Thursday, December 30, 2010

Weekend Highlight: December 10 - 12, 2010

Weekend Highlight: December 10 - 12, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Read post


Saturday, December 11, 2010

I was supposed to go to our firm Christmas party this night, but it was one of the first big snowstorms of the year. The party was out in Stillwater at one of the attorneys houses and I was really looking forward to it, but the weather was ridiculous so I ended up staying home.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

This is the day the Metrodome died. I had bought Wayne tickets to this Vikes/Giants game (and the Bears game, too) for his birthday back in August and what do you know...we didn't get to go. Because of all the snow that had fallen on the 11th, the roof just couldn't handle it. The Vikings ended up playing the next day (Monday night 12/13) in Detroit. Here is the video footage that was everywhere.


Here is a before and after picture of it as well.

Photobucket

Friday, December 17, 2010

Today was my Mom's birthday. It's always a bittersweet day as I do have another sister, Keli Jo, that shares that same birthday with my Mom and would have been turning 16 years old this year. She died when she was only 3 months old from SIDS. I was in the 6th grade. I always try and get my Mom flowers for her birthday, and I ended up getting her a pink poinsettia plant this year and a really nice candle. I thought the plant reminded me of Keli. More for the color, but also because it was something different. That was the first time that day that she had cried. I told her I didn't mean to make her cry, but when I saw it, I knew that was what I needed to get. Our family has our tradition of going out to eat for birthdays. We ended up at Applebees this time. We had lots of fun chatting, laughing and eating.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

I got up and worked at Gold's Gym from 9-12 and then headed down to Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka to do some Christmas shopping. Every year Green Grandma takes Veronika and Aly out to lunch and then they do some shopping. I usually try and go with them and get my shopping done as well. It's a nice girls day. We ate lunch at my favorite restaurant Big Bowl and then walked around and shopped. Because of the snow-storm the weekend before, this was the last weekend before Christmas to get shopping done. The mall was packed and we ended up being there for longer than I wanted, but I got all my shopping done and got to spend some time with the girls and Grandma.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

We went to see The Fighter this afternoon. We both really liked it. It's not all about fighting and has a really good underlining story. I am a huge fan of Mark Whalberg, but I thought Christian Bale was outta this world. Mark Whalberg is a good actor, but has never really transformed himself into another person. In this movie Christian Bale, completely transforms himself into his character, Dicky. You don't really realize it until the end of the movie, when they show a clip of the real brothers and that's when you can see what a great job Bale did. Amy Adams is also in this movie and plays the lead actress role. I thought she was really good as well. It was a different character than her usual romance movie roles. Definitely something different from her. It's also based on a true story which I love. I really hope it wins some awards and I think Bale should definitely win best supporting actor.

Photobucket

Monday, December 20, 2010

This was the day of the Vikings/Bears game. They held it at TCF stadium (MN Gopher stadium). I did not want to risk getting sick, and Wayne ended up having to work, so we did not go to this game either. With the team not performing it's best and our shot at any sort of play-off game out the window, we just didn't want to do it. We are also not cold people, so we couldn't fathom sitting outside in the cold, while it's snowing for hours on end.

Which brings us to Christmas! Stay tuned for my Holiday post.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Jingleball {2010}

Jingleball {2010}
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Read post
Monday, December 6, 2010

I met Lemonhead after work and we headed to the Target Center for KDWB's annual concert called Jingleball.

Photobucket

When we first got to TC I snapped this picture of Wayne taking pictures with listeners. It's always a busy night, but of course he made time for me our usual picture of us.

Photobucket

Me & the Girls.

Photobucket

There are always several different artists there. Here they are:

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

I missed out on pictures of Sara Barellis (not much of a fan anyways). We were at the 3OH!3 meet & greet.

Photobucket

They were the headliner this year. So fun!

Photobucket

Here a two pictures I snapped of Wayne on stage.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Even though it's such a long concert (6:30p - 11:30p) it was such a fun night! Until next year!


