All Sam's Idea - Project 365

December 31, 2009

2010-01-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

Mom hosted a New Year's Eve party today. Erin and I took the opportunity to celebrate with a bottle of Kuleto wine that we got while we were in California. Obviously this calls for a photo op in front of the tree. :-D HAPPY NEW YEAR!

December 30, 2009

2010-01-06T22:40:00.000-08:00

Over to Donna & Jim's today to play some Bananagrams with everyone. Jason and I got the game for Denise for Christmas and we basically can't stop playing. Such a fun game!

December 29, 2009

2010-01-06T22:38:00.000-08:00

Andrea came to visit today and brought little Addison with her. How cute is that girly? She was just happy and perfectly content to crawl around the floor and giggle. It was so great to see both of these girls.

December 28, 2009

2010-01-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

We woke up this morning to some amazing frost all over the trees. The ice crystals covered (literally) everything and were about 2 inches long. It was so beautiful.

December 27, 2009

2010-01-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

My Mom's tree this year was bee-utiful (as always!) Also, our finished Christmas Card for 2009.

December 26, 2009

2010-01-06T22:32:00.000-08:00

Jason did a lot of cuddling with Jake while we were home. Both Jake and Jason are really good cuddlers so it's only natural.

December 25, 2009

2010-01-06T22:30:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! Our day started with Christmas Morning at my house and the afternoon at Jason's grandparent's house. Above is the exchange of Ugly Gifts (Erin won because of the 'thing' Jason is holding in the photo. It was a good competition though.) And the girls holding their bags I made them (which they LOVED!) :-) It was such a great day spent with family!

December 24, 2009

2010-01-06T22:26:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve! I couldn't pick just one photo... From the top: Amanda opening a gift she REALLY wanted. :-) -- Some yummy Winter Lager while sitting near the tree... it couldn't get much better. -- Mia sleeping on the tree skirt. -- Official 2009 Christmas Pajamas photo (me, Jason, & Erin.)

December 23, 2009

2010-01-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

We went to visit Jason's cousin's today and had a lot of fun hanging out with them! Jason and Tori even did some cuddling in between Wii playing. :-)

December 22, 2009

2010-01-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

Lots of present wrapping going on lately! I LOVE wrapping paper and I LOVE wrapping presents!

December 21, 2009

2010-01-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

Erin and I always attempt to make a gingerbread house every year but, for some reason, it never happens. This year, we got a tree to make instead and we actually did it! We poured some champagne, mixed the frosting, and got right to it! We were both really happy at how our little tree turned out. This will have to be our new tradition!

December 20, 2009

2010-01-06T22:22:00.001-08:00

Kristen and Dane are in Vermont!!! They came up for the weekend to see us! After spending some time with family we spent some time in the hot tub, drank some wine, craved Chinese food, and then did some cuddling. I love love love that they were able to meet our families and spend some time with us in the NEK!

December 19, 2009

2010-01-06T22:21:00.000-08:00

Today we went with Erin and Dad to pick out the Christmas Tree. It's a tradition that we all go (while Mom stays home and gets the house ready) and that we walk around in the cold for a long time before Erin agrees on a tree. Then, Jason cuts it down! Typically Dad cuts it down, but the past couple years Jason has been buff and muscular enough to kill it himself! :-) Oh, and the puppies come too so they can run around and play in/eat the snow.

December 18, 2009

2010-01-06T22:20:00.001-08:00

Home home home! Jason and I are on our way to Vermont today to spend the holiday with family and friends! This is on the drive through the notch in NH.

December 17, 2009

2010-01-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

I made my own gift labels this year and I am basically in love with them. They have polka dots... I'm pretty sure that's why I love them.

December 16, 2009

2010-01-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

The bags I have been making for the girls are ready! Aren't they FUN!?!? I am THRILLED at how they came out and really hope the girls like them!

December 15, 2009

2010-01-06T22:15:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas cards are all ready to mail! I am so excited about these cards and hope that everyone likes them!

December 14, 2009

2010-01-06T22:14:00.000-08:00

Jason wants to make Peanut Butter Fudge this season to give out to his coworkers. Here he is stirring and stirring. He made SO MUCH fudge (15 pounds) and it was so yummy!

December 13, 2009

2010-01-06T22:13:00.001-08:00

We went to the Science Museum of Minnesota to see the Titanic Exhibit today. The exhibit was really great and we had a good time. They even had a Gillette razor that was brought up from the site.

