Life Update

Hey-O!  I turned 30, traveled to sunny CA, was in the ER and painted my finger nails since I last posted anything.  I know crazy!  I'm overwhelmed with all of my photos so soon I will get something fresh and exciting on here.  But for now here is a glimpse of my 30th birthday bash with my huz.

Starting the day out right with my FREE Caribou!

A fun surprise from my sweet co-workers!  Dark Chocolate? Yes Please!

Birthday lunch with Robby at Outback - they have a yummy crab appetizer!

An awesome ski after work - the trails were the best all season just for my birthday!

When I got home this was on my doorstep.  There is only ONE person I know who covers a box in colorful printed tape.

Thanks for the treats Mary - you know me so well!  A Bianchi mug?!  I mean seriously.

We wrapped up the night with dinner at the New Scenic Cafe.  

(Yes, frugal Robby took me out to eat twice in one day!!!)

I had the lamb meatloaf and it was "fall off your chair" good.

We topped it off with millefeuille for dessert which means "cake of 1000 sheets"  

It was incredibly good!

Thanks for all of the Birthday wishes.  It feels good to be 30!

Celebrate 60!

We all celebrated dad's 60th birthday this weekend.  A couple siblings celebrated via facebook... which is okay... I guess.

Jill's tribute went a little like... "Happy birthday to my dad; he's still barefoot waterskiing, he loves breathing life into old cars, trucks, and campers, he can plant a row a corn a straight as yard stick, and he makes the most delicious pancakes over an open fire. He's been loving my mom for 40 years and makes having 9 fingers look easy.
Happy 60th, Dad. I count the memories I have chasing elk around Colorado and Montana with you among the most precious in my life. I can't wait to do it again and again until those wapiti know us by our boot prints. I love you, Pa!"  A little sappy if you ask me.  ;)

Alli's competitive spirit kicked in with "Happy 60th Birthday Dad! Jill had to Google how to spell Wapiti, but I've always known how to spell it. Boom who looks like the jerk now!"  I think she wants to be dad's favorite daughter.  But we all know who that is... it's the one who makes a cake.  And not just any cake.  A melt in your mouth Pioneer Woman coffee cake.  Yup.  I did that.  Not that i'm competing for favorite daughter or anything...


Cake with a candle for each decade served on his mom's special Birthday cake platter.

Other hometown happenings...

Fresh caught walleye competition!  Mom cooked her's over the stovetop and dad cooked his in the fireplace.  They were both good... mom's were extra crispy and dad's were bursting with flavor.  I'll let you guess which one was better.

Dutch Blitz!  The new Balgaard game! 

Ice fishing on secret lake!  I could tell you which lake we were fishing but then I would have to kill you.  We wouldn't want that now would we?

Frosty!

We gave a snowman kit to our nieces for Christmas.  I made all of the pieces and then put them in a gift bag and when they opened it they had to figure out what all of the pieces were for.  The snow was definitely not sticky enough to make a snowman but with a little water we were able to make a Frosty.  We danced around Frosty after he was made... because rumor has it that is how he comes alive!  When the girls woke up the next morning the first thing they checked was if Frosty was still there.  So cute! :)

Santa, Is it you?

Santa came to the Balgaard's for Christmas this year.  He looked and sounded strangely like uncle Peter.  We all know it wasn't Peter though because he was definitely in the bathroom (wink, wink).  He thought of a more casual approach... through the door instead of the chimney.  He is so wise these days.

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. 

\

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!