The Elf on the Shelf - A Christmas Tradition

More than a month later I am FINALLY blogging again. October has been notoriously my busiest month with photoshoots & weddings. Fall color & nice weather has kept my bum working from sun up to sunset every weekend & several days during the week. I can't lie, I am glad that is has significantly slowed down. While I can't figure out what to do on weekends yet, I really like being home with my kiddos & actually being able to see my family. That is really nice.

So, back to what this blog post is really about. The Elf on the Shelf. You may or may not know what this is. It is pretty awesome so if you don't, get on it. We started ours a few days early but we also have our Christmas tree up & almost all our Christmas decor. lol

The Elf on the Shelf is a fantastic kids book that comes with an adorable little Elf. According to the book he is YOUR Elf. You get to name him. We named ours Drew. Each night Drew flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa how the kids were each day. Then he comes home early each morning & hides. Apparently Elves really like to play hide & seek. Perfect for Kegan & Karie who are always up for a game. The game is supposed to start after Thanksgiving, but since we got Drew yesterday it was almost impossible to wait! Plus, like I said, we are already well into the Christmas Spirit so why not.

This is something I have wanted to do with the kids for a few years now. I love having traditions. I am such a sucker for Holidays/Birthday's so this is just perfect for us. Unfortunately a few years ago the kids were too small to really understand what the Elf on the Shelf was. But this year being 5 and almost 4 I thought it was a perfect year to start this tradition!

Last night was our first night with Drew. We sat in Kegan's bed & read the story with Drew sitting on Kegan's shelf listening to us tell his story. The kids loved the book. They asked 7,000 questions & couldn't wait for the morning to find him!

Since we have dogs and we have one, Kooper, who likes to chew things I told the kids that Drew likes to hide up high. The last night we'd want is for the kids to wake up & find Drew's head on the floor & his chewed body spread all over the living room! Yikes!

This morning the kids woke up & had to look for him! I hid him pretty easy (in the Christmas tree) so it took Kegan less than a minute to spot him. He is still currently sitting up there. Why you ask? Well, Kegan said that Drew likes to be up there because he can see everything going on in the living room & kitchen and that it is his job to tell Santa what we do so he can see it better there. lol Smart kiddo!

Of course what would a blog post be without some pictures! So without further adieu, I'd love to share some pictures of the newest member of our family, Drew!

Pretty easy hiding spot huh! lol I have lots of ideas on where to hide him & I am sure the internet can help me with some as well. They will only get more creative & more fun as the days past. I hope to document each night as well!

9-11-2011 - 10 Years Later

September 11th, 2001 fell on a Tuesday. I was 17 & in my Senior year of High School at Centennial in Circle Pines. I woke up & got ready for school. I wore my favorite pair of jeans, red tank top & my favorite red & gray zip up sweater, which I still have by the way. I drove to school in my blue VW Jetta & went to my first class.

It was Business Math, a class I really enjoyed. Our teacher was super fun & I had several friends in class. I was early, like always. I sat down in my seat with the few other early birds & our teacher turn on CNN which was something we always did. The click of those buttons changed our lives. We had no idea what was going on. All we saw was panic. It didn't take long to realize that a plane crashed into one of the towers in NYC. It was so early that they didn't know if it was an accident or even any details. We sat there in shock. Little was said while we watched. A huge gasp was heard when the second plane hit.

While we were thousands of miles away from what was happening we were all scared. We had no idea if something like this was going to happen here. We had no idea who was doing it. It was so new & so scary. I had very little connection personally it. A friend of my dads had many family members in NYC & the place I worked at the time had a store in one of the towers. Besides that, I just knew about the Twin Towers. I remember my teacher saying "Remember this moment. Your children will be asking you where you were when this happened." Little did we know at the moment just how true that was.

The details we saw were graphic. As the cameras panned up on the buildings we saw people sticking their bodies out the windows above where the plane crashed into the building. They were unsure what was going on but knew that there was no way out for them. And then it happened, people started to jump out the window. My heart was in my stomach & I couldn't believe I was watching this living nightmare.

We sat in horror in our classrooms as we watched both towers collapse. I felt sick. It was so scary. It was a very unreal feeling as I am sure everyone can relate to. Could this really be happening? The rest of the day was quite a blur. I remember going to my classes but the halls were quiet compared to regular school days. Classrooms weren't filled with teachers teaching but filled with scared kids glued to the TV. I went home that night & watched the news all night with my family. Thankful they were alive & sadden that so many people lost their family members & friends.