December 12, 2009

2010-01-06T22:11:00.001-08:00

Today I tried out a new recipe for chocolate waffles. They were less like waffles and more like chocolate bread that was incredibly moist. SO yummy and more like dessert than breakfast.

December 11, 2009

2010-01-06T22:10:00.001-08:00

Jason got his Christmas gift from P&G today (every employee gets one). Check out all these goodies! This was a REALLY fun box to open and we will definitely put a lot of this to good use.

December 10, 2009

2010-01-06T22:09:00.000-08:00

It's SO cold in Minnesota that our thermometer is now covered in snow and displaying a 'Lo' reading, whatever that means. I think it means we have to move it because it's frozen.

December 9, 2009

2010-01-06T22:08:00.000-08:00

Lots of sewing lately! I am working on 4 bags that I am making for Christmas presents for my cousins. The fabric makes these really fun to make!

December 8, 2009

2010-01-06T22:06:00.001-08:00

I've been working on our Christmas cards lately and could not be happier with how they are coming out. I just love them and can't wait to send them out to our family and friends.

December 7, 2009

2010-01-06T22:00:00.000-08:00

While at a craft fair this past weekend, Jason and I basically HAD to have these prints (we are huge Mario fans.) I framed them today and think they look so good!

December 6, 2009

2010-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Some candy canes to eat/add to the tree and Booger playing with/chewing on the Christmas lights before we put them up. She is so silly.

December 5, 2009

2010-01-06T21:58:00.000-08:00

We visited Minneapolis today to walk around a bit and just happened to get there right before the Hollidazzle Parade started! It was so much fun to watch an impromptu parade in the city (even though it was really cold!)

December 4, 2009

2010-01-06T21:57:00.000-08:00

Booger napping in the guest room and Jason disturbing her to pet and kiss her. She looks so perturbed.

December 3, 2009

2010-01-06T21:56:00.001-08:00

Jason and I went to the Mall today to take the photos for our Christmas card. It was so much fun! Yes, we took out photos in a photobooth!

December 2, 2009

2010-01-06T21:53:00.000-08:00

I packed up a few things to send to my bestest friend in Vermont, Jess, because she recently found out that she is pregnant! I made her a cute card (that I didn't want to give away) and got her a necklace and some chocolate.

December 1, 2009

2010-01-06T21:52:00.001-08:00

And, here are the paintings hanging in the guest room. Don't they look great there? They match the bedding and curtains so well. Custom artwork = awesome!

November 30, 2009

2010-01-06T21:51:00.002-08:00

Erin did a bunch of painting while she was here. She had painted three canvases a while ago but never finished. She finally had a chance to finish them for us while she was here and we got to hang them in our guest room (aka: Erin's room.)

November 29, 2009

2010-01-06T21:51:00.001-08:00

We also picked a really nice day to visit the Minnesota Zoo. The animals were super cute, especially the Snow Monkeys (lower right) who were incredibly playful and mischievous.

November 28, 2009

2010-01-06T21:50:00.001-08:00

Another stop Erin and I had to make was at Jamba Juice. Oh boy that girl loves her Jamba Juice!

November 27, 2009

2010-01-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

Today Erin and I went to the Eden Prairie Center Mall to go shopping on Black Friday. There wasn't even that many people and we ended up getting some really good deals. Also, Santa was there! I was really excited to see him... Erin didn't show my enthusiasm though.

November 26, 2009

2010-01-06T21:48:00.002-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Erin and Jason spent a lot of time on the couch in this exact position all day. I was in and out of the kitchen but they spent the day in their pajamas playing Mario on the Wii. A great leisurely day.

November 25, 2009

2010-01-06T21:48:00.001-08:00

Erin can't come visit me without me dragging her into a photobooth. This was so much fun! I like the third photo the best... It looks like Erin is thinking, "seriously, she's really making me do this?" Hee hee.

November 24, 2009

2010-01-06T21:47:00.000-08:00

I also had to take Erin to the Mall of America (it has been a dream of ours to take a road trip to the MOA together so this was the next best thing since I now live 10 miles away from it.) We went to the Build-a-Bear and made a Moose for Mom for her birthday! We had a lot of fun picking out our moose and picking out the clothes and cute little boots.

