Surprise

We are having a baby! I am due June 23rd and we are very excited. It is exciting now that everyone else finally knows too! We told our immediate family on Christmas Eve and grandparents on Christmas Day. With our aunts, uncles, & cousins finding out at our family Christmas celebrations. I think most everyone was surprised and excited, but the best reaction award goes to my sister. If only I would have asked Travis to video tape them opening their presents. There was screaming, jumping, running, an "I love you", hugging, an "I hate you", hitting, and then crying so I'm pretty sure she is excited. The "I hate you" came only because I haven't been sick, except 1 afternoon and I'm due 2 weeks before she is.

Coming back to Missouri for Thanksgiving and not letting the cat out of the bag was especially difficult since Jessi is expecting also, but I have been lucky that I haven't been very sick. I was nauseous a lot in the beginning, but just had to eat all the time to keep something in my stomach. Poor Jason has been doing all the cooking- even making me toast first thing in the morning.

I will post more when we make it back to Minnesota, including pictures from Christmas. Jason & I have been having a great Christmas break (minus being sick all day Monday) and are so thankful we decided to stay this extra week.

Even Better News

We are going to be back in Missouri for a week and a half! Instead of driving back to MN on the 28th we decided to stay in Missouri for a while longer. Since I have the week off from work Jason decided to talk to his boss and is not going to work that week either. We are excited that we will be able to stay longer and get a chance to hang out more with everyone. Our first 4 days consist of us "running" from one Christmas to another so it is exciting to have some relaxing time back in good ole MO!

This weekend the weather is a little chilly. We left for church this morning and when we got there realized we should listen to the radio once in a while because it had been cancelled. We needed to run to the store anyway so we got our groceries and found Jason a shovel so he could clean off our steps at the apartment. The bank sign said -4, but we have been downgraded to a Winter Storm Warning instead of Blizzard Watch so things are looking up.

We were going to take our gifts back to MO and open them on Christmas morning, but after sitting around in our cozy apartment all day yesterday we decided to have our Christmas. I got some nice shirts that I'm thankful to have before we head back for Christmas- they will take up less space in my suitcase and now I know I have clothes to wear!

Today we are watching football, making chocolate covered pretzels and packing for our extended vacation in Missouri. I know it is "cold" back home, but Jason & I have agreed it isn't cold unless it is below 0 so enjoy your "warm" weather. Hopefully the ice will be gone by the time we get there and it will be even warmer than it is there now.

Good News

I just talked to Jason and after talking with his boss this afternoon he will not be working on Wednesday or Friday next week (even though the business will be open). Luckily, his boss was generous enough to let him have those days off even though he doesn’t have any vacation days to use. We are very thankful that we will be able to travel back to MO on the 23rd and be back the entire weekend! We will be leaving after Jason gets home from work Tuesday night and arrive in MO around 2 am! I am home from work for the day and only have to go back for my Christmas party on Tuesday next week from 8-2 so I am done with work for the year! Yippee!!

By the way, for those of you not already counting only 5 days till Santa Clause comes! I had a phone call this afternoon to remind me- thanks Andi!! But I may be even more excited with the countdown of 4 days until we leave for MO!!!

We are expecting blizzard conditions this weekend so we will probably be stuck at home. Oh well, I think I will spend most of my time packing and getting ready for our trip home anyway!

Brrrr!!!!!

I didn't go outside at all today and I am not looking forward to leaving for work tomorrow morning. According to weather.com....

Right Now for Redwood Falls, MN Snow and Windy -7 F Feels like -35 F!

I didn't realize it even got that cold! I guess things are looking up for us later this week... (for a while at least)

Here is our 7 Day Forecast

Thank goodness we are headed back to Missouri for Christmas- I would like a white Christmas, but really just want to thaw out a little!!!

Oh Christmas Tree

Our trip back to Missouri for Thanksgiving was great. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures while we were hanging out with everyone. Jason was successful on his hunt in Illinois and I had fun getting to visit with my co-workers from last year. We stuffed ourselves at each of our Thanksgivings and had a looong trip back to Minnesota. The weather was not very good and the roads through Iowa were pretty bad and traveling was slow. We ended up spending the night in northern IA and drove the last 3 hours home on Monday morning. The total driving time for the trip back was around 11 hours. What fun!! Hopefully the weather won't be like that for us when we are traveling for Christmas.

