Thomberg Times

Musical Beds

2012-01-27T12:51:00.005-06:00

Musical beds seems to be the name of the game at the Thomberg House. Mark and I are content in our own room, in our own KID FREE bed.. but where you will find Marly & Dean in the morning is always a question of late.

The Twinners moved to thier butterfly and dinosaur rooms downstairs this summer. The transition seemed relatively smooth for the first week or so, until the novelty of their new decor and surroundings wore off.

You see at home, or when out as a family of 4, Marly and Dean tend to behave like a "unit". At home they play together, chat together, and make many decisions together. If Mark or I attempt to take the kids out for errands as individuals, they often resist and attempt to decline the opportunity.

And so, I can't say I was surprised when Dean began to sleep in Marly's room, in bed with her, instead on in his own dinosaur bed just across the hall and within view. This went okay for a while... but Marly LIKES to sleep, and began to get annoyed with brother Dean. I should also point out they each have a twin size bed.

For a while he returned to his own twin bed.
And now.. well, now you just never know where you might find a kid.

Sometimes Dean sneaks into Marly's bed after she is alseep.

More recenty over Christmas, and in the past two weeks we have had some general health bugs. Each kid has spent time sleeping in the guest room upstairs, next to Mark and I.

Now and again, the kids have started the night in their own rooms, and been discovered in the guest room by morning. They have found their way up and into bed overnight. Sometimes Mark and I hear them creep up, sometimes not. Sometimes there is one, and sometimes two.

This past week, both kids have taken to starting the night in the guest room double bed. Niether Mark or I have any problem with this, as long as they GO TO SLEEP.

...so, we shall see what happens next week. Only time will tell in with the musical beds at the Thomberg's.

**Disclosure - Mark is going to read this post and say,"There is NO photo! It is boring with no photo." I suppose he is right, but I haven't taken the initiative to snap a photo first thing in the morning when I hunt down the little people.

Marjarie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park

2012-01-24T15:09:00.002-06:00

At least once a winter the kids and I go and check out the flowers, plants and fish at the conservatory at Como Park. I pretend it is a visit to the tropics 20 minutes from our house.

It is a great, easy, free, get-out-of the house activity.
And.. parking is a breeze in winter.

I grabbed the camera. We have year after year of photos of the kids in the exact same spots. Here we are last year and taking it WAY back to Christmas 2009

It is a great way to watch them grow. They grow too fast.

Marly has on Hello Kitty socks. She loves Hello Kitty. The socks don't match her dress. It turns out little girls who are nearly 5 years old don't have the same fashion sense as their mommy's. Mommy had on her Prairie Underground hoodie with brown boots shearling from Costco.
Dean still loves Polar Bears. There are Polar Bears at Como Zoo. His socks are green and have a white Christmas bear on them, most likely a polar bear. He really likes those socks.

They are each their own person.

They don't look alike.

They are best buddies.It becomes so clear when you ask them to "get together" for a picture.

And then they are OFF again.

....Off to check out the Polar Bears. The Polar Bears were taking a nap this Sunday afternoon.
Next time....

Sickies!

2012-01-22T21:23:00.002-06:00

I can't say I have been super busy, but I might be hybernating!

We had sick-ie Twinners at the Thomberg House last week.
Mark and I tag teamed our schedules on Monday to take care of Marly.
Dad came to the rescue Tuesday and took care of two sick-ies.
It was back to trading work-from-home time on Wednesday, with a 2 co-pay clinic visit. The cough and fever was was nothing more then a nasty cold, for which we are thankful.

Monday, the work-from-home-trade-off occurred at 11:30. Dean was at school solo, since the bug hadn't yet hit full force. Sweet, sick Marly and I cuddled while I read her her several Hello Kitty books. Then she ate a little lunch with a cheery demeanor. While I was busy working on the computer at the table, she wandered off quitely. I discovered my babe sound asleep in our bedroom with her blankies and a couple of Hello Kitty's.

The kids were back to school on Thursday, not even close to 100%, but fever free.

This and That...

2012-01-14T11:51:00.012-06:00

The week between Christmas and New Year's was filled with relaxation and rest.
Here is some of "this and that"...

We were lucky enough to have an overnight with the Huwe's on Christmas Day night, as they were between family activities in the metro.Four friends in their matching shirts (of course, purchased off Etsy, and our Christmas gift to Piper and Martin).

We also took in the Muppets movie, took naps, played games, watched movies, visited my friend Amy Schafer (and family) who was home to her mom's for Christmas...oh and Dean puked all over somewhere in there too. Friday we checked on the MN Landscape Arboretum on a balmy day. As you can guess, I took several days of PTO.

The fondue from New Year's Eve.

Cheers! (mom and dad DID enjoy the fireworks across the street later that night. Marly and Dean did NOT stir!)

We also went sledding at a park near our house on New Year's Day, then hit up Papa and Nana for lunch at the Good Day Cafe and a movie at West End to wrap up the official holiday season New Year's Monday.

In the week that followed, we caught the second to the last night of The Wizard of Oz at the Children's Theater Company, with tickets from Plum District. The whole family enjoyed the presentation.
So... here we are TWO WEEKS LATER, finally wrapping up the holiday posts.

Are you sick of it yet? I am!

Just the same, we really had a wonderful holiday season. Hope you all did too.

Kelly, Bowling and Prairie Underground

2012-01-09T14:48:00.008-06:00

I am sure I have mentioned before the kids LOVE to go to their Aunt Kelly's house. This Saturday the kids got to hang with her and Pat for an overnight.

And when the mice are away, the parents will play!

Oh wait... that's "when the cat's away...." - Oh well.

You see, I had asked Kelly if she could watch the kids so we could go out with friends. The plan was to meet the Hentges and the Wiekert's at Bonfire's for dinner, then head to Blainesbrook to bowl. We even went on to a New Brighton bar for a nightcap. Can you believe we stayed out until 1:30?

We are damn glad new mom Doris had a groupon for 2 hours of bowling, and invited us along. We all had a blast.

To make for an even better weekend, after dropping the kids off, I stopped in at Hot Mama to use the Christmas gift card that was burning a hole in my purse. I cashed out the entire card on one Prairie Underground Cloak Hoodie. Clearly I have been sucked into their cult following, because I am now salivating for the LONG cloak hoodie!

Sunday I put on my new sage-y green zip-up favorite, and Mark and I went to Fat Nat's Egg's for breakfast before heading up to get Marly and Dean. We didn't even get a mile from Kelly's house before Dean inquired, "When do we get to go back to Kelly's?!?"

Luck for us, Kelly's likes to take them!

Christmas! continued....

2012-01-08T14:29:00.000-06:00

Christmas afternoon at Kelly and Pat's house. Pin the nose on the Reindeer. Have I ever mentioned Dean is a cheater?

Are there any other photos of Mark this holiday season?

Our tradional holiday gift for the grandparents - photos and a photo book.

I think this is the ONLY photo of ME this holiday season! We must get better about that in the year ahead.

Uncle Jeff.

Relax and play.

Christmas at the Thombergs

2012-01-03T19:18:00.021-06:00

Admittedly, our Christmas decor is now at least partially removed or returned to storage, but here is what the Casa de Thomberg looked like for the holidays! The ever changing IKEA shelving.

Willow Tree Nativity.

silver and green... cheap and expensive, all mixed up...

Upside down red Chirstmas pillow, red throw, the card holder, berries on the banister, and holiday sign in the background.
A framed Christmas photo in the bathroom of years gone by, some garland on the light, an Angel here and there. Of course the buffet in the kitchen was dressed up, and downstairs bathroom had jingle bells and a welcoming holiday penguin statue. Oh, and this and that here and there and everywhere.

Our stocking on the fireplace and a new favorite decoration of the kids - The Rudolf the Reindeer from Good Will. Of course I intended to spray paint it, but the kids like it just the way it is for now, googly eyes and all!

Our Charlie Brown tree downstairs with many fun, treasured and meaningful ornaments.

Baby's first Christmas bootie and a polar bear for Dean.

And of course, the real deal tree (with Dean poking his head in) dressed up in red, green and the ever present white snowflakes hand made by Elna (and originally given to my mom).

Christopher our "Elf on the Shelf" who has now returned to the North Pole!

Which leads to Christmas morning and gifts to open....

Pirate Ships, slippers, dinosaurs and more for Dean.

A dolly high chair for baby Emma and Miss Marly.

Smiles, Excitement and Delight.

What, Santa brought you a Hello Kitty House? Really!!!!

The Twinners!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve

2012-01-02T21:56:00.015-06:00

A snow free Christmas began with the Christmas Eve candlelight service at First Lutheran in Hector at 5 pm, followed by a hamball supper at Jan and Sheldon's with aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids.
Arts and crafts.

Cute as a button Kaylee Walter, just in from Iowa for Christmas on the farm.

Rachel checking out the new 3D TV and looking lovely in her holiday finery.

Soon Santa arrived.

Does anyone notice a theme here with Hello Kitty? (below)

If you are also noticing Marly has on the same dress at she did at this event LAST YEAR, it is because we forgot her red dress at Brett and Rachel's when we left there at 8 am Christmas Eve morning because Marly had thown up the night before!

Charles - the tiniest one to take Santa's lap.

Dean-0 with a Dino.

A second cousin, or two, or thirteen.

And a Christmas Eve drive back with two sleeping, holiday jammie clad twinners, placed snug in their beds at around 11 pm. Mommy puts out the cookies and milk for Santa for them!

The Eve of Chirstmas Eve

2012-01-02T21:31:00.006-06:00

At Brett and Rachel's

Baby Charlie's first Christmas.

Kevin was home from New York.

Playmobile pirate ship

jammies

Somebody LOVES Hello Kitty

The Thomberg's distribute their family photos

Dad and Chris

New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T19:38:00.010-06:00

I love New Year's Eve.
Amateur's Night? and Entertainer's Dream Evening! or Something in Between.

I have many found memories of New Year's Eve long gone.
There was my childhood. I remember one year at my cousin Brad's house with a bevy of cousins. I have no idea who was babysitting us. My mom and dad traditionally went out with friends to the Legion or Sheep Shed, or something or another. My mom got all dolled up....always with lip stick.

Fast forward to college, and stumbling back to our apartments from the Rox... kissing my friends, male and female alike.

Then there were the years then Amy Detviler (and the man now long gone) house sat for the 3M executive in their lavish home outside of Stillwater. There was formal attire, Rediel stemware and plenty of wine, a sit down dinner, games and a Karaoke contest... and kissing my friends, male and female. One of those years I threw up the next morning in the Jack and Jill bathroom we shared with Joan and Wade. Wade threw up too.

One of those years, I wore a long, red Ann Taylor silk dress. That was the year each guest went around the dinner tables and everyone gave a resolution. Mark's resolution to ALL in attendance was that he would, "propose to Andrea in the year ahead." This caused quite stir since we were so often on again, and off again. True to word, we got engaged that March.

After that came the infamous party at our now sold house in Hector. That party will go down in history as one of the best New Year's Eve parties EVER of all who attended. Me and some key party planner attendees arrived in the country that afternoon. We set up heaters in the garage. We cleared the family room of furniture. We set up tables to accommodate seating for everyone at dinner. We set up aerobeds and mattresses in the furnace room and office to provide comfortable accommodations for ALL, since no one was leaving. We made lasagna, salad, and got the bread ready. We set all the tables with blue table clothes and decorated the rooms in silver, with candles everywhere. The now toasty garage was set up as a full bar. I put red bows on the County Road sign off 212 to alert all the city guests where to turn, in the middle of the very dark country.

...and the party began. Mark, Gretchen, Dan, Sam, Jenny, Brett, Rachel, Mara, Dawn, Angie, Heidi, Jess, Molly and Peter were set up for the night. I invited my cousins in the country, but the flu kept them away, they had small children, or other plans. They missed one hell of a party. Once on site, everyone dressed up for the festivities ahead. We started with the kitchen island filled with appetizers, and moved on to a sit down candle light dinner. We ate. We drank. We danced. We sang. At the stroke of midnight, we had a champagne toast. The flutes were filled with back-step chilled bubbly on a white clothed banquet table in the garage. I kissed my friends, male and female alike. The rest of the night shall remain a blur. Morning dawned with egg bake for all those who could stomach it... and a bit of a mess.

