A BIRTHDAY TO REMEMBER

So, I just had another birthday! And I'm not lying about my age yet... I turned 31. If I ever forget - and I sometimes do - Ian will remind me.

Carol made me a delicious dinner of paella with cheesecake for dessert. Doesn't it look amazing??

Tom and I were squeezing lemon on it to take it to even greater heights. Have you ever had paella? It is a Spanish dish with rice, spices (most notably saffron), peas, and a mixture of meat... especially seafood. We had chicken, chorizo sausage, mussels, and shrimp. It was her first time making it, and she did an amazing job!

My thoughtful hubby left me a latte in the fridge on my birthday - he had to leave for work early - along with the new (icy cold) Bon Iver CD!

And to top it off, Tom and his colleague Nick were presented with a brand new Mini Cooper that they won through a national contest sponsored by Dairy Queen. Their video was one of 6 winners, and they received the car on my birthday!

Here they are, taking their first spin in it.

Tom took me out for a birthday lunch date, and we could barely get out of the parking lot because all of his co-workers were flocking around. Moments before this photo was taken, it was actually a group of girls goggling at our new wheels! We are amazed and thankful that God is blessing us so extravagantly!!

A WISCONSIN WEDDING

This past weekend Tom, the kids and I jaunted to Green Bay to participate in a weekend of activity surrounding the wedding of one of my best friends, Stephanie. She met a guy named Kyle in Green Bay and it was wonderful to be with both of their families, even amidst the pandemonium surrounding a wedding!

This photo was taken shortly before the wedding, as the bridesmaids were helping Steph get ready for her big day. Her sister Marie is lacing the back of her dress.

Here is a photo of the wedding party in the church. Unfortunately this is the only photo I have of us all! I need to get some better shots from somebody.

And here is Steph, waltzing around during the reception, handing out little packages of coffee. The perfect take-home gift! :)

FRONTENAC STATE PARK

Only today we returned from a camping trip to Frontenac State Park, an hour or two east of here, close to the Wisconsin border and on the Mississippi River. It was a beautiful campground! And we haven't taken the kids camping since the summer of 2009 (except for setting up the tent in the back yard, and that doesn't count).
Here is Nina enjoying a lovely s'mores. I was brushing the marshmallow out of her hair that day and the next.
Dinner by campfire. Notice Nina's pout... she doesn't think dinner is as appealing as it could be.
The kids loved the tent setup. We brought them each a cot to sleep on, and they snuggled in joyously. They almost napped voluntarily... almost.
And here is my favorite. Tom teaching Ian one of the timeless lessons of masculinity.... how to irrigate the forest. (can you see Ian's bare butt??)

VISIT THE JUDGE

I've been meaning to visit my father-in-law at the District Court in Hastings, especially since I caught wind a few months ago that he is retiring. I wanted to see him while court was in session. We have visited his chambers before, but I had never seen him on the job.

Well, his retirement date is fast approaching and I had to hustle to get an opportunity to see him. It turns out that it was court hearings that the kids could come watch, which makes my life simpler (no babysitter). So my mother-in-law Carol came too, and we watched the proceedings with interest. It was fascinating to see all the different situations that bring people before a judge.

The kids themselves didn't notice much, between coloring and an occasional game on my iphone to keep them quiet! (we can't take pictures in court of course). But I am very glad we set aside the time to visit him. And we are very proud ;).

PLAYSET IN PROGRESS

We were excited to get a playset for the backyard, but not so aware of what a commitment putting it together is! Tom has been slaving over it all week, even with occasional help from friends and family. Here are some recent photos.

PIES FOR THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE

Tom just had his 32nd birthday, so I asked him what home-cooked dessert he'd enjoy. His response was, "French Silk Pie." I like it and all, but since strawberries and rhubarb are in season and I have yet to make a strawberry rhubarb pie, I thought I'd make 2 pies. Here's my little helper:

Here are the finished products. Can you tell I'm proud? Pies are a lot of work!