Jason's doe from Illinois

We don't really have room in our apartment for a big tree and I didn't want to dig through the warehouse at work to find our Christmas decorations so my mom let us borrow one of her "Charlie Brown" trees. We decorated it and now our presents (what few we have) are underneath. Don't worry these are just our presents to each other...I got all of our shopping done on Black Friday and wrapped before we left Missouri so they are all stashed away at my mom's house. Hopefully no one is snooping! And it isn't your eyes playing tricks on you, our wrapping paper is pink and orange. I left the wrapping paper at mom's and have tons in storage- so instead of buying more Christmas wrapping paper I used what we had in our closet. Of course the only thing we had was the leftovers from our wedding....I guess it was time to use that paper up anyway. So yes, we have a smaller than usual tree and different colored wrapping paper than most people, but we definitely have snow and cold weather!

We have been counting down the days until Christmas for quite some time now. Jason will hopefully find out for sure this week his work schedule and if he has to work Christmas Eve. We are hoping to leave on the 23rd and arrive in MO late that night. (We are keeping our fingers crossed that Jason doesn't have to work the 24th!) And our days are chock full of Christmases. I can't wait to see everyone and spend time with our family again.

Today we were under a severe winter weather watch for all of today and into tomorrow so we have been hanging out at home and we actually made some chocolate covered pretzels and peanut butter crackers. I can't promise anyone will get to try them because they might be all gone by the end of this week. Hope everyone is staying warm and is ready for Christmas- only 11 days!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This past weekend was opening weekend of gun season (for deer) in Missouri. We were not planning on driving back and Jason wasn't going to hunt in MO this year, but Friday morning we were both not doing much at work and we decided about noon that we would pack up and head back. After running around to pack everything we got on the road and actually made it back to MO at a decent time. Jason got to hunt all day Saturday, with only a 20 minute lunch break, and I got to hang out with Jessi, Andi, & TJ. We went to the soup & sandwich lunch at my mom's church and then watched Simba (The Lion King). When Jason finally got in that night we headed to his mom & dad's for supper to hang out with his mom, dad, & the rest of the family. Sunday Jason hunted until 10:30 or so when he killed his doe. After lunch he took the deer and the gun back to Shelbina and then we left for MN around 2:30. The trip back to MN always seems to take so much longer and we are usually tired so when we got back around 11:30 we both were exhausted and only partially unloaded the Escape.

I am happy to say we finally unloaded the rest of it last night- which is good because Jason will reload somethings tonight and the rest tomorrow as we are heading to Illinois for him to hunt on Friday and Saturday. I am heading back to Centralia, where I worked last year, to hang out with my old co-workers and on Saturday we are traveling back to MO. I get to stay in Missouri all next week as I took some vacation days. Jason, however, has to make the trip back to MN Sunday night so he can work Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday before making another drive back to MO Wednesday night for Thanksgiving. Poor guy- I told him if he was really tired I could ride back with him so he didn't have to drive alone, but he said he will be good. I'm glad because I'm not sure what I would do with three days off in Minnesota!!! Maybe go crazy.

We hope to see everyone over Thanksgiving and I'm not sure if I will blog any more before December so HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL (and don't eat too much turkey)!!!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Last weekend and the first part of this week were unseasonably warm. We actually went to the polls on Tuesday without a jacket as it was in the low 70s. The predictions for the rest of the week were for the temperatures to drop and possibly have snow over the weekend. It rained all day Thursday, but wasn't too cold. Low and behold Friday morning when I went outside to leave for work there was 4 inches of snow on the Escape that I had to brush off! It snowed until noon and then turned to rain as the temperatures rose to 33 and most of the snow was gone that night. When we woke up on Saturday it had snowed another inch or two and the high for the day was 27 . Today we can't get our windows open to let any fresh air in because they are frozen shut. It is supposed to warm up this week though and be in the 40s later in the week. I'm not sure that is really warming up, but I think the cold weather is here to stay. I have already been playing Kenny Chesney's Christmas CD (not when Jason is around) and am getting in the Christmas spirit and it isn't even Thanksgiving yet! I guess snow and below freezing weather has that effect on me!

Jason took this Friday morning before leaving for work Another picture Friday morning, looking across the rooftop

Yesterday afternoon Jason & I went to Mankato shopping. I was surprised at how busy the town was especially since it was opening day of shotgun season (for deer) or maybe that is why it was so busy! It was pretty cold out too and some of the roads were nasty. We saw a couple of vehicles in the ditch on our way there and had to drive slow on our way home because of ice on the road. I did take some pictures on the way there so here are a few more of our first snow of the season!

My work Saturday afternoon

That is standing corn out in the field.

Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but the wind is blowing like crazy- I don't think it ever stops! Yesterday the high was 27, but with the windchill it was 16. Oddly enough, people don't think that is cold yet- I can't wait to see what they do call cold!

Our trip started out to do some shopping for Christmas, but we weren't successful with that. We made a total of four purchases, all for us, and one of them was dinner at Applebee's. I guess I am going to have a lot to do on Black Friday!

Where did October go?

