She's Old.

Hey everyone! In case I didn't properly force you to give me all sorts of birthday attention, I turned 30 on August 3rd. Yep, that's right folks, She's Old. She's officially out of the college decade, which means growing up. Crap. Seriously, when did that happen?

Well, instead of getting potentially mushy and overly reflective about a birthday that, to be honest, really doesn't make me feel any more mature or responsible than my last birthday... or the one before that... or the one before that... I'm going to post some crazy-old photos and thank some people for my birth, and some other people for their awesome contributions to my life so far. You people are the coolest.

First, my mom & dad. This picture was taken pretty close to the time when I was born. Not exactly, but it was a long time ago, so it's close enough. Plus, it's the only one I have readily available with the two of them together. Sorry Dad, I know it's not the best picture.

Anyway, thanks to these two crazy kids, I am alive and able to entertain on a daily basis.

Thanks.

I also want to give a special separate thanks to my dad.

Dad, you stepped up in a lot of ways when you were needed. Not-to-mention being a completely awesome, hilarious, and really, really great dad. For that, I am forever grateful.

I am truly honored to be your daughter.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

My mom. I understand her more every day through myself and my own life, and I am lucky enough to see her in my mirror every day. Thanks Mom, I miss you.

My sister, Lynda, who was the best big sister a girl could ever ask for.

She was and always will be the person with whom I share my soul.

My sister, Amanda, who has become one of my best friends.

I love you and I'm so proud to have you as my sister!

My Grandparents. Not only did they make it possible for me to be alive (you know, by having kids who ended up being my parents), but they also happen to be the best grandparents in the history of all grandparents. To the most patient, loving, and fun people in the world, Thank You.

Also, even though I don't have a photo that includes every one of my extended relatives...

Thank you too. I have enjoyed you as part of my family.

(Grandma Dorothy Frein)

(Grandpa Don Frein - never knew him, but he sure turned out a good group!)

(G&G Alice and Lanny Barringer, Great G&G Dykstra - I have the same b-day as G.Gram Dykstra)

(Just because it's so cute - Lynda, Gramp Barringer, and me)

Anne & Hope.

You both have seen me through some really terrible and some completely fantastic times. I can only hope that my own daughter (some day) will have friends like you to grow up with. Words cannot begin to describe the influence your friendships have had on me.

You rock.

Tarin, you are way too much fun for my own good sometimes!

And you also happen to be an incredibly fantastic friend. Love you, Babe.

My kickball team. Who knew such a random grouping of people would end up being such a soild group of friends. You are all the best, and I look forward to rolling in the red ball with you, long past the point that it is no longer appropriate.

(Dave & Trish are not pictured)

My puppies, Alice & Sara. I didn't want a dog, but my husband talked me into it.

Getting Alice as a baby puppy was quite possibly the coolest thing I had ever done. I never imagined raising a puppy could be so fulfilling. When we considered getting another dog for her to play with, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to love it as much as I loved Alice.

Then we got Sara. Boy, was I wrong. I can't imagine what it would be like without her!

These two babies are the best! Thank you, Bubbas, for all of your unconditional love!!

Most importantly, my Husband. You are my world. You are my every thought.

I could not imagine life without you. With you, I am a better person.

Thank you for letting me in. Thank you for marrying me.

Thank you for promising to be with me for the rest of our lives.

I look forward to every moment of it.

And lastly, thank you to My Life.

It has been a rough road.

If there is one thing My Life has taught me, it is that Me is the best I can offer to anyone.

And if I can't laugh at Me, I should just go home.

Thanks for reading and being a part of my life!

You In Clay

Updated the You In Clay blog.

New Post

I know. I'm not keeping up my end of the bargain. I need to update more often. I'll try harder.

I'll be back soon with an update, but I really can't do it now. If you're on Facebook, you can see the photos from our trip... if not, let us know and we'll send you a link to the on-line album.

Later gators.

Ice Fishing

This was a couple of weekends ago, but I still wanted to post a few photos. Anne's family & family friends have an ice fishing tournament every year out on Prior Lake. Somehow, even after about a hundred years of being attached at the hip, I had never attended this... and until this year, had never been ice fishing in my life (well, we really didn't fish this year either). Anne found out that our friend Heiney had never been on a frozen lake (she's from "sconny") so they decided to go. They called me and I went too. It was a GREAT time! It was so nice to see all of Anne's family again, and hang out for a while. Most of the time was spent in the "Aqua Socializer: Ice Edition" which is Anne's brother-in-law, Steve's, ice house. He's the one on the right in the last photo - Thanks Steve! And thanks to Anne, Kris, and everyone else who made it a great time!

