White winter wedding

On Friday morning Chris and I packed up and headed to Wisconsin Dells for our good friends' Katie and Carmen's wedding. Katie got exactly what she hoped for- good driving weather for all of her guests and then a light dusting of snow on her special day.

Friday evening was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. I was very stressed out (Chris is a saint for putting up with me!) because I volunteered to put together Katie and Carmen's slideshow to show at their rehearsal. Of course it was fine, and nobody even noticed all the little things I was worried about.

Katie won the chili cook-off that Carmen and Kate hosted for their rehearsal dinner meal, and we all returned to the resort to spend an evening playing at the water park and chilling in the hotel bar. Saturday was a flash- with a gorgeous ceremony and super fun reception!

What's wrong with people?

I heard this story earlier this weekend and thought it was absolutely crazy! In central Wisconsin several idiots ran over 5 deer with their snowmobiles-killing four.

And then today I read in the paper someone ran over 57 mallards! Sick. Absolutely sick.

Hard hat required

I'm living (part time) in a construction zone! Which means I'm starting to learn a bit about being a home owner. Chris's latest project has been remodeling his attic. (So far, I've helped with remodeling the kitchen and a fence.) In the past week or so, we've taken all of the ceiling panels down (which revealed gross black stuff in the insulation that turned out to be bat guano!) pulled off most of the paneling and taken down most of the drywall too. In the pictures below Chris has begun to frame up the closets and the new half wall that will go around the stairs.
I've discovered I'm good at removing nails and cleaning up sawdust. =)

On Sunday we took a break and went for a hike- Chris is in the process of writing his signature "NOT YOURS" in the snow.

I found it!

I found the battery charger for my camera! So I'll be ready to go for Katie and Carmen's wedding next weekend in Wisconsin Dells. They were strategic and planned it over a long weekend. (Martin Luther King day falls on the following Monday.)



I also snagged a photo from Adam of the New Years ball. It was a VERY cool night.

December

I seem to have missplaced my battery charger and wasn't able to take any pictures at the New Years Eve Party last night. One of those would certainly be my choice for December. I'll see if I can bum some shots from my coworkers.

Here are a few pictures I took over the holidays with the little bit of battery power I had.

Chris's sister (Michelle) and brother (Josh) dust off Nintendo.
A very LONG game of Trivial Pursuit.

New Years Eve Party

For the past three years we have hosted a New Years Eve Party for families at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center- it starts at 5 pm and we do a ball drop at 7:59 pm so that families can get the kids home for bed at a normal time- and before the crazies take to the road.

Last night was absolutely magical. WE had luminaries lining the driveway in, all around the lake and all around the Visitor Center itself. Staff spent most of Tuesday and Wendesday hanging decorations and twinkle lights, lighting luminaries and hauling firewood. After a night of night hikes, ice skating by luminaries, face-painting etc., etc., etc- we gathered outside for the best ball drop yet! (Complete with music.)

A look back

2008 was a whirlwind... I thought I'd take some time on this lazy afternoon to review the year.

JAN- A crisp winter hike around Jensen Lake. FEB- Our road trip from ATL to MSP brought us through St. Louis and the Gateway Arch. MAR- Dad preps for a day of househunting.

APR- Norah and I at Como Zo0 and Conservatory. MAY- Memorial Day camping trip near Fergus Falls. JUN- McClain explores his turf as we complete the fence.

JUL- Calendar poses by our rented mustangs in PA AUG- Floor visits from Holland! SEP- Katie Wiis at a big birthday bash in New Richmond.

OCT. The bouquet toss at Jena's wedding NOV. We try our hand at an American Gothic!