Mind of her own

Emily dressed herself this morning. I was attempting to pack her bag for our upcoming weekend in Duluth and she was trying to unpack the bag. In this process she insisted on putting on some of the clothes. Usually she only insists on certain shoes today it was the whole ensemble.

You are not suppose to notice that it is 8am and she is eating a sucker!
Mother of the year here I come!

Fall 2008 Soccer and Como Zoo

Last week Ben had his first Fall 2008 Soccer Game. His team is Orange this year and they are called the Outlaws. There was some improvement over last year but Ben was on day one of a cold so he wasn't feeling that well. Next game is tomorrow we will see how that goes. Emily on the other hand loved being at her brother's game. After the game Dad, Ben and Emily had a great time playing ball.

We had yet another trip to Como Zoo and Como Town last weekend. We went with good friends Amy and Jack and Grandma Dockerty too. It was a beautiful day and we saw a lot of animals this time. Ben rode on all sorts of rides by himself and with friends he made in line. Ben had his first ride on the Screaming Dragon roller coaster. Mom had to ride along with him. He had a great time while I was terrified we were going to fall out! Its a very scary roller coaster for little kids! I couldn't believe it but Emily wanted to ride on the car ride. She was super happy sit in the car behind Ben, she would smile and wave to us as she went around and around. At one point she started to cry but by the time she came around again she was smiling!

A Farm Wedding

The happy couple: Cassie and Mike Noltnerwyss

My other brother, Ryan, and his wife Vanessa.

Introducing Mike and Cassie Noltnerwyss!


Family photo from the rehearsal.

My baby brother.
Amazing readings. Mike and Cassie asked each of their parents to speak during the ceremony. They were asked to give some marriage advice, to speak to how they have all been able to be married for 30 plus years. I found this to be absolutely beautiful. Each parent had something unique and inspiring to say. My father brought tears to every one's eyes as he mentioned nearly everyone couple in the room and how marriages are made stronger by the people you surround yourself with. He had a story about each couple and noted how long each couple had been married. It was really beautiful!
This photo was added by request.

Last Saturday, September 13, 2008, my brother married a lovely woman. They had a beautiful ceremony at an old white church and a big barn party on my parent's hobby farm. I have over 1,000 photos from this event so I'll try and post only a few of my favorites. Please go to the shutterfly web site I set up for them to see more photos as friends and family are posting photos there as well.
Emily was an adorable flower girl. Grandma and Grandpa had to help her down the isle as she wanted to pick up the confetti after her brother dropped it. It was so precious!

That FACE!
I just love this picture!

My brothers: Brandon Tracy, Mike Noltnerwyss, Ryan Noltner

Dance

DanceDance!

My nephew Gabe.

Okay I better stop, check out more photos at the FLICKR site or at the Shutterfly share site.

Mama's Bookclub

Top Row: Barb, Holly, Erika, Betsy, Anj

Bottom Row: Cindy, Sara, Jen, Catherine

I love book club night. I have a great group of mamas that I have been getting together with for the last four years. Last night we met at Barb's newly remodeled house and it is gorgeous. Barb is also a great cook and she made fantastic spaghetti. Erika brought good wine and we had a great discussion on the book Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, if you like young adult books and Vampires I highly recommend it. We also had a pretty good political discussion. I got to share my 15 seconds of fame as it related to my interview with a British Television reporter. A week ago today I was at the Mall of America with the kids and there was a British reporter doing a piece on the Republic National Convention, while riding the carousel. After we got off the carousel she asked if she could ask me a few questions about Sarah Palen. It ended up being a 15 minute interview, I've yet to be able to find out if they ended up using any of my interview but it was fun all the same. I've tried googling myself but no luck.

Last nights discussion was so much fun. We got to reminisce our first loves and crushes and Catherine got to tell us stories of her recent 20 year high school reunion. Not surprising Catherine knocked their socks off at the reunion in Holly's stunning dress. I wish I had a photo but last nights photo of all of us will have to do.

