Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a safe and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Time!

Just wanted to share with you all a great family picture from the Christmas party at my dad's house last night. We are crazy on so many levels.

Getting closer!

Yesterday we put our first coat of primer on our new bedroom downstairs! Now we finally feel like we're actually getting somewhere! The basement has been A LOT of work, but it will all be worth it in the end!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let there be light!

Our living room has felt a little cave-like since we moved in...it was pretty dark. (See top picture). But this weekend, Josh spent some time up in the dusty attic and installed 4 recessed lights that fixed that! (See bottom picture). Now it's quite bright...so bright that we need to keep up with our cleaning a little better!

I'm an Independent Advisor!

Here's an update on me: I have just completed my first show as an Independent lia sophia Advisor! Many of you may be shocked... but no, I was not forced into this! It is actually quite fun and the jewelry is awesome! (If you are not familiar with lia sophia, it is a direct sales jewelry company... I am like a Tupperware lady except I get to sell fabulous jewelry.)
So, if you would like to help me out in my new business, or if you would like to help yourself to some great deals on jewelry, please check out my website: www.liasophia.com/lauracaroon.

Just give them what they want already!

Last night I was up late enough to watch Leno. As I watched, I was confused at a remark he made about it being Columbus Day. "Columbus Day?" I thought. "I thought that was in October." Well, yes, it was in October. I was watching a re-run, much to my chagrin. Another show I enjoy is lost to the writers' strike. No more Office. And who knows when we'll ever get to see LOST again. This season has been somewhat of a TV disappointment... I have no more Gilmore Girls or Veronica Mars. In fact, The CW is dead to me. And now...I can't even watch Conan O'Brien if I happen to stay up that late.
Well, luckily for me, I have HGTV, the Food Network, and whatever channel 40 is. You can never see too many house transformations or watch too many recipes being made. (And apparently, I can never watch too many episodes of Still Standing and Reba back-to-back on that channel 40.)

Congrats Kari & Mark!

Yay! Kari and Mark are engaged! Congratulations you two! (Especially congrats to Mark...he has got one of the very best girls in the entire world!) You guys better be around at Christmas so I can meet the lucky guy that swept my cousin off her feet!

(The rest of you can read about the engagement on Kari's blog if you haven't already).

Spooky!

So last night was Halloween (and also Reformation Day for you Lutherans out there!) It was our first Halloween in our new house, so we didn't know how many trick-or-treaters to expect. We ended up with about 15, but they were mostly really cute little kids so it was fun. Turbo ran out the door and tried to leave with a group a trick-or-treaters. Guess he wanted some candy too. He could pretend he was a kid dressed like a dog...no one would know the difference! Ok, yes they would realize he was just a dog, because he doesn't have hands to hold his bag of treats. Although, one kid had his treat bag hung around his neck, so I guess Turbo could go that route.
Aurora was more interested in tricks than treats. Josh thought he heard someone knock on the door, and when he went to answer, no one was there. Then he heard the knocking again...and still no one! Oooh, spooky! It turned out to be Aurora pushing the closet door into the front door, making the knocking sound. What a prankster!

Move over Coyote Ugly...

Last week, Fargo's Hotel Donaldson was covered in a garland of bras for the 2nd annual Bras on Broadway fundraiser for breast cancer research. This display sure turned a lot of heads! I saw one guy sitting on a bench on the sidewalk out front staring in wonder at the sight before him.

Ladies Moose

Just another example of a guy that thinks he'll never get caught playing the field, and capturing the hearts of unsuspecting young women. Don't believe anything this moose says, ladies! He'll break your heart.

Weekend Update

This weekend we did some more work on the basement! My dad and Jared were there to help, so the guys got a lot done. I also got another set of wedding pictures done, so overall, a lot was accomplished. (Plus, I decided to start a third job. I must be insane.) Here are a few pictures to track our progress, and one of me and Aurora just for fun.

Chef's Gala

Last night, Josh and I attended the 10th Annual Chef's Gala at the Fargo Ramada Crystal Ballroom. We were guests of Josh's work. Basically, there were tables of all the best restaurants and caterers in the area lining the edges of the room. They each had two or three featured dishes. You picked up a plate, and got to sample all kinds of interesting foods and drinks. It was fabulous. My favorites included: sweet bacon, bananas foster, and the delicious cake from Nichole's. (I love that place!) There were all kinds of interesting foods and a silent auction with many cool things. The whole night was an event to raise money for the Great Plains Food Bank. It was a fantastic idea for an event.

Fall Photos

Today it was so beautiful outside when I got home from work that I decided to take a few pictures around the yard. Here they are! First one is sky, of course. Second one...I'm sad to say that it is a weed that won the battle this summer...but isn't it pretty? And the third are Easter Lilies. That's right, I planted these lilies after no one picked them up the week of Easter. And now they are blooming in October! I did not expect that!

Thursday Sparkles and Scrapes

Scrapes:
I can't get the words "cavalry" and "calvary" straight...I always say the wrong one
Freezing cold bedroom...will be putting plastic on the windows soon
Plumbers
Being so stressed my head is spinning

Sparkles:
Sleep
Sending off a wedding picture package
Leaves changing colors
My new bible study group

Sunglasses Update

In case you were wondering....I found my sunglasses this week. They were under my bed. Thanks for all your concern.

Pumpkin Patch

Today Josh and I went to the pumpkin patch with Jenny and Cody. It was such a gorgeous day today and we had a lot of fun out there. Josh had fun helping Cody carry all the huge pumpkins that he picked out. We even got to pet some cool animals...goats and sheep...but not the donkey...he bites! I'm excited about my pumpkin (picked out by Cody) and indian corn.