Americans woke up that morning like any other days but went to sleep forever changed.

We will never forget. 9-11-2001

What were you doing 8 years ago?

It was 2003 & it was my second day at my new job. I didn't know waking up that day that I would be meeting the man I was going to marry! It was like any other day at any other new job. I remember going in for training like everyone had to do their first week. I worked downtown Minneapolis & our offices were in two buildings. Kyle & I worked in the same building but training was in another. For some reason Kyle had to make up part of the day at my training class. So after lunch he walked with me from one building to the other. I remember being so nervous. I maybe said 3 words to him walk over. I thought he was SO cute. I was barely 19 & probably the shyest person you'd ever meet. If you know me now you might not believe that. I am extremely outgoing & talk to just about anyone in any situation.

I remember towards the end of training our class played a game. We had to be split into 2 teams & Kyle was on my team. He sat next to me. I remember him saying to me "Do my feet smell?" as he shows me that he has no shoes on. Yea...he had game. lol I could barely spit out the word no because I was so nervous. Our team won the game. We won these random fish. Some were blue & some were orange. We traded our fish because he knew I wanted the blue one. Random right?!

After that we went back to the other office & went home. I was blogging back then too. I have been blogging since about 1995 & started my online journal in 2002. So I went back & read my journal from that day. Here are a few highlights:


"I went to the second half of training with Kyle today. He's adorable. I was so nervous talking to him. I felt like such a dork."

lol It is true. I remember thinking how nerdy he must think I am. I was so awkward & shy. He was so handsome & confident. I just couldn't believe he was talking to me. I also said:


"I have the dumbest smile on my face. It's been there all day."

How funny is that? I remember that day so vividly. I had just gotten out of a relationship & wasn't looking for anything serious. I didn't even think that I had a chance with Kyle honestly. lol I was the dorky awkward girl & he was the hot fresh out of college guy. lol Opposites do attract!

Apple Orchard Round #2

So it has been only 2 days since we were last at the Orchard, but we decided to go again. This time without Kyle & adding some friends. My girlfriend Chalayne came along with her two girls, Ally & Kate. We have done this in the past & this will not be the last time we do it this year either!

The kids were all slightly insane today. But from my feed on Facebook it looks like it wasn't just our kids that were losing their minds. lol It seemed to be a nationwide trend. Either way, we had a good time.

All the kids checked out the "Apple Factory" but sadly it wasn't on. Doesn't matter though because they liked to see everything.

I love how they display their apples for people to buy! It is so insanely cute!

Of course you can't leave the building without your apple treats. On top of our donuts we also bought Apple Syrup. We have never had it before so we thought we'd try it! We had our snacks & the kids ran around like crazy people stopping a few times to play a quick game of "Ring Around the Rosey".

Such goofballs. Then it was off to the red barn to take a picture of the kids. We did it last year & I knew we had to try it again. We sat the kids down in the same order they were last year. Pretty sure this needs to be a yearly though. I don't think however they will all fit on those steps when they are bigger. lol

I can't believe in one year how much they have all grown!

lol I love it! So cute! After that we walked back down to the other red barn to check out all the old apple farming stuff!

The kids for the most part were being insane. We told them not to run, they ran more. We told them to run, they ran faster. lol Nothing was working. I knew that I had to capture their craziness even though it was driving me nuts!

Kind of perfect. I love these little munchkins!

Fall is in the air!

Now that it is unofficially fall, it means that it is Apple Orchard Season. If you know me...even a little bit...you will know that I have an unhealthy obsession/love with Apple Orchards. I say unhealthy because I have a love for Apple Donuts. I could eat them buy the box full. I eat one or two donuts a year but when it comes to Apple Orchard Season, I don't even want to give you a number! Lets just say it is far to many. lol But they are so good & so hard to say no to. I'd call myself an expert when it comes to all things Apple Orchard related. I have my favorites. Unfortunately my favorites aren't all close. One of my favorites happens to be in Northfield...45 minutes away. That one we only go to once a year...but it is well worth it. They probably the best Apple Donuts. When those suckers come out fresh, it puts any other donut to shame! Yum! They also have the biggest pumpkins I've ever seen & a killer Orchard for pictures. Pretty sure I am going to do family pictures there later this fall.