All these years later, I think my Dad is STILL mad about the state he found the house in when he arrived several days later. (My dad spent most of his time at his apartment in the cities.) In my defense, everything was back in place, but I thought the cleaning lady would arrive BEFORE my dad. So...why scrub and vacuum the floor???

One year we hosted friends in our tiny town home. That year we cleaned out the garage, strung Christmas lights, got a giant piece of carpet remnant and heaters from Menards to create a party headquarters. We returned the heaters and carpet a week later. (I swear the carpet remnant didn't get dirty!)

Fast forward to the year my belly was LARGE with the expectance of Marly and Dean. Mark and I dined at POPS! in NE Mpls. I wore a beautiful steel grey blouse with a square neck line and grand sleeved. We came home, watched a movie, and toasted midnight snuggled in bed with sparkling grape juice in Waterford Crystal flutes.

After that there was the year at Jenny and Jeremy's condo in Minneapolis. We brought two ten month old babies with jammies, a breast pump, and pack-n-plays. We were home by 12:30.

The next year was spent at the Huwe House, were kids crawled or ran, and I had a dance party with the toddlers. Gretch created a delicious meal (tortellini soup with sausage) which we ate after the kids went to bed.

And then, and then...

...there have been three generally quiet years here in Brooklyn Park. The first year on Riverview Heidi and little Cale came. It was tame...and I dare say a wee bit boring. I decorated and got out the china and crystal, but the evening just didn't shine like it does with a house full. Cale didn't like my stroganagne either. Last year the four of us went to Mavericks. Both years we had a basement dance party and an 8 pm countdown.

And here we are tonight, at the close of 2012.

I am sitting at my kitchen table right now. We have yet to download any photos. This year the four of us decided to try fondue. The kids liked the beanie weanies best. No... that is NOT fondue. We have had sundaes for dessert. We have already cashed out two cans of silly string, and the kids and Mark just finished a movie... and it's 8:00 pm. Dean helped me decorate this afternoon with silver garland and Marly helped make the sundaes in wine glasses with whip cream. Soon we will toast with Kristian Regale, and put the kids to bed. After that, we may sneak across the street to the neighbor's for midnight fireworks on the river (weather permitting).

And so, there is my history of New Years.

Although the last few have been quiet and uneventful, I still do NOT consider it Amateur's Night.
I know there will be shining 'Eves sometime in the years ahead, with a bit more pomp and circumstance then the last few.

Alternatively, I consider it the night for each of us to do what is "shining" for you! Be it a night in your jammies playing games with family, or an evening with a house full of friends, or hitting the town - Happy New Year's to All!

Blessed Beyond Measure

2011-12-21T15:02:00.005-06:00

I am 'blessed beyond measure'
(This is also a CD by Miss Minnesota 2010!)

I am grateful for all that I have. This season the richness of my life flows all around me. Saturday was a day spilling over with blessings.

Mark needed to work. He was behind on everything, and stress was crowding him. Just the same, we are blessed with jobs that provide for us and our kids. We have a warm home. We eat plenty, and we have so much more.

While Mark worked, I took the kids home to the farm for Sutton and Saxton's birthday party. I picked up my dad, as I commonly do for events like this. We had an easy, pleasant drive to the farm, filled with good conversation (interrupted often my eager Twinners wondering how much farther we had to go). The miles passed as quality time with my parent - my Dad, my mentor, the man I look up to above all others.

At the party the kids played. I am blessed. My children love spending time with their second cousins. They love playing with the three "S"s. We only need to get our shoes off at the door and they are off.....

At the party I got to spent time with my aunt's and cousin's. I even got the pleasure of being showered with affection by Shylah's family too.

When it was time to go home, we drove through Hutch. Instead of taking the quickest route, both Dad and I wanted to drive down Main Street. We were curious to see if the holiday decor and lights still arch over the street block after block. They do NOT, but the deer park on the river I remember from my childhood still exists. My kids found delight in the animals the same way I did at their age, when my mom and dad took us (in our white Caprice Classic with the baby blue top).

We carried forth eastward on Highway 7. By now it was dark. It was VERY important to Dean that both mommy and Papa keep their eyes "PEELED" for lights. Dean piped up from the back the ENTIRE way home every time he saw ANY lights. There was nary a moment of silence. He also asked about every three miles, "What road are we on?" Dad and I took turns exclaiming, "It is STILL Highway Seven!"

My dad offered to fill my tank with gas. He always does. I am blessed in so many ways. This time I had filled up in advance, because this one time, I wanted to be able to decline his always generous and appreciated offer.

At St. Boni, we could have continued on our path, but why cut short this most pleasant adventure? We decided to go through Mound, and around Lake Minnetonka to enjoy more holiday lights. Grandpa directed us by beautiful, enchanting, breathe-taking homes near Wayzata. Indeed, I saw the two most magnificent, huge pine trees adorned with the most elaborate lights I have ever encountered. They were amazing.

The kids loved all the lights. The houses were grand. Just the same, Dean eventually commented, "Can we go home? ...Home to our house in Brooklyn Park?" God bless my child. To him, the size or grandeur of a home are not of note, but only the love inside the four walls.

Of course by this time, at least one small child needed to go potty. The golden arches came into view. If you are going to stop to go potty, you might as well have a Happy Meal with Grandpa too, right?

And, so...after french fries we finally dropped Dad off at his door. We completed the blessed trip home with plenty to tell Daddy about our day.

Once at home, I sat at the kitchen table in solitude, with the glow of the Christmas tree lights on me.

I hand addressed our Christmas cards in red pen, like I do every year... with my heart filled with 'blessings beyond measure'.

Our Christmas Card

2011-12-19T21:37:00.002-06:00

Sunday we assembled the Christmas cards, with much delight. I had two new super duper helpers this year. In the afternoon I stuffed the addressed envelopes while Mark placed the stamps. Soon Mark was able to turn over his post to a VERY eager Dean, and Marly (sort of eager... although traditionally less so then her helper happy bro).

Dean then helped me lick and seal. When the labels were ready, both kids helped me place the return address. My heart swelled with love and joy watching the Twinners participate in my yearly ritual. We dropped the lot in the mail at the post office in the evening on our way home from the Lights in the Park in east St. Paul.

Take a look at this years creation. Heading to mailboxes Monday...

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

'Tis the Season

2011-12-12T14:03:00.011-06:00

Chanhassen Lion's Breakfast with Santa coordinated by Rachel, one week ago.
Not pictured - The Twinners with BABY CHARLIE and Santa at breakfast! (and Nana and Papa too). Dean in Land's End holiday attire sitting in the pew at the Step by Step Montessori School Holiday Program on Friday night.

Marly in Land's End holiday attire at the Peace Lutheran Church Children's Christmas Program on Sunday evening.

"It's a Marshmellow World in the Winter Time" being performed by Children's House One at the Step by Step Program.

Not pictured - The grandparents who attended with us.

Sing and Smile!

Our feeble attempt at holiday cookies this past Saturday.

Peanut butter blossoms from scratch and sugar cookies from the store.

And SMILE! (even if the cookies were hard as a rock!)

Enjoy the tree.

'Tis the season!

(at our house and yours too!)

The List

2011-12-06T09:38:00.005-06:00

Decorate the tree - Done upstairs and down.

Decorate our home - Mostly done, but the boxes need to be put away. I am SURE I am still missing one box of decor items and I think there are items inside I would enjoy using.

Lights - Mark and the kids put the outside lights up weeks ago. Rachel gave me some white outdoor lights I planned to put on three small lilac shrubs in the back yard, but I don't think we will get to that. The lights were live on Thanksgiving evening, like many neighbors in the 'hood.

Wreath - Gifted to me at the Mickman Brother's open house last Friday, jazzed up, and in place on the front of the house. Additional fake wreath jazzed up by the patio door outside.

Additional outdoor front door decor - The galvanized tubs and pot holder were decorated last Saturdaywith evergreen free from tree farm, red and green bulbs, red accent twigs and bows to match the wreath.

Decorate Ikea kitchen/living shelves and floating wall shelf - All set for the holiday's

Christmas Card holder - In place with three cards received so far

Christmas cards - Ordered from Shutterfly on Sunday night with family photos taken in October!

Visit with Santa - We saw him at the tree farm AND at a Breakfast with Santa in Chanhassen last Sunday with the Charlie, Nana and Papa, Brett and Rachel.

Christmas Outfits for the kids - They will actually wear last year's attire to there Step by Step Christmas program. I am unsure about the Sunday School Program on Sunday and Christmas Eve.

Gift Shopping - Seven items purchased or in the works on Etsy. More online shopping to ensue. Gift cards needed for teachers.

Parties - We had our neighborhood progressive happy hour last Friday, Dad and Chris's open house on Saturday, and the Pizza Party last week.

Christmas Programs - Coming up on Friday and Sunday for school and church. Grandparents, etc invited, with supper to be served on Sunday.

Holidazzle Parade on Nicollet Mall - Not yet.. but hopefully.

Macy's 8th floor holiday display - Why bother, they haven't changed it for three years! So not worth the lines or build up.

Christmas Carol at the Guthrie - My dream for the year's ahead, to go with Gretchen or a romantic evening with Mark some day... some day....And a few year's down the road to create magical memories with the kids.

Time with dear family and friends - Happening regularly and scheduled in the weeks ahead. The most important part of the season!

New Year's Eve - Unknown, usually until the last minute. Dean has already requested to go back to the zoo during the day, like we did last year.

Pinestead Tree Farm 2011

2011-12-03T11:37:00.000-06:00

We enjoyed the Pinestead Tree Farm so much last year, we headed back this year. It capped off our Thanksgiving Holiday weekend festivities after church last Sunday.
The kids checked out the goats and llamas, we took a wagon ride around the farm, then snagged our photo op with the jolly man in red.

We hopped in the Pacifica and cruised to our area of interest.

After some negotiating, pouty lips, and some crocodile tears, we decided on this one. I wanted a white pine with long needles this year, but I wasn't the one crying (or pouting) when I was over ruled!

Complete silliness ensued.

Silly is fun!

Silly is the making of happy memories.

Now heave ho!

Let's take this beautiful Frazer Fur home (after we pay $43, have it shook in the machine, wrapped, and attached to the roof of the Pacifica by those kind and polite high school boys who work at the farm during the Christmas season!)

Pizza Party 2011

2011-12-02T10:48:00.012-06:00

My Dad and Chris hosted the Annual Pizza Party this Saturday after Thanksgiving.
If my calculations are correct, this is the 23 annual event.
Of course the party has evolved in a bitter-sweet way.
You see, my mom started the party at our new home the day after Thanksgiving in 1988. She wanted to see the Melberg Cousins who were home from NDSU and Moorehead State, and we always had Thanksgiving Day with the Toren side.
As the years went on, it was expanded to any and all relatives and friends too.
When my mom died, my dad wanted to continue the annual event. I think he said, "I don't have to cook anything, so I think this is the one holiday event I can contribute."
When my dad married Chris and moved to S.L.P, the pizza party moved too.
Here we are more then twenty years later with a hodge podge of guests.
To those who attend, their presence is treasured.
Baby Charlie was the big hit at the party this year.

The chocolate fountain has become another must have at the party, before the pizza ever arrives. I personally enjoy the champagne with "fluff" (not pictured).

Didn't I say it was a pizza party?

The delivery arrived around 6 pm!

There is no shortage to eat or drink for those who traveled from near and far to attend.

Smile, chat, catch up, and kick off the holiday season.

And when the party is over, and your second cousins are drifting off on their car ride back to the country, eat MORE chocolate covered strawberries!

Black Friday 2011

2011-11-30T12:03:00.008-06:00

We did not shop on Black Friday.
We did not brave the crowds.
We did not stand in line.
We did not cut coupons.
We did not getup before dawn, in the dark of night.
We did not stay up until midnight waiting for the doors to open.
We did not get FIRED UP for the HOT sales.

We did end the day with a HOT deal of our own, after dark.
We did have a FIRE in our backyard fire pit, to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather.

We did burn the Black Friday sales circulars to start the fire.
We did stay up until nearly midnight, after our soon-to-be moving afar favorite neighbors' Mindy and Derek stopped by with our favorite neighbor dogs, Emma and Paxton.

