Jaime's First Mother's Day

Alice and Mommy

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there who read this blog on a semi-regular basis. Today was even more special to some special friends who are newbies to being celebrated this day. Sudeshna is the newest! She's only been a mom for 5 days! Happy Mother's Day to Melanie, too! I can't even believe I just typed that last sentence! Who would have known 2 years ago - that you'd be celebrating Mother's Day today!! - And - to my very own sister-in-law - Happy 1st Mother's Day Jaime! You (and my brother) have given me a most cherished gift - a wonderful niece - whom I love more than I knew I would! I am very happy that I got to help you celebrate today.

Lon, Jaime, and Alice picked me up shortly after 10am. We were on our way to Eagan - to Cousin Heidi's place for Mother's Day Brunch. But FIRST! A stop at Caribou - must have foo foo coffees for special days. (ok - and for not so special days too!) We arrived fashionably late - and brunch was served! Greg and Mary Joy were there - Julie and Zach, Jon and Genevieve, Heidi - and the Jerome kids. Heidi is always such an awesome hostess - even when she's had NO SLEEP! There were like 12 quiches! - ok - no - but I think there were five! - fruit, some fundraiser bread, bacon, sausage, danishes, potatoes - and salad?? - Seriously - am I the only one? - I don't think I've seen salad at brunch before today! :) :) :)

Rock Star

Alice was a hit at Heidi's. She played on the floor - was totally into the shaggish carpeting - loved on her cousins Jon and Julie - and behaved like the little rock star she is!

Jammin' with Cousin Julie

Lovin' on Cousin Jon

After brunch - we headed back up to the city - where Lon and Jaime dropped me off at home - then headed to Elk River to Jaime's mom's. I set to cooking. Whew! I made chicken curry, sesame chicken, fried rice, and parathas. Julie, Heidi, Lon, Jaime, and Alice came to dinner - where we watched Saturday Night Live - ate yummy Sunday dinner - and laughed and giggled with Alice as she stole the show once again!

Snackin' at Auntie Carrie's

It's been a long but fun day. The dishes will wait til tomorrow - (or Tuesday, or Wednesday. . .) :)

Why does Auntie Carrie take so many pictures??

Happy Mother's Day.

Splurging on the Puppies

So I couldn't resist - I got new collars for my babies. I actually got them last week (whilst shopping for Lonny's and Jaime's birthday presents - but they didn't get baths until last night - so had to wait to wear their new duds!) I HAVE been looking for a few months - for cool new collars. (The old ones were ready to retire - I think they could have run off on their own!!)

Here's Baxter sportin' his new Paw-and-Crossbones Collar.



Bella Baby is hiding her new purple/pink designer collar under a neck full of hair - yes - time to call the groomer!

Question. How do you get dogs to sit still and to look at the camera? Hold a tennis ball where you want them to focus!! I can't believe it's taken me FIVE years to figure that one out!



Happy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday Lonny!

Tonight I joined Lon, Jaime, Alice & the Turman's at Khan's Mongolian BBQ. My little brother turned 33 today. Holy Moly. Here are a few more of my favorite photos of me and my little brother from the early years.



So cute!



Love ya Lonny!

Craftsravaganza

I officially became a part of the craft fair with this collaboration with my brother. Here are our Unitus Dolls - Lonny designed and screen printed them - I sewed them - we both stuffed and finished them. I'm pretty proud of what we accomplished. I think we got a bunch of "first timer" bugs out - and truly - even tho they were a lot of work - I'm looking forward to the next edition of dolls!

Yesterday's craft fair was fun. And. . . I really wasn't IN the fair much. In the past I have helped Lon and Jaime - by giving them breaks for bathroom, to get food, so they can look around at other booths. . . but yesterday I spent most of the time outside with Alice. She's a Rock Star when it comes to being cute and cuddly ALL DAY LONG! Inside the fair - Alice and I checked out some of the booths and sat and listened to the Roe Family Singers - and MY niece - who was the youngest kid sitting there - was clapping along to the beat and clapping at the end of each song! (She's freakin' talented!)

