I'm famous!!

Well maybe, sort of, kind of, I don't know, I'm not sure.

For work, we started a LinkedIn group to talk about B2B Lead Generation - I know, not the most interesting topic but hey, it's what I do for a living.

Anyway, in the 3 weeks since we have launched this group, we have had 1600+ people join the group. Today I was sent an email from one of the group members saying he wrote a blog post mentioning our group on LinkedIn and I was mentioned - heck, I was a subtitle in the blog!! (Go for Brooke)!!

Brian and I are mentioned towards the bottom if you care to skip to the good part:
http://goldencompass.com/blog/anti-social-networking-disorder/

Attention - Brian's Gig

Hey everyone in ET - Brian asked me to let everyone know he will be playing at Sammy's on Friday, June 12.

Time is to be announced. Will post when I know more!!!

Congratulations Luke!!!

Luke graduated on May 16th with a Bachelor's in Finance. Way to go!! Here are some pictures of the awesome day!!

Luke and his parents

Luke, Amy and his Grandma Jean

Amy and Luke at dinner

Sunday, 5/24: So long, farewell

Amy and Luke driving away

Sunday morning Amy and Luke headed back to WI. Again, Luke and Joe played NHL 08 while Amy and I packed the car and practiced wedding updo's.

It was really sad to see them leave. It was so much fun having them here. There was a lot of bonding between Joe and Luke this weekend and this really makes me want to move back to WI.

I bought powerball tickets last night in hopes of winning the 192 million but no such luck. Hopefully in a few years Joe and I will be back in WI and living right next door to Amy and Luke!

Saturday, 5/23: The grill master

After we woke up from our nap, I started the sweet corn, Joe cut up the veggies and Luke and Amy got the beverages.

We moved outside for some beer and played UNO while Joe kept an eye on the pork chops, steak and country style pork ribs.

Amy won both games of UNO and then it was time to bring out the macaroni salad, roasted veggies, sweet corn, plates etc. There was lots of food and lots of food left over. I think Joe thought there was going to be more than just the four of us.

Amy and Luke

Country style ribs, steak, corn

Roasted veggies - mmm....

Country style ribs (again)

Steaks - Luke ate the biggest one all by himself

Huge pork chops

The kids helped clean up and then Amy and played wii and PS2 while Luke did something to our computer which resulted in us having to head to Best Buy at 8:30. Evidently our computer works better now - I have no idea what was done or how much was spent...

Back to our house and we played Apples to Apples (fun card game) and then watched Underworld: Rise of the Lychans.

Saturday, 5/23: Farmer's Market and errands

Amy was a good sport and went to the Farmer's Market with me very early Saturday morning. It started pouring as we backed out of the driveway but stopped when we got downtown St Paul to the market. Someone loves me (or Amy).

We walked around - she thought it was great and bought a present for Dad (which I can't tell you because he needs to see it first). After I drove her around downtown St Paul so she could see it and then stopped at Caribou to grab coffee for us and the boys.

We got home and woke up Luke and he and Joe started playing NHL again. Amy and I decided to leave to run a little errands (this was around 8 AM). We ran to a salon to get her makeup, Target to look at shoes, Michaels to look at invites, Archivers and Pier 1 (both were closed) and then back home. We got back around 10ish and yes, the boys were STILL playing NHL.

I made some pigs in a blanket (PIB), pizza rolls, brought out some chips/dip and made a buffalo chicken dip. Amy was being a wonderful little sister and got the PIB out of the oven and I had no idea Amy had super strength. She shut the oven and this happened:

It's ok - Joe fixed it.

A little later we grocery shopped for Joe's work and dropped it off at his work so Amy and Luke got to see Joe's kitchen/office. We then went to Doc's - some dart pool store - which, I'm happy to say, we weren't in nearly as long as I thought.

Back home to take a little nappy nap before the evening festivities.

Friday, 5/22: Take me out to the ballgame

Before the big game, the four of us went to Hubert's which is right across from the Metrodome and gets really packed before and after Twins games. We got there at the perfect time and had a couple beers and some appetizers.

Joe and I at Hubert's

Amy and Luke at Hubert's

We walked across the street and walked around the Metrodome and did this:

Joe


Amy

Me

Luke

We got to our seats probably about 5:30ish (the game wasn't until 7 - I know, super early) but Amy and Luke wanted to watch the Brew Crew's batting practice. Our seats were in the outfield but still pretty good - Amy and Luke went down a few rows to try and catch a ball. I was taking pics with Amy's camera and the next thing I know, a ball is coming at my head, Joe drops our camera to try to catch the ball, the kid next to Joe sticks his glove in front and the ball bounces off of the glove and a few rows down. I think my heart stopped beating and I didn't breathe for those five seconds that seemed like five hours.

Amy and Luke

Amy and Luke trying to catch balls at BP

Amy and I

Bernie and TC

We had enough of batting practice so we walked around the whole Metrodome to show Luke, the boys got some brats and then it was back to our seats for the start of the game which went downhill from there.

I was super excited and thought this was going to be a great game - however very early on the Twins took a commanding lead and the Brew Crew couldn't recover. I even caught myself cheering for the Brew Crew because I just wanted them to get back in the game. We left in the 7th because Amy and Luke just couldn't take it anymore. The final score you ask? Twins 11, Brewers 3. Ouch!

Brewer outfielders praying for a miracle

Friday, 5/22: Ikea and the MOA

Friday we were up early and Luke and Joe spent some time playing NHL on the playstation while Amy and I got ready for the day.

