Friends with Babies

I didn't know how to approach this post other than to title it "friends with babies."  This is not a post about Ryan and I having babies (which we are not yet!) instead a post about how excited I am for my friends who are having babies!  It's insane how many cute mamas are out there!  It seems that Ryan and I have been in wedding mode for a while now... 13 last year and 8 this year!  Yikes!  We have enjoyed every single wedding and loved celebrating new love and the new marriages of our friends and family!  And it's clear that babies are the new craze!  

It started when my best friend from college, Allison (remember her?!).  I hosted a baby shower for her back in March with our college girlfriends (affectionately called Carrera Court ladies) and her high school girlfriends and family.  She had baby Austin on June 15, 2012!  I cannot express how happy I am for her and her husband Kyle!  Allison is so good to send me weekly pictures of Austin.  I love seeing him grow and seeing his incredibly expressive faces!  What a cutie right?!  I cannot wait to meet him in a few weeks!

The same day I hosted the baby shower for Allison, our good friends Jon and Lauren announced they are due in November!  We are hosting a baby shower in October for these two- I hope baby boy Hadden doesn't come before the shower!  

And just shortly there after, they started dropping like flies- as Ryan says.  Jason and Kristin (Ryan's college friend) are due about a week before Jon and Lauren.  

My roommate and teammates from college Molly and Carissa are due in September and November respectively!  The best thing about Molly is that she started pinning a ton of things on Pinterest about babies and so I emailed her asking if she was pregnant and she didn't respond for quite a while... I knew it!  AND the best thing about Carissa is she was here for Allison's baby shower and she told Kristin and I that her and her husband Dan were hoping to have a baby soon.  I told her to go take a pregnancy test and she wouldn't!  I knew it for her too!  Love you ladies but you aren't very sneaky!  

My other roommate from college, Amanda had Matthew in July.  

And this last weekend our friends Tim and his wife Ellie welcomed Landon Caleb!

I absolutely love babies- I love baby showers and I love watching my friends enter into this most exciting time in their lives.  When the heck did I get old enough to have friends with babies?!  I don't know- but I love it!  Which friend is going to announce next?!!  

Until next time...

  

Weekend Shenanigans: Mike & Kathryn's Wedding

I cannot adequately put into words how wonderful this last weekend was.  My dear friend Kathryn married her best friend, Mike.  Kathryn and I have been friends since we were 9 years old.  We dove club together at the U of MN.  Kathryn is from Rochester, MN and would drive up several times a week for practice.  In the summers we would room together at diving camp and she would stay with my family for a few weeks at a time so her parents didn't have to drive back and forth so often.  Kathryn left for California after high school to dive at USC.  She met Mike on the diving team and really the rest is history!  I absolutely love Mike!  He is the perfect match for my friend and he makes her happier than anyone could.  It has been so great getting to know Mike thru the years and I so wish they lived closer.

Mike and Kathryn got engaged last May 2011 in Greece.  Shortly there after Kathryn asked me to be a bridesmaid and I gladly accepted.  I really felt honored to be a bridesmaid- I know Kathryn has many wonderful friends and friends that she has gone to school with for years.  I couldn't have been more thrilled to celebrate this incredibly event in her life by her side this weekend.  

We started the weekend really on Thursday with a trip to Ivy Spa at the Ivy Hotel downtown.  With Kathryn's mom, Marti (one of my mom's best friends), and other ladies of the party we ate lunch, drank some wine, and got massages, pedicures/manicures, or soaked in the hot tub.  It was the most relaxing way to start off the weekend!

After the spa, we had Kathryn's bachelorette party!  We had dinner at Rosa Mexicano then proceeded to the pedal pub and then finished the night at Stadium Pizza.  It was a great night- celebrating the bride and having a really fun time with all her girlfriends!

Friday was full of wedding festivities- the bridal luncheon, the rehearsal, the groom's dinner, and the welcome party!  The luncheon was hosted by Kathryn's mom's good friends at the hotel.  Delicious food and it was really fun for all the ladies to get together and celebrate Kathryn.  Then the rehearsal went off without a hitch- perfectly executed and well done.  The Groom's Dinner was at McCormick's downtown.  Mike had the most beautiful speech- of course I cried.  He individually thanked each family member and friend who was part of the wedding and his words for Kathryn were so sweet.  I love knowing one of my best friends is marrying such a great guy.  After a VERY filling dinner, we headed back to the hotel where Kathryn's parents hosted a Welcome Party for all guests attending the wedding- it was unreal!  This was a super smart idea because I think it gave Mike and Kathryn a chance to greet all of their guests without feeling obligated to do a receiving line or walk to each table during the reception.  Once again I was reminded how lucky I am to be part of this special diving family and how blessed we are that we remain wonderful friends.

