Weekend Shenanigans

After a really busy and long week Friday was a nice relaxing evening.  On my drive home from work I was thinking of all the places I wanted to order food from instead of cooking.  When I got in the door it was like Ryan completely read my mind and shortly we were off to Scotty B's to grab dinner.  We brought dinner to my parents house, with Dupree of course, so we could enjoy the lake and spend some time with family.  My Uncle Clarence and Aunt Jill are in town this week from Montana- helping my mom get my grandparents ready for their move.  On Friday we were able to enjoy some time with them, eat good food, watch the Olympic Trials (LOVE the Olympics), and catch up on life in Montana.

(The latest picture I have with Jill and Clarence from our wedding)

And let's compliment on how well they coordinated 

with everything on that day- did you two plan that?!

Then Saturday morning- Ryan and I had all good intentions of going kayaking- but a broken sprinkler system and some required house cleaning kept us home for a better portion of the day.  I am so lucky to have a handyman husband!  He can fix just about anything- if he doesn't know how to fix it, he'll at least give it a good try!  Of course, he fixed the sprinkler system and now our lawn can get a good soaking on these ridiculously hot days!

In the afternoon, I attempted to start an overhaul project on an old dresser my sister-in-law gave us.  It's a great dresser, in good condition... it just needs a little face lift.  Ryan and I have decided to stain it charcoal grey and we've bought some snazzy new knobs to spruce it up!  Here is the start of the project- removal of current knobs and the beginning stages of sanding.  In the 90 degree heat on Saturday, I only completed 3 drawers.  I would love to have this project done by the end of August!  I'll keep you posted!

My helpful husband explaining everything we have to do 

to make this dresser match the vision in my head!

Then Saturday night we had my family over for a pizza dinner!  It was great to spend some more time with my aunt and uncle!  I so wish they lived here or that we saw them more often!  5 pizzas got devoured by 10 people and then we topped it off with a little frozen key lime pie!  Have you tried this stuff?  It's SO good!

On Sunday, Ryan had some work to do so he was working with clients most of the day but I got to relax and enjoy some time with two of my favorite ladies, Ally and Tracy!  I have been good friends with these girls since high school... in fact Ally was my personal attendant and Tracy did a reading at our wedding.

(Of course a wedding pic is needed here too)

Anyways, the girls and I met at my parents house for some kayaking, lunch, and floating on the lake.  It was so good to catch up with these girls and to spend some much needed time together.  My brother's family came over too to spend time at the lake and with all the guests at home, we ended up with 4 dogs... small, medium, large, and x-large.

Dupree, Chad, Gracie (my mom's golden retriever) and Calypso (my brother's great dane).

Chad, Ally's puppy and Dupree are brothers... could they be any different size wise?!  Chad is 15 lbs. and Dupree is a strong 6 lbs.  The brothers will be celebrating their 1st birthday this week on July 5th!  

We finished the weekend with a delicious birthday dinner for Ross, Ryan's step-dad!  Steak, potatoes, onions, salad, bread... and a little cheese cake too (Ross's favorite)!  We enjoyed drinks on the porch, cooking in the kitchen, and hot coffee in the AC later.  Happy Birthday Ross!  

 A family picture from Ben and Becca's wedding.  Just thought I better introduce you to the people I will blog about since you aren't familiar yet with each other.  On the right are my in-laws, Dawn and Ross.  And next to me is Ryan's grandma Joanie- never say grandma, just Joanie!

  

My Grandparents... the perfect couple!

Meet the world's best grandparents ever... Norval and Alpha!  My grandpa and grandma have been married for 65 years and still seem like high school sweethearts!  It's true- they flirt with each other, they just adore one another, and they are ridiculously cute... it can make you sick!

I feel beyond blessed to call these two my grandparents; they have played a huge role in my life.  When I was little I thought everyone had grandparents like mine but the older I got, the more I realized I had a special and unique relationship with my grandparents.  I spent a lot of time at their house growing up- sleepovers on the weekends and it was always a treat when they would stay at my house when my parents were out of town!  

The bond I share with my grandpa is very special.  Everyone says I'm really a "Grandpa's girl."  And I know it.  My grandpa did everything with me- he took me sledding, played pool, went on the rides at Camp Snoopy with me when I was little, put together hundreds of puzzles with me, took me kite flying, let me sleep in his lap... just to name a few!  I really thought all grandpas were just like mine- I had no idea how amazing my grandpa was that he invested so much time into our relationship.  Just this past year my grandpa encountered some major health challenges- a pacemaker, a heart attack, and gall bladder surgery.  It was devastating to watch him suffer and hard to see my grandma hurt so much too.  I spent the night in the hospital with him (along with Ryan) and I just prayed for healing and I thanked God for the blessing my grandpa is in my life.  Ryan likes to refer to me sometimes as a wet noodle- I get over emotional and just crumble sometimes- this was one of those times!  I simply love my grandpa beyond words.

And then there is my grandma... what a beautiful woman with a heart of gold.  How many granddaughters have a grandma who prays for them every day of their life- never missing a single day?!  That's my grandma- she (along with my mom) is the strong prayer warrior in my life!  Beyond her prayers though, just like Grandpa, she invested so much time into my childhood- endless games of cards, pedicures after baths, and I clearly remember getting to use Grandma's roll on perfume after pedicures- I thought I was so important and special!  Picnics, sewing lessons, sugar cookies, nature walks, shopping at the Burnsville Center... all made up the very fun times at Grandma's house.  Although I'm twenty-five now, my grandma and I still hang up the phone weekly and say "bye" and then making the kissing sound like we're together and giving each other a kiss on the cheek and then we make a "squeeze" sound- like we just gave each other a tight hug!  

In the next few weeks my grandparents will be moving to a senior living community just a few minutes from my house- I am beyond excited to have them close by and to be able to spend more time with them.  These two have set quite the example of a perfect marriage and it is something Ryan and I strive for all the time.  Even if we could be half the married couple my grandparents are- we would be pretty dang happy!  So it will be good to see them more often and learn from their example as Ryan and I are still newlyweds - just figuring out this married thing!

One more picture to share... I will forever cherish this picture...

The Start of Something Fun

This is officially my first blog post and this is also the fifth time I have started this post!  I have considered blogging for a while now and never knew what I wanted to say or if I had anything insightful to say.  But whether people read this or not, I think it's a really fun way to record the daily happenings of our little family- You (Ryan), Me (Kari), and Dupree (most adorable puppy ever)!

I sat at coffee yesterday with a good friend and I told him I wanted to blog- he understood my dilemma of what to write as he is considering blogging as well but not sure what to say either.  As we discussed our blogging futures I determined that the start of this might be shaky but I'll learn as I go and it's a journey right?!  I'm not sure how often I'll post but I'm sure I'll get in a rhythm.  Life is full and busy now- working, coaching, nesting in our home, keeping up with friends, and enjoying our families as much as we can!

So this is the first official post of You, Me and Dupree!
Welcome and Love- Kari