I can't believe it is already November! It is crazy how fast time flies anymore. As some of you have pointed out to me I have been slacking on getting our blog updated- asking if we are really that boring and that busy- October was a little bit of both!

Jason worked all day, so after cleaning both rooms, I spent some time creating these new posts! I will try to do a better job of updating- with or without pictures. Here is a recap of our blogless month.

Mizzou Homecoming!

Last weekend we traveled back to Missouri for Homecoming. We were very excited to get back and to be able to see the Tigers play in Columbia! A big reason we traveled back for Homecoming was for Kyle as he was selected for the Homecoming Steering Committee. Thankfully Jason & I were able to leave work a little early and get on the road a little after 5:00. We arrived at my mom & dad's house at 1:30 and had to do some laundry because Jason had no clean jeans. Sadly, this probably doesn't surprise many of you since Jason & I always seem to be running late and disorganized!

Anyway, with clean jeans and a few hours of sleep we left for Columbia the next morning at 6:00am for the big parade. It was actually my first time to go to the Homecoming parade. We had a good time watching it with Travis, Jessi, Andi, TJ, & Stephanie. Kyle found us after the parade and then we met up with mom & dad at Lonestar (Kyle got to choose-since it was his big day) for a great lunch! Game time was a few hours away, but luckily with all the activities that got to attend mom & dad had a room at the Stoney Creek Inn and we all headed there to hang out for a few hours. After the kids (and Jason & dad) napping a little we headed back to campus. We got to see the Eckler clan at their tailgate as they were cleaning up and to see a few people at the CAFNR Alumni tailgate before we headed into the game. It wasn't a very exciting game, but it was nice to see the Tigers win!

After the game we headed to Shelbina, to Jason's mom & dad's house, where we got to see everyone Sunday for lunch and hang out with them before heading back to Minnesota Sunday afternoon. It was good to see everyone and spend a weekend in Missouri. We are already counting the days until Thanksgiving!

Jason & TJ at the paradeJason & I before the game mom & dad before the game Mom, Dad, TJ, & Andi excited for the game Kyle & Stephanie Jason & I at the beginning of the game Kyle, Mom & Dad watching the game (or rather posing for a picture during the game)

Fall Foilage

Upon a recommedation from Jessi (she got it from The Morning Show I think) we decided to drive around and look at the fall colors as they were in their prime for the state of Minnesota. I know we sound like old people, but we took off driving that afternoon and had a good time. Jason hand't ever been to Marshall (west of RWF) so we took off in that direction- we saw harvesting, but there aren't many trees in SW MN so we didn't get to see many trees. I had the map and tried to get Jason to keep driving west once we got to Marshall- we were only another 45 minutes or so away from South Dakota and I wanted to go there, but he caught on to my plan and headed south. I found Camden State Park on the map so decided to check it out. I think we missed the prime time by a week or so, but we still had fun and got to see the park. It was really nice and we walked a couple of trails, saw a deer, and I took lots of pictures.

Getting ready to head out on our drive

Many of the trees had already lost their leaves, but it was still a beautiful day at the park

One of our many poses together- thanks to the rock that held the camera! Jason checking out the scenary after using the stepping stones to get across the little creek

This was not a posed picture- Jason seriously almost fell walking back

Jason absolutely loved posing for my picture requests.

I am a little clumsy and Jason was nervous when I walked out of the rocks- I almost slipped, but only once!

A lake that was actually for swimming and had a "beach" on the other side Our poses together were based on wherever I could find an object to sit the camera, set the timer, and make it to where Jason was standing. They didn't turn out too bad though.

Jason playing in the leaves.

We had a great time in the park- we saw many people out having picnics and family gatherings- it was such a beautiful day. It was a nice break from work and a relaxing Sunday afternoon! Thanks for the activity suggestion Jessi!

Here are a few pictures on our way home of the scenary. This picture shows just how many trees there are in southwest Minnesota.

MU vs Texas

After a disappointing loss to OSU- I was positive the Tigers would pull through and upset Colt and the rest of the Longhorns. Jason was a little more skeptical, but I convinced him to let me take a few pictures before the game of our "watch party" and he even posed a few action shots for me so I wouldn't have to keep my camera out. Jason loves me taking so many pictures and showing everyone, but I figure we don't have anything else to blog about so enjoy!

Before the big game Jason pretending to be excited- which sadly is the closest he ever was to truly being excited during the game.

Another posed shot, but a realistic reaction for that night!