No jacket required!
No credit cards either!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-29T20:59:00.011-06:00

Our Thanksgiving started as the sun was rising. Mark and the Twinners headed to White Bear Lake to cheer Auntie Kelly on at the finish line of the "Fast before the Feast" 5 K. Back in the solitude of our warm and peaceful home, I started my morning with a fresh brewed cup of Caribou with heavy whipping cream (purchased for various t-day recipes). Soon the Thompson's would gather with us. This was Kelly's first ever 5 K. Awesome job! Way to go!

Looking fine at the finish line!

Meanwhile, I got this 19 pound bad boy oven ready with fresh vegetables, fresh chopped herbs, loads of unsalted butter, an one large Reynold's oven bag.

I set the table with wedding linen, china, and crystal.

I added spray painted gourds, thrifted and sprayed candle holders, and my favorite sterling-silver thrifted platter, along with Aurthur Court napkin rings.

The appitizer table was put into place, and I added the appropriate (spray painted) decor to my ever changing IKEA shelves.
Two for whom I give THANKS!

ME! Proud hostess with my perfectly browned and moist bird. I think we are both glowing.

Say grace and let's eat.

"Bi-ness, Goodness we are fed. Thank you Lord for our daily bread"

Translation from the version Mark has been saying since his own childhood.

"By his goodness we are fed. Thank you Lord for our daily bread."

Dean thought he was very funny waving around the giant drumstick and pretending to eat it.

Fun and games.

Relaxing.

Happy Thanksgiving ya'all!

Before Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T21:47:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow we are hosting Mark's family for Thanksgiving.
Today I took the day off to play in the kitchen.

So... here is a running look at my day!

It started out like any other. I dropped the kids off for school (except I was in jeans and boots). I was armed with a list for the day.

Next stop, the Caribou by the Cub for a LARGE 1/2 caf, skim latte (free with a coupon).

On to Cub for a 19 pound turkey and everything else you need to host this all American Holiday. 19 pounds is more then we need, but we like leftovers. Boy.. big turkeys are kinda spendy... even with that $10 off coupon.

Headed to AT&T to get my Blackberry fixed. I was disconnected for a few hours. God Bless my brother-in-law Pat (who works at AT&T) for ALWAYS coming to my phone rescue.

Stopped at Banana Republic to try and exchange a holiday skirt. Left empty handed.

Made a trip to Walmart to pick up a can of metallic spray paint. I had spray painted my fall gourds for my Thanksgiving table-scape tomorrow and wanted a third tone.

Stopped at the liquer store. The beujioli noevu (spelling) is here, and I thought I needed more beer....

Once home I unloaded the groceries and started cooking.

Mixed cream cheese, dill relish, and chopped dried beef for cracker spread/dip.

Ate too much dip.

Toasted the french bread for the stuffing, and browned the Italian sausage, celery and onions. Put it all in a throw away baking tray, and made room in the fridge.

Cooked the cranberries with apricot jam and a touch of Grand Mairinier, and put them in the serving dish when cool.

Sliced and diced and prepared the broccoli salad.

Spray painted my gourds in the garage.

Whipped up a batch of Chex Mix.

Poured a glass of wine for Mark and I, and threw a frozen pizza in the oven for supper.

Cleaned the upstairs bathroom.

Washed the entry rugs and swept the kitchen floor for the first time.

Added the leaf to the table.

Chopped up the vegetables to go inside and under the turkey tomorrow morning, and cut more for veggies and dip.

Decided to make green bean casserole with my variation of a Real Simple recipe with lots of butter, cream, and mushrooms (but NO CAMBELL'S SOUP). We will see if it gets any points tomorrow.

Baked up caramel puff corn... which Mark urged me to finish before everyone went to bed.

Gave the kids a bath and put them to bed.

Ate more Chex mix and watched Revenge on ABC.

Typed up this blog, while noting the piles of laundry that need to be put away from the corner of my eye, and figuring the rest can wait until tomorrow....

There is so much to be Thankful for.
Wishing you a day full of Thankful-ness too!

Tomorrow will be a lovely day.

A Boy, A Bear, And the Google Gods

2011-11-20T21:40:00.016-06:00

Everyone knows Dean's best bud is his blue Oscar bear.

No matter that Oscar had become flat from 4 years of unconditional love.No matter that his bow unraveled in the first year.
No matter that Oscar had lost an eye somewhere along the way. (Rumor has it Ramona the Cat ate it.)
Oscar and Dean had never been apart for more than a night, that is until after our recent trip to hang with the Huwe's. Somehow, Oscar was left behind.

But Dean is 4 now.
He is a big boy. He can sleep with out Oscar.
Of course Gretchen would send him packing back to B.P. when she found him.

But she didn't find him!
She searched high. She searched low.
Piper and Martin looked inside and out.
Oscar was NO WHERE to be found.

And so, Dean did his best to tough it out. He was brave.
Marly and I surprised him with a new stuffed polar bear. We named him Ole.
Dean did well, until the sniffles hit. He was a tired, sick boy who whined for his bear.

The truth is, I knew Dean would get over Oscar, but I wanted to be a mom who is a hero.
And so I prayed to the Google Gods on my lunch break at work.

Who was the manufacturer? "First Expressions"( No.. that's not it.)

Where was he purchased? "Macys"

(He was a gift from the former wife of one of my Dad's former business partners. I remembered the gift receipt was from Macy's.)

Okay... Okay.. "baby gifts teddy bear"

One step closer... "First Impression teddy bear"

E-Bay Rocks! (Crap - N0 longer for sale.)

Okay.. Okay.. "First Impressions Heart Bear" (Damn it...the pink one.)

"First Impressions blue bear 14 inches"
E-Bay JACKPOT!!! Buy it Now!

$10.94 by PayPals and 5 days shipping through the U.S. Postal Service....

...and it was like Santa came before Thanksgiving!
This is Dean with Oscar the Second.
A mere 7 days after his arrival and his bow is already missing, and he has nearly lost site in one eye.

Hoorah for Oscar.

I am mommy.

I am a hero!

**The funniest thing is we aren't quite sure if Dean understands this is a replacement of the original Oscar, or if he believes Oscar took a spa trip to a very talented teddy bear plastic surgeon.**

My Life

2011-11-14T13:02:00.004-06:00

What have I been up to???
Everything and Nothing!!!

I am like that.
We Thomberg's are like that.
We go to work. We go to school. We play. We work at home. We spend time with each other. We spend time with friends. We spend time with family.

I do the laundry. I sweep the floor. We have friends to dinner from a filled crock pot. We go to church. We take a nap. We spent time in the yard. We chat with our neighbors. The kitchen floor is always dirty, except when we have friends to dinner.

We eat supper at our table after work every night. We eat healthy food. We eat crappy food that is fast and easy. We like McDonald's. We have fresh fruit on hand. We eat whole grain bread. We play games on the floor. We watch TV. I watch Revenge on Wednesday. We don't get the kids to bed on time. I should read more to the kids. We sometimes neglect to brush the kids' teeth. We take them to the dentist every 6 months. I will take the kids to get their flu mist today. I get behind on the laundry. The clean laundry piles up on the counter in the family room in the basement. We have never run out of clean underwear. I need to vacuum more. I should clean out every closet.

We get the mail. I like the Crate and Barrel catalog. I like the Pottery Barn catalog. I never send birthday cards anymore. I neglect to send a formal thank you for so many things I should. I forget to buy gifts in a timely manner. We got our family pictures taken for Christmas cards. I will buy stamps for the cards. I blog.....

I got pampered by Chris this past Saturday.

I forget things. We miss things. I NEED my SmartPhone. I do not know Mark's cell phone number by heart. I put Cindy's 31 Party on the WRONG day in my calendar. I am sad about this. I remember Cindy's home phone number from our childhood (I think?!?).

I do special things for others off-handedly. I do not plan well. I brought a latte to the day care director when it was Buy one Get one at Caribou. I hope to stop at Daycare Cindy's (our former provider) and bring her some coffee beans later today. I call friends I miss at the spur of the moment and meet them less then 20 minutes later for the best unexpected time together.

I leave Voice Mails for people I love. I still don't send a card with a stamp.

I am not perfect. I don't try to be. I am a good person.
I love.
I am loved.

My name is Andrea, and I am a Spray-paint-aholic!

2011-11-03T10:27:00.019-05:00

Derek watches me do it from his office window that faces our yard, "I knew she couldn't stay off the stuff for long!"

Kathy and Randy pause at the curb when walking Belle, "What could you possibly have left to do?"

Loren yells over, "Hey! Your polluting the environment again!"

The smokers next door pay no attention.

During open season (when the temperature ranges between about 60 to 80 degrees) you can find me on the lawn, circling my target on a big blue tarp, trigger finger poised, rhythmically waving my arm and wrist from side to side.

My poison - Zinsser primer and Krylon or Rustoleum in Almond, Khaki, Navy Blue, White, Bahama Gold, Ivy Green, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Ballerina Pink and more!

SPRAY PAINT! I have an addiction. The season has most likely come to a close this year, but come spring...Who knows what could be in store!

Dean's nightstand BEFORE - Thrifted from the Salvation Army.Dean's nightstand spray painted and coated in glaze.Dean's nightstand AFTER - The hardware got a shot of Oil Rubbed Bronze.Version two for Marly AFTER - White with ivory accents. The hardware is hit up with Satin Nickel. I wanted to highlight the details in her nightstand. Unfortunately the glaze on white paint made it look like it came from a smoker's house. Oh well..... Dean's dresser BEFORE- A hand me down from my Aunt Carol , who it got when she helped clean out the apartment of an elderly lady who died, named Cornelia, who had no close relatives. Carol gave it to my dad when he had and apartment in Mound, who then returned it when her moved he to St. Louis Park!

Dean's dresser AFTER facing my addiction.

I was lazy. I only repainted the drawers, and simply glazed the body, which I believe was coated in oil based paint that was still going strong. I also added new hardware.
Dean's headboard AFTER - Another free hand me down from Aunt Carol. I painted and glazed it to coordinate with everything else.

Four simple wooden chairs purchased from Good Will for $3.99 each AFTER a turn on my spray painting tarp. This table and chairs has found the perfect place in our family room. The table originally purchased at a garage sale for use in our townhome years ago. This winter I hope to add cool cushions to the chairs with a modern, yet nuetral print.

In case you are curious, I prefer Krylon over Rustoleum. Walmart has a decent selection of Krylon for the cheapest price.

In case you are curious, I prefer Zinsser primer over Kiltz. Home Depot carries Zinnser, Walmart does not.

In case you are curious, I prefer Krylon and Zinnser because of the way they spray from the can.

Not pictured - Marly and Dean each have solid wood kiddy tables and chairs free from an un-disclosed location. Marly's is painted a nuetral shade. Dean is blue and green to match his bedspread.

Also not pictures - Random spray painted thrifted decor items scattered through out my home.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T21:50:00.012-05:00

I really enjoy Halloween.
I love pumpkins, decorating inside and out, and candy too.
I love costumes and dressing up.
My mom created/sewed outstanding costumes for Brett and I every year.
This year I put a lot of thought into creating original costumes for my own children.
Also this year, for the first time as a mom, I got to volunteer at the kids Halloween Party at their Montessori school.
And of course, we have created a tradition of having the Grandparents for supper before we go tick-or-treating. Grandpa Gary has mastered the art of pumpkin carving for Marly and Dean.
Grandpa has two eager helpers.

And many smiles.

For supper I made baked ziti and served apple pie from Jack's Bakey, with Cool Whip enhanced with orange food coloring and black sugar sprinkles. (I am a working mom after all, who has NOT found the time to bake, on top of everything else! Hey, the house was picked up!)

Marly and Dean in costume and giddy to get out the door, ready to visit all the neighbors on Riverview Lane. It was another beautiful night with a mild temperature.

Hello Kitty!

Hat and appliqued dress ordered from Etsy sellers.

Us girls found the Hello Kitty tights at Walmart. She has white gloves, but decided not to wear them.

Marly has a puffy white tail I attached on her back side. It is more bunny like then kitty like, but cute all the same.

Dean-o the Dino!

Hat purchased from Etsy.

The fleece pants (Carters) and sweater (Old Navy) have cut felt spikes and accents hand stitched with green embroidery thread on the arms, back, legs, etc - All done with love by me.