Race for a Suit

Well tonight Josh had some AIA banquet to go to, and found out this morning that it was a black tie affair! So, we raced out after work to pick up a new suit for Josh and Brian before the 6:00pm banquet began. Well, luckily they both found suits and changed "superman in a phone booth" style to make it in time for dinner. Doesn't he look dapper?!

Work continues

The work continues on the basement! Josh has been working all week with some help from Jared and the inspector approved the work today! Next comes drywall! Can't wait to see it finished... or at least with walls!

Labor Day Weekend

I just love long weekends! On Saturday, we hung out at the lake for the afternoon. It was nice to get in one last boat ride of the season. On Sunday and today (Monday) we began work on our basement. We did some planning, shopping, demo and construction. I also finally gave both of our cars a thorough and much-needed cleaning. It was so nice to have time to be at home and work on some projects we've been wanting to get around to. But, it's very sad to see summer go. (Remember that post I wrote in June, about how fast summer goes?) Anyway, I'm looking forward to fall too. It is another beautiful season. But summer will always be number one (season) in my heart.

Sadie Hawkins Dance In My Khaki Pants...

There's nothing better! Except maybe Relient K and Switchfoot coming to Fargo! They'll be playing at the Fargo Civic Center on Sunday, October 21st at 6:00pm. Tour proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. Yay!

New Blog!

Check out our new Frozen Music Studios blog! http://frozenmusicstudios.blogspot.com

Busy Weekend

Wow! What a busy weekend! Friday we drove to the cities at 9am and went to the MN State Fair! We had fun eating lots of foods! It was a very nice day for the fair. We even got to listen to Brett Mernin play at the Crossroads Chapel...he did an awesome job. What a man on fire! The state fair is always a good time. Then on Saturday, we worked at Andy & Amy's wedding at the Crowne Plaza downtown. What a beautiful day! It couldn't get any better than that. I am very excited to start working on those pictures. They were a great couple and their whole wedding party was really nice to work with. Sunday we had some engagement pictures for Katie & Cory at St. John's University. I had never been there before. It is a very nice campus. They even have lakeshore to go swimming at! (Beats Prexy's Pond by a longshot!) This couple will be fun to take pictures for on their wedding day. Can't wait to see their engagement pictures!

Wednesday Sparkles and Scrapes

Sparkles:
Reconnecting with old friends.
Looking forward to the State Fair!
My elliptical machine.

Scrapes:
Saying, "Tomorrow we really need to mow," for at least 6 days now. Now we REALLY need to mow.
Thinking that it's Thursday when it's only Wednesday.
Having to downgrade from Vista to XP. Boo!

Suzie Homemaker!

Today I made a bunch of jars of pre-measured "Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars." It was actually pretty easy but they will make nice gifts for my volunteer receptionists at work! I hope they like them! They looked yummy to me. Maybe I'll have to make one for myself one of these days!

Home Sweet Home

This weekend we got to just be at home! It was the first weekend Josh and I were home alone of the whole summer. It was nice to just relax and get some things done around the house. I think we got a lot done and now we're inspired for more projects... finishing the basement, possibly creating a studio...anything is possible! But for now, we'll just enjoy the rest of our quiet weekend in our home that we are loving more and more.

Wildflowers Salon Photo Shoot

Today Josh and I had a photo shoot for an ad at Wildflowers Salon in Fargo. We had a lot of fun taking pictures of beautiful people with awesome hair styles. All of the "models" are friends and clients of the salon...but you wouldn't know that they weren't professionals! A highlight of my day was Carrie (one of the owners) gave us a gift bag full of Aveda products! I love Aveda stuff. Anyway, check out some of the pictures from the session...

Disappointing Poll

Well, I guess my blog readers didn't get into that whole "Vote or Die" campaign back in 2004. At least the two people that took the poll get stars for being nice to the environment. Well, if I ever get out of my self-pity over my failed attempt at making a cool poll, maybe....just maybe....if you're lucky...I will try it again.

Wednesday Sparkles and Scrapes

Back in high school, the school newspaper had a section called "Feathers and Droppings." Feathers were notably good things going on around the school, and droppings were, of course, the more than ordinarily bad things. I don't know who came up with the lists...one of the school newspaper editors or something I would assume. Anyway, I am going to start my own list, but I am calling mine "Sparkles and Scrapes" since I really have no affiliation to the red bird where the name comes from.
So here it is...my list for the day:

Sparkles
Punching out of work and stepping out into the warm sunshine.
My Pandora radio stations.
Laughing with Alecia & Matt about our old apartments.

Scrapes
Sitting in the office while coworkers take long and lavish vacations.
Feeling like my life is wasting away from 8-5 every day.
Thinking that $2.77 is cheap for a gallon of gas.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Thor says, "Happy Birthday Tommy! You are 'so cool'." Well anyway there goes Jackson and Devereaux. Stray dog. Nobody leaves this stage without singing the blues. Get out of my house!!!

Have a great day Tom! Love, your favorite sister.

Poll!

Check out the bottom of the blog for a new poll I just added. I hope to keep the polls fresh and hopefully, interesting! This week's poll will show if my blog readers get a star for their conservation efforts, or if we need to work on reducing their giant carbon footprint.

Kier & Nic's Wedding

Yesterday was Kier & Nic's wedding day! It was a little rainy, but it turned out to be a great day and a beautiful wedding. Here are a few snapshots that my mom took. Best wishes and many blessings to Kier and Nic!