And then it was wedding day!!  I wish I could describe how perfect and beautiful everything was.  Kathryn's wedding colors were charcoal grey and purple.  It was stunning.  The bridesmaids got ready for most of the early afternoon and then took pictures.  It was fun to be girly and enjoy the last few hours before the wedding with Kathryn, her mom, and all the bridesmaids.  Kathryn has some awesome friends from USC!  I have heard so many stories about them so it was so nice to finally meet them and get to know them.  

Kathryn's a BRIDE!

Then it was on to the ceremony... a gorgeous wedding party, two beautiful readings, a lovely song sung by an old diving coach, beautiful vows, and one hot kiss!  And then they were married...
Mr. and Mrs. Hilde!

The wedding party left to take some more pictures while the guests enjoyed the cocktail hour.  We proceeded into the reception to dine and dance the night away!  We had an absolute blast!  Of course I didn't take as many pictures then as we were having too much fun!

Congratulations Mike and Kathryn!
Cheers!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

We had an awesome day with awesome people!  Today, our company Creative Housing Solutions and Leasing & Management took the day to be away from the office and enjoy a Twins game with lots of friends.  The weather was perfect- in fact, I would say a little hot!  The Twins did not do so well but all in all it was a great day- lots of good food, some sweet drinks, and amazing friends!

Back to work in the morning...

Weekend Shenanigans: Ethan's Wedding and Kristin's Baby Shower

It was a weekend full of celebrations- weddings and babies!  And I loved it!  On Friday, we celebrated my good friend from high school, Ethan's wedding with his new bride, Sarah.  It was a beautiful wedding at Living Word Christian Center.  It was so fun to see all my high school friends and to catch up.  The reception was nice with a delicious dinner and nice speeches.  We finished the night at Cooper's Pub in St. Louis Park over drinks!

Saturday Ryan did a little work on the basement- we have plans to finish it hopefully this fall and I went shopping with my sister, sister-in-law, and nieces.  Ryan and I had a low key night but we of course watched the Olympics.  And I cried when David Boudia won gold on the 10 meter platform!  Such a huge moment for USA Diving!  Way to go David and all of team USA!

And then Sunday after a morning workout, I went to a baby shower for Ryan's really good friend from college, Kristin.  Kristin and her husband Jason got married last November 2011 and are now expecting their baby girl this November.  It was such a cute shower with an adorable bee theme!  Kristin loves bees so it was so appropriate.  Delish food and lots of presents for mom and baby!  Kristin is such a cute preggers lady- hoping I can look the same some day.  A few pictures from the shower to share...

Lots of Pink and Bees!  Perfect for Baby Girl F!  

Cheers to a great week!

Keepin on, keepin on...

It has been such a crazy busy week!  I just realized I haven't even thought about this blog or really much of anything all week.  Work has been very busy!  As Ryan and I get ready for our trip to Europe we have had extra stuff to take care of so that all goes as smoothly as possible when we are away.  So it's just been a lot of extra time spent focused on these little extras.

In addition, Ryan has listed my grandparents house for sale as they are now fully moved in to their new home.  Lots of paper signing, hanging out with my grandparents (which is wonderful), and phone calls to communicate all necessary information to all family members.  

And today, Leasing & Management sponsored a table at the MHA Golf Tournament.  Each table was supposed to have their own theme and to have fun with their sponsorship.  We, or maybe I should say I, decided we were going to do an 80s workout theme.  I will let the pictures speak for themselves- we definitely had fun.  I work with awesome people!

               

 

Just happy to say tomorrow is Friday!  We are really looking forward to celebrating my good high school friend, Ethan's wedding tomorrow and then spend a weekend catching up on house projects and getting some work done without the phone ringing and email blowing up :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Weekend Shenanigans: Birthday Bash and Family Time!

Friday was a low key night- a nice salmon with peach and red pepper salsa dinner while watching the Olympics of course!  Love these Olympics!

