A Picking We Will Go...

What a busy place the Schloesser Hotel has been with wedding preparations. The big day is now less than a week away, YAY!!

In the past week since really enjoying my subbing position at JI, I have made more breakfast breads than ever before, made place cards, list after list, tons of cookies, and enjoyed a relaxing pedicure with Carissa. Although all those activities were enjoyable I would have to say my favorite has been picking pumpkins and apples for decorations. Yesterday the whole clan loaded up and went to Grandma's Little Acre. They allowed as to pick our own so we loaded the truck with beautiful orange pumpkins and funky gourds. I absolutely love this time of the year simply because of all the fun decorating you can do with nature. Then after unloading the truck and a quick bite we drove to Farmington where one of our friends has an orchard of Honeycrisp apples. Mmmm, Mmmmm, Good!! I have been salivating just thinking about picking these delicious apples and we now have 10 bushels to enjoy :0 Through the rain and wind my parents as well as Charlie and I picked 10 bushels in one hour. Even our friend was impressed with our quickness, but I think that I get the prize for most creative picking; It all started on Friday night when my two friends Ann and Brenda went with me to the Pregnant Pause event in Mankato, we celebrated not drinking for 9 months while being pregnant. At the event many door prizes were given away and I was one of the lucky winners. My basket contained a bottle, 2 nursing shirts, pregnancy journal, and a baby sling. So excited!! Well yesterday I thought maybe Lydia would sit in the sling while I picked apples, but she slept through most of the picking, but I used the sling to hold apples. I would get it all full with apples and then go dump them into the boxes. Made for easy picking!!

Lydia's activities from last week...

• She really enjoyed playing with Liam and Riley's tractor while I subbed on Tues. So much so that she didn't want Deann to leave when she got dropped off at school.
• We went to Auntie Amanda's Volleyball game on Tues. and she definitely understands the concept of clapping :)
• Goes to bed really well at night for about a half hour then decides to get up and thinks she needs a snack. We were expecting it last night, but it never happened.
• Watched her first Colts game of the season. Wasn't so sure about wearing her jersey, but we convinced her!

Baby's activities from last week...

• Movement, Movement, Movement... I don't recall Lydia moving this much at all!! It is awesome!!

Charlie's activities from the last week...

• He spent much of his time down in St.Charles enjoying our new place. He painted and unpacked some of the necessities.
• Went fishing for a little bachelor activity with Ike on Saturday. They had a great afternoon fishing and even came home with enough for dinner!

Living in Limbo

Last week was a physically and emotionally exhausting week, but we survived!! Thanks to family and friends all our belongs were packed and hauled to various locations awaiting transport to Saint Charles. It was difficult to think about our home not being ours anymore, but the guy that bought it seems nice and we have already been warned by the neighbors that we will hear about it if he isn't a good neighbor. Speaking of neighbors; the wonderful people that made our home on 7th Street even more special planned a little going away gathering for us which was unexpected and very nice although I think it was just an excuse to have a few drinks :)

We are now moving on to the future which currently consists of accommodations at the Schloesser Hotel which luckily had a vacancy after my uncle and his family moved to their new home in St.Peter. The weekend didn't really allow for any dwelling on any moving emotions because it was definitely wedding central with the whole family helping as Carissa was home for the weekend. Much was accomplished and we are looking forward to the big date coming soon!!

We also had one load of stuff hauled down to St.Charles by a friend who was kind enough to stop by after hauling grapes to a local vineyard. I don't know what we would do without friends and family!! Charlie also took a loaded vehicle with him to work today, so some of our things are already for unpacking at our new home. My aunt Deann has assured me that unpacking boxes is the best part of moving!! :)

This week will not slow down a bit as that seems to be the pace of our lives - I will be subbing at John Ireland, Lydia will be enjoying time with her God Mother and Sisters, Charlie will continue to unload belongings at our new place, and most looked forward by me is a bridal shower and bachelorette party for my sister.


A final family picture in front of our first home together as a family


Proof that it sold and as Charlie says, "Pictures for Jess to scrapbook"



While moving things out of the garage we found a great toy for Lydia. Though she can't truly ride it on her own that doesn't stop her from getting on and trying to make it move

Packing is in Full Swing...

The last week has been focused on packing and finding a place to live. Charlie had off the last two days so a lot got hauled out of the garage. His comment was "I didn't know we had so much crap". Imagine that, we have filled this house and garage to the max. Hopefully we are decreasing as we pack and move things, but I am not too convinced that the load is getting smaller :) I along with my mom have been working on the inside of the house and that too seems to be an endless amount of stuff, but it is getting there. Either way as our realtor pointed out; "It all needs to be out by Friday". It's hard to believe that in less than a week we will not be living here, but on to the good news - we have a place to live down South!!! Charlie found a nice little farmsite for us to rent just a couple miles out of St.Charles. I think it will suit our needs real well and the owners are very nice.

Well besides all the packing we have made time to go the the State Fair (My favorite time of the year). Lydia did surprisingly well and even took 2 naps. We all enjoyed eating, eating, and more eating, but we also checked out the Little Farmhand exhibit, a lumberjack contest, the parade, and the talent contest. Lydia loved the music as you can see in the video below. Our only disappointment of the day - the animal barns were closed for cleaning :(