Dean has a tail also made from the blue and green felt. I attached elastic to it, so he could wear/tie it around his waste, but it wouldn't pull his pants off his skinny waiste.

He was the darn cutest thing when he wiggled his tail/butt!

Kitty and Dinosaur best buddies, on Halloween and every day.

Happy Halloween Ya'all!

Hanging with the Huwe's - Husky Style!

2011-10-30T20:45:00.013-05:00

Friday we headed to the Huwe's for some hang time. Ms. Gretchen's birthday was Thursday, so there was reason to celebrate too. We arrived bearing Papa Murphy's Pizza and heavenly to-die-for desserts from Truffles and Torte's in Anoka.

The kids played up and down and all around, this way and that. The adults had a cocktail and talked about everything under the sun, as we always do.

Saturday, Little Miss Piper was signed up for a mini dance class at SCSU. After several hours of practice in the AM, the kids were going to dance at half time of the SCSU Huskies Football Game.
The Thomberg's decided to stick around for the game, and bring our kids on their first ever visit to their parent's Alma Mater. We brought a picnic lunch, checked out campus and the NUMEROUS upgrades and changes, visited Gretchen's office, and got the kids their first SCSU sweatshirts at the bookstore.

And we were off to the stadium (build AFTER we graduated) located on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi.

We had a FANTASTIC time, on another perfect fall afternoon. Piper was a doll dancing during the half time show. And, the Huskies won against the UMD Bulldogs.

After we headed back to the car, to head home to B.P. Here is Marly having a melt down. Boy was she P-O'ed when I snapped this picture on my phone!!!!!!

Okay... smiles again.

Now let's go HOME!

**More often then not, when we are with the Huwe's we are just ourselves being exactly that. More often than not, we are too comfortable in our time to think about the camera. All pics were taken on someone's phone and e mailed about. Unfortunately, I find myself unable to master the technology to turn the photos, so you will have to turn your head instead!**

p.s. - Gretchen, Can you send me the photo of us with the dessert???? okay - GOT IT!

p.p.s - Have you come across Oscar? Can you drop him in the mail????

p.p.p.s - THANKS Huwe's for a fantastic time! You too Piper and Martin!

The Missing Post - Westwood Nature Center Fall Fest

2011-10-28T20:39:00.001-05:00

For the 3rd year in a row, Dad and Nana got us all tickets to the Westwood Nature Center Fall Fest in St Louis Park. It is an excellent opportunity to draw out Halloween and don the kid's costumes a week early.

We had a wonderful time last Saturday, with pleasant weather like past years. Before hitting the spooky trails and games, we met Rachel and Baby Charlie at TGIFridays for dinner. For the first time since we started going, Chris was able to use her ticket and join in the fun. In past years, she has been on call.

I am referring to this as the missing post because I cannot find the camera key card the hold the pictures on the event. Oops! Good thing I download photos ALL the time, so nothing else is lost.

Home to the Farm!

2011-10-18T14:43:00.029-05:00

Saturday I took the kids home to the FARM, to visit my cousins and aunt and uncle... since I am not "technically" from the farm anymore. Thankfully, my family takes us in with wide open arms.
This post is part historical, part educational, part reflection...and ALL Andrea.

The Twinners and I got to my cousin Matt and Shylah's around 11:30. When we arrived, my Aunt Jan (Matt and Mike's mom) was hustling from one field to the next to feed the noon meal to the crew combining in one field, and the crew harvesting beets in another. Back in the day, my mom and Jan would cook all morning and coordinate who feed who. I estimate Jan fed 8 or more men that day??? Today, Jan and Shylah call ahead and pick up hot and hearty meals at cafe in town. In the past, like today, there is seasonal hired help to get the crops in. All those men are feed too. Back in the day, roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy was a sustaining menu item. Today, roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy remains a regular menu item!

Shylah kindly fed my brood and hers barbecues in her kitchen at the home farm. After, we headed down the shop and "shack". I would liken the "shack" to command central for the grain set up (the bins and leg system), which is used for the movement, drying and storage of corn and beans.

My uncle Sheldon was dumping the semi's at the grain set up as they came from the field loaded with corn. In my day on the farm, my mom would man the "shack" between feeding men and nightfall.

I tried to explain to Marly and Dean that this is how our uncle and cousin's make a living.

Next, Shylah drove us to meet my cousin Mike harvesting beets in a field a few miles east at Allen's. Sutton, Saxton, Marly and Dean piled in the back seat of the pick up, with Sawyer in the front with us girls.

Back in the day, my Dad and Uncle Sheldon operated 2 lifters when conditions were good.

Today, Mike is operating with one new and efficient piece of equipment.

Once the semi is full of beets, it will head to the Buffalo Lake sugar beet dump. Over the months ahead, the beets from those piles around the county will make their way to the farmer owned co-op processing plant in Renville...then onto the grocery store, where we buy refined sugar in 5 pound bags.Next we headed to Essers for a combine ride, while my cousin Matt harvested corn. Farms are all named so you know who is where. Usually the names reflect someone who owned them or lived there. My cousin farm spread spread across many many miles, mostly in Renville County.

Back in the day, my Dad and Uncle Sheldon operated two combines.

Today, Matt uses one very efficient, and very large machine. What do you all think that state-of-the art green piece of equipment costs??? The combine now also serves as the stock chopper, removing one step in the process to return the soil to a condition suitable for planting in the spring.

I love to show off the agricultural technology available today. This GPS computer system tracks yield and moisture by acre. I am sure it does a hell of that more than that... but are the details are all I can explain! Unfortunately, purple is the lowest yeild that can register.

While continuing to drive/harvest, Matt simultaneously empties the combine hopper into the grain cart, which pulls up along side of him. Back in the day, my Dad would pull the combine up to the sitting semi, stop, and unload. Matt estimates he shaves 30% of the time it takes to harvest a field by using the grain cart. My retired uncle Loren shuttles the cart from the combine to the semi. My cousin's now farm Loren and his brother Allen's land. Allen's is where Mike was harvesting beets. Allen also puts in some hours on the farm in the fall.

Part of the reason my relatives find success in farming is their love and stewardship of the land they own, and the land entrusted in them by their landlords (like my uncle Loren and aunt Carol, my Dad, Orlo, Don and Irene, and the late Mrs. Howard Tewes). I feel that same love and pride in the land, even though I am not involved in the food supply chain.

The old white farm house in the photo above is the place I lived from age 2 to 13. Now it is abandoned and ramshackle. Back in the day, my mom spent DAYS getting the entire yard mowed. We moved when I was in 8th grade and my parents built a new house. After we left, this person and that person lived their, including my cousin Michelle and her husband Chad, then my cousin Mike. Eventually, the 5 acre farm site was sold off. Our neighbor's across the road, Patty and Orlo, are forever remembered and honored too.

Dean needed to pick MORE corn to take home to suburbia (along with the sugar beets). Look at that blue sky. Look at that wide open space. Look at the country. This is home to me. This is where my heart lives.

Just as the kids were getting antsy in the combine, Shylah came to pick us up. In case you are curious, I ride along too. There is plenty of room in the combine and tractor, since both have a buddy seat. I make it no secret, I LOVE riding.

Honostly, it's a damn good thing the kids like going out, because they are my excuse to get to come out.After leaving Matt to a combine cab filled with just the two-way radio chatter (instead of MY chatter), we headed back to the home farm, where the kids got more time to play with their cousin's Sutton, Saxton, and Sawyer. Of course ALL kids love farm cats.

Look at all those pumpkins Shlyah grew! She kindly sent us home with car load for our autumn decor.

By now you must undestand that farming is in our blood. This past week, my oldest cousin Jared was home to the farm to help Matt and Mike. My oldest cousin is an engineer for Cummings. Cummings makes the motors for Case-IH farm equipment. Case is the leading compititor with John Deer. Jared used a WEEK of vacation and FLEW from Indiana to put in 14 hours days working on the farm. My cousins don't call Jared. Jared comes because he WANTS to.
It is my hope that bringing the kids out to the farm will instill this same love for the land in them, even if it is from a distance.

Leaf Patrol 2011

2011-10-13T11:52:00.018-05:00

We started leaf clean up this past Saturday, on a HOT October day. In past years, we would have spent ALL DAY racking... but not this year. You see the lawn mower above? That rider was my "Mother's Day" gift. When the Sear's delivery truck arrived Saturday morning of Mother's Day weekend, I was VERY surprised indeed. In fact, I was so surprised I drove myself right over to Hot Mama in Maple Grove, and promtly bought myself a new dress! I thought I might wear it to MOW the lawn!?!!?

The truth is, the lawn mower has freed up time for our family, and leaf patrol this year has been easy breezy indeed.

Marly and Dean dressed themselves that morning while I ran to Walgreen's to pick up a bottle of hair color. I was in dire need of L'oreal, so I could be the same shade again from root to tip for Brett's Annual Birthday Dinner at Manny's Steak House! Marly picked a summer dress for the unseasonably warm day.Dean opted for his new Super Man t shirt purchased for the cooler months ahead.

After dumping the leaves from the bagger into a pile and having some fun, we loaded them onto a tarp. We dragged them over to the neighbor's and threw them down the river bank. How handy is that! (I am not sure what the DNR would have to say about our neighborhood practice...)

Happy Daddy! Happy Kids!

Happy Mommy! (behind the lens of the Nikon, sweaty and dusty with BAD hair)

15 years ago

2011-10-05T11:14:00.011-05:00

A little over 15 years ago, I decided to study abroad.

I got on a plane and moved farther away, for a longer length of time then I ever have in my life.

I embarked on the adventure with 28(?) St. Cloud State students who were virtual strangers to me.

I lived in a real life castle (now made famous by Harry Potter) up 176(?) steps in a tower called Upper Diana.

Europe was our doorstep.

All we needed was a backpack, our Bible better known as "Let's Go", a Euro-rail pass, and credit cards we used to emass debt we will never regret.

15 years ago, on a Thursday night, you could find us at a pub called Oscars, owned by a man named Frank. The pub was stumbling distance from the (friendly) guarded gate of OUR castle.

15 years ago I might have been drinking a Snake Bite Black (1/2 lager, 1/2 cider, and a shot of something black currant).

15 years ago, we left the pub in time to walk home for curfew (it's true!)

15 years ago, the world was full of promise and drama.

Last Thursday, I met up with 5 people who were part of my everything in day to day life for 6 months, FIFTEEN years ago in the small town in northern England called Alnwick. (That was back when were without internet and cell phones).

Thursday, 5 of met at a dive bar in south Minneapolis, after work. We drank pitchers of lite tap beer.

Thursday, we drove home to our spouses (except Gretchen and Dan who married each other... and picked me up), children (and mortgages). We left in time to be rested for work the next day.

Today, the world is full of promise and drama.

There are no words to aptly describe our experience, or the connection that was born of living inside the ancient stone walls of the Alnwick Castle.

I love you guys, always and forever...

Marly's Curtains - Toots to the rescue!

2011-10-04T14:57:00.016-05:00

Since moving Marly down stairs, I have been on the hunt for cute, girly, yet somewhat sophisticated curtains for Marly's butterfly room. Because it is the lower level, the windows are a custom size from the standard window treatments.

I found picture perfect window treatments at Pottery Barn Kids, but the price tag didn't match my meager budget, not to mention the size was disproportionate, and would need altering on top of the cost.

I found a woman on Etsy who could make adorable panels with darling ruffles to fit, but alas, her creations were still not in the range I was willing to spend.

Next up - Full size pink panels on clearance for 10 bucks each at Bed Bath and Beyond. Score! Well - SCORE one panel. I needed 4. Fortunately they were easily able to locate and ship me 3 more.

So.... now I had 4 super long, pink panels.
They are not exactly "sophisticated" but the price was right.
I also have a sewing machine.
What I do NOT have? Skills in the fine art of sewing.

What to do? What to do!
CALL MY AUNT TOOTS (of course!!!) Me - "Hi Toots!!! How are you?!..... Um... Can you PRETTY PLEASE come to my house some day when you are in the cities and help me. Please! I have these curtains I need hemmed???"

Me - "Well..... There are two sheers to each window. And then... Two panels for each window...and two windows...."