For me the season started on Tuesday (always the day after Labor Day in my eyes) so spending a few hours at the Orchard just felt like a great way to kick off the season! It was just the 4 of us that went. Of course it being so early in the season there wasn't many people at all. Plus it was a weekday so that helped. We went to Pine Tree in White Bear Lake. I adore this Orchard. It is a smaller one with not a lot of kid activities but I still really love it. They have a huge barn where they have a billion kinds of apple treats (they have awesome Apple Donuts), a big machine that separates the apples, they have juices, ciders & maple products too. It's fun! Of course samples of the different kids of apples too! You can walk a bit of the Orchard & check out the history of the place too. They have picnic tables to eat lunch at and/or your apple treats as well. Sunday & Monday they have tractor rides (which every kid loves) and come closer to Halloween they have a few kid related things out. Even without that stuff. They kids have a blast. It's big so they can run off their sugar highs from the donuts & us parents can sit back & watch our kids enjoy one of our favorite places.

Of course what would be trip to the Orchard without pictures?! I went for a more vintage look with the pictures too. Trying something a little different.

Even though it isn't a pick your own Orchard, Karie always feels the need to do it. She LOVES apples & will scarf them down pretty quickly. Some people may gag at the fact that she picked the apple from the tree & just ate it without washing it. There are such things as good germs ya know. ;)

I love this little area. Year after year I take pictures in this area. Pretty much the same tree! I love it.

Kegan was totally rocking the faux hawk & Gingham button down. How cute is that? It's so fally. lol I know it's not a word but whatever. He totally looks like he belongs there!

While Kegan is the only kid on the planet who doesn't eat fruit (totally broken) he sure likes the look & feel of apples so I couldn't resists getting a picture. Plus, I was planning to take a picture to use on my fanpage on Facebook, Coopet Photography, and that is what I did!

We headed down the hill to buy our donuts & have a mini picnic!

Of course you'd think my family was only 3 people as you don't see me very often since I am always taking the pictures. One of these trips though I am forcing the husband to be the picture taker. I need to look like I was there too! lol

Since it was our first donuts of the year we had to take a few pictures with them. lol They are insanely tasty let me tell ya. If you haven't ever had them, my soul hurts for you. They are delish!

And finally "Hey Karie, let's smell them." hahahaha Oh geeze! Could they be any cuter? Don't think so!


Because we love the Orchard so much....we are going there again tonight with some friends...I am sure I will have my camera with tonight too!!

My Week According to Instagram

In attempt to keep my blog updated I am taking a cue from the FABULOUS Whitney from We're Making History & doing "My Week According to Instagram". If you don't want what Instagram is, you are missing out! It's a fun, free, app to share pictures for the iPhone. I am always taking pictures with my iPhone so it is fun to share them. You can to put fun filters over them too. Nothing fancy but that is okay. So every week I am going to do "My Week According to Instagram" just for the fun of it!

So we'll start from the beginning!

1. I went to the Zoo with my girlfriend Emily on Monday. Gotta love the lazy Tiger laying right next to the window.
2. Kegan in the Zoo Boo sign!
3. Karie in the Zoo Boo sign! I love these things.
4. My brother, Tyler, and I went to Valleyfair on Tuesday. We are silly.
5. Tyler is a prize winner!
6. For Kegan's 5th Birthday he was given a ton of Lego's. He built them all buy himself with no help! Genuis!
7. I finally got my hair colored!
8. 2 of my 3 favorite people in the world sleeping. This was so sweet to wake up to!
9. This is my job. I had the best bridesmaids EVER at my Friday wedding. They totally rocked it!
10. It has been a while but Kyle & I went to breakfast & had Blood Mary's for Bloody Mary Sunday. It was nice to have a date!
11. My morning cuddly buddy, Kooper. How can you not love that face?!

Gay, Straight, Black, White Marriage is a Civil Right!

I am going to get political on here for a moment...or 10! This is my blog, so I shall use it as I see fit. I don't really like to talk politics most of the time. It is a very touchy subject & has caused many friendships to crumble. While I respect that people have different opinions on things, there are some things, that I just don't budge on. One of those few issues is the right for ANYONE to get married. Gay, Straight, Black, White Marriage is a Civil Right!


