Arnal Wedding Weekend!!

So... I spent the weekend watching one of my best friends marry the love of her life. This was such an amazing time and I am so, so, SO happy I was able to be part of the entire process. I have to say that my favorite time of the weekend was the hour or so prior to leaving for the ceremony. We helped Abby into her dress, watched her add the final touches, sip a little champagne, and chat about the upcoming evening.

Abby was as cool as 'cuke (minus a little mistake with the flowers) and she made the most beautiful bride!

The ceremony was held on a boat on the St. Croix river, where guests enjoyed the sun, a spectacular view, cocktails, and appetizers. After a little cruise down the river the wedding party headed to a park for pictures. From there on the rest of the night was a blur. Music, dancing, toasts to the bride and groom, food and wine made up the night... I'll let the pictures do the talking...

The wedding party... looking good!!!

My mom, John and Abby!!

Dollar dance... Kevin and Abby

The Girls!!

The happy couple!!!

Congratulations Abby and Ben!!! We love you so much and are so happy for your new life together. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to spend the weekend with you!!!

We couldn't be happier for you both!!!

Das bringt mich in Zorn

Yeah, you're right. I totally googled "German sayings" to get the title of this posting. Translation... "That gets my goat" Although it has absolutely no relevance, I laughed pretty hard.

Over the weekend Kevin and I ventured to Northeast Minneapolis to celebrate Oktoberfest at Gastohf's. We had amazing German food, lots of beer, Apfelkorn shots, and snuff.

CHEERS!!!!

Wedding-mares... already?

In my opinion, Kevin and I have been doing pretty good with our wedding plans. According to the the knot website checklist we are on track and moving right along. We have quite a few of the big to-do's checked off our list; ceremony and reception site, officiant, wedding dress, band... etc, etc.

Unfortunately, along with all these plans has come some sub-conscious worrying. The wedding nightmares, or wedding-mares, have already started and I am already losing sleep over the thought of walking down the isle with my hair and make-up not done, a dress that is ripped, a dress that I can't fit into, no photographer, yadda yadda yadda. Let me tell you, it makes for a very confusing morning. I continually find myself asking "what do these nightmares mean?"

Conclusion... wedding planning is stressful. So stressful in fact you have to think about all the plans and details while you are awake, and apparently also while you sleep. But, all this preliminary stress and worrying is worth it. I am so excited and so lucky to be marrying the love of my life. Maybe, in some twisted and ridiculous way I am not really having wedding-mares but maybe the excitement of the day is already going to my head and affecting my sleep, kind of like the night before Christmas. So for myself and the sake of my 'good night's sleep', August 7th cannot come soon enough!!!

Countdown...

Sorry guys, the countdown has begun!!! 11 days 'till this girl is off the market...

"The Great Minnesota Get Together"

As some of you may or may not know, Kevin is OBSESSED with the State Fair. He has explained to me multiple times that this obsession stemmed from early childhood. Being from the Como Park area, attending the fair every summer became a ritual... and he has been ever so kind to start including me in this ritual.

Last year we attended the fair together for the first time ever, so when we went this year I considered myself "seasoned vet status." I am embarrassed to even disclose how much food we managed to destroy, but amidst the calorie fest we had a pretty good time.

My sister Alli (and my Maid of Honor) came along for the ride and I am pretty sure she enjoyed the festivities as well. Her and I fell in love with an acapella group called Marcoux Corner. They were great and they even sang a little tribute to my hero, Neil Diamond! Needless to say, we spent a decent part of the afternoon in the adirondack chairs enjoying Leinie's Honeyweiss (with a lemon, of course!)

After multiple snacks and a day of people watching, we took our handfuls of goodies and drug our dirty, little feet out of the fair grounds. After a quick nap in the grass we made it back to the car and set off for home. Score: State Fair-1, Alli-0. Sorry Al, better luck next year!!