Me - "No... Of course it can wait until the end of September. That is NO PROBLEM AT ALL. I promise I will feed you when you come!"
And so at 3:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, Toots arrived with her Bernina in hand.
Of course I hadn't cut the panels to the correct size....
Of course I hadn't ironed the hems...
Of COURSE I was completely unprepared.
Of course I smiled sweetly at my aunt...

So... I guess you could say Toot's literally had her work cut out for her!

I invited Rachel and Baby Charlie to visit too, but I forgot to take a picture when I let Toot's take a break to hold him!!! (j/k)

Toots measured and cut and sewed until supper time. I did some ironing as my meager attempt to help.

After a bowl of chili, she sewed some more. When she was finally done laboring away for her niece, we each had a piece of homemade apple pie for dessert!

(You all can guess where this is going. You all know I do NOT bake...)

Did I mention she came, she sewed....

and - She brought a bag of apples, a jar of her homemade jam, AND A HOMEMADE APPLE PIE!

(Yes... Toot's spoils me!!!)

Thank you so VERY MUCH Toots!

(I know that you know that mom would have done this for me, and you couldn't say no...)

Marly's curtains look perfect.

Leaf Peeping, Wine...The Perfect Day

2011-10-02T21:21:00.022-05:00

The perfect day began with a Groupon and e mail early this summer. The daily deal was a wine tasting, cheese and chocolate for two at the Chateau St Croix vineyard in Wisconsin. Mark and I visited last year and had a fantastic time. We knew we wanted to return with friends. I sent Jenny an e-mail shout out - "Hey.... let's buy this and go."

Late this summer Jenny proposed three October Saturday's to spend the day doing some Minnesota wine tasting. This was the Saturday. The plan - get relatives to watch our children, get a room in Stillwater, head up Highway 95 to a handful of local vineyards, and return to town for dinner.

Yesterday we started our perfect day with a quick lunch at Chipotle in Stillwater, then set off on our adventure. The sun was shining. The leaves were brilliant. The air was crisp. The company was enjoyable.

Initially, the plan was to go as far as Highway 8, then jog west to Chisago City, making our first stop the Wine Haven vineyard. After turning, we only made it a few miles down the road when we happened upon the Crossroads Bar in the tiny town of Shafer. I yelled to Jeremy, "Wait! Turn off!! RIGHT HERE!"

Jeremy hit the brakes and made a louie. The timing was perfect for Bloody Mary's and tap beer from plastic keg cups.

The men made an executive decision to skip Wine Haven, and head directly to St. Croix Falls. Soon we were at Chateau St Croix, with wine in hand.

Jenny and Jeremy Lyons.

Outstanding friends. Outstanding day.

Relax! Laugh! Smile!

Sip - Drink!

I had created a wine tasting outfit to perfectly reflect my carefree, happy mood for the day -Flirty flower dress purchased from Marshall's that morning, cashmere wrap purchased at a second hand shop in Park City, Utah years ago when I was pregnant with the twinners, tights, and my favorite brown leather boots I picked up last year for $30 on uber-clearance at DSW.

After a bottle of wine, we crossed back over the St. Croix River and headed to the Wild Mountain Vineyard outside of Taylors Falls. After a wrong turn, circling back into town, and back out, we were finally seated for tasting. We enjoyed talking with two of the three owners about their very first season as entrepreneurs in the wine industry.

We purchased a bottle, and saddled up.

We stopped at a field approach somewhere between Taylors Falls and Stillwater, trespassed onto a farmer's hay bales, sipped wine, and watched the sun go down on a glorious fall day.

Our men!

We returned to Stillwater for 8 pm dinner reservations at Reve 324, where the talk and pleasure of the carefree day continued into the night......a cocktail up the street.....a return to our room with chatter about all the moments we loved throughout our day....

We woke in the morning with memories to last until we can do it AGAIN next year!

Go Gophers! Go Bison!

2011-09-27T15:55:00.003-05:00

Last weeknd we got to go our first Gophers game at TCF Stadium. My Dad asked a cousin with season tickets to get him 10 tickets to the UND game, before they went on sale to the public. My dad, Brett and the Thomberg's were joined by the Paulson's.

Although my Dad is a VERY proud Alumni of the Carlson School of Management with a masters, Mark and I are SCSU Huskies through and through. Thus, none of us have any Gophers gear. In fact, I accidentally dressed Dean in Bison colors!

Chad is a graduate of the University of North Dakota, and my cousin Michelle went to Moorhead State.
Marly decided to cheer for the Bison (which was encouraged by Michelle), and they won.

No matter the score, everyone had a fabulous time. If we get to attend next year, I will make sure we have the appropriate attire/gear!

Charlie's Baptism

2011-09-25T21:26:00.004-05:00

This Sunday we celebrated the baptism of Charlies Lester Melberg, Child of God. Little Man Melberg was baptized at Faith Luthan Church in Waconia

Sponsors - Rachel's sister Sarah, and Mark and I.

After the 11 am church service, a big gaggle of family from both sides enjoyed dinner at Brett and Rachel's. Here is proud Grandpa David and Nana Chris on the deck.

Family - A Blessing!

Goodbye Summer Season Friends

2011-09-23T20:51:00.001-05:00

This summer on Riverview Lane, we had new neighbors. We have enjoyed having them, but as expected, they are gone before the snow birds fly south!
Our neighbors were three chickens in a small coop! Rex and Jaci up the street got the birds this spring to try and combat some sort of bugs that have infested their two apple trees for more then a dozen years. It seems they have tried all kinds of sprays and organic methods to deal with these slugs, with no success. So, this year they tried CHICKENS! They explained the poultry were suppose to eat the eat the insects before they matured and infested the apples.

Well, as you can imagine, the three new neighbors were a hit with the kids of Riverview Lane, and especially Marly and Dean. Jaci invited Marly and Dean to come and visit the trio whenever they wanted.

The Twinners pedaled up the street to check out the chickens at least once a week. When the grandparent's would come over, they kids trucked them up the street too.

Dean named one the brown birds Charlie.

This might be Charlie, or it might not!

Charlie and his pals layed green and brown eggs.

Just yesterday I noticed the pen was empty. We knew this day would come. Since our summer friends arrived, I have made it no secret we eat chicken. I haven't mentioned it to the kids yet, but I suspect Charlie, the white chicken, and the other brown chicken are destined for the dinner table!

I believe Rex has mentioned the birds did not provide the answer to the slug problem, so I am not sure if we will see any new poultry with the return of spring.

Renaissance Festival 2011

2011-09-13T22:32:00.010-05:00

Once again this year, Dad and Chris took us to the Renaissance Festival. This year it was a HOT September day, but we still had a marvelous time. When we picked Dad and Chris up, Chris had a pirate costume for Dean and a princess costume for Marly. Where is my costume????

Camel Ride.

Elephant ride.

A quick detour to check out the ducks.

Llama Ride.

Horse ride. (Last year the kids rode the ponies. This year Dean spotted the real deal.)

Dean easily convinced Grandpa to say yes to any animal he wanted to ride.

Eventually we headed home hot, dirty, and happy.

Thank you Dad and Chris for another great day.

Memorial Day 2011

2011-09-11T21:16:00.009-05:00

On Memorial Day we headed to the Minnesota Zoo to use Marly and Dean's Birthday gift certificate from the Collin's family. The weather was perfect and the crowds were light. We saw the new penguin exhibit and rode the monorail.

We walked the paths.

We watched the dolphin training show.

And by now, you are probably wondering why there are not photos of ANIMALS.

You know how it is at the MN Zoo (which was known as the NEW Zoo when I was in elementary)- the animals are in the back, or behind a tree, and slightly obscured.

Or...there is a crowd of kids in front.

Of course the ordinary animals at the Wells Fargo Family Farm are always a hit with Marly and Dean. Throw in a GREEN tractor (even if it is antique, with NO cab, NO buddy seat, and NO high tech gadgets like on the Melberg Farms) and it is a winner of a day for little man Dean-0! That boy has country coursing though his veins even if he is the suburban cousin. As we walked up the trail, Dean started yelling, "Soybeans Mom, Soybeans!"

Time to head home, but not before snapping one more picture, with NO ANIMALS!

Sunday

2011-09-04T22:53:00.005-05:00

Today we went to visit Brett, Rachel and Baby Charlie. Dad was there too. Despite the new addition to the household, Brett made ribs, and had cold slaw, beans and corn bread for dinner/lunch.

I feel bad Brett and Rachel fed us, with a brand new baby on board. In my defense, I brought a baked ziti dish to heat, frozen garlic bread to go with it, Quiche Lorraine they can cut and nuk by the slice, brownies, and Wasi toast and Laughing Cow cheese for the nursing mom. Yes... I made the ziti, quiche and brownies (which were admittedly from a box).

In the afternoon, we got to be a part of Charlie's first boat ride. He is about 6 days old today!

Most likely, this is the last boat ride of the season for the Thomberg's. I can't wait for next summer at Brett and Rachel's on Pierson Lake with the new addition to the family.

Charles Lester Melberg

2011-09-02T22:14:00.002-05:00

Charles Lester Melberg FINALLY made his appearance to the world this past Tuesday sometime between 6 and 7 pm.

When he FINALLY arrived he weighted 9 pounds 2 ounces.
When he FINALLY came out, he was 22 inches long.
Welcome to the WORLD. We are all so glad to see you. Welcome to the WORLD, we are all so glad you are here.

Dad jetted to the hospital as soon as he got the call on Tuesday evening, after returning from our annual State Fair adventure. Dad ALMOST cancelled his State Fair trip with Marly and Dean, awaiting little Charlie's arrival.

The Thomberg's went to visit on Wednesday afternoon. I neglected to take a picture of the proud and happy parents, but I would like to tell you Rachel's hair was in perfect curls as usual, despite having been long over-due, and spending many, many hours being induced, and then laboring the day before.

Charles was our great grandfather's name.

Lester is Rachel's dad.

New little man is NOT so little, but he is a blessing from the tip of his dark hair to the bottom of his tiny toes.

Rachel, Brett and Charles are all doing well.

I am over the moon to be an auntie.

Dad is ecstatic to be a grandpa again.

Marly and Dean are excited about their cousin. Marly rarely has kisses for ANYBODY, but she suddenly has plenty for Charles. She loves to hold the baby.

Mark is funny. He is uncomfortable holding the baby, despite being super-duper, natural from the get-go, hands on daddy to tiny infant Marly and Dean.

State Fair 2011

2011-09-01T21:47:00.001-05:00

As usual, we headed to the Great MN Get Together.
As usual we went on a week day and met my dad.
As usual, we kicked off the day with cheese curds from the food building. As usual, we headed through all the barns, starting with the Miracle of Birth Barn.
Dad showed the kids the milking parlor. Dad milked cows when he was a kid. He raised his college tuition this way.

As usual, the cow barn was my dad and my favorite. I like cows.

Dean being silly, and pretzel-legged at the cow statue.

This year we went in the butterfly house. We have never been inside before.

This year we got our Fair tickets for free. Last year we signed up for the Gophers Kids Study. They want you to return year after year, and they send you free tickets in the mail.

Although we saved $44 in tickets, we spent about $70 in food and drink.

This year we had to skip the Giant Slide because it was sprinkling when we went by.

This year the kids favorite ride on the Kiddy Midway was the Tilt-a-Whirl.

This year we left the stroller at home.

This year Dean complained he was too tired to walk about 10 feet from the exit gate as we were leaving.

This year Rachel and Brett were at the hospital while we embarked upon all the State Fair has to offer.

This year I texted Brett from time to time to find out about Rachel's labor progress.

This year we all had a WONDERFUL time. We always do.

Dean Favorite Food - Mini Donuts

Marly's Favorite Food - Cheese Curds

My Favorite Tried and True Food - Cheese Curds

My Favorite New Food - Deep Fried Cookie Dough on a stick.

Mark's Favorite Ride - The Tilt a Whirl with the kids.

Mark's Food he MUST have - The traditional, tried and true Pronto Pup.

People We Ran Into in 2011 - My former KSTP Co-Worker Margaret Hart who now works for the Ag Dept & Molly, Peter, Charlie and Owen deVries.

Things We Missed in 2011(besides the Giant Slide) - The SCSU booth in the Education Building and the Giant Bore. There was a sign indicating the giant bore had gone home. I think he died of a massive heart attack!

