It's beginning to look a lot like...

Merry Christmas to the only Mary (Christmas) I know.

Yep, I've still got it...

P.S. Who said you will never wear a bridesmaid dress twice??

These Days.

Pictures of life these days.

Mom & Gavin

Crafting!

Born to hunt.

 Sam cooking the Turkey.

Don't worry - it was delicious.

A preview of how we all felt after Thanksgiving dinner...

.

The Thanksgiving craft gift from the kiddos.  It's really hard to get everyone looking these days.

My Thanksgiving project.  Nothing is more delightful than a cup of coffee and puzzle on a cold windy day.

Uncle Duke - getting his apple fix.

Burgundy Mushrooms - yes, these cooked all day.  I must say "Dan" Devine!

 Crockpot Almonds.  

A cute Bridesmaid invite.

Thanksgiving table art.

Sweet Keira & Grandma Bebe.  Feeding Lucy. 

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Keira getting an early start on chores.

The Thanksgiving hunt.

We walked through ALOT of this.  (it wasn't fun).

A preview to my Christmas gift crafts (don't look too close)... 

I could craft skype with Mary... for hours & hours & hours.

You had me at aruuuuuuugala!

A few nights ago I made Fig-Prosciutto & Arugala pizza.  It was AMAZINGLY tasty.  Most of the ingrediants were in the Super One coupon book this week so I decided to give it a try.  When Robby asked what I was making he said "did you just say FIG with and "F"???  And I was like ummmmm no I definitely said PIG with a "P".  Somehow that was okay with him and he went on eating the pizza.  He loved it!

HERE is the recipe from the lovely Pioneer Woman!

Singin' in the Rain!

Last night we went to Singing in the Rain at the Duluth Playhouse and it was amazing!!  I don't think you could possibly see that musical without walking away with a huge smile on your face.  It even rained on the stage... so cool!!

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/251169/

Advent Conspiracy

Christmas was meant to celebrated, not regretted.  I LOVE Christmas, but it makes me sad when I realize how commercial it has become. This year let's worship fully, spend less, give more & love all!  I love this.... and what a fabulous reminder as we kick off the Christmas season!

Click HERE for the Advent Conspiracy website.

Don't give in to the deals that are not really deals...

SHOP LOCAL & SMALL BUSINESSES TOMORROW.

This is such a drag.

There I got that out of my system.

Happy Thanksgiving Dontcha Know!

Lefse making pre-sunrise.  It's looking to be a GREAT day.

Karley's Blend

I love coffee.  It's a fact.  I used to think I was cool and only drink it in the winter but that didn't last long.  The best part of waking up in the morning... a freshly ground perked cup of coffee.  Ahhhhh.  I prefer perked coffee over dripped... but maybe it's all the same.

I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THIS!

Roasting Coffee from Gabriel Rodriguez on Vimeo.

Beware... you may be getting "Karley's Blend" for Christmas...

Humble.

So we are going through a series at church studying 1st John.  Last night I came across this verse "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

All I could think of was... humble??  Dontcha know...

And when I googled this quote I also found this (which makes it double hard for Mary since she fits into both categories).

Something to work on I guess ;)

Celebrate!

Robby's 30!  Whoohoo!  We are celebrating tomorrow night by going to the much anticipated Banff Film Festival World Tour!  YESSSSS! 

He got trail running shoes, a backpacking hammock & a camping book for his Birthday and he was so excited.  Awww my outdoorsy boy.  I love him.  I'm sorry i've been bad at taking pictures lately but here's the BFF trailer! Enjoy.

If I were...

...at Mary's Halloween party tonight I would dress up as...

An Owl.

A perfect amount of weird...

When Jill first told me her boyfriends name was Swan I thought that was the wierdest name I had ever heard.  I think I went a few days before I figured out that was just a nickname.  Turns out Swan turned out to be the perfect amount of weirdness for Jill.  Congratulations to Jill & Swan who will be tying the knot... I couldn't be more happy for you two!

Yes, I did creep the face for this beauty...

L is for Lily!

Happy Happy Happy Birthday to the most beautiful five year old I know... Miss Lily!  She is smart, creative, gorgeous, loves her brother, and is so incredibly funny.  She keeps you on your toes, is full of joy & always finds a way to compliment others.  Happy Birthday Sweet Lily... I love being your Auntie!

These girls LOVE being your Aunties too!