Leah
Thursday, December 9, 2010

Dad's Birthday {2010}

Dad's Birthday {2010}
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Read post
Saturday, December 4, 2010

It was my Dad's actual birthday on December 1st, but since it was a Wednesday, and the weeks get so busy, we got together to celebrate that next Saturday. Wayne had to work until 2pm, so we met up at my parents house after a few errands. We have our usual places that we go out to eat at, since some of us are picky, but we decided to go to Champps for dinner for something different. It was fabulous! I didn't get any pictures of anything, not even him opening of the gifts. (That's so not like me to not get at least one picture.) But this is what we got him.

A Vikings hitch post for his truck,

Photobucket
and a Vikings beer coozie.

Photobucket

Do you see a theme here? He LOVES Vikings!! We also got him a bunch of candy, because he has a sweet tooth! He opened gifts, we went to dinner and then went back to the house to hang out. It was a wonderful night hanging out with lots of laughs.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Leah
Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Brittney {Graduation}

Brittney {Graduation}
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Read post
October 10, 2010

These pictures were taken awhile ago and were given to Brittney in early November. I was waiting for my web/logo lady to finish making my picture banner. I really wanted to use it on these pictures. Brittney is actually my cousin and some family members say that we look like each other and act/say things alike. Here are some of my favorites:

B with her doggy Casey.

Photobucket

Photobucket

As you can see we were having fun.

Photobucket

Love this classic pose.

Photobucket

Ain't she pretty?!

Photobucket

Fun in the leaves.

Photobucket

Love the sumac with the white sweater. This was upon request from her Dad. He really wanted a few photos with the red sumac. They turned out wonderful!

Photobucket

Saved the best for last.

Photobucket

Love these and I love you B! Happy Senior year!

Leah
Friday, December 3, 2010

Thanksgiving {2010}

Thanksgiving {2010}
Friday, December 3, 2010
Read post
Thursday, November 25, 2010

We usually spend Thanksgiving with my family as it is one of the times a year I get to see my Grandma. She lives two hours west of the cities and I don't get to see her as often as I would like to.

We gather mid-morning, eat the main meal at noon, take a break, watch football all day, eat pie, make Krumkake, and then end our evening with another small meal and more pie.

I didn't get any pictures of the food, but here is a picture of Wayne (The Husband) and Les (My Dad) eating pumpkin pie. I believe this is actually round #2 for them. Pumpkin pie doesn't last long in our family.

Photobucket

We also have a tradition every year of making Krumkake. We take over my Mother's island with the two irons and numerous ice cream pails that we fill.

From Left to Right: Grandma Edna, cousin Emily, Aunt Laurie, Mom Karla.

Photobucket

You can see that the ice cream pails are already starting to fill up and the can of Reddi Whip on the counter.

From L to R: Sister Kate, Jorun, who is the Diekens foreign exchange student this year from Norway, Grandma and Emily again.

Photobucket

The italicized information is taken from Wikipedia.

Krumkake or 'Krum kaka' (English pronunciation: /ˈkruːmkɑːkə/, meaning bent or curved cake, plural krumkaker) is a Norwegian waffle cookie made of flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and cream. Krumkake are traditionally made during the Christmas season.

(photo from Wikipedia)

Photobucket

A special decorative two-sided iron griddle, similar to a waffle iron, is used to bake the thin round cakes. Older irons are used over the stove, but modern electric irons offer the convenience of nonstick surfaces, automatic timing, and multiple cakes per batch.

(photo from Wikipedia)

Photobucket

My Mom filling up her iron with batter.

Photobucket

While hot, the 13–20 cm krumkake are rolled into small cones around a wooden or plastic cone form. Krumkake can be eaten plain or filled with whipped cream (often multekrem) or other fillings.

Grandma Edna rolling.

Photobucket

These cookies are popular not only in Norway but also among Norwegian immigrant descendants in the American Midwest. Krumkaker are traditionally made in preparation for Christmas, along with other Norwegian sweets including Sandbakelse and Rosettes. They offer a sweet dessert after the traditional Christmas Eve dinner of ribs or pinnekjøtt.