SEE YA NEXT YEAR...

Toren Family Gathering

2011-08-27T10:53:00.003-05:00

Sunday (after our time with the Melberg's at Mitch's wedding) we continued west toward Bird Island for a Toren Family Gathering (my mom's side of the family) . The children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and GREAT, great grandchildren of Harry and Adeline (my grandparents) reunited at Gary and Karen Toren's farm (my aunt and uncle).

Karen and I discussed a family reunion at Easter this year. I did the invitations, Karen did the real work and hosted, and last Sunday it all came together. The kids spent the entire afternoon in the pool with their second and third cousins. The adults gathered under an old Ford Motors tent borrowed from Dave Plass, the neighbor.

Below is my Uncle Dick (my mom's oldest brother) with his youngest daughter Deanna.

We poured over old photo albums. (My mom's sister Toots on the far right, Dick's other daughter Deb in the middle, and Toot's daughter Kris on the left. Toot's real name is Lorraine!).

Old albums are a true treasure. I hope someday this blog can serve a similar purpose.

My cousin Deb's daughter Jaleenah.

My cousin Christopher Toren's girls - Maggie and Addie - with root beer floats.

We played lawn games. Here is my Uncle Gary and Kris's husband Rick.Mark with Ann Toren, my oldest cousin Rick's wife.

And of course plenty of visiting.

As a child, I saw my aunts, uncles and cousins often - every holiday and many birthdays. I don't think any of them lived more than 30 miles away (the farthest being Olivia, 2 towns away). That is how it works in the country. We often saw each other at my grandpa's house in Bird Island. The stories of the children and grandchild of Harry and Adeline so fun to tell and hear.

Now we are grown, large in numbers, spread further, and with families of our own.

My mom was one of five kids, on the farm. There are 12 grandchildren. There are soon to be 22 great-grand-children (Brett and Rachel's baby should be here soon.), and 3 great-great grandchildren. My mom and her brother Curt are the youngest, but they were the first to leave us.

My cousin Rob is the farthest from us. He lives in California with his family, but is currently serving in the military in Afghanistan.

Brett and Rachel didn't make it, because they didn't know if the baby might present itself. It hasn't.

My grandparents moved to town long before my birth. Uncle Gary and his son Christopher still farm the family land, although the home farm has been gone for many, many years.

To close, it was a wonderful day. I hope we do it again next year!

The Country Family Wedding

2011-08-22T09:58:00.016-05:00

This weekend we had the pleasure of attending a Melberg family wedding. As you would guess, a large majority of my generation is married. They have kids themselves, and in the year's ahead, we will start to have graduations to attend.

This past weekend my Dad's youngest cousin's son, Mitch Melberg, got married. He is in his 20's, those ripe marrying years. I cannot say I have any sort of personal relationship with Mitch. I cannot say I watched him grow up. What I can tell you is, I am from a tight-knit, strong farm family. Getting married is an opportunity to rangle the relatives (distant and close), to gather, and to celebrate. It beats the alternative, which is funerals!

Mitch married a pretty girl named Miranda, and by all accounts they appeared very happy. I didn't get a photo. The truth is, as much as I wish the young couple well in their new life together... many guests are invited and come to celebrate the greater meaning of FAMILY - young and old, near and far, good and bad, the blessings and the hardships.

It is good to gather for the blessings. For those VERY FEW readers who are NOT of my family, I wish I had taken a picture of the venue, for historical purposes. The dinner and dance was hosted at the Lake Marion Ballroom. An old, pole barn like structure sitting on a country lake, with a gravel parking lot. This is your A-typical country wedding reception location. We ate a buffet of turkey and ham with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, and stuffing, served from giant white roasters. We sat at long banquet tables.

Again, all of this is your standard small town wedding fair. We don't comment on the venue, or the menu, or the decor, because it is much the same as the prior wedding. We talk about family, kids, and life. We catch up. We smile. Men discuss the crops. We talk about who is there, and who couldn't make it. We talk about how long it has been...We talk about how we don't see each other nearly often enough. We have a good time.

The Melberg's of my generation drink free keg beer from a plastic cup, or a rail drink from the bar. Our spouses hope we don't drink too much. Sometimes some of us do, and sometimes some of us don't. (There was that rental-tux-shoe-tap beer thing for too many weddings is a row....)The generation before me sit next to their sisters (Jan and Shirley), or brothers. The adult kids are at the next table. We reserve the table next to us for our closest cousin's (or something like that).

The little kids act goofy.

They create distractions before dinner. The generation before me comment about how much they have grown, and how time flies.

After dinner the second cousins form a posse, even though they only see each other a hand full of times a year. They run in. They run out. They play like wild indians. (Please forgive me for not being P.C... this is reflection, so it fits.)

The parent's of my generation (me) hope the older cousins of the next generation (Mikayla and Mariah) are helping to watch their kids, because the city cousin (me) wants time to catch up with the country cousins she wishes she could hang out with more.

Eventually you coax the little kids inside and get them on the dance floor.

When the little kids are tired and begin the MELT DOWN, somebody takes them home.

The Thomberg's actually headed to Aunt Jan and Uncle Sheldon's to stay over. The little kids rejoined their second cousin's and had a GRAND OLD TIME sleeping in a tent, where they were looked after by their older second cousins. Mark and I retired to a nice comfortable bed in the guest room!

To all my wonderful relatives, it was a delight to see you! The time is always too short!

To the generation before me, do you see history repeating itself?
I am sure this is like a mirror image of weddings I attended with my mom and dad, at Marly and Dean's age.

Thifting

2011-08-17T11:19:00.021-05:00

I love thrifting. Thrift store items are sprinkled all over my house. I like spray painting. I scoure the aisles of Good Will and the Salvation Army with an eye for items that can benefit from a make-over. Thrifting is truly a hobby for me. You just never know what treasure you will find to transform.Above are some recent purchases.
Now let's go on a thrifting tour of our home!
Here is the tin (from the first photo) on my kitchen counter, with an Krylon Avacado face lift.
(p.s. - I am addicted to Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products.)

Here are some favorite thrifted kitchen and dining finds - all the milk glass AND the sterling silver tray!

(p.s. - I have an obsession with milk glass. It is a CHEAP obsession.)

I love the tray, and so does Mark. It cost $3.99, and was black with tarnish when I brought it home. Initially, I was going to spray paint it Satin Nickle, and add chalk board paint to the middle, hanging it for a kitchen message board. While everyone was napping one Sunday, I started polishing, and polishing. I purchased more product, and polished some more. When Mark woke up, I had a very pretty find, too special to cover with paint!

This porcelain basket is a fun kitchen table accessory - 'jazzing' if you will. It just needed a good scrubbing and some plastic fruit. At Christmas, it holds red and green glass bulbs.

The little white vase in the middle of the top Ikea shelf was $1.99. It's nothing special, but is a nice summer display addition. In case you are wondering... those are plastic Smurf figures from McDonald's Happy Meals on the lower right shelf. I am funny like that. I like to put things on display for the Twinners to notice later.

This tissue box in our bedroom is thrifted and spray painted with Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Here is my laundry tote around, also in Krylon Avocado - $3.99. It makes me happy to transport clean towels and undies up and down. And, when 'temporarily' gets parked in the living room or kitchen, it still looks cool.
Downstairs to the kids rooms - Krylon Ballerina Pink butterflies above the mirror, a milk glass lamp (from the first photo), and a mirrored jewelry tray (each with more pink spray).

(p.s. - I am searching for a smaller lamp shade. I had this one on hand.)

I bought two of these night stands above about two years ago. Dean's will become Krylon Almond. Marly's will be white. Dean's hardware will be Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Not pictured -

-Five picture frames with matting currently located in my trunk intended for a dino art collage to be placed above Dean-o's bed. The frames will most likely become Oil Rubbed Bronze with Almond matting.

-Four wooden chairs in our garage to go around a table in the downstairs family room, which cost $3.99 each. Perhaps I will spray each chair a different sprayed pop of color???

The most recent item I left behind -

-A retro green wicker truck with brass corner protectors for $9.99 that was in decent shape and might look great near the table downstairs, or in Dean's room. I might check back for it when I drive by next. If such a cool item hasn't been snatched up by a savvy thirfter, it was probably meant to be.

Perhaps we better not discuss what I spend on spray paint, for the smooth, even finish that results. I buy a can every time I get a 40% off coupon for Michael's Craft!

(p.s. - Tonight after supper you will most likely find me methodically moving around a blue tarp on our lawn, armed with a can a spray paint! Ready to "Jazz it Up!")

Our Weekend = Moving Day for Marly & Dean

2011-08-15T10:56:00.016-05:00

We aren't to the "Jazzing it Up" stage of the Twinner's bedroom... BUT they OFFICIALLY moved downstairs on Saturday.
To get to this stage, I have been painting their closet doors (which are NOT yet complete and remain in the garage needing a second coat.)

Mark wrapped up the magenetic and chalkboard paint last week, and the walls earlier.

We started out with this on Thursday night, before the carpet came.

By Saturday at 11 am, I had their beds in their new home... but many tasks ahead.

Above - Dean's already owned white bedskirt getting a "tea bath" to better match his new dino bedspread.

We found a new lampshade for Dean, and he loves his dino Pottery Barn bedding.

Saturday afternoon we ran to Target, Home Depot and Ikea for our accessory search. $39 later, Marly had this Ikea light above in her new room!

Their original changing table from their room upstairs (and nursery before that), repurposed with the former bathroom mirror. And of course, thrifted and spray painted butterflies (which I bought months ago for 99 cents)!

The butterfly bed and "castle" tulling (as Marly calls it), courtesy of Nana and Papa.

*Still to do/Jazzing
- Window treatments for BOTH kids. We will be doing bamboo roman shades for Dean, and a double curain rod for Marly. (Notice the trashy sheets in the window reflected in Marly's mirror

- Put on the closet doors.

- Paint both nightstands, which I purchased from the Salvation Army many moons ago.

- Paint Dean's simple hand me down headboard from Carol an almond color with Krylon spray paint. (Marly's stayed white and is already in place.)

- Both kids have a little wooden table and chairs in their room. Mark came across the strudy children's furniture for FREE, but both need painting to match their room.

- Dean has a matching toybox that needs a make over. Marly's toybox was in their upstairs bedroom.

- Dean needs a fixture for his ceiling light. We are looking at repurposing a drum lamp shade... but haven't come across the right size/color yet. I do have one Walmart return to make.
- Marly needs a lamp shade for her thrifted milk glass lamp.
- Both kids need wall art.(which will include purchasing and painting thifft store frames).

- Thirfting and spray painting of random accessories.

Despite the long list of "jazzing" ahead, their first two nights in the lower level have been a success. Their beds both sit so they can see out their doors and view each other, but of course we can close both doors. So far, this seems to have combated some of the anxiety of the move and seperation. We also added a string of sensor night lights to illuminate the past upstairs.

Stay tuned for more to come. We won't talk about the upstairs mess of a 1/2 empty room yet.

What are we UP TO???

2011-08-12T09:32:00.013-05:00

It's Friday, I lack photos... but wanted to remind even MYSELF what the Thomberg's have been up to.

-As we speak, a man from Home Depot is in our basement laying fresh carpet through out.

-Yesterday I set my own new Miracle Treat Day record for LEAST number of Blizzards consumed on one MTD. In it's 6 year history of MTD in North America, this is the first year I was a part of the general population participating in the event. I texted my former co-workers supportive messages, and Facebooked and Twittered about my sugary indulgences. I made an on line donation to Gillette promoted by the FOX 9 phone bank, my co-worker and I had a Blizzard at lunch, and we visited DQ as a family for dinner. I ran into a Gillette family at noon, and saw a DQ operator I knew at supper.... and beyond that, I watched the social media swirl around the event.

Here is our 2011 MTD photo...

Check out 2010

-I have been thrifting a bit here and there, and spray painting this and that odds and end decor items... for fun. There is a boat load of project I hope to do, or are waiting for me... but are nothing but dust collectors in my garage currently!

-Mark finished the chalk board paint in the kids' rooms and I am nearly done with the closet door transformation to white.

