Lucas & Rachel's Wedding Weekend

Lucas & Rachel's Wedding Weekend

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Read post

Friday, June 18, 2010

Rehearsal Dinner: Stella's Fish Cafe in Uptown

We enjoyed Surf 'n' Turf kabobs with mashed potatoes and yummy cookies for dessert. We also enjoyed meeting some new people and great conversation. It's always nice to hear all the great things that the Bride & Groom have to say about their family and friends.

Saturday, July 19, 2010

Wayne's gift from Lucas (the Groom) was a pair of personalized Chuck Taylor's. All the guys got a pair.

[Big Dee...LOL]

They all wore them with their tuxes. The girls actually all got a pair as well that look just like these, but had rhinestones on them. The Bride also has a pair, but her's were white with black tips. So cute!

One of the professional poses. See the shoes? Teehee.

This was the bus we rode around on all afternoon for pictures. Super fun!

 

It was a great way to bond with the rest of the wedding party.

This was us in the back of the bus hanging out.

The wedding was held at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Beautiful.

The reception was at the McNamara Alumni Center. My pictures don't do it justice, so take a peek at their website! Their colors were black, gray and green. So they had black hanging from the ceilings. Every detail was perfectly done.

One of the best ideas ever was the little popcorn bags that you could fill with about 10 different kinds of popcorn. Such a great treat between the ceremony and dinner.

One of my other favorite things about their wedding was that all the table cards were pictures of their dogs. Such a great way to tie them into the day!

It was a beautiful and fun day overall and everything turned out great!

Congratulations Lucas & Rachel!

Leah

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Read post

Monday, June 28, 2010

My cousin Nicole and I, as well as my sister, Amie, her friend, Madison, and my other friend Jess went to the Eclipse premier at the Mall of America last night. We also saw my friends Teri and Nikki. We always get there super early to start the line. Yesterday we got there a little before 5pm. The movie didn't start until 7:30. Do you think we're just a little crazy? It was yet again another great movie in the Twilight Sequel. My favorite so far!

Can't wait for Breaking Dawn! Any other fellow twilighters out there?

Leah

Lemonhead Shower Invites

Lemonhead Shower Invites

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Read post

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I received the invitations in the mail that I ordered for my friend Jenny's shower. Here is a look. They turned out fabulous.

I ordered them just a week earlier on the 15th and they arrived right on time. I ordered them through Storkie. Jenny is having purple calla lilies in our bouquets and our dresses and the color theme is that same purple (eggplant). So, when I found them online I was so excited. They will go out within the next couple of weeks! Can't wait!

Leah

Vnus Closure Procedure

Vnus Closure Procedure

Friday, June 18, 2010

Read post

Friday, June 11, 2010

I took the day off of work and we ran some errands in the morning and had lunch before Green Gramma was due at the Buffalo Clinic at 3:00 p.m. for her 3:45 Vnus Closure Procedure.

She needed to be there about 1/2 hour beforehand and was expected to stay about a 1/2 hour afterwards. At least that's what they had us prepared for. It is an outpatient procedure, so there is no overnight at all. Basically you get the procedure done on a Friday, recover over the weekend, go back in on Monday to see the Dr and most people are good to go. After the surgery you walk right out of the clinic on your own. You have to keep the leg wrapped and walk frequently in order to prevent blood clots, but otherwise it is a relatively pain free procedure. Gramma was set to get her left leg done first with her right leg to be scheduled at a later date.  We arrived at 3:00 and were directed back to the procedure room. After touching base with the Dr, she changed into her gown and they gave her some Vicodon. At about 3:15 the Dr went in and he was out at 3:45. She changed back into her clothes, we touched base with the Dr again and we were back in the car at 4:00. Although she was nervous, the Dr assured us that everything went better than expected.

A few hours later at home, she could already tell the difference. Before her leg hurt to touch it, let alone move it, walk up/down stairs, or even get up out of a chair. When she took a shower it hurt for the water to beat on it. That's how painful it was. Her legs were huge from them being so swollen.

They have linked this condition to a few things, having a lot of children, being overweight, or being on your feet for most of your life. Gramma had 4 children and had worked most of her life as a waitress, always on her feet, going, going, going. It's different than varicose veins and stripping. Not the same thing. Please read Vnus Closure Procedure - FAQ's for more information or click the link above.