Grace is the God who stoops

Erin & I went to the Women of Faith conference in St. Paul... and to our surprise we weren't the only 20 something's there (yes, I'm still a twenty something!).  The weekend was spiritually refreshing, full of inspiring messages and lot's and lot's and lot's of laughing.  All of the speakers were incredible but my MOST favorite was Max Lucado... I've read his books and heard his daughter speak but this was the first time hearing him.  He spoke on "Grace" with Scripture from John 8:1-11 where Jesus wrote in the sand "Grace happened here".  We actually don't know what he wrote but I like that guess!  If you haven't read John 8... read. it. now.  It's beautiful and a wonderful reminder that we need God's grace daily no matter what our sin...
Grace.  It's beautiful.  It comes from a relentless God. When grace happens generosity happens.  It's an undeserved favor.  More than we deserve.  Greater than we can imagine.  Grace is the God who stoops and get's eye level with us and meets us exactly where we are.  I can't wait to read his book "Grace"!

The worship band

Justin Beiber's mom sharing about how God brought her through a teen pregnancy.. cool lady!

Mr. Max Lucado praying for our great Country

 - painted by an artist hands - beautiful 

Our first born son... errr I mean our new sponsor child Eric from Rwanda!

Erin & I enjoying a fine Italian treat... a Cannoli!  Worth every calorie.

Here's to a Healthy Heart!

Robby & I walked in the Northland Heart walk a few weeks ago.  After a ton of genetic testing which proved that i'm at a high risk for heart disease & stroke, living a healthy lifestyle has never been so important to me!  The American Heart Association is definitely an organization that I believe in and is making a big difference through educating children, families & professionals around the Northland.  This year I led our Ferguson team to raising over $3,000 (the 2nd place fundraising team at the event!).

Robby & I walked in memory of our Grandpa's who both suffered strokes.

Another reason to love JOE!

Joe is my boss.  I know i've mentioned multiple times on my blog how blessed I am to have him as a boss.  I will literally cry for weeks the day he retires.  He is the most genuine, compassionate and generous boss i've ever known.  He makes going to work a pleasure, which takes a rare kind of boss and is why our turnover is so low and many associates have been there for 20+ years.  Because of him Robby & I get to enjoy Duluth's fine arts events for free a few times a year (he just gave us tickets to a play and the symphony is just around the corner!).  One pretty sweet thing about Joe is he knows how to keep a girl happy... chocolate & flowers! :)

Friday's day brightener was a dozen roses for each girl in the building!  The best part was the money he spent on the flowers went right back into the community.

The one disappointing thing about Joe is that he is a Packer fan.  And not just any old Packer fan... a devoted (with all of his heart) Packer fan.  Everyone has been joking with him about the horrible call a few weeks back when the Packers lost... here he is strangling a Vikings fan.

A lovely country wedding...

Last weekend was the much anticipated wedding of Ashley & Elijah!  It was a lovely day and a lovely weekend for a farm wedding.  What the Ohren family is able to accomplish in a short amount of time always amazes me... that coupled with the ingenuity of a Hokanson = priceless.  They planned the most lovely farm wedding in just a few short months.  Everything was perfect, beautiful, breathtaking and just so dang cute.  Here are some of my favorite pics!

Waiting for his bride.

The elk tent can be a classy warming shelter... I promise.

Two sweet girls VERY excited for the big day 

Since I was having major video camera break down during the real thing I only managed to get this shot during rehearsal.  Jill and Swan rocked it on "I will be here" by Steven Curtis Chapman.  Shawn's beautiful guitar playing brought tears to Elijah's eyes (no sarcasm there).

 I thought the elk tent was the most lovely touch to this country wedding.  It was extra cute while serving an excellent purpose (warmth!)... and maybe the only time you could call the elk tent "cute"!

Shots into the sun don't always turn out but I LOVE this picture of Justin & his daughter Keira.  SWEET with a capital S!

In Robby's words "Gary, the nicest man you will ever meet"... giving his one and only daughter away.

Just Married!

Robby & I on the people mover

The Balgaard family... it's hard to get them all looking (ahem... SAM!) 

My little man.  He's probably the most ambitious little man I know.

These are probably the most efficient ushers I know... they made sure everyone had the perfect spot for the ceremony.  And they are pretty charming brothers too...

 Robby thought that since he didn't get a cupcake at our wedding he deserved FIVE at Ashley's.  This is no joke my friends.

The Happy Couple! 

My beautiful sisters. 

Jill... making everyone laugh about how basketball & coon hunting will be an interesting mix...

Sisters!

Everyone is showing off their best move here... Lily took it to the ground.

CUTE!

Lily is the best twirler in town.  She's got some brilliant dance moves as well.

And last but not least... I bet you can't guess what dance this is!! :)

Congratulations to Ashley & Elijah!  Wishing you many many many years of happiness! Cheers!