unofficial summer kick off. . .

I had a lovely weekend. . . lovely three day weekend with rain, Redbox Rentals (which I only watched of the two, one was too scary for me), games, some sunshine, and lots of ice cream (Izzy's & Drumsticks) and lots of napping!!! :)

I did a sewing project this weekend! I'll have to share my latest sewing projects sometime in the future. ;) I want to be sewing more. There's too many things I want to do, but not enough time (as I do work full time outside the home).

Anyway, B and I have a new game we play. I'm sure most of you know JENGA!! I lost ALL games, not very surprising. B still refuses to play WORD FIND with me as it is the only game I beat him in. Bah-hum-bug... We still love each other. >___<


I'll get him one day. . . I hope. Heeheehee.

On Memorial Day, B and I headed to Willow State Park in Wisconsin with some of my family. . .
I didn't play under the falls as I did not want my camera to get wet and I wanted to hang out with sweet little Isaac. Oh, I love him!! xoxo


I spy: Chris, Phuoc, & Caydi!!


There were caterpillars everywhere!


. . . And to the beach we went.


Watching Uncle Schiwa take Cousin Donovan on a kayak stroll on the lake.
(Don't worry, all adults & children that went on the kayak had a life jacket).


Trying his best to help. What a little sweetheart! xo


She is full of life!!


Yep, he came along! He had tons of fun!! His cousins, aunties, uncles, and grandparents made him laugh so much. He is so loved!!

With summer coming along, I am going to learn more on sewing and really push myself to do things I have yet done (sewing in zippers, sewing shorts, and learning how to read a pattern again). I have a few others ask, but I am not ready to sew for others, sorry. It takes time to learn and sew. Sometimes you just can't force one to do something (even if it involves money), really. Hope you understand.

I also hope to get in some time to read books. I am not a kindle person. I love being able to turn the page and make my own bookmark, just like old times. I love technology, but if I'm not reading a blog, I don't want to read a book on a screen. It just doesn't feel, right (at least to me, no disrespect).

Also, wanting to take my bike out!! Really need to find a nice bike for the B. It calls for time to hit the thrift stores!! :)

Hope everyone had a great three day weekend!! And, what do you have in mind for SUMMER???

two days. . .

. . . of cooking inside was kind of torture for me us. since the warm weather and our little grill, we just love cooking and eating outside (if you haven't already noticed yet). cleaning is so minimal!! no pots, no pans! yay!! and food tastes so delicious!! i really could have ate more turkey burgers, but i don't want to torture my clothes. i have been in good control. and i was good, i have been good and i will continue to be good. after all, i'm dropping in weight and i still get to eat good food (all in good portions)! :) and a little good craft beer. Heehee. >___<

about five more weeks with you. . . oh craft beer! i heart thee!!


SILLY TIME!!

I thought this was a good photo. . . apparently, I took it wrong and you can see that the one he took of me was wayyyyy better! (look below)

Yep. He just focused on the little grill and me.

Enough pictures.... >_____<

Hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend!!! And hope it doesn't rain too much!!!

Linked 52: Temptation

Last week, I had mentioned Brady receiving a package in the mail, his gi. Well, here is a poor photo of it. Sorry, I had to hurry because he was going to class and I have been beyond tired these past few days. I know, poor excuse. . . Anyway, here it is:

Some of you know already know how a gi looks like because your son may be into martial arts.

For the last few months, Brady has been going back to his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class. He hasn't been since 2003?! If you wonder what BJJ is, click HERE for a Wiki definition. And HERE is a post I wrote where Brady and I went to a BJJ recent tournament. ---And you wonder how this relates to temptation???

Well, of course!! If you're into BJJ or most sports, you probably want to be. in. shape. Something that I. Am. Not!! Not anymore!! And I am not getting any younger and I cannot eat as much as I want and whenever I want anymore!! :( With Brady back in BJJ, it encourages me to control my portions and work-out more. I will not lie, I LOVE EATING!! I cannot fully cut out any foods in my diet. Control. Control. Control. Don't fall into temptation of just eating because I. Want. To. You can see plenty on my blog and Facebook how much I love food!!

Ohhhh the temptation of wanting to eat for three! *Sigh* As long as it's only me, I can kiss those days good-bye. . . .


See what these ladies have to say about temptation!! :)
Carla, Stacey, Tracey, Michelle, Heather, Jenn, Naomi, Jessica, Kristin, Sara, Janet, Lesli, Amanda, Amanda, Rose, Tracy, Rhonda, Lena, Heather A., Veronica, Heidi, Amy, Andrea, Liza, & Kristi

One.

Mommy's little one.
He's going to be one year old!

It's crazy how time flies! Really!


Her little boy.
His mama!



You can see more of this cute little boy here.
Thank you Kelsey for allowing me to capture these moments of you guys!

9 years!

. . . 9 years ago we went on our first date. It was a bit scary because I never really went out alone with a boy! (Dude, I was a good girl, at least a good girl that didn't mess with boys). Especially a boy that none of my friends or family knew! He wasn't even my friend! We went to the same middle school and high school, we knew some of the same people, but we never knew each other. . . I took the risk, after all, my younger sister did scare him with a butcher knife, right? I have to admit, the risk was well worth it.