-Last weekend the kids and I headed to Lake Allie for the cousin's birthday's of Saxton and Wilson. I LOVE that we celebrate my cousin's kids birthdays. It is a GRAND excuse to gather as an extended family. At the lake, we ate and swam and went boating. The kids tubed and Dean got a jet ski ride with Grandpa. Dad, Brett, the Twinners and I headed home as the sun was setting. I didn't bring the camera.

-This weekend is rather event free. I think I see furniture movement up and down and all around ahead of us.

-I suspect pizza is in our future this evening with the Lyon's.

Stay Tuned and have a GREAT WEEKEND folks!

Miracle Treat Day Count Down

2011-08-09T11:10:00.004-05:00

Miracle Treat Day is coming!

Go out and buy a Blizzard to support Gillette Children's or your local Children's Miracle Network hospital this THURSDAY!
No... I do NOT work at Gillette anymore.

No... I will not be up at 5 a.m on Thursday to promote the MTD on TV.

No... I will not purchase 5 or more Blizzards, just for myself.

No... I will not be eating my last mini Blizzard at the Woodbury DQ at midnight Thursday.

No... I will not get to help deliver Blizzards to the Gillette patients with the DQ CEO and Miss Minnesota.

No... I will not put 100's of miles on my car travelling to DQ's near and far on Thursday.

Yes... I still LOVE Gillette.

Yes... I will miss all the Gillette families on MTD.

Yes...I still recognize and admire the DQ corporation and the individual DQ operators for their generosity.

Yes... I will still promote the event.

Yes... I will ask my co-workers to get a Blizzard with me at lunch on Thursday.

Yes... I will take my family to DQ for supper and Blizzard treats for MTD.

Yes... I am proud to have been a big part of this amazing event from the BEGINNING!

Please help spread the word.

Miracle Treat Day is this THURSDAY!

CALORIES DON'T COUNT ON MIRACLE TREAT DAY!

Sweet Corn

2011-08-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

I love sweet corn. I suspect most every KID loves sweet corn. This Sunday we had our first local sweet corn of the season. We bought it at a vegetable stand/nursery along Hwy 10 on our return trip from the Huwe's house.

Today, my cousin's Matt and Mike grow Green Giant sweet corn (and peas). We didn't do this growing up though. I have vivid memories of buying our local sweet corn from the Elfring kids on Hwy 212, between Hector and Bird Island, on the south side of the road. My mom would pull over on the way back from our regular Saturday cleaning time (with Dee, Kris and Toots) at my Grandpa's in B.I.

The Elfring kids would sell it from the back of a pick up, parked in their field approach. Aside from their Green Giant crop, they grew a bunch of acres for their own personal sales. My mom use to allude they were saving their corn money for their collage fund. My mom always served the sweet corn with meat - hamburgers (pattied from the frozen Hector Meat Market ground beef in the deep freeze) or Schweigert hot dogs usually. Sweet corn was always for supper, and never for lunch. (But of course, lunch is dinner in the country. Back then, dinner was often a big, heavy meal for the working men.)

She would tell Brett and me if we didn't eat at least a few bites of meat with all those ears of corn, we would get the oopy-doopys! She was very serious about this. (Okay... my mom was never all that serious!)

Of course we rolled our sweet corn in butter, creating a mess of the dish. As an adult, Mark and I do the same with our own kids.

I remember summer as a kid thinking I could never get enough corn. I would have eaten it for every supper. I remember my mom shucking the corn outside on the step, with a brown paper bag in front of her. Usually, she broke the ears in half. I remember the big pot of water boiling on the stove. I remember the steam. I remember my mom running cold tap water over the corn to cool it off so we could eat it.

I do it the exact same way for my kids!

Hanging with the Huwe's

2011-08-01T11:08:00.020-05:00

Our agenda for the past weekend - Spend time with the Huwe's! It had been too long. Saturday we headed up to their house, grabbed Subway, and arrived in time for lunch.

Next up, soak up the sun and make the most of the waste deep creek and steamy weather!

The kids started out playing on the beach (created from sand loaded from somewhere else on the Schendzielos property). Then we started pulling weeds, and created our own mini "lazy river". Now let's get this party started!

Life is too good!

Dee (Gretch's mom) took this photo from the back deck of her house overlooking the winding creek and covered bridge.

The simplest moments can be the happiest moments.

Again!

Next Piper decided it was time to get to work gathering the creek weeds onto the beach.

I need help here!

Get more! Get more!

Bigger, Bigger!

Meanwhile, the mom's did this....

...and the pile grew.Next there were clam shells to gather.

And some sort of competition between the boys and the girls.Eventually, the sun began it's dip in the sky. Gretchen had headed up to the house to prepare a delicious supper of pounded, marinated, seasoned chicken breasts and plenty of fresh garden vegetables with herbs. I am sure I have mentioned Gretch is a fantastic cook.

Oh, and of course there is ALWAYS the golf cart, and a ride... or two.. or three. Early and late.

Sunday morning the kids went out to play - shoeless, in their PJ's. No time for breakfast at first. Gretchen and I headed to her neighbor's/relative to purchase farm fresh eggs - two dozen for the Thomberg's please. We made a detour to the antique boutique in Clear Lake before heading back to the house.

And then, it was time to moosey back to suburbia... and TAKE A NAP!

All I can say is this has been a GLORIOUS summer. I am not complaining about the heat and humidity, instead...I am embracing it, and loving it.

Jazzing it Up! Basement bathroom

2011-07-26T12:00:00.009-05:00

Do you remember in April when I blogged about our basement bathroom paint color delemia, and our various sample pots before going for the same color as our bedroom...

This post???

Well, way back in APRIL, just after the post, we finished JAZZING up our basement bathroom. (Finally saying good-bye to the sherbet stripes.) I never got around to posting. But when I was taking pictures Monday morning for my weekend project post, I snapped a few photos of the bathroom as well. As usual, we still need art, and possibly some shelving still to come.

-The shower curtain (with owls and trees) is from Target. Perhaps you will recall the shower curtain inspired/dictated the paint color.

-The rugs are super cheap-o from Ikea. The small one by the shower is actually cut in 1/2. We had the same ones in orange!

-The white ceramic owls were purchased on line from West Elm in a post-holiday clearance sale, with some sort of bonus coupon I had received. They were on back-order. I had completely forgotten about them when they arrived just as Mark finished painting. A perfect fit.

-The mirror is from Home Goods. (Two prior purchases were returned and didn't fit the bill. The third time was the charm.)

-The light fixuture is the room original. It didn't match the hardware before or after the "jazzing".

I shot her up with several coats of Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint. There is nothing like a $7 can of O.R.B paint for a CHEAP, super easy, classy enough make-over! The former silver shower curtain got a few coats too.There you have it...

Weekend Projects

2011-07-25T12:09:00.015-05:00

After a FANTASTIC Friday afternoon at Lake Nakomis beach with Jenny, Viv, and Ian Lyons... followed by pizza in the Lyon's backyard, it was time to set to work on some house projects on Saturday and Sunday.

As I have mentioned, we had water in our basement some time back. We have corrected our sub-pump issues. Saturday I cut up and hauled out the remainder of the damaged carpet. Sunday Mark ordered new....

... And in the midterm - here is our DISASTROUS family area. (above)

...And the future rooms of Marly and Dean. (below)

Mark spent the weekend adding a second coat of paint to the lower level rooms (which use to be a guestroom,which was really storage, and an always messy toy room).

Both kids have a section of magnetized wall with chalk board paint. Three coats of the magnetic paint is suggested, and Mark is on oil based coat number two. A coat of black chalk board paint will go on top of that.

Sunday, Nana and Papa took the kid's shopping for their bedding (as promised for their birthday). While we had lunch at the Good Earth and headed to Pottery Barn Kids for butterfly and dinosaur bedding, Mark stayed home and painted the inside of the closets, etc.

The Twinners have been talking about and anticipating their dino and butterfly rooms for MONTHS, and they are finally beginning to come to fruition. We hope all the hype will lead to an easy transition to the lower level, and apart from one another at the end of August....

I Love to Tell the Story

2011-07-20T14:42:00.008-05:00

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,

of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true;

it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

Refrain: I love to tell the story,

'twill be my theme in glory,

to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

This past Sunday we sang a favorite hymn of mine. I love those good old Red/Green hymnal LBW songs. Those ones you grew up with. Those ones so familiar. Those ones that bring a flood of memories back when you hear/sing them again.

Last Sunday Mark, the twinners and I sat in our air conditioned pew at Peace Lutheran in the middle of Coon Rapids. But, as we closed the worship with "I Love to Tell the Story," I was transported back to Trinity Lutheran, in the middle of the country, among the corn and bean fields, along a gravel road in Brookfield Township.

Last Sunday it was VERY hot and VERY humid. I was wearing a cotton sundress. I was flooded with distant images of me... a little girl, wearing a summer dress, with short, permed, curly hair...

I remember when it was hot you kind of stuck to the pew at church. They didn't have cushions, and there was no A/C. We ALWAYS sat on the right hand side if you faced the alter. We always sat near the front. Usually the Kurth's were in front of us. My mom always wore a dress too. All the stained glass windows would be wide open, and there would be extra fans on. The flowers on the alter would be from a parishioner's garden. If it was June, they would be huge pink PEE-OHH-NEES (peonies).

Outside the bees would be buzzing. The cemetery was just beyond the church. Church members took turns all summer long mowing everything. When it was our family's week, my dad would load the John Deere lawnmower onto a cart, pulled by the pick-up, and drop it off at church for my mom to use later. Families teamed up to mow the lawn and cemetery. We also took turns cleaning the church.

I was reminded of vacation bible school, and what fun that week was, playing "To Late for Supper" at lunch time outside, and riding the bell rope up and down to call the kids back in. I remember class and crafts in the basement (There were partitions pulled into place on wheels and drapes to divide the basement into classrooms), and singing upstairs. My mom use to bring here sterio and speakers from home for the week, for the kids to sing too. The music was on tape. I remember the Sunday VBS program and the benches outside, which we made into teeter-totters after the service. I remember the big pot-luck dinner, fun games that followed, and lots of candy on VBS Sunday. I remember Kool-Aid at bible school. My mom always made the Kool-Aid. She said some of the other ladies watered it down too much for her taste. She liked it sugary sweet.

I remember Pastor Burman. He was a wonderful man and gave wonderful sermons. Even though I was a kid, this still sticks with me. I remember the massive pipe organ in the front of the church, and Gayle or Diane playing it. I remember their tiny little mirror attached in front of them, so they could see the congregation behind them while they played. The small congregation spent a lot of money to keep this beautiful instrument in working order.

I remember the green carpet up the center aisle, and the kneelers at the alter on communion Sunday once a month. I remember when we actually had a common cup (before my own confirmation, as there was no first communion).

I remember we did not have "fellowship/coffee hour" at Trinity, but the men of the congregated gathered in the narthex and on the front steps to chat after church, while the women stayed inside the sanctuary (or headed to the basement for Sunday School in the fall and winter).

I remember the petunias planted in the circle beneath the church sign out front. In the spring, members were asked to donate a box or two each to fill the area.

I remember the white wood siding that was eventually replaced for sturdy, long lasting, economical steel siding.

I remember the steeple, rising from the quiet prairie.

I remember Grace Horky, who lived adjacent to the church and made cakes for many.

I remember.....

and 'I Love to Tell the Story'.

This and That Weekend

2011-07-18T13:39:00.009-05:00

The Thomberg's have been going from fun event to the next every single weekend so far this summer... so this weekend we took the high heat as a chance to chill out.

I kicked off the weekend with a late afternoon pedicure on Friday with my dear friend Jess in Uptown. Nothing like some girl time and relaxation. I got home just minutes before our Thomberg Family Pizza night delivery.

Saturday morning I attended Rachel's second baby shower hosted by her sister. (Marly opted to stay home.) It was a delight to sit back and enjoying the fun. After... I used my alone time opportunity to do returns at Crate and Barrel, and Land's End!

I arrived home to my family hanging inside where it was cool. We headed out for dinner at Ruby Tuesday and grabbed a sweater for the theater to see Mr. Popper's Penguins. I give the movie two thumbs up.

After MANY weeks on hiatus, we were finally in attendance at church on Sunday. Next up, we headed to Super Target for groceries, and headed home. We could have packed up and sought out water, but the truth is, we all needed a nap!

