Boyzzzz

A few pics of the guys being guys, as you can tell by the beer, toilet paper and football. Just celebrating their manhood before Sam ties the knot.



Sam's last meal - pb&j with 2 Amstel Lights on the side.


Andy "Bud Light" Dufresne works on the Bud Light 50 pack in the fridge.

The Dog House

Welcome to the dog house, where the dogs are crazy and the people are going crazy. Up until a few days ago our house had one dog and seemed quite quiet and orderly, now there are 3 and the place has quickly turned into a total disaster zone. I can't even remember what it is like to have 1 dog just after 3 full days of having 3, which conveniently forms an official pack. That's right, there is a pack of dogs living with us, wild dogs. Let me explain...Tim and I are watching the Lockner's dogs while they enjoy their first week of marriage in Napa. We offered to watch them since they are brand new to the family and we love dogs, so we never thought twice about it. I introduced you to the Boston brothers Bruno & Rosco about a week ago, and after getting to really know them, and by that I mean spending a few days living with them, I feel it is necessary to re-introduce them. Please meet the devil dogs also known as Hey Stop That, and NO Bad. No, I'm kidding, well...kind of, okay, not really. These little guys are absolutely adorable and we do have our special moments together, but please do not be fooled by their cute innocent ways. Deep down behind those sweet little puggy faces and big brown wide-set eyes are two little terrors at heart. I never imagined two puppies would be this much work. I have had a terror puppy before, just under two years ago and we still have bad moments. (Oscar, I'd like you to explain the poop piles in the basement.) But I don't remember this. Chew toys are not interesting but somehow rocks are, oh and doors, woodwork, dresser knobs, tables, shoes, garbage, aluminum cans, you name it and it has been chewed
on these past few days. Also having two puppies means having two little wiggling
bodies peeing and pooping all over your life. And I don't mean it like they are ruining my life, I mean they are literally peeing and pooping all over it. Reminder - do not put cute puppies in your bed, it leads to yellow sheets. And just when you are cleaning up after one the other is most likely squating behind you leaving a puddle.

Now I don't want you to think that these dogs are not the sweethearts that they are, because they do have very good qualities too, but they are puppies and there are two of them and they test your patience even when you really really
love dogs.

Oh what am I saying, I take it all back. Look at that face!

Just looking a bit frazzled as I round up the boys.

Don't you want to pet me? Huh? Huh?
Nap time on the couch.

Oscar is a good boy!

Wedding Weekend - Part II

As I explained in Wedding Weekend Part I, Tim and I had two special weddings this past weekend and I feel they both deserve separate blog entries...

Saturday night our friends Sam & Sarah were married in an outdoor ceremony at the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis. The wedding was small and intimate and the happy couple really lucked out with great weather. I have to tell you, having to attend two outdoor ceremonies two nights in a row really made me nervous, there had to have been one night of crummy weather, but these marriages were in the stars because the weather was sunny and warm.

Sam & Sarah exchanged vows in front of their close family and friends and then we all headed over to Solera for a night of celebrating. The whole wedding was really nice and had a very intimate private feel. The room at Solera was filled with orange and green paper lanterns, scattered candles and orange Gerbera Daisies. The food and drinks were great and we got to spend the night hanging out with our friends here in Minneapolis, along with the guest of honor Mr. Andy Dufresne A/K/A 'Doof" who flew in all the way from San Francisco to celebrate with the Lockners. We were lucky enough to have Andy stay with us as our second house guest and got to spend extra special time with him which was nice since when he was here over a month ago for our wedding we didn't get to spend much quality time together. I think he enjoyed his stay though he really looked ready to get back to California after a weekend with the Vedders.

Sam & Sarah we wish you the best! Hope you are having a great honeymoon in California enjoying the wine country. Your dogs are making our lives quite eventful. More on that to come...oh and I still need to post pics for this wedding as well.

Wedding Weekend - Part I

This past weekend Tim and I had two weddings to attend. Friday was the McHenry wedding and Saturday was the Lockner wedding. Let's just say there was a lot of love being celebrated over Memorial Day weekend this year. Since both weddings were special and unique in their own way, I feel they deserve separate blog entries so we begin with Wedding Weekend Part I, the McHenry wedding....My friends Steve and Christina tied the knot Friday evening in an outdoor ceremony on the lawn of the Gale Mansion in Minneapolis. The ceremony was beautiful and the weather was perfect for their night. Steve is a friend from La Crosse and Christina is a member of the infamous 'Scotland Crew' so it was an exciting mix of old friends for me and also for Tim. It was awesome seeing a bunch of old college buddies that I haven't seen in years along with a few of my Scotland buddies including Chip, Bryce, Dean & BJ. Christina looked amazing and their wedding was fun and creative, I loved Christina's crafty touches on everything, including handmade natural soaps we received as party favors and the yummy cupcakes. We spent the whole night catching up with old friends and enjoying the night. Kelly & Zak came to stay with us and broke in our brand new guest bedroom. Once the wedding celebration came to an end, the wedding party headed over to Brit's to continue the fun, where we also ran into Sam & Sarah and some other friends out celebrating the night before their wedding.

I have lots of pictures that I will post later. Steve and Christina are now enjoying their first 3 weeks of marriage in Australia and New Zealand. Congrats McHenrys!!!

The Chair

Dear Mom & Dad,

I wanted to tell you that I really love my chair you gave me. It is such a great spot for me to spend my time. It has the best view and staring out the window really gives me pleasure. The chair is quite comfy and the perfect place to take little snoozes. I wanted to thank you for allowing me to sit on the chair, and the ottoman makes me happy too.