Valentine's Weekend

We usually don't do anything at all for Valentine's Day. I'm not a big believer in the Hallmark holidays (sorry Colie) and I can often be quoted as saying "I don't want flowers on Valentine's Day. I want flowers on a random Tuesday, just because you want to." And every year we briefly talk about doing something for V-day, which is usually ended quickly by saying "it's too much of a hassle."

But this year, I decided to break from the norm. I read an article in the paper about a bunch of events put on by the Three Rivers Park District for the big V and decided to sign us up! So Friday night, we started off by going to Timberlodge, which is unsual for us lately. I also realized after dinner that the gift card I planned to spend was actually for Outback. Oops.

Anyway, then we went to the Richardson Nature Center at Hyland Park Preserve in Bloomington. You know the giant ski jump you can see from 494? It's over there. They hosted an event called "Candlelight & Choclate" which was a 3/4 mile stroll (with ice cleats) through a portion of the nature preserve. The trail was lit by cute little tiny lanterns. At the building, they had outdoor bonfires with haybails to sit on. It was pretty crowded (and cold) though, so we didn't stay outside. Inside, they had coffee, a crazy amount of chocolate, cutsie V-day decorations, and live classical string music. I tried to post a video of the music, but I guess the file was too big. It was a great time, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Dustin and Buck
(This deer head was hanging over us a t Timberlodge and we didn't even realize it until we were leaving.)

One of the little lanterns on the trail

Us on the trail

Inside the building

The "chocolate" portion of the evening

Okay, then on a completely unrelated note... We also cleaned an rearranged our den. It looks so nice! It looks more like a den now, rather than a giant pile of crap. Also, those of you who have spent the night in this room before: you will be happy to know that we finally hung curtains on the window. Privacy abounds. We also put the old area rug from the living room in there to warm up the floor a bit. And we plan to get a new living room coffee table at some point, so we'll put the old dark mahogany one in the den. Then once we get a slipcover for the couch (to cover up the gramma floral), we'll be set! A place for ladies happy hour, even if the boys are playing poker! Anyway, we're stoked. Thanks for humoring me. Boo yah.

Okay, okay, I'll post something. I know that when you don't post for a while, people stop looking. So even though I don't really have a lot of time to give a big update - or all that much to update about - here are some photos to enjoy.

I've hit the Winter Wall. That feeling during winter, somewhere between desperation and complete anger. Where you never quite know what incident will set you off to start throwing things... or just crying. Yeah, that's me right now. It doesn't happen for everyone, but it happens for me every year. Dustin too, although I've never caught him crying about it. For those who love winter and cold, I envy you. For us though, there is a breaking point. This is about the time every year where we seriously start considering a move to someplace distant, exotic, and most importantly - someplace SOUTH. We start to question what it is that keeps us living here. Who in their right mind would do this every year - willingly?! So when those occassions arise, we have to remind ourselves why we stay. Here are some of those reasons:

We live here.
We love our house, and our proximity to the city and everything we enjoy doing.

Taking advantage of every summer opportunity!

Born & raised

(D, Dad, & Lynda)

(Dustin, Karen)

Fishing. Well, Dustin fishes. I just bring the bad luck.

(Mark)

(Dustin)

(Dustin & a very unlucky fish)

Family & fun in Waterville

(Brandon, Manda)

(Sara, Alice)

(The Point)

Three seasons of kickball every year!

(Spring '07 CHAMPS)

(Heiney, Mama Dish, D-Rae, Colieolieo, RaRa)

(Thug, Guido, Voltage, Jentz, Slick Mick, Dave - aka. "Your Name")

Backyard BBQs

(Becky, D, Anne)

(Kristian, Adam, Tarin)

(T)

The Lakes area in Minneapolis is very active. I absolutely love the city and all it has to offer in the summer. We're so close to the lakes and to Downtown, we try to take advantage of as much as we can. From the outdoor concerts, bike trails, art fairs, sidewalk dining, block parties, and everything in between. It's impossible not to find something to do.

You cannot beat this city in the summertime.

Driving up 35w at dusk is probably one of my favorite sights.

SEE YOU SOON, SUMMER!!!