In Germany, the cookies are commonly filled with sweet stuffings. They are also used as a type of ice cream cone.

Our immediate family doesn't make Rosettes, but some of our extended family does. So we always have those for Christmas, too.We like to put whip cream in our Krumkake or just eat it plain. Doing this always gets us in the Christmas spirit. We make enough to enjoy for the whole month of December.

Part of the Dieken Family

Photobucket

Me & Grandma Edna

Photobucket

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday!

Leah
Wednesday, December 1, 2010

100 Things About Me

100 Things About Me
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Read post
1. My name is Leah Antyna.
2. My initials are LAD.
3. My initials use to be LAS.
4. I am married to my best friend.
5. I do not have any human babies yet.
6. I do have 4 fur-babies.
7. I am very blessed for the people in my life.
8. I believe in Karma.
9. I have 3 younger siblings.
10. I have a few best friends who are all amazing.
11. I have sensitive skin.
12. My eyes are hazel.
13. I love watching televison and probably watch too much.
14. I usually don't wear nail polish, unless it is clear.
15. I only have two Grandma's left living.
16. I don't like or hate school.
17. I always got good grades.
18. I'll be 28 in April.
19. My homepage is Google.
20. I was almost adopted.
21. My Mom gave birth to me when she was a junior in high school.
22. My Grandma raised me in my early years, while my Mom finished school.
23. I have been scrapbooking for years, but do not have a lot to show for it.
24. I've been working since I was 16 and I am grateful for that.
25. I love my husband's family and glad they are now my family.
26. I think of blogging as a journal and scrapbook.
27. Sometimes I get car-sick if I am riding in the back seat.
28. I'm a MN sports fan.
29.Me and my Husband each have our own DVR's.
30. I do not have any tattoos, but want one.
31. I know what I want, but do not know where I want it.
32. I'm a people person, but I also like my personal time.
33. I have a 4th sibling who died from SIDS when I was in the 6th grade..she was 3 months old. She would be turning 16 on 12.17.2010, which also happens to be my Mom's birthday as well.
34. My parents didn't get married until I was 6. I was the flower girl.
35. My parents are high school sweethearts.
36. I would love to learn how to cook better and cook more.
37. I would like to travel more.
38. I pretend that planes are shooting stars.
39. I am so not a morning person. I am a night owl.
40. My favorite color is green.
41. I like a lot of different movies and couldn't pick just one that is my favorite.
42. I am a good trouble shooter with computers.
43. Def Leppard is my favorite band and I have seen them in concert like 6 times..
44. I love my Mom and she is one of my best friends. I tell her everything.
45. I do not play an instruments.
46. I LOVE the holiday season.
47. I take way to many pictures of everything.
48. I like to play train dominoes or monopoly, otherwise board games aren't my thing.
49. I didn't play any sports until I was in high school. Then I played soccer through the city.
50. I'm fascinated with how a baby develops inside the human body.
51. I like most music except for country.
52. I love to read.
53. I hate bugs, snakes, rodents, etc.
54. I'm scared of big bodies of water.
55. I have a fear of drowning or getting burned alive.
56. I like looking at and being at the ocean, but I don't really like being in it.
57. I love the blogging world and find other people's stories fascinating.
58. I wish I had a green thumb.
59. I used to only drink beer, now I am a wine gal.
60. I love celebrations/parties/gatherings.
61. I have a lot of freckles for having dark hair.
62. I'm somewhat spoiled when it comes to my Husband.
63. I got Lasik in January 2010 as a Christmas gift from Husband.
64. Before that I wore glasses since 6th grade and got contacts in 8th grade.
65. I like to find good deals on clothes.
66. My flower girl, Briana, is the daughter of one of my best friends, who was 3 at the time of my wedding, screamed all the way down the aisle. It was actually hilarious. She just turned 8 on Tuesday 11/30.
67. Ignorance is one of my pet peeves.
68. I have seasonal allergies.
69. My Husband is THE funniest guy you will ever meet and if you know him you will agree with me.
70. I love Caribou Coffee, but not normal coffee.
71. I know hitting snooze makes me more tired and I still do it.
72. I can be quite the procrastinator.
73. Doing dishes is my least favorite chore.
74. I am thankful my Husband helps with chores.
75. I love giving gifts.
76. I love sleeping and naps.
77. I've been a bridesmaid three times in my life so far and it's all been within the last year or so.
78. At some point in my life I want a Boxer. I want to name it Killebrew and call it Killa.
79. I do not own a home, but hope to someday soon.
80. I have an obsession with sunglasses.
81. I broke both my wrists in 3rd grade.
82. I have never skinny dipped.
83. It doesn't take much to make me happy. I am usually easily entertained.
84. I think DVRs are the best things ever invented.
85. I want to use coupons more.
86. I use gmail for my email.
87. I love helping people.
88. I want to be more green.
89. I love my job and my boss.
90. I can't go anywhere without chapstick.
91. I stay up too late sometimes, although I am getting better.
92. I can tell when I'm getting irritable.
93. I live by the motto "everything happens for a reason."
94. One of my favorite things to eat is plain noodles with butter and Parmesan cheese.
95. I like dogs that look mean, but really are just big teddy bears.
96. I am a good listener.
97. I don't believe in outside dogs.
98. If I could I would have a million dogs and just rescue them all.
99. The best place on earth for me is on my couch with my Husband and our dogs.
100. I really want to be a Mom.