Through out the weekend, I also finally performed some basic housekeeping chores. Like many homes over the summer, ours is neglected when it comes to sweeping, kitchen and bathroom clean up, sheets, dusting, etc! Thankfully we won't stick to the kitchen floor anymore.

Oh... and I tried to rest my ankle. For anyone who has seen me recently, you know I am gimpy. I have had a strained ligament in my ankle since before the 4th. The Dr told me to rest it as best as I can, keep it up when I can, ice it, and take Advil. I haven't been a very good patient, and haven't listened. It is bad enough to make me limp all over, but not bad enough to stop me. I tried to give it a break this weekend... sort of...(okay... well I ruled out beach/sand activities!)

Finally, Dad came to the rescue for Sunday supper. No need to turn on the oven or grill! We went to Maverick's to eat... thus bringing a close to our low-key weekend. (And my quest to avoid cooking - Mission accomplished!

Take care all. Hope you are enjoying your summer, and find ways to beat the heat in the record breaking days ahead.

The Kid's Weekend

2011-07-14T09:29:00.001-05:00

Last Friday, Kelly picked up the kids for a weekend away at her house! The kid's LOVE their weekends with Kelly and Pat! As we have come to expect, they jump in her yellow car as soon as Daddy gets the car seats in, and they are rearing to get out of our drive. Cheese!

They spent time at the park.

They spent time at the Forest Lake beach.

They got pillow pets for when they sleep at Auntie Kelly's.

They spent time loving on their very dear auntie. Being their nanny for more then a year has created a TIGHT bond with these three!

Thank you Kelly!

While the kids were away, Mark and I had dinner at Heartland in St. Paul and attended my cousin Karin Holt's wedding to Martin (from Sweden). The ceremony in Hudson and reception at the St. Paul Hotel was lovely, touching and memorable with the Norwegian and Scandanavian influences.

Rachel's Baby Shower

2011-07-13T11:09:00.022-05:00

This past Sunday Chris and I hosted a baby shower for Rachel, at Dad and Chris's house. We had a lovely time!I ordered these invites from Tiny Prints, and used the colors as the theme for the shower.

I picked up a small photo album from Achievers, added baby stickers and the invite inside, and had guests write a memory of Brett or Rachel as a child, a wish or hope for the new family, or advice for the future parents. During the gift opening I read the cards aloud, then tucked them inside the album.

Of course we ate and drank...chicken salad and croissants from Costco; turkey cherry pasta salad; fresh fruit and dip; hummus and pita chips; pickles, olives, mints and nuts.

Mango OJ mimosas, cucumber water, fresh lemonade, and 'Bou coffee.

Our very special guest of honor - Mother-to-be Rachel

After lunch, I did my best on the traditional baby shower games. Here are Jan and Mikayla guessing the size of Ms. Rachel's blooming belly.

Of course there was an abundance of wonderful gifts for the babe!

Rachel with her mom.

Rachel's friend Emily logging the gifts.

We all had to check out the latest in baby gadgets.

One of my not-so-little babes!

More guests and more gifts.

My cousin Kris and Marissa!

For dessert we served filled cupcakes from my neighborhood bakery.

Perhaps you can tell I am VERY excited to be an Auntie!

Rachel and Brett - You are loved, and the babe is loved.

A very special thanks to Chris who hosted the shower with me and opened her home to us!

Thanks to those who travelled to attend!

Thanks to Michelle, Jan and Carol for helping with the clean-up!

Thanks to my Dad for helping with the prep work!

4th of July - MORE pictures

2011-07-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

Marly and Dean on the dock at Brett and Rachel's house. Me - Soaking up the Vitamin D. Yes I will put pictures on the blog even when I am NOT cute!

Marly!

Brett and I getting Dean ready to ski from the boom.

Rachel enjoy a fun summery blended drink (non-alcoholic. Sweet girl mixed up something stonger for the rest of us.)

After hours on the lake, and another 20 minutes convincing Marly she had to get back in the boat and couldn't swim forever, we came back to play croquet.

Dean was a BIG TIME cheater!

Siblings. Andrea and Brett - Rachel and Sarah

After all that sun....we headed home, rested a bit, then walked up the street to see the AWESOME fire works hosted by our neighbor's - The Schmitz. I thought the kids might not make it. Silly me. They started bouncing around just after 9, couldn't contain themselves at 9:15, then insisted on riding their bikes the 6 house distance because it would be faster!

THANK YOU BRETT and RACHEL for having us.

The Twinner's Water Ski - 4th of July

2011-07-06T08:00:00.001-05:00

Since the bitter cold of this past winter, Brett has been talking about getting the Twinner's on skis. Mom's response, "Sure you can try... Go for it. But you can't force it, and if they don't want to then we are done."

We have all been talking up the activity for months. So this past Sunday while the boys watched baseball, the girls headed to the lake. I told Marly this was her chance! She was wary, initially said "no", but asked to try once we were out on the water. Brett had borrowed kiddy training skis. She put on the skis and held the rope. Brett gently propelled the boat forward....and she got a face full of water. After sputtering and getting the water out of her nose, she nodded she would try again. This time wise Auntie Rachel re-evaluated the situation, and had Marly hang onto the barefoot poll. She was off and running. She skied around the lake with a smile, before Brett reeled her in, without even a dunk.

Okay... okay... so this doesn't constitute skiing, but we are all proud of her, since she is just a pre-schooler!

Monday, the 4th of July was Dean's turn. Marly cheered him on and encouraged him from the boat.

And he's up!

After Dean's FOURTH request to ride on the poll (and after Marly took another turn) Instruction Uncle Brett said it was time to graduate to the ROPE! It's true.

Dean got ready and Mark held the rope from the boat, which is how the kiddy skis work. (When the kid goes down, the parent releases the rope.) Mom tried to help him from the water, like I did with the pole, but after two attempts, it was a no-go. Dean was NOT giving up though. Brett gave Mark the quick tutorial on driving the boat, Brett took the in-water position, I held the rope...and he was off!

It was amazing. He couldn't stand up, but he went well around the lake with his knees bent. There are no pictures, because everyone was doing their part and unable to grab the camera!

Okay.. Okay.. I am a really proud parent. Mark too! They were both brave, tried something intimidating and scary, and didn't give up!

When they are 60 and still sking like Grandpa David, they can say they have been doing it since they were 4.

4th of July - Boat Parade

2011-07-05T11:12:00.019-05:00

Hope each of you had a memorable holiday. We sure did!

After waking up to clear blue 4th of July skies at Brett and Rachel's and noshing on quiche Lorraine, it was time to head onto the water for a slice of pure Americana! Pierson Lake 4th Annual Boat Parade!

Decorating the Malibu!

Thanks for the overnight Brett and Rachel!

Brett searched for patriotic music to play for the processional. This included, "Proud to be an American", "Born in America", Neil Diamonds "America", and Jimi Hendrix "Star Spangle Banner" (which I only needed to hear once...)

Girls in red!

After nearly an hour tooling the lake, we made it around, with the expected chorus of, "Can we swim NOW?"

The rest of the day was filled with action on the water... More posts to come!

Dean's First Twins Game!

2011-07-04T10:40:00.002-05:00

Saturday Dean got to go to his first Twin's game with Daddy. A long time back, Mark recieved 2 Caribou seats for this past Saturday. Because there were only two tickets, and I admittedly don't care about baseball besides the excitement of the awesome venue and crowd, I took Marly to the lake instead.

My boys had a fabulous time. They took the train (Northstar Commuter Rail) from Fridley and sat right behind first base. Dean caught a foul ball (or rather one fell at his feet). Little Man ate ice cream, a hamburger, popcorn, cheesecurds, and two bottles of water. It is a good thing there weren't four tickets, because Mark spent nearly $50 with just Dean, and no beer!

Mark sent these from his phone, thus the minature size...

After, we all met up at Vivi Lyon's Dora the Explorer 3rd Birthday Party in south Minneapolis, then headed back to Brett and Rachel's to continue the holiday weekend festivities.

My Dad

2011-07-01T10:50:00.004-05:00

My dad rarely e mails me. He has no real reason to e mail his daughter. We talk on the phone and see each other often.

This morning I had a fun e mail from my Dad waiting for me.

A photo with message -

I skied last evening. Can you post this on your blog.

Dad

I am delighted to post this, for sure. My response via the blog -

Sorry the photo isn't larger Dad. Next time send it as a .jpg.

Thanks!

Love, Andrea

P.S. - Brett is our family's ski junkie. He hopes to get Marly and Dean on skis this summer. My Dad would like to get 3 generations up at one time. I feel comfortble predicting that won't be happening any time soon unless Brett straps his babe on himself in late August....

Of course, all of this would be quite post-worthy as well.

2011 Vacation Post #6 - Andrea

2011-06-28T08:00:00.008-05:00

Me.... Yes... in the summer I often put ice in my wine....

Of the two parents, my "style" of book reading might be prefered over Mark's...

I think my sunglassed make me look like a bug, but I wear them anyway. These are from Gap... Kids. Have I ever mentioned I have a small head?

I like to rest and take naps on vacation.

I like to check out and read, while ignoring the kids and Mark. This vacation I read, "Little Bee". I also read People magazine, etc.

I like to take the kids to the pool.

I like to just "hang out" on vacation around the resort property, on the beach, and by the pool. I like to bring a glass of wine with me....(in a plastic cup usually, oh.. and on ice again)

I like to eat wonderful food on vacation and most certainly have PREFERENCES about where we eat. This year I was excited to eat at the Duluth Grill (as seen on Dives, Drive-ins, and Diners), the Ledge Rock Grill right at the resort, The New Scenic Cafe (we try and get there every trip Up North), and Sara's Table Chester Creek Cafe in Duluth.

I LOVE lattes, and was delighted my Dad often endulged me with a trip up the road to a small coffee shop called the Mocha Moose in the morning (or afternoon).

I actually enjoyed our visit to the Train Museum in Duluth. I recall Brett wanting to go there every year when we were little. I wasn't not nearly as thrilled. I was surprised how much I enjoyed our visit with the kids.

I think the Vista Harbor Cruise is WAY TOO LONG!

I still believe in Earl.

I know family vacations are PRICELESS!

2011 Vacation Post #5 - Gooseberry State Park and Split Rock Light House

2011-06-27T13:28:00.010-05:00

The best weather day of the trip was our excursion to Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Light House. Stopping at the usual overlook for the tradational family photo.

We are so thankful Dad and Chris take us on such a wonderful summer vacation every year.

Marly's choosen outfit for hiking and siteseeing - a new tulle skirt from Nana!

The pregnant lady hiking with a smile.

After lunch we headed to Split Rock.

Once again posing for the classic vacation photo opportunity with the lighthouse looming in the background. How many of you Minnesotan's have this same photo from your childhood, or your children's???

2011 Vacation Post #4 - Campfire

2011-06-27T12:04:00.009-05:00

Nothing says "roughing it" like staying at a resort where they come around each evening with a golf cart to start your lakeside campfire...
Smore's!

With Auntie Rachel and baby-to-be.

Dad and his children

Mark catching a few moments of solitude.

A Little of This, A Little of That

2011-06-24T12:24:00.006-05:00

The kids are wrapping up their first week at their Montessori school. The teacher has told Mark and I they seem as if they have always been there, and have adjusted very well. I surely attribute this to their good care at Daycare Cindy's. I will say they are tired at the end of the day, but seem to really be enjoying it, which we expected.

This morning we celebrated Friday, and the end of the week, with donuts at our favorite bakery. Jack's happens to be in the same complex and two doors down from our child care... which might be more trouble leading to MORE treats.

Last week I got a Shellac manicure. We returned from vacation on Friday, and before 4 pm I managed to sneak in a mani/pedi. Unless it is a gift, I never get a manicure because it rarely makes it through the day without a smudge or chip. Not the case with the Shellac. I love it. It is now a week old and going STRONG. Now lets see if I can get it off myself after another 10 days of wear or so, without having to go back to have it wrapped in acetate. I think I will stop in at Sally Beauty Supply and see what I can get to take home.

Let's see...Last weekend we hit Taylor Collins grad party, and the kids had a baby-sitter while we attended the wedding of Eric and Gretchen Mellies. Mark had a nice and relaxing Father's Day. He got to do exactly what HE wanted, which was to STAY HOME. I made some nice meals, got rootbeer float