My Birthday

The weekend before my birthday we finally were able to watch the Tigers play on TV, only to witness them losing to OSU. The next afternoon, both of us in better moods we headed to Mankato to do some shopping and eat out for my birthday. We went to the mall and a few other places around town- we didn't buy much, but we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings- Yumm!!! We ate at BWW last year for my birthday too..hmmm...maybe a tradition is beginning! My actual birthday was on Tuesday and I got to go to North Dakota State University with a couple of guys from work for a career fair and do some recruiting for Monsanto! It was a fun, but long day- we left at 5:30 that morning and I didn't get home until after 8:30. Thanks for all the phone calls, cards, and birthday wishes from everyone! Jason got me a bag of candy corn and some gloves to go along with the mp3 player I got over the weekend when we were in Mankato. I guess to keep me warm in the winter- getting my winter layers on- right Justin!?

The following day I received roses, from Jason & my boss. The rotary was selling them and my boss ordered them for me and the other two girls at work and convinced Jason to order a dozen for me too. After I brought them home Jason told me he hadn't paid my boss yet and wondered if I could pay him the next day at work- so technically I guess I bought myself a dozen roses. Either way they were beautiful!

MO visitors

The first weekend of October Jason's mom, dad, aunt, & uncle drove up for a visit. On Saturday we drove to the cities to the Mall of America- we spent most of the day there and could have stayed longer, but we wanted to get back in time to watch the MU/Nebraska game! Not many purchases were made, but plenty of stores were visited. The highlight of the afternoon was quite possibly riding the log ride at the Nickolodeon theme park in the middle of the mall. I really thought since it was Nickolodeon the rides would be more for little kids, but I let out a loud scream and we all had a blast on it- and only got a little wet.

It seems like every time I want to take pictures I either forget my camera or the batteries go dead. Well, of course the batteries went dead and I had to quickly turn my camera on and shoot these pictures. I wish I could have gotten more- maybe a new camera for Christmas would solve my problems!

We ate lunch in the food court on the third floor- This is Ed near the railing with part of the theme park behind him.

Jason & his dad by a racecar in front of the Nascar store.

Sunday afternoon we drove to the city park and saw the zoo, with just a few animals, and saw the waterfall that Redwood Falls got its name from- (I assume it is anyway). It started raining so our time in the park was limited. We then drove to Jackpot Junction Casino. This was the first time for both Jason & I to go into a casino- so we weren't real big spenders. After playing the nickel slot machine for a while...losing two dollars...I asked Jason if he wanted to play and then gave him a dollar. Within 15 minutes he won twenty dollars and quit. I tried to claim the money, but no such luck- he just told me know he had some money to get me a really good birthday present! I wish I would have realized the Escape for our anniversay was my gift for all holidays for the next 2 or 3 years! After the casino we went back to our apartment to hang out. We had a great visit and are glad they made the drive up to visit us- Thanks Ed, Lola, Tony, & Beth!

Bittersweet Weekend

This past weekend we made a quick trip back to MO to help take down deer stands from the land Jason & Justin have hunted since they started. It was a sad weekend because Justin, Jason, Megan, & I all harvested our first deer on this property and Jason & Justin won't be able to hunt there anymore. We drove back Friday night and finally arrived in Shelby County after 1:30. We headed out Saturday morning to the woods and met Justin, Megan, and Jason's cousin Billy Joe to take down the stands in the rain!

Out in the woods- it didn't rain the whole time, but it did the majority of it. I learned rain does not stop the bugs! Jason taking down the buddy stand- where I fired my first hundred shots and finally killed my first deer in the fall of '05. Looking back into the woods as we left the farm.

Luckily, the weekend wasn't all so sad. We got back to Jason's house with enough time to hang out with his mom, dad, Justin, Megan, Allison, & Rhett. Billy Joe and a friend of Jason's showed up later that night and the boys played playstation well into the night.

Back at Jason's mom & dad's- Rhett was all smiles! Jason & Rhett hanging out on the floor. Allison giving Jason bunny ears Justin just being himself After taking a few pictures I turned the camera over to Allison who turned out to be quite the photographer. She took this picture with about 100 others including canned food in the cabinet and the loaded dishwasher!

Sunday morning after breakfast we headed to my mom & dad's. Thankfully, Jessi & Travis were able to make plans to eat lunch with us at mom & dad's so we could see them and Andi & TJ. After a few hours of visiting with them and some great homemade pie we headed back to MN.

Andi showig me how to "flip"- yes I even did one myself. Andi's pose when I told her I was going to take a picture. When I said "say cheese" she told me "I not say cheese" so we got a serious look! We took a break from flipping to take a picture together. TJ smiling & crawling everywhere!

When we left my mom & dad's we had to detour as some roads were closed due to water over them. Here is a picture of a bean field under water near the road. For those of you who don't know where 6 & 15 meet we were south of Edina.

We had a great weekend even though we spent quite a few hours on the road and the reason for the trip wasn't ideal.