Love,

Oscar

Puppy Love

So once again Sam & Sarah are the main topic of our blog, it just so happens that they have eventful lives these days. Please meet the newest Lockner family members...two beautiful baby Boston Terriers - Rosco & Bruno. Tim and I had the honor of meeting these fine pups yesterday and it was their first day at their new home. We spent the night getting to know them and they may be (Oscar cover your ears) the sweetest, cutest, little buddies I have ever laid my eyes upon. Sam & Sarah basically rescued the duo from a life without sunshine, green grass, yummy treats, and snuggly beds. They are almost 10 months old and have never had much love...or so it seems after my doggy evaluation. Rosco, may have a bit of the old 'runt' syndrome and mildly resembles some sort of 'desert' dog. I'm pretty sure he had a dingo/chihuahua/meerkat as an ancestor. He is also learning to use his legs and with lots of walks and protein shakes he will be in top shape in no time.

Rosco enjoys being held by his favorite Auntie

Bruno (left), on the other hand is no weakling. This little guy is quite the little tank, and let me tell you, he is very excited to be at his new home and so proud of it too. While little Rosco spent the majority of the evening craddled in my arms, Bruno pranced around his new yard and house with a lot of enthusiasm. He also learned that treats are something good, especially when his Mom gives him tiny pieces of her turkey burger. Bruno was on the go so much that he was not interested in being held, but I'm guessing after a few visits from me will learn to accept arms around him. I should also mention that the dingo look Rosco got somewhere down the line stayed far away from Bruno...this little tank is a straight up Boston.

Sam & Bruno enjoy a moment together.

Bruno tries to escape my arms.

the king of our castle

With the death of our friends' dog Phoebe, it made me think about how hard it is to lose one's dog or any pet for that matter. They are these crazy creatures who depend on us for food, water, entertainment, and above all love. I can't imagine a life with no Oscar, and I never want to. I realized this morning as I drink my coffee and pet my dog that Oscar has not even once been mentioned in our blog and it is about time I posted about him. He is the King of our castle. He owns the place and it shows wherever you happen to look around. Whether it be his chair and ottoman that he claimed and uses to stare out the window all day, or our bed (which he isn't allowed to be in, but somehow is mysteriously covered in his dog hair), or his toys scattered around the house. Oscar is a big part of our lives and we love him with all of our hearts. Even when he decides to snack on a new pair of sandals that I've only worn twice. He can pretty much do anything because those big brown eyes make me forgive him.

'Non' Bachelorette Party

This morning I am feeling slow, mainly because I had 1 sangria and 2 beers, and yes that is enough to make me a bit on the 'slow' side the next morning. Our 'attorney friends' as I like to call them are getting married next Saturday and the girls celebrated at Chino Latino last night with lots of good food, drinks and above all great conversation. Sarah looked stunning as a bride to be in her pretty red dress and everyone was enjoying the night. I got to meet Tina - Sarah's sister - she is absolutely adorable and I had a great time talking with her about life, dogs, and family. The food was good, the conversation was good, the night was good. The smores were delicious!!!

Rest in Peace Phoebe

Sam & Sarah's Boston Terrier Phoebe passed away on Tuesday night. She was a little Boston with a big personality and a hint of an attitude. She didn't like other dogs and she had a right not to, since when she was a young pup she had her eye biten out by one of her kind. She didn't let it stop her though and she lived a long life filled with snorts, crazy little dances and a love for food. I found that she enjoyed gourmet cheeses and loved to sneak her morsels while her owners looked the other way. She was always on a diet, like most females, and boy did she love her treats. Phoebe and I had a special bond, she even warmed up to me enough so that I could pick her up and she snuggled in my bed on one occasion...while Tim slept on the couch. Though she was quite small, she filled the room with her presence and usually a stinky toot too. So my dear Phoebe, I know you are well in doggy heaven, laying on a king sized bed surrounded with your favorite treats. You will live forever in our hearts and I will always treasure our special moments together...well besides that time you did try to bite me, but I forgive you because you only had one eye. Much love Phoebe. R.I.P.

First Family Portrait

That's right, this is the first ever Croarkin family portrait. It only took 28 years to get my entire family at the same place, at the same time, with a camera in front of their faces.
And then there was one more, with Tim. Being he is now legally related to us, we felt he should be included in another first family portrait. I mean, who knows how many more years it will take for an opportunity like this to happen again, so we had to get it done then and there.

Gettin' hitched.

April 5, 2008. Tim & I tied the knot in front of our special friends and close family. We both said "I do" in an evening ceremony at the Conservatory at Como Park in Saint Paul. The venue was gorgeous and the event was perfect. Until I learn how to post photos in an album or something on this blog I will have to post a few on this post. It has now been a whole month+ of the married life. We moved into our new home, we are newlyweds and new home owners. Tim is studying like a mad man for the CFA level 1 exam on June 7th. Can't wait to have my husband back. Still feels funny to refer to him as my husband. But I like it.
Daddy Croarkin walking me down.


Sisterly moment...

Our house.

Our house. Move in date 4/19/2008. We love our home. Updated pics to come later - these are from the people who lived there before.

First day as a blogger

Why? Why would I want to blog? Maybe because I see other peoples' blogs and it seems like a good way to let people into your world that may not get to see you or your life often. Maybe it is a healthy way to put your thoughts down, or to remember events. Perhaps a good place to post your pictures. Or maybe I have too much free time at work. Hmmm.