dance.

It was a great night & fun was had by all. Congrats Craig & Kiri!