Monday, she went back in for an ultrasound on her leg and the Dr said everything was right on track as it should be. Now, a week after the procedure there is absolutely no pain and the swelling has started to go down. This is not a cosmetic procedure at all. It is to take the pain away and although the swelling will continue to go down, her leg will never look the same as it did before. She doesn't care though, she is pain-free in that leg. She has her right leg scheduled for July 23rd! Yay! The Dr was right, she would be RUNNING in there to get her other leg done. Now she just has to cope with the pain in the other leg for another month. Stay tuned for an update after her right leg is done. Prayers please!

Leah

"Boat Off" to Summer

"Boat Off" to Summer

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Read post

Memorial Day 2010

So instead of a "kick off" to summer we did a "boat off" to summer instead. We got Billie Jean in the water and went cruising!

It was a beautiful Memorial Day. Jeannine, Jerry, Chloe and their dog Marley were fishing on the lake, and decided to stop by and say Hi!

Jeannine and Wayne actually went to Prom together in High School and now are both married and both live in Buffalo. Too funny!

Chloe and Marley cooling off.

After hanging out for awhile on the dock, we decided to take Billie Jean for a spin.

Jeannine got herself (and her belly) onto her raft and enjoyed some sun! We were drifting in, so we decided to pull her behind and head back out onto the lake.

That's her with her baby belly. She's 6 months pregnant and can pull off a bikini! You go girl!

Overall, it was a great day with great friends. That's it for May! Stay tuned for June!

Leah

3 games of Twins, Twins, Twins

3 games of Twins, Twins, Twins

Monday, June 14, 2010

Read post

First Game: Wednesday, 05/26/2010

This day was exciting cause we enjoyed one and a half games of Twins baseball. The Tuesday night game was rained out and they got through inning 5, but no one had scored, so they finished the game on Wednesday. We played the Yankees so that was even more exciting. Wayne and I got there a little early to walk around. It was a beautiful day.

[Us in front of the Kirby Puckett statue]

Second Game: Friday, 05/28/2010

We played the Texas Rangers and won!

Third Game: Sunday, 5/30/2010

We played the Texas Rangers again and were planning to meet up with my friend, Anne and her husband, Brian at about 6:00 p.m. for the game as they were in town from Milwaukee, WI and it would be their first time to Target Field. That morning Wayne told me that we were leaving early to go on the field for batting practice. We had done this several times in the Metrodome, but this was our first for Target Field. We entered the stadium early and it was completely empty except for food vendors of course. We met up with Wayne's friend, Dustin, who works for the Twins and headed out onto the field. While down there we talked with Mauer, Span and Morneau. We were able to get a picture with Justin himself.

We were down on the field for the whole batting practice. They opened the doors to the stadium and it soon became flooded with kids asking the players for balls. The players soon started retreating to the locker room.

After our fun on the field we headed to meet up with my cousin, Nate, and a few of his friends. They were in town for the weekend.

After chatting with Nate, we finally met up with Anne & Brian and headed to our seats. It was sprinkling at the beginning of the game and afterwards, there was a rainbow. Then the sun started setting and I captured this picture:

Although we won the game, it ended with Span and Orlando colliding for a ball. Always scary. Overall the day was busy, but fulfilling as I got to enjoy practice, catch up with Nate and spend some quality time with Anne. It's also nice when the Husband's can participate in our great conversations.

Thanks everyone for a great day and week at Target Field!

Leah

April & Kevin {Engagement}

April & Kevin {Engagement}

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Read post

Date taken: Saturday, May 22, 2010

Wedding date: June 10, 2010

The first two pictures were actually taken in their backyard. BEAUTIFUL. Just goes to show that you shouldn't count out locations. When April first told me she wanted to take some in their backyard I was hesitant, but whatever the client says goes, right? Once I got there and saw what she was talking about though, I was like cool, this works!

We then went to a few different locations along the river. As we were walking along the trail looking for different spots and angles we came up on a couple "doing it" behind a big tree that had fallen. They didn't hear or see us obviously as they were too busy, so we slowly turned around and left them in peace. So weird and definitely nothing I have ever experienced EVER!

Well, to close out this post, today is April and Kevin's wedding day. I thought it would be cool to do this engagement post on their wedding day. I am heading over to Marjorie McNeely Conservatory this afternoon to celebrate and photograph a very special day. Congratulations April & Kevin!

Stay tuned for a wedding post in the future!