. . . 9 years! We're not perfect. We make mistakes. We disagree -we're very normal. Maybe because everything we do is not everyone's business. Maybe because there still is such a thing called, P R I V A C Y!! Something that some people don't respect anymore. Maybe we do facebook, we blog, (in my case I facebook & blog, not his) but we still separate our private life from our public life. Some people don't respect that, but we just have to stay strong and don't let the rumors affect our lives. Yeah, sure, we probably don't follow things "by the book," but HELLO 2012, who does anyway? And whether they do or don't, that's their business. . . not ours. We learn what is important and we learn to not take things so seriously. We learn our battles, what's worth it and what's not.

. . . 9 years with you in my life! That's a bit much, but a bit much that I do love.


The love and happiness we bring into each other's lives. Open your eyes and see all the beautiful things. You know, life really is too short to be unhappy. Conquer your happiness!! Don't let it define you, define it. These past 9 years has taught me a lot about us, about me, about you.

Enough of that kind of talking. . . let me tell you how our day went. . .
We took it pretty easy this year. No travels, just simple and within city limits.

By habit, I woke up early and made us coffee. . . then we watched some Simpsons and I fell back asleep. . .


Usually, I am the one up and dinking around while he sleeps, but he accomplished so much yard work while I slept away until noon. I know, me. . . sleeping in until noon. Crazy! I was so restless, don't know what was up with my body. Perhaps, doing too much on the weekends? Maybe.


Finally went and had a meal at Brasa! So. delicious. Pulled pork. . . yummmmm! Their Spicy Masa corn bread. . . mmmmm. Could eat some more right now thinking about it. And not to mention, yucca fries......

It was a beautiful day! xoxo


***If you "LIKE" me on FACEBOOK, you know I had a trivia, asking if you know where Brady and I had our first date. . . You were able to find it HERE.
The answer was BENIHANA!!!

9 memories

9 MEMORIES
1. When my sister Diana opened the door for you on our first date, she had the butcher knife in one hand, hoping you scare you off, just a little.
2. When you didn't know what Hmong people were and the next day, you had all these information about the Hmong. Some stuff I didn't even know!
3. How spontaneous you and I can be with last minute trips by ourselves, with our friends, and family. Literally pack our bags, kiss the house good-bye for the weekend or night.
4. When we would drive to St. Cloud when you were in college (at St. Cloud State University) and driving by my sister's apartment at the time across the highway from Albertville Outlet Mall. . . we would call them so we could wave at each other.
5. My first time catching a walleye during our first camping trip together, alone.
6. The surprise birthday Brady and Diana threw for me; which I was very surprised!! A little upset, but now I laugh about it and am very happy. We still tease each other about this.
7. Setting up camp after Brady's uncle's wedding. Everyone else had rented a room, but we decided to camp. That night, the security guard on site and you found out you knew the same friend. Funny how small the world is.
8. That one cab ride home. Yep, that one! And if you know, let's just leave it at that.
9. That one time you decided to give me a piggy-back ride and we both fell over while you were running with me. . . I laugh so hard about this!



THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN OUR LIVES!
I don't know what leads ahead of us, but I do know that I cherish every moment in my life with the people around me.
I am so blessed to have wonderful friends, family, and support.
Love you guys! xoxo

9

9 photos to share throughout the 9 years!


A little photo session photographed by my friend from junior high. She is a recent Yale graduate.
Congratulations, Pa Houa! We are all so proud of you! xoxo


Our first weekend get-a-way to the North Shore!! *** Christmas Gift Exchanges, just you and me.


My Best Friend from Junior High and me taking a little trip to visit you at college ;) Fitting the three of us in my little red truck. ** I-zone cameras, it was that long ago, and I still love you!


We did go fishing a lot! Probably three times a week. With the family. With your brother. With friends. With each other. At the pond. At the Lake. Up North. In Iowa. We went.


We took the boys (and my other nieces & nephews) out, a lot! We always had fun!


Through the years and many cameras we've gone through together. . . . and remember how we would write, first and only. . .xoxo

Bye Weekend.

I totally took advantage of your stay. Even though your weather is kind of bipolar. It's okay. Miss you already and can't wait to be with you.

Finally Saturday, we were able to get most of the family together and grill since everyone has been so busy. And Sunday did not feel like a Sunday. First off, the sun wasn't out much to play. However, it was nice that the farmer's market was quiet (but not for the vendors). By noon, I had already gone to the farmer's market, put loads of laundry away and sewn a skirt. Gee, I woke up early! But glad I was able to get a lot accomplished. We were able to stop by B' mom's place in the afternoon for soup galore and a deliciousness dinner at Nate & Andrea's. Lobster on the grill is so good. And ending the night with Netflix! *Sigh. I am longing for the weekend. . .


I think Calypso has fun.


Daddy is having a little too much fun! >_<


These girls woke up early with their mommy to pick me up so we could go to the farmer's market!

Three day weekend is coming up!! Can't wait already. :)

sister lisa

so glad she is photogenic! she gets to wear her cute dresses and i get to snap photos! :) :) i mean, c'mon. . . i have five sisters, at least one should be photogenic, right? regardless, i love all my sisters! xoxo

what a beautiful spring day! it was windy and my dress just would not stay down! luckily, the wind died down and i was able to walk around without worrying about my dress dancing all over.

here are some snap shots i got of lisa at the picnic today!


lisa, you're probably thanking me, but i'm thanking you right back. thank you for letting me be your little shadow and letting me take snip snaps of you without thinking that i'm some sort of obsessed girl with my camera! Heehee. :) :)