Wedding Bash!

This past weekend, we celebrated the marriage of Keith and Katie Adolphson. The wedding took place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lino Lakes. The ceremony was absolutely gorgeous, mainly because the bride was absolutely stunning in her gown (way to go Keith!!). The whole family was involved in the wedding; Carl was a groomsman, I read during the ceremony, Jocie handed our programs, and Ella was the flower girl. We were very honored to be included in their special day!

After the ceremony, we were all off to the reception at the Middland Hills Country Club in Roseville. When we arrived, most of us enjoyed the beautiful weather out on the patio where we enjoyed awesome views of the golf course. We then sat down for a great meal and some entertaining speeches.

(Joc was excited that Daysha could come too!)

When it was time to dance, many people hit the dance floor and didn't leave until the wee hours of the morning! The girls had a great time getting their grove on...but were a little upset when it was time for them to go home with Boppa and Grandma Barb at 10:30.

We are all so excited to have Katie as the newest part of our family. She is such a sweetheart, and most importantly, everyone can see that she makes Keith very, very happy! We hope they have a great time in Maui this week :)

Jocie's First Day of School

Well, Jocie is officially a fifth grader!! I cannot believe it...just yesterday I was sending her off to kindergarten, and now she rules the school!

Claire was in a back-to-school mood also! She was brushing up on some reading on the morning of the first day of school.

One of Jocie's many fifth grade activities is school patrol. Here she is "on-duty" on the very first day of school. Look how important she looks! Driver's and pedestrians beware!

Some other school patrol members directing me away from this exit! Don't mess with this crew, they mean business!

Next year Ella will be starting kindergarten while Joice heads off to the middle school (big gulp!)..time is going MUCH too fast!

Bathing Suit Beauties

A few weeks ago, we wanted to enjoy a hot sunny day. Jocie was already at camp swimming and canoeing, and Ella, Claire and I wanted to get in on some of the summer action. We could have tried to go to the beach, but with Claire being so little, I didn't think that would be the smartest decision. So I turned on the sprinkler in the back yard, and dug the baby pool out of the shed and we had our own little "ghetto fabulous" summer afternoon :) Claire loves the water, so I knew she would like it. Ella also had a great time running through the sprinkler and holding Claire in the pool. Next summer we will finally be able to go back to the beach and enjoy summer the way it's supposed to be enjoyed...on an over-crowed beach with sand in our swim suits!

Notice the spit-up on her lip and then on her foot...i caught her right after one of her MANY barfing sessions :)

Back to school...for some of us

It is the night before the first day of teacher in-service for Monticello teachers...but I'm not sad..because I won't be there! As most of you know, I will be taking the first trimester off from school to stay home for a little while longer (I can't bear..no pun intended..to drop Claire off at daycare yet!). Although I will miss all of my friends at school, I am really thankful that I have this time at home with Ella and Claire. I will be singing a sad song in November, but for right now, I'm enjoying every minute of it!

Jocie Goes To Camp!

Pinewood Campers

I had a awesome week at camp! One of my favorite things about camp was that our cabin (#3) won the canoe race! I got to take one of the oars home for a keep-sake. The racers were Becca (BFF) ,Cassie, Nikkia, and ME. It was awesome!

Becca, Samantha, Laura, and Joice

Jocie and Counselor Laura

My counselor Laura was fun and awesome. Guess what.......... she goes to UND! A fun thing she did on the 1st morning at camp was at 7:00 a.m. she cranked the music up and played "Brick House" to wake us up!

The Bunk House

Jocie's Bunk with a view of the lake (which you can't see in this picture)

I had a blast! I can't wait to see all you guys again!

Love,

Jocie

Fore!

Today, Carl and I headed to Hazeltine Golf Course in Chaska for the PGA Championship Golf Tournament practice round. My Dad and Barb are official "marshals" for the tourney. They were given a few tickets to give to family/friends for the practice round, so we happily snached them up.

Two pros chatting it up on the practice green

Not only was it a BEAUTIFUL golf course, it was a really cool experience. We really wanted to see Tiger Woods play, but unfortunately, we missed him by mere minutes! Just before we met my dad and Barb at the 10th Tee Box, he had just walked by after his practice round and was headed to his press conference...boo! I was pretty bummed, but it was still fun to see other pros. They are amazing! And it is amazing to see them play!

17th Hole's green

The most fun I had was watching my dad in his own personal heaven :) He was so excited and walking so fast, that we basically had to jog to keep up with him. He had already worked on Monday, so when we got there, he already knew the ropes and was able to show us a lot.

10th Hole...beautiful!

We had such a good time! Carl is now chomping at the bit to get back on a golf course!

Up North

Ever since moving to Monticello over 5 years ago, there has been many times where I have been dished a little flack for being from northwestern MN. I have been (jokingly) referred to as "inbred" or a "hick-from-the-sticks". I have also been asked if Carl is first or second cousin and asked if I met him at a family reunion -- these are my favorite :). Truth be told, I am very proud of my home town (East Side! Whoot Whoot!), as is Carl (Argyle), and don't mind the playful criticism.

Last weekend we were able to get up to Argyle to spend the weekend. We had a great time! We started our festivities with the "Hanna Montana Movie" at a drive-in movie theater! Carl and I packed Ella and Jocie into a single-cab Dodge pick-up (so no one has to sit in the back and have a second-rate view). We even had fun driving the 10 miles to the theater all in the front seat (I know you are a "mandatory reporter"Nicole...but I promise this is legal in Argyle...they have there own rules :)).

Carl, Ella and Jocie in the pick-up awaiting the movie

The Drive-In Screen

We ordered a huge popcorn with TONS of yummy butter and also enjoyed slushies and candy. The movie experience was great, and I'm sure our kids will remember this experience when they are old and grey.


Claire also had fun "Up Nort". Grandma gave her a tubby in the kitchen sink. She smiled and cooed the whole time!

A bridal shower was thrown in Keith's fiance, Katie's honor on Saturday morning. The entire town was invited...not kidding. The invitation was posted in the paper! I LOVE this idea. Family and friends are all welcome to come and meet the bride, and welcome her into this tight little community :) I remember my Argyle shower, and was so impressed (and humbled) with all of the ladies that showed up. I don't have a picture from this shower, but here is a picture of Katie with her soon-to-be sister-on-laws on her bachelorette night.

from left to right: Katie Adolphson (AKA-Darin's Katie), Dana Adolphson, Katie Burton (soon to Katie Adolphson AKA-Keith's Katie), and me

We were then onto the "Kuznia Christmas". Yes, we know it is August, but Christmas time is so busy, the family decided to move the gathering to the summer-time (genius). Some might have called this a "Family Reunion", but I don't think there were any hook-ups (HAHAHA!)

After the party, we all headed to church, where two of carl's cousins were the alter-servers, Carl's Aunt Diane was the organ player, and Carl's aunt Jill was the Eucharistic minister! Talk about one family being invested in the church!



Needless to say, we had a wonderful weekend in what Carl refers to as "God's Country". It is a great part of Minnesota where family and community is most important... and 9-Man football is a close second :)

Ella, Great-Grandma Natalie, Claire Natalie, and Jocie