Moments 09 21 :: Week 04

Squirrel stalking tag-team. 

The sunsets this fall at re-dunk-ulous! And the Knights soccer team has been killing it. So great having a real season.

The 13th edition - year 2020 - is complete. This is what I do with all of these posts! Definitely a labor of love but so worth it.

Seriously. These two are so demanding! 

I absolutely love having all my guys together again. And nothing heals like some Jewish soup from our local deli. We are all doing fine, but I'm not going to lie, some weeks are better than others, and this was not one of the better ones. We hosted our first soccer team pasta dinner, which was hilarious and super fun. But we also had 1) a school evacuation due to a bomb threat which (terrifying), and 2) a very challenging couple weeks at college. Ya'll, the effect of the past couple years is no joke, and sadly, SLU is suffering as a community after the recent deaths of two students in just a few days. I only say this here, because personally, it's taken me off guard -- but it makes so much sense and we all need to take care of each other. One thing is for sure -- it's been great having Hudson home for a couple days so we can all just take a breather. 

Moments 09 21 :: Week 03

The gang was in town for a concert, and we were thrilled that Chris & Penny wanted to come up a night early to have a nice dinner together. We started at Tied House, then ate at Buckley's. It was a perfect night. And a perfect 22nd anniversary celebration. Loved it.

9/11 memorial at the Deer District. 

Brunch at Fuel Cafe on Sunday. 

I think it's pretty obvious how much we enjoy being together. 

Van Duke got neutered on Monday. He came up pretty loopy and whining. We are supposed to keep him on a leash for 7-10 days outside. That's been pretty interesting. He's been crazy all week. 

Another incredible sunset at Cole's soccer game in Port Washington. They have been absolutely amazing. 

Moments 09 21 :: Week 02

Birthday celebrations at the gym. They really know how to make a person feel special. My birthday buddy's is two days after mine. She's 21 years younger - and pregnant with her first baby. They aren't finding out the sex, but everyone keeps calling it Baby Carol, after one of our other gym friends. So funny.

This is amazing! Our friends Nick & Joelle were in town and fit in a visit! They even spent the night. We haven't seen each other since I'm not sure when. 15 years maybe? Nick & Brian lived together when I met Brian. Then Nick & Joelle lived in the loft (that Brian lived in when I met him) while we lived upstairs from them. It was so great catching up. Can't believe we've let so many years pass by. 

September 10 -- our 22nd anniversary! I'm pretty sure these kids had no idea what they were getting into back then. Pretty proud of the life we've built together. Looking forward to many years and adventures ahead. 

Klassy Kamping 2021 :: The Krew

With the Fair as the background, we got some pretty fantastic family photos this year. Dejan & Zane opted to stay behind, so I had to make due with their spectacular view. I say it every year, but I seriously love this tradition so much. 

(Past Years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010)

Klassy Kamping 2021 :: Day 3

Time to leave. Leif & Melissa had to hit the road bright and early in the morning due to a deadline. The rest of us kind of took our time a bit. Seriously, this was the most perfect camping weekend weather-wise. And we scored our favorite sites yet. Just check out that view from Dejan's! Ours was next door. We had a sliver of that view, but nothing quite like that. Absolutely amazing. After we said our good-byes, we stopped in Madison for lunch. We ended up at Taiwan Little Eats, which totally hit the spot. We came home unloaded, picked up the dogs, and had a nice birthday dinner before we all absolutely crashed. Happy & tired. 

Klassy Kamping 2021 :: Day 2

On the second day, we had breakfast burritos at the Elsmo site, then spent the afternoon at the Iowa County Fair. This was only our family's second time going, and it was an absolute blast. We even caught the Dairy Futurity Show. Yeah, we didn't know what that was either. We thought it was a made up word, but after some Dear Googling, it turns out it is a thing. Fifty cows signed up initially (two years ago), and only 10 remained. The other interesting thing, is the exhibitors get all decked out in formal wear! While my favorite cow didn't win, it was quite something and very fun to see. After we got our fried food fix, some of us headed back, while Graham & the girls stayed for the demolition derby. We met up later for hot dogs roasted over the open fire at Dejan & Zane's site. And happy birthday getting sung to me, since my birthday was the next day. Yep, another birthday celebrated while camping! 

Klassy Kamping 2021 :: Day 1

Per tradition, we spent Labor Day weekend Klassy Kamping. It's always such a great way to end the summer. We figured out that this was our 8th year in a row (we also went in 2010, but took a break for a couple years in between). This year, the original five families were back in attendance, with the Elsmos rocking a pretty incredible RV, and an unplanned appearance by Sophie, who started at Tulane this year, but was evacuated due to the recent hurricane. Cole had a soccer tournament Friday & Saturday, so we were not able to arrive until Saturday night. Unfortunately, it meant we missed a day of canoeing adventures. Everyone pulled up as we were setting up. We loved hearing the stories of their day and catching up. Dinner was at our site. Frito pie! One of our favorites. Such a perfect night. 

Moments 09 21 :: Week 01

My sister had the family out for dinner last weekend. She moved, and this was the first time we got to see her new house. It was a really fun night.

Cole's 17th birthday was Sunday! We decided to try something new, and went to Momo Mee for lunch. Oh my gosh, it was delicious. Soup dumplings, Szechuan Spicy Wontons and Bao. I cannot wait to go back. 

Then for dinner, we went to St. Paul Fish Market! What can I say? Our guy likes to eat. 

He got Crab Legs. I decided to go for the Seafood Boil this time. It was ridiculous. And besides a few stray mussels and Brian helping with some of the shrimp, I ate most of it. 

We came back home and celebrated with ice cream cake -- his annual request. Which kills me because I love baking birthday cakes. It does work out well sometimes though, because August can be HOT. Like this year. After cake, his goofball friends (who had all been on vacation) picked up him and they hung out the rest of the night. 

Wednesday was the first day of school! This is 11th grade - junior year. Insane. Felt great to be starting the year off in person. That's for sure. 

Brian spent a few days in NYC this week. Quite the view I'd say.

And Hudson got to take his first flight! I spy the Arch! He is in a completely different plane than he's used to. That's going to take some time -- but how exciting!