November 23, 2009

2010-01-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Erin is here for the week! Obviously one of the things we HAD to do while she was here is go to Sonic. We have been wanting to go ever since Erin told me she thought they didn't exist and that the commercials were just a mean trick. Luckily, there is one a few miles from our apartment!

November 22, 2009

2010-01-06T21:45:00.000-08:00

One more wedding photo, because I couldn't leave this one out. I went with Kristen and her photographer, Jessi, to the grocery store to pick up some last minute things and Kristen had already had her hair and veil done by then. Of course, she didn't care and went anyway. She had a lot of fun walking around in her veil and we couldn't resist taking this photo in the produce section with our Sam Adam's sweatshirts!

November 21, 2009

2010-01-06T21:44:00.001-08:00

Kristen and Dane's wedding day! Jason and I had a blast and are SO happy for our friends! Throughout the whole wedding you could just tell how happy they were.

November 20, 2009

2010-01-06T21:43:00.001-08:00

Today Jason and I flew to New York for Kristen and Dane's wedding! After the rehearsal we went with them and their families to the rehearsal dinner. That's where Kristen did the whole 'arm out snap a photo of ourselves' type of photo and got this shot. This actually may be one of my favorite photos of us!

November 19, 2009

2010-01-06T21:42:00.001-08:00

Today I went to Minneapolis to meet Jason after he had a few meetings. He took me to a restaurant nearby that he had been before called "The News Room." We had such a nice lunch together before he went back to work.

November 18, 2009

2010-01-06T21:41:00.000-08:00

On my way to drop Real and Denise off at the airport we stopped at Jason's building so he could hug them goodbye. They didn't even know we were stopping to see him!

November 17, 2009

2010-01-06T21:40:00.001-08:00

Denise has been cooking a lot since she has been here (awesome!) Tonight she made us chili and also bought a pumpkin pie for dessert. I love the presentation with the whipped cream too.

November 16, 2009

2010-01-06T21:39:00.001-08:00

Denise had this scarf waiting for her when she got here. I made it as part of a tutorial on my blog and thought it would be nice to attach a cute tag and give it to her! (Plus, I have one to match!)

November 15, 2009

2010-01-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

Since Denise is here and she wants to do crafty things, I have been scrapbooking and sewing lately! I made this page using photos from last Christmas.

November 14, 2009

2010-01-06T21:37:00.001-08:00

Jason's parents are visiting! Apparently it was an exhausting trip since Real zonked out pretty quickly after they got here.

November 13, 2009

2010-01-06T21:36:00.000-08:00

I just love this photo of Bruno. He's so regal and handsome.

November 12, 2009

2010-01-06T21:35:00.002-08:00

Booger has been spending a lot of time napping in the guest room lately. I'm not sure why she likes it in there so much, but if I'm ever looking for her, I don't have to search for long.

November 11, 2009

2010-01-06T21:35:00.001-08:00

Cute kitties cuddling on the couch.

November 10, 2009

2010-01-06T21:32:00.002-08:00

Jason and I have been enjoying a glass of Port with chocolate after dinner lately. This is seriously the best dessert ever, in my opinion.

November 9, 2009

2010-01-06T21:32:00.001-08:00

We got a box from my Mom today and found these inside! She sent us Christmas cookies! YUM!

November 8, 2009

2010-01-06T21:31:00.003-08:00

A leisurely day at home means that Jason turns on the Wii and plays a bit of virtual frisbee.

November 7, 2009

2010-01-06T21:31:00.001-08:00

Today Jason and I went Geocaching and found 3 caches. The last one we found was especially difficult and we were so close to giving up. We both agree that we are glad we found it though because it's one of the most well hideen caches we have ever found.

November 6, 2009

2010-01-06T21:30:00.000-08:00

On our walk I found a Woolly Bear Caterpillar. Jason thought that I had given it that name, instead of that actually being the name!

November 5, 2009

2010-01-06T21:29:00.000-08:00

Jason and I went for a walk around the creek tonight. It's a 3 mile walk and we went at the exactly right time to see the sunset as we walked.

November 4, 2009

2010-01-06T21:28:00.000-08:00

My many supplies are anxiously awaiting me to start putting together my new December Daily album. Look at all that scrapbooking goodness!

November 3, 2009

2010-01-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

Before I get ready to put together my December Daily album for 2009, I first wanted to look back on my 2008 album. I love all the pieces that are sticking out of the pages of the album.