Leah
Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Packers vs. Vikings {2010}

Packers vs. Vikings {2010}
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Read post
Sunday, November 21, 2010

Well, after the ice storm that happened that night before and Wayne spending the night at a friends house I left the house to meet him at his Mom's. It's a nice meeting place, where we can leave a vehicle. We made our way to Mall of America Field for the noon game. It was still rainy and cold out, but we were both excited to go. Neither one of us had ever been to a Viking/Packer game. This one was a big deal as we were on a losing streak and our team could just not get it together. Here were our seats in the 9th row.

Photobucket

I didn't snap a whole lot of pictures, but I had to get one of #69.

Photobucket

And although he hasn't done a whole lot this year (I blame it on his wife for making him cut off his mullet...you just don't mess with a Man's mojo), I still love him and his enthusiasm.

Here is a little history and a few stats on the game. Obviously we didn't win, but it's still really cool to know.

Game Preview

The Minnesota Vikings (3-6) return home this week to face the divisional rival Green Bay Packers (6-3) on Sunday, November 21. Kickoff at Mall of America Field is set for noon CST.

Sunday’s game will be the 100th matchup between the Vikings and the Packers, a heated rivalry in which Green Bay currently holds a 50-48-1 series lead. Not only do the teams share a tight overall series record, the Vikings and Packers also have been incredibly even in scoring over the years, with just a 16-point difference (Green Bay 537, Minnesota 521) in the 22 games (including the only playoff game in ‘04) since 2000. Minnesota has won three of the last four games in the series.

What To Watch For

* If the Vikings win, it will be the team’s 18th victory at Mall of America Field since 2008. The Vikings are 17-3 in the last 20 home games.

* If the Vikings win, it will be the 40th regular season victory for Head Coach Brad Childress. Childress has 40 overall wins - 39 in the regular season and one postseason victory.

* G Steve Hutchinson can block for his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard rusher (had a 1,000 yard rusher in each of his nine previous seasons) if RB Adrian Peterson rushes for 92 yards or more.

* K Ryan Longwell can move up the NFL charts for career field goals made. Longwell current ranks 16th in NFL history with 332 field goals made. He can tie George Blanda (335) for 15th place with three FGs.

* RB Adrian Peterson has 49 career combined touchdowns in 55 career games. With one TD, he can move into 7th place in Vikings history, tying Sammy White with 50 career TDs.

