olivia's 2nd birthday party pics!

happy birthday, stephanie!

Happy Birthday, Stephanie! My oldest and dearest friend! You are an amazing woman, wonderful mother and incredible friend.  

I am so blessed to have you in my life. 

love it

I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit.
-Dawna Markova

I stumbled across this quote at Enjoying the Small Things.  Her blog is fantastic, incredibly inspiring.  What an amazing mom with two angel girls.  Read it if you need an ounce of perspective or a good kick in the rear to get you going.

happy birthday, lulu!

Olivia Marie, how are you 2 years old already?!? Where has the time gone?  I remember holding you the day you were born, you were just perfect and nothing has changed. :)  Thank you for making me an auntie for the first time.  I love you so much.  You melt me heart every time I see your silly smile or hear your crazy laugh.  I will always be here for you, little Lulu.  Happy 2nd Birthday, beautiful girl.

you give me everything i need...

It's been a rough transition from day shift to nights...I come home each morning and collapse into a cozy made bed, my jammies laid out,  and sweet notes tucked into my pillow.   I am so blessed to have everything I need in my amazing husband.

little inspirations

The quote maven in me decided that our house could use a little inspiration for the start of the new year.  It's borderline Stuart Smalley SNL Daily Affirmations ("I'm good enough, I'm smart enough and doggone-it people like me") but I love it.  It keeps us grounded and our heads on straight.   Here's our little pick-me-ups courtesy of Henry David Thoreau and HH the 14th Dalai Lama:

Thought it'd be nice to put one smack dab on Dan's easel so he can be inspired to keep painting!

What are some of your favorite quotes?  

stacey & kendall's wedding

What a PARTY!!!!!!!  Stacey was the most gorgeous bride EVER!  Kendall was such a handsome fellow. The whole wedding was gorgeous from the table arrangements to the candy bar to the ice sculpture/martini bar.  Stacey left no detail untouched and her artistic eye was all over the planning of this amazing event!  We danced all night like idiots and then rung in the new year with so many of our favorite people in the world.  It was so fun to count down to 2011 and hug and kiss everyone.  (Most folks were extra huggy kissy since the booze was flowing like a river...we made lots of new best friends.) :0)  Stacey and Kendall, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.  You are such a special person, so loving, artistic, hilarious and kind.  You and your sister are two of my favorite people in the entire universe and when we get together, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than laughing with you girls.  You are an incredible couple and so perfect together.  Hope you have SO much fun in Hawaii.  Can't wait to see you again soon and see the wedding pictures.  We love you guys!

blog catchup: Christmases!

We had a very lovely Christmas with our wonderful families! We laughed, ate too much and all in all, had a relaxing time with those we love so dearly.  Christmas Eve we had lunch with Chris and Brenna, in from the Twin Cities.  It was so nice to catch up with our old pals.  Chris is kicking ass in law school and Brenna is just basically kicking ass at life.  She's a doll and we love them so much!  We spent Christmas Eve night with the Merks at Wesley and the annual party at the Lindgrens.  Christmas Day we went by Kiki & Kathy and had a great time with the family.  Grams was as cute and crazy as ever.  We are so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives.  We are grateful!

Merry Christmas!  We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!