Alice and I also tooled around the State Fairgrounds in her stroller, took two naps, and played with toys on a blanket in the grass. The first time she got cranky was when we were actually packing up to go home - but it was way past her dinner time - and she was ready to EAT!

We've all had a long couple of days - and pretty much crashed last night. Now it's Sunday - the craft fair is over - and I need to CLEAN MY HOUSE! :)

Happy Sunday!

3rd Grade Friend

So I found an old classmate of mine on MySpace. GEEZ that's so cool! I found Heidi B. She was in my 3rd grade class in Bellflower, IL! Totally cool! We've exchanged a few messages - she's divorced and has a 10 year old son. She gets along with her ex, used to own a bar, now works in the AG field. Anyway. Those of you who know me well - know I love that kinda stuff! (Oh yeah - and found my Bellflower babysitter's brother too!) Ok - don't tell Lonny I was blogging . . I should be sewing! Back at it then!

Pictures from Vegas

OK! Here are some of my best shots from Spring Break!

Mom and Alice enjoying the beautiful Las Vegas weather.




The "Jerome Kids" on vacation.




Grandma and Grandpa are so freaking excited to have Alice in Vegas - they almost can't stand it!




We went out to dinner one night. Mom showed off her casino. :)




Alice loves Grandma's casino too!




I LOVE this photo. What a beautiful family!




We're ready to head back to Minneapolis.




Alice played as much as she could before we had to get on the plane. (She was a pro on both plane rides - slept most of the time - played quietly for the rest!)




Back in Minnesota for Easter, we had a small celebration - I made dinner (mom's Sunday Rice Krispie Chicken and Potatoes) at Lon and Jaime's.


All in all a short but sweet - and very relaxing - Spring Break!

An Old Friend

(For you faithful readers - pics and stories from Vegas are coming soon. . . but first . . . )

I had a blast tonight with my dear friend Tracy. She said it too - it's like - we haven't seen each other in a LONG while (like I'm thinking over a year) - yet when we get together it's like no time has passed! I just went over to her house after work - we visited - I got to see her girls - we snacked - the girls played (aka "showed off for Carrie") - JC brought BW3 home from work - we watched Survivor - caught up on some gossip - and seriously - I had a great time.

Here's my favorite all-time picture of Tracy. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding - and someone got a great shot of her trying to keep cool in that heavy Renaissance dress. She was adorable that day in '99 - AND - she's still adorable today! She's a wonderful mom, wife, teacher, and friend. (Love ya Tracy!)

Spring Break

Spring Break has started!

Actually, I kinda started it a little early - last Thursday night. Amy, Becky & Miriam came over after work for our first official "Girls Night." It was a lot of fun - but we paid for it Friday. (The kids didn't have school - but we had to go in to work for a 1/2 day of grading and stuff.)

Friday (still sick - at this point -it was day #6 of this damn cold!) - went to TWolves with LRH#1 (aka JULIE).

Slowly but surely - we all got moving Saturday to get on the road to Detroit Lakes. Jaime, Lon, Alice and I joined the rest of the "Hunter Girls" for our (almost) yearly reunion. We played some cards, ate, visited, and even introduced Alice to a swimming pool. (not so much yet) :)

We drove home Sunday in slushy/rainy weather. Well! I guess that was our hint to Get Outta Dodge! :)

We left for Vegas last night - Alice did great on the plane! - she slept! :) Now we're up and moving - actually the Jerome/Olesen's are napping - but we're here - and enjoying the sun and 70/80 degree day!

Stay tuned for Spring Break updates! :)

Baxter's Day

Happy Birthday to my "Big" guy! Baxter is FIVE years old today! I won't see him until tomorrow - but I think I forsee a dogpark and puppy icecream involved in our celebration!

New Hair

Not sure how this picture will show up - as it was taken using Lonny's "PhotoBooth" on his computer - but here's a not-too-shabby shot of my new hair. (I got it "did" yesterday.) I LOVE it. It's a little on the RED side right now - but in a month - it will be the perfect color.