November 2, 2009

2010-01-06T21:23:00.000-08:00

Outside our apartment it definitely looks like fall. All the other trees around the property have had their leaves blown off, but these are shielded enough by the building that they are still bright yellow.

November 1, 2009

2010-01-04T09:18:00.001-08:00

Little Missmatched socks make me so happy. Even more happy = Knee High Missmatched Toe Socks!

October 31, 2009

2010-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

This is where I have been spending a lot of my time lately. Laying on the couch with a blanket and my laptop and getting up now and then to make soup. Ugh, I hate being sick.

October 30, 2009

2010-01-04T09:16:00.000-08:00

This has been a constant in my life for the last couple days. I think I have the flu and have been drinking a lot of soup and drinking a lot of fluids.

October 29, 2009

2010-01-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

Since our new freezer in our apartment doesn't have an ice-maker like our last one, I got to buy these cool ice cube trays!

October 28, 2009

2010-01-04T09:13:00.000-08:00

I got a set of metal letter stamps to stamp on metal today and had some fun playing around and practicing with the stamps.

October 27, 2009

2010-01-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

Today Jason and I took a few photos of the Creek that is next to our apartment. It's so cool to live in a state that has so many lakes (over 11,000 to be honest.)

October 26, 2009

2010-01-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

Cuddly kitties. I always run for my camera when the kitties are cuddling with each other. They don't do it often and I just think it's so cute.

October 25, 2009

2010-01-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

The aquarium! We went back to the Mall today to check out the Aquarium that is on the ground level. The glass was actually in a dome shape above our heads and we walked through a tunnel and looked up to see all the fish. It was so cool to have sharks and sting rays above our heads!

October 24, 2009

2010-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

We visited Sever's Corn Maze today and had SO MUCH fun! It was an awesome way to spend the day. They had the largest corn maze in the US, a huge corn pit, a petting zoo, a magic show, and bunches of other fun things to do. We will definitely be visiting again next year!

October 23, 2009

2010-01-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

With Brit visiting we (obviously) had to take her to the Mall of America. We actually did a bunch of shopping too and I found some super cute things!

October 22, 2009

2010-01-04T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have been having fun baking lately and tonight I made homemade Macaroni and Cheese for dinner.

October 21, 2009

2010-01-04T09:02:00.000-08:00

I took a trip to the local Joann's today to check it out and to buy some fabric. This is probably the biggest Joann's I've ever been in. I definitely stayed for a little longer than I planned to.

October 20, 2009

2010-01-04T09:01:00.001-08:00

Bruno loves the new couches. He especially likes to sprawl out on the top of them and nap for hours. I wish I could be that comfortable when I nap on the couch.

October 19, 2009

2010-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Yummmmm... Putting that pumpkin goodness to use I made pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. They were SO moist and yummy.

October 18, 2009

2010-01-04T08:59:00.000-08:00

Jason and I had to get these when we saw them in the grocery store. They are black cat sugar cookies for Halloween, but they reminded us of our Booger so we are calling them Booger Cookies.

October 17, 2009

2010-01-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

I'm kind of obsessed with pumpkin lately. Since a couple years ago when I discovered that I actually LOVE pumpkin I have looked forward to pumpkin things in the fall.

October 16, 2009

2010-01-04T08:56:00.001-08:00

Mmmmm... truffles! Corinne stopped somewhere in Wisconsin on the way here and bought us these awesome chocolate truffles. We ate a bunch while they were here, but these were left over and SO yummy!

October 15, 2009

2010-01-04T08:54:00.001-08:00

Unpacking, unpacking, unpacking... There is SO MUCH PAPER. I feel like I am constantly having to find my way out of a mountain of paper. All the paper in front of me in this photo came out of ONE BOX!

October 14, 2009

2009-11-18T16:14:00.000-08:00

One of the first things we set up when we got all of our stuff (yippee!) was the Wii! Here Corinne and Adrian are Swordfighting.

October 13, 2009

2009-11-18T16:13:00.001-08:00

Corinne and Adrian stopped by for a couple days on their way to California! Corinne took this photo of us in the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis. We walked around the city a bunch, got cupcakes, stopped for hot chocolate (and to warm up) and then went out to dinner.

October 12, 2009

2009-11-18T16:12:00.001-08:00

Our new couches have been our bed for the last few nights as we wait for the truck containing all of our stuff to arrive.