Intense match

First on the agenda was to hit Ikea so Amy and Luke could look for a TV stand, table or dresser. Neither had been to Ikea before and loved it. I think we were there for close to two hours. Amy and Luke ended up buying a TV stand which luckily did fit in Joe's car with the four of us.

Right across the street is the Mall of America so we were headed there next to a) look at DSW for shoes for Lucy's wedding and b) because Luke has never been there before.

Walking into MOA for the first time

We walked around and of course Joe and Luke spotted Game Stop and it was all over. We were in there forever (at least that's what it felt like for Amy and I).

No shoes at DSW so we continued to walk around and shop and then it was home to relax for a little bit before the game. Joe and Luke played another game of NHL 08 (which is what Joe bought at Game Stop) and it was quite amusing to watch. We changed and then headed to Hubert's before the Brewers/Twins game.

Thursday, 5/21: Honk, Honk

And then I heard a loud shriek which could only mean that Amy and Luke had pulled in our driveway!!


The kids got to our place about 3:30ish and we brought all their stuff inside and chilled before heading out to the 5-8 for dinner.


Amy had her namesake, a Juicy Lucy and loved it - that is what the 5-8 is known for. It's a burger that has cheese (lots of it) inside of it and it's fabulous. Luke was given his burger and literally 5 seconds later it was gone - the boy inhaled it!!


Back home we went and then decided to see Angels and Demons. It was alright. Much different from the book...


And then it was back home and to bed since we were going to have a busy day Friday.

Remembering

The older I get, the more inappropriate it seems to me that we say Happy Memorial Day because if stop and think what it is for, it really isn't so happy. I know most people today are at BBQ, parties, etc. but I hope that everyone will stop for one second and remember the people that have sacrificed their lives so we could say "Happy Memorial Day."

Cousin Brian, Uncle Scott, Kevin (A's handsome hubby), Ray (Joe's dad) - thank you! If there are other military personal reading, thank you too.

As we stand here looking
At the flags upon these graves
Know these flags represent
A few of the true American brave

They fought for their Country
As man has through all of time
Except that these soldiers lying here
Fought for your country and mine

As we all are gathered here
To pay them our respect
Let's pass this word to others
It's what they would expect

I'm sure that they would do it
If it were me or you
To show we did not die in vein
But for the red, white and blue.

Let's pass on to our children
And to those who never knew
What these soldiers died for
It's the least we can do

Let's not forget their families
Great pain they had to bear
Losing a son, father or husband
They need to know we still care

No matter which war was fought
On the day that they died
I stand here looking at these flags
Filled with American pride.

So as the bugler plays out Taps
With its sweet and eerie sound
Pray for these soldiers lying here
In this sacred, hallowed ground.

Take home with you a sense of pride
You were here Memorial Day.
Celebrating the way Americans should
On this solemnest of days.

1 week...

Until my gorgeous baby sister and my handsome soon to be baby brother come to visit!!!

Amy and Luke at their engagment party

(the hand belongs to Luke's nephew Owen)

Seriously, Joe and I are so excited for them to come and all we've been doing is thinking of what we can do, where to take them etc.


A & L will be coming up Thursday (5/21) evening so once they get to our house, the four of us are going to the 5-8 for dinner. Friday will be Ikea in the morning and then over to the Mall of America so Amy and I can look at shoes for the wedding. Around 3ish we'll hit Hubert's for drinks and munchies before we walk across the street to see the Twins play the Brewers!!


Saturday morning Amy and I are getting up early to get coffee and then head to the Saint Paul Farmer's Market around 6 AM. After that, we have no idea what we'll do for the rest of Saturday or Sunday.


I hope this week goes fast...

Saint Paul Farmer's Market

The Saint Paul Farmer's Market opened a few Saturdays ago and so this past Saturday I went at 6 AM.

Yes, 6 AM is correct. That way I can get a good parking spot!!

Now the trick is to walk around the whole market and scope out the best prices since there are vendors selling the same products. Well, I was able to buy a ton of lettuce, rhubarb, 2 bunches of asparagus and a huge zucchini for $15. Let me tell you - all that would have been a lot more at Cub.

The huge zucchini from the farmers market

(I think they might have stole it from Mom and Dad's garden)

2 tiny zucchini's from the grocery store
(they look bigger than they are - trust me they were tiny)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to...

Samantha on May 28th!!

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to.....

Mary and Keith on May 4th - I remember that day like it was yesterday - I got a super cool Barbie for being good and I was the only one besides Mary that had a long beautiful dress

Amy and Luke on May 21st (soon it will be replaced with Sept 19th)

Grandma Sal and Grandpa Tom on May 29th

Impromtu Family Reunion Part 2

So I promised pics and here they are!!! Thanks to Stephanie and Amy for sending some my way. Obviously, mom, dad, Luke, Joe, Amy and I left a little too early...be sure to scroll all the way down...you don't want to miss the Birthday Girl!

Side note - Cheryl, since I was so horribly cruel to forget to mention that I ran into you and that it was the highlight of my night, here's a picture of us :)

Cheryl and I (we've been freinds since 1st grade!!!)

Me, Luke and Joe (I had no idea Joe and Luke were that close!)

Luke, a model (I mean Amy posing...again!), Dad and Joe

The Family!!!

Brian in action

Luke, Amy, Stephanie and Troy

and last but certainly not least...the Birthday Girl!!!