* Peterson needs two rushing touchdowns to move into a 7th place tie in NFL history for the most rushing TDs in the first four NFL seasons. Peterson is currently tied for 9th with 47 career rushing TDs and trails Jim Brown and Maurice Jones-Drew, who both had 49 in their first four years.

* With 92 rushing yards, Peterson will reach 1,000 yards for the fourth consecutive season.

A classic picture of this match-up.

Photobucket

Since that game about a week ago, the owner has fired Brad Childress and Leslie Frazier has stepped up in the interim. There were high expectations for this new coach and team and they pulled through. We won Sunday's game against the Redskins, and didn't look half bad. I am hoping this continues. Wayne and I have tickets to the Giants game on Sunday 12/12 and to the Monday night football game against the Bears on 12/20. I had bought the tickets back in August for Wayne's birthday not knowing if Favre was coming back or not. I have been disappointed thus far (like many Vikings fans), but I have hope.

Photobucket

And even though we lost miserably, we still had fun and always do! 
Stay tuned for more posts in December about our Vikings adventures (and hopefully some more wins).

Leah
Monday, November 29, 2010

Aly's 12th Birthday {2010}

Aly's 12th Birthday {2010}
Monday, November 29, 2010
Read post
Sunday, November 14, 2010

So Aly's actual birthday is October 24th, but with all the craziness this fall, this was the first time everyone could get together. I love birthday parties at the Horton House. There is always great food, lots of chatter and definitely lots of laughs. I have to admit I was a tad disappointed with the food selection this year. One of the things I was looking forward to most ended up having onions on it. Gross.

Here is Aly opening gifts.

Photobucket

This is my favorite gift she received. I want to steal them. Haha. Super cute.

Photobucket

This is their dog Sunshine, helping with the gift opening.

Photobucket

I try and capture this picture each year with the cousins.

Photobucket

This one was after she blew out the candles. She had quite a few left.

Photobucket

Look at all those boyfriends! Even though the Vikings lost that day to the Bears, it was still a great afternoon spent with family.

Happy Birthday Aly!

Leah
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Our 4th Wedding Anniversary {2010}

Our 4th Wedding Anniversary {2010}
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Read post
Thursday, November 11, 2010

Since it was a Thursday (work-night) and I knew I wouldn't be able to stay awake late enough to get dinner AND a movie in, we decided to split the two events up. We went to dinner at Benihana.  Which was fabulous. And even though it was my first time there, it was not my first time at a teppanyaki style restaurant. It's not the most romantic atmosphere, because you are sharing your table with 6 other people and the cook, but it works for us and we had a wonderful time.

This is us at dinner.

Photobucket

We exchanged gifts. I got Wayne a DVD that he had been wanting.

Photobucket

And he surprised me with a pair of shoes that I've been wanting for months. My Raspberry colored Chuck Taylor's.

Photobucket Photobucket

Needless to say I was super excited and thankful! He had tricked me a few days beforehand and asked me what my shoe size was because his Mom wanted to know. I told him and didn't even put 2 and 2 together. He also wanted to take me to go see a movie that I had been wanting to see, but we agreed to go that Sunday after a family birthday party (post to follow on that soon).

Sunday, November 14, 2010

After the family birthday party we headed to our little Buffalo Cinema to see this movie.

Photobucket

I have a not-so secret crush on Zach. It was a very funny movie and we both enjoyed it!

Happy Anniversary honey! Here is to a million more! I love you!

Leah
Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Pups 4th Birthday

Pups 4th Birthday
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Read post
Wednesday, November 10, 2010

We celebrated as we do every year. We get 3 cheeseburgers from McDonalds and put 1 candle in each.

Photobucket

Sing happy birthday.

 Photobucket


Photobucket

Cut them up and each pup gets a piece.

Photobucket

Bella waiting patiently for her piece from Daddy.

Photobucket

Nothing huge and really not a big deal, but it is to us. It's also a happy time as the next day is our wedding anniversary!

Happy Birthday Babies!

Leah
Latest pins