details of August

+ Evie reading books with Uncle Tim
+ early morning fishing excursion/sunrise cruise on Booth Lake in Wisconsin
+ wakesurfing!
+ sistahs fo ev-ah
+ at home for my birthday and a homemade birthday peach pie
+ chowing down on my birthday meal - sweet corn, grilled burgers, baked beans, and homemade pickles
+ a major grating session with all the zucchini I got from mom. so pumped to pull it out in the dead of winter and make something delicious.

other things from august:
+ I hit the third trimester of my pregnancy. yeah, baby!
+ bought this album
+ discovered this awesome product, immediately added it to the birthday list, and unwrapped it just a few days ago. thanks Tim!
+ started reading this book and am loving it.
+ cleared out the room that will become the nursery in preparation for a fresh coat of light gray paint
+ currently in the midst of one of the hottest streaks in Minnesota's history. the thermometer on my computer at work today read 103. woah.
+ Tim started a new semester and year of grad school.
+ bought tickets to see these guys at the end of September.
+ made this and didn't regret it. seriously, so good.

all decked out

Remember our awesome nasty mud pit that was filled with rock, smashed concrete, and faded wiffle balls? It has been replaced by a gorgeous cedar deck!

Tim has worked so hard on this project and this past weekend he got a little help from his dad and brother. By Saturday night, we were eating our pulled pork sandwiches on the deck, admiring their hard work. All that's left to do is put a few more pieces on the step, stain, and add some landscape rock around the outer edge.

using a lot of brain power to get the step to come out just right

Bucket hat Bob preparing a custom piece of wood for the step

Zach, the one who put in nearly every single screw on the floor boards. Bravo.

carrot cake leftover from Tim's pre-birthday supper last night

p.s. Happy birthday, Tim. I love you more and more each day, and am so excited to make you a dad. You're the best.

miss south dakota

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I LOVE surprises. I seriously can't get enough of them! I love being on both the receiving and the giving end. And this past weekend, we pulled off a surprise party that has been in the making for about 25 years. It all started when my mom turned 21 and her BFF Tara kidnapped her, blindfolded her, drove her around, and had a big surprise birthday for her. Since then my mom has been patiently waiting and planning on "revenge," and since Tara has a milestone birthday coming up, mom thought it would be the perfect opportunity.

So to Platte we went, hauling everything you need to make a party for a past beauty pageant queen complete - hot pink streamers, sashes, rhinestones, and crowns. With the help of another friend, we had the whole evening planned, from snacks to games to gifts. By total chance, we even got one of Tara's pageant dresses that I wore for part of the night. It was hysterical. And she was SO surprised!

What a fun night to celebrate one of the most important women in my life. Tara, you are one of my most self-less, giving people I know. You make everyone around you feel special and important. I cherish all the road trips and late night conversations (and dessert plates!) we've had over the years. I am very blessed to have you in my life. Love you and happy birthday!

The invitation I designed for the party.

Surprise!

So many fun women in one place.

"Tara's 50 - let's show her some support!"

lately...

I spent the Labor Day weekend (which also happens to be our anniversary weekend) at home while Tim was fishing/camping up north. Romantic, I know. And you probably shouldn't even ask about our anniversary supper. Let's just say it involved a messy house, an empty fridge, a local burger joint, and the curb. Yep, keeping the love alive.

Being home, though, was really nice. I always love going home, where everything and everyone is familiar; driving past endless fields of corn and beans; the smell of the country. My long weekend consisted of:

• morning coffee dates with mom on the deck every morning
• a high school football game
• reuniting with my second family (Ericksons - that's you!)
• celebrating Mandy's birthday
• buying new shoes
• sleeping in
• watching a Twins game
• canning garden produce (more on that later)
• evening walks down the gravel road
• family hike around Camden State Park
• reading this excellent article about marriage and friendship