We also discussed the whole world of Face book as I mentioned that Mike and I became friends on face book yesterday. We didn't know that we each had face book pages so needless to say we were not even friends. I am happy to report that I am now Mike's eighth friend. It's about time he became friends with his wife! And watch out ladies I'm going to take that dare so if you don't have a face book page now you will soon! Grrrr



Here is to many many more years of great book club nights!

Labor Day Weekend 2008

Singing songs by the camp fire.

Playing with bubbles.

Every year we go to our cabin in Northern Wisconsin for Labor Day. Each year brings a different mix of families. This year was very quiet with only my parents and Mike and Cassie in our cabin. We had a lovely time relaxing and enjoying the hot weather. We do not typically have the warm days that we had this year. The hot tub was not working properly in that it wasn't heating, the kids loved playing in it. However, we have now learned that that may not have been the best idea. Ben has developed some sort of staff infection that the Dr. believes is caused from dirty hot tubs! oops. He is taking two baths a day with Lever 2000, supposedly that should clear up the little spots he has all over his body! Ben had a great time fishing, swimming, riding the jet ski, making s'mores and blowing bubbles. Emily had a good time dancing and playing instruments when Uncle Mikey and Aunt Cassie would sing and play the guitar. Mike and I enjoyed going on some nice runs in the quiet north woods. We were even lucky enough to see 3 deer on our drive into the preserve. It is a long drive to our cabin but its a weekend truly enjoy each year. It's how we mark the end of our summer.

Ben's first fish.

Napping with Grandpa.

Emily trying on her dress for Mike and Cassie's wedding on September 13, 2008.

Grandpa and Ben riding the jet ski.

Swimming in the cess pool, um I mean hot tub with Mike and Cassie.

Mommy reading about Vampires and Werewolves,

Emily reading about the Monsters!

First Day of Pre School

James, Ben, and Isaiah - Two of Ben's YMCA Southwest Eagan 

pre school friends from last year and this year.

Ben had his first day of pre school 2008 today (9/5/08).  He is now in 3 day pre school.  He was excited to see several of his friends from last year, Anja, Natalie, James, Isaiah, and Nina to name a few.  He was sad to learn that his friends, Jenna, Alexander, Peyton, and Michael are no longer in his class.  I'm sure he will make many new friends this year as there are 24 kids in his class!  His new teacher's name is Miss Jenny which I find funny since I have often been called Miss Jenny myself by members of my family.
Today was one of the boy's in his class birthday so he got to have a birthday treat on the very first day!  Ben can't seem to remember the name of the boy whose birthday it was.  Guess that is something we have to work on!

Day 2 MN State Fair

Ben purchasing his Giant pickle from the Preferred Pickle stand inside the food building.

Ben on the train - It wouldn't be a complete day if Ben didn't ride a train!
Look at me Uncle Ryan!
Ben LOVING the bumper boats!
He was easy to spot in that hat!
Emily checking out the calf.

I literally had tears in my eyes as I took this photo! He is so brave now! He was so excited to go down this big slide by himself. At one point I thought he was stopping because he was scared and he wanted me to come with him but really he was just pointing to the train ride that he wanted to go on next!
This was his second time down this slide and he specifically requested to go down the red one, red is his current favorite color. Go badgers! (I had to get that in there since he is sporting his Gopher EAR hat and shirt!)

First time down the giant slide at the Kids midway.

Emily enjoying her Sweet Martha's cookie on the ride home! She was a chocolate mess!
The Gedney pickle car for Grandpa and Uncle Ryan.
Ben flying the bomber airplane.
Emily was not a big fan of the carousal.
Ben made me ride this pirate ship ride that had me turning shades of green! He of course thought it was GREAT!



Ben sharing his GIANT pickle with his sister.
August 22, 2008
Ben after all his purchases from the MN Gopher room. You can guess who we were at the State Fair with can't you?
Believe it or not Ben and I are in this picture coming down the slide on the right.
Ben and Emily getting ready to board the sky ride!