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!