Leah

Star Party {2010}

Star Party {2010}

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Read post

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Star Party is one of the annual concerts that Clear Channel put's on every year. It usually is in May. The other annual concert is Jingleball and that is usually in December. Last year was the first year that I had gone to Star Party and let me tell you...it was a blast. So I was looking forward to this year thinking it would be just the same...SO NOT THE SAME. It was actually quite disappointing. The disappointment was a mixture of personal issues with the evening and the concert itself. The venue, EPIC Nightclub, seems like it would be a great place for this type of thing and it might have been if everything went on without a hitch. Well, the following is a list of various issues with the night:

1. Videos not playing;

2. Sound not working and leading to one of the artists having to do his hit accapella, which sounded great, but was embarrassing and pathetic;

3. Long breaks in between acts, which probably wouldn't have been a big deal, but there were 7 (too many) and it ran long and didn't start on time;

4. VIP area was on the top floor which had no direct view of the stage and you had to fight for a spot...so annoying;

5. Hot.

6. Crabby Husband...not at me, but at the constant sound/video screw-ups.

Even though with everything going on, I still got to hangout and enjoy the company of friends. I also got to meet B.O.B.

[Nikki (my friend/date for the evening), B.O.B. & Me]

[Nikki, Wayne & Me]

[Doesn't he look good in his tux? LOL!]

I can't finish this blog without mentioning the other friends that were there: Jenny, Dan, Amber, Paul, Lizzie, Kayla, Jess and Sam.

Thanks friends for making my night manageable. Hopefully next year will be better!

Leah

See Wedding Day

See Wedding Day

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Read post

Saturday, May 15, 2010

All of us girls started the morning off at the MOB's house doing hair and make-up. It was a most relaxing morning talking, laughing and eating.

From there we went to Jordan Park to start pictures at 2:00 p.m. This is just one of the poses of over a 1,000 pictures that were taken by the fabulous Erin at Simply Classic Photography...check out Simply Classic Photography

After a few hours of pictures, the ceremony started at 4:45 p.m.. This is me and Missy with Kayla before the ceremony.

This is Kayla & Me at Brewers (a bar in Jordan) after the ceremony. We enjoyed a couple post-nuptial cocktails.

[PB&J]

After our pit-stop, we headed to the reception site. The buffet dinner was excellent. We then started the dance off with toasts and moved onto the traditional dances. This is me dancing with Mike (the groom) during the $ dance.

Me and Briana dancing. She is Kayla's daughter and was also my flower girl 3 years ago in my wedding. She is now 7 and getting so big.

Me and my 10 year old sister, Kate, on the dance floor having a great time.

This is me and my wonderful Husband, Wayne who took care of me that night and the next day when I didn't feel so great. Thank you and I love you hunny!

Overall the night was filled with a lot of adult beverages, dancing and most of all laughter. Great memories were made with great friends and family! These are the times that need to be remembered and treasured forever.

Congratulations to the happy couple after being together for so long! I love you Mike & Kayla!

Leah

See Rehearsal Day

See Rehearsal Day

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Read post

Friday, May 14, 2010

I started the day off at 9:00 a.m. meeting Kayla at her house in Shakopee. We then headed down to Jordan to her MIL's house to put together the boutineers and corsages. We then headed to the nail salon back in Shakopee at noon for much needed relaxation getting our toes and nails done. A lot of the day was spent with Kayla on the phone with different people ironing out various details of the evening and the next day.

[Kayla on the phone getting her pedi]

After a couple hours there we headed to do other errands which included the bank and a Taco Bell run. We picked up Mike (the Groom) and headed to Eden Prairie and had to make stops at Kayla's Parent's house, Claire's at the EP Mall and the EP Bachmans. We then headed back down to Shakopee to pick up Briana from school. Her and I hung out in the backseat.

[Briana being silly with the rehearsal bouquet]

We then headed back down to Jordan for the rehearsal and dinner, but stopped at the reception site to set up a few things first with Kayla's parents. That's when the FOB, Brian, tapped the kegs for the wedding night and so we enjoyed a wedding night adult beverage...pre-rehearsal.

[Kayla & Leah partaking in adult beverages]

After completing all our tasks at the reception site we then headed to Jordan Park to start the rehearsal and have dinner.

[Rehearsal]

After dinner the bridesmaids (and Wayne - LOL) made our bouquets that we would carry down the aisle.

[Wayne helping me with mine]

After that task was complete we left Jordan and went back to Kayla's parent's house. We stayed up for a bit, but eventually gave way to sleep and had a slumber party. I needed all the rest I could for what would be a CRAZY and long wedding day.

Leah