October 11, 2009

2009-11-18T16:11:00.001-08:00

As a welcome to our new home Mom sent us flowers. They are so pretty! It's interesting having two couches, two kitties, and a vase of flowers in an otherwise empty apartment. :-)

October 10, 2009

2009-11-18T16:10:00.003-08:00

Our second day in Minnesota and it SNOWED! A bunch... Enough to make a snowball!

October 9, 2009

2009-11-18T16:10:00.001-08:00

Our first day in Minnesota! Today we rented a U-Haul a bought 2 new couches!

October 8, 2009

2009-11-18T16:09:00.001-08:00

Today we said goodbye to Boston, the Eastern Time Zone, and our best friends. Jason took this photo of Kristen and I hugging goodbye on her doorstep at about 7am. I'm really surprised we weren't both bawling. I think it was too early to comprehend.

October 7, 2009

2009-11-18T16:07:00.001-08:00

Before heading to a goodbye Happy Hour with Jason's work people I took a walk around Boston to run some errands, get a massage, and just enjoy myself. It was such a beautiful fall day to be out and about!

October 6, 2009

2009-11-18T16:05:00.003-08:00

One of our last nights in Boston and we went with Kristen and Dane on a Segway Tour of Boston! It was SO Much fun and a great way to say goodbye to a city I have loved for so long. Also, Segways are super easy to ride but more difficult to get off than I think they should be. Though, I didn't ever want to get off, so that was ok.

October 5, 2009

2009-11-18T16:05:00.001-08:00

Since we will be taking our kitties on the plane with us to MN we needed to get them airline compliant carriers, food and water dishes, and 'live animal' stickers.

October 4, 2009

2009-11-18T16:04:00.003-08:00

Walking back from picking up Thai for dinner (Erin loves Thai), apparently Jason thought Erin could carry him. This did not last long, but they had fun trying.

October 3, 2009

2009-11-18T16:04:00.001-08:00

Erin and Mom came down this weekend to help us pack a few things and to see us before we left for MN. I found out a couple weeks ago that there is now a Jamba Juice at Northeastern and I know Erin LOVES Jamba Juice since she wanted to go there every day we were in CA. So, I told her I had a surprise for her and we all drove to JJ. She looks out the window and says "Is that a Jamba Juice? Oh my God, is that my surprise!?!??!" She was super excited. Here she is starting lovingly at her Pomergranate Passion smoothie.

October 2, 2009

2009-11-18T16:03:00.001-08:00

My last day at work and (of course) I had to go out for Thai Friday with Sean. A bunch of people joined us and it was really nice to be able to talk to everyone once more before I left.

October 1, 2009

2009-11-18T16:02:00.001-08:00

My empty desk at work... It's so sad looking. I cleaned it out and packed up my things today since my last day is tomorrow.

September 30, 2009

2009-11-18T16:01:00.001-08:00

Tonight we went out with a friend to say goodbye before we left Boston. Cheesecake Factory = Yum!

September 29, 2009

2009-11-18T15:56:00.002-08:00

Before we leave Boston I HAD to make sure I used the gift card to the spa that Jason bought me as an anniversary gift. This is the massage room. I can't imagine an hour more well spent. Pure bliss.

September 28, 2009

2009-11-18T15:56:00.001-08:00

Jason has recently developed a HUGE obsession with Target. This could possibly be because he will be working with them in a week or so. These two endcaps are two of his products that he will be in charge of, Charmin and Bounty. He's super excited!

September 27, 2009

2009-11-18T15:55:00.004-08:00

We are attempting to get rid of our couch before we move so I took off the covers. Booger apparently prefers the couch without the cover on and immediately curled up on it.

September 26, 2009

2009-11-18T15:55:00.003-08:00

We got back from MN yesterday and today Jason got on a plane to PA for Dane's Bachelor Party and I flew to NY for Kristen's Bridal Shower. Doesn't she look fab? Abby is adorable as always too!

September 25, 2009

2009-11-18T15:55:00.001-08:00

Before catching our flight Jason and I hung out for a while at the Mall of America. Theme Park in the mall... yup... it's that huge.

September 24, 2009

2009-11-18T15:54:00.001-08:00

Doesn't my man look handsome??? Today he is meeting with some people on the Target team so he needs to dress up in his suit.

September 23, 2009

2009-11-18T15:53:00.001-08:00

Lots and lot of these signs lately as we try to find/choose a place to live. We have seen 9 places and so far all the places are just getting jumbled up in our heads and we are just confused.