Saturday was the big annual Birthday Bash!  My family has 8 birthdays within 4 weeks in our family so we do one big celebration!

The birthdays in order are...

Ryan, July 15

Kari, July 21

Odin (my cousin's son), July 25

Grandma, July 27

Jaxon (my nephew), July 31

Rose (my niece), August 1

Larua (my niece), August 9

Allison (my sister), August 14

Judy and my Mom.... me and Laura

My adorable husband and my even more adorable grandparents

My sister, Allison and my my mom with Gracie

Jaxon with Dupree and Olivia- our suddo niece and flower girl!

My dad grills up some hot dogs and brats, everyone brings a dish to share (so Minnesotan of us!) and then a HUGE birthday cake and ice cream are enjoyed later!  The mound of presents looks similar to Christmas- it's sort of crazy!  The kids were in the water either swimming or fishing most of the day and everyone just enjoyed another day at my parents house at the lake!  What a wonderful place to call home!

Then later that evening I met my girl friends at Cafe Maude for a birthday dinner for Ms. Ally!  It was a delicious dinner- Tracy and I shares some amazing mac and cheese, a steak, some asaparagus, and vino of course!  And then topped it off with some birthday desserts to share!

        

The Birthday Girl and the Ladies... Jess, Ally, Tracy, Katie, Kari, Megan, Mallarie!

Sunday was a low key day around the house- I worked on more sanding of that dresser we are refurbishing.  Ryan did some work, we worked out, and then I did some yard work- weed pulling- you know the fun stuff!

Sunday evening we went headed to St. Paul to hang out with the newlywed Hannays and the in-laws!  We enjoyed homemade flatbread and some vino at their ADORABLE new apartment.  And they have a 6 week old kitten!  She is a cutie!  She is currently nameless so I have a great suggestion- or at least I think it's funny.  Ben & Becca already have a cat named Kitty so I thought they should call this one either Cat or Puppy.  Funny right?!  Anyways, look at how stinkin' cute she is!

                  

 

The cutest new Hannay!

Puppy?!

We finished the evening with a trip to Tavern on Grand!  Delish!  Most everyone ordered walleye of some kind and no desserts here as everyone, well almost everyone, was counting calories after a very filling meal and weekend!  It was a fabulous weekend full of family- we loved it!  

Becca, Ben, Joanie, Dawn, Ross, Ryan and Kari

 Toodles,

My Love for the Olympics

I can't begin to say how much I love the summer Olympics!  

The Olympics brings out my competitive spirit and such strong emotions I can't explain.  I love watching these athletes who have trained their entire lives for this one chance to compete and when they succeed- I cry tears of joy for them and when they fail- I feel just awful for them, a pit in my stomach.  If you know me at all you know I'm emotional.  I cry at just about anything but athletics, competition, and the emotions invested make me a completely wet noodle.

And then the parents of the athletes... now I'm an over-cooked wet noodle.  To see their pride, anxiety, or heartache is so tough.  They have lived and dedicated their every minute to their children and their dream.  It reminds me of my parents and their dedication to me and my diving.  What incredible parents I have!  I could go on and on about stories of their dedication and support for me.  The other evening I was crying while watching Missy Franklin's parents get emotional over her gold medal race, Ryan mentioned that her parents were just like mine.  My dad, probably to this day, believed I could be an Olympian - unfortunately, I never had the heart to dedicate all of my life to such a task but he never doubted or stopped encouraging the talents I had and what the future could have.  And my mom was my biggest cheerleader!  I could always look in the stands at every meet- I don't think she missed one single meet of my diving career, maybe a few in college- and my mom would always have a big smile, give me a thumbs up and I instantly had a burst of confidence fill me.  She always said "fly like an eagle and dive like a dolphin!"  I will always remember those words.  Parents of athletes, live and dye with their every competition.  It's so much harder to sit in the stands, have no control of the competition, and watch your child put it all on the line.  It's straight up emotional!

Who can forget Michael Phelps' mom after the Olympics in Beijing?

His poor mom- what a rollercoaster!!

The Olympics has consumed our house every night.  Ryan and I enjoy all the action and it has made my bedtime much later!  And the best is that we aren't even half way thru the Olympics!  We have several nights ahead to continue watching!  Yay!