Recently some Minnesota Lawmakers have decided that they want to vote on Love. They want to make an amendment stating that in Minnesota you can only get married if you are a man and a woman, making Gay Marriage illegal. Since when did we vote on straight peoples right to marry? Oh wait. We didn't. We didn't because the Bible said it was okay. But who says we all have to believe that book. I am not Christian. Why should they force their beliefs on everyone else. That isn't fair. Most of the people that are Christan's don't follow that book 100% anyways. If they did, most people wouldn't have sex before marriage, they wouldn't use birth control & hell, they would be saints. That just isn't it. Sadly, most of the hardcore Christan's that I know, are the most judgmental people that I know. I am not saying all, just most that I know. They are setting a pretty bad example as a Christan because doesn't it say in the Bible not the judge people because that is God's job?

But, I digress. This isn't a post about being a good Christan. It's about Gay Marriage & their right to have the same rights as any other couple in love. Monday afternoon several hundred of us Rallied together at our State Capitol to try & put a stop to this amendment. I love everyone! I feel awful that these people can't marry because someone says it isn't okay. That is just ridiculous! I had to go to this Rally as a straight person to take a stand. To show that just because I am straight, that doesn't mean I am against Gay Marriage. These people need other people to stand up with them! They need people to fight with them for their right to marry the person they love.

Lets digress for just a second again. Back to being a Christan. In the Bible it talks about how divorce is wrong & la de da. So why isn't divorce illegal? If they want to make Gay Marriage illegal, make divorce illegal as well. I bet that would change the tune of many lawmakers who have been through pretty nasty divorces. Wouldn't it suck to be married to someone who you aren't in love with anymore? Maybe someone who cheated, since we hear that far too often. It was even announced today that the reason Senator Arnold Schwarzenegger cheated on his wife & they are getting divorced after 25 years of marriage. That is wrong according to the Bible. So is Gay Marriage. So why do these Lawmakers get to pick & choose what parts of the Bible they want to follow?

I know, I am all over the place! Forgive me! Back to the Rally. So I headed down there with Karie (Kegan stayed with my aunt as I thought it would be a little too difficult to bring both my crazy preschoolers to an event with so many people. I knew however, that I had to bring one of the kids. Karie showed interest. She insisted that Captain Hook was going to be there. She thinks he is Gay because he wears a dress & she is okay with that because "Being girls is pretty coo & if I was a boy I would want to be a girl too." lol I love my kids. We should all think like them in some ways. They are born only knowing love! They are taught hate & discrimination!! So I brought her & met up with a high school friend Abby & the two little ones that she nannies for. The oldest is Karie's age & the youngest isn't a walker yet so she just hung out in the carrier most of the time. Worked out great. The kids sat around & ate snacks while Abby, myself & the rest of the hundreds of people there made our voice very well known!

There were many chants that went on.

Gay, Straight, Black, White Marriage is a Civil Right

No Amendment

Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho
Bigotry Has Got to Go

Not to mention the crowd breaking out in song singing "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles. It was nice to be apart of something I feel so strongly about! It was great to see so many people Gay & straight fighting for something in a none violent way!

I planned to take a ton of pictures but I am too busy fighting for equal rights!

The kids did great as well! I really hope that we made a difference. I think we did. We will know tomorrow if the amendment passes to go on the 2012 ballot. I hope not. I don't want to see a year and a half of awful commercials about how Gay marriage is bad. I don't get why people think that. Why? Why is Gay marriage so bad? Why do people care about who other people love?

Fine don't call it Marriage then. I know that word freaks a lot of Christan's out when talking about Gay Marriage. Fine, call it a Civil Union then if it freaks you out. Just let them have their RIGHTS! As a matter of fact, I am not married in the eyes of God I guess. Just by the state. My husband & I did not have a religious ceremony. Religion did not play a part in our wedding. So, I had a Civil Union then. But, it was easy for us because I am a woman & my husband is a man. It should be that simple for any other couple. Don't vote on equality. Haven't we already gone through this enough? At one point in time women couldn't vote. African Americans were held as slaves! That is insanity!!!! WHY IS THIS EVEN AN ISSUE ANYMORE?! WHY CAN'T WE JUST ALL GET ALONG?!

I don't want my children to grow up in a world like that! I have always taught them, and will continue to teach them that EVERYONE is equal no matter who they love, what color their skin is or if they have a disability. We are all equal.

In our Constitution it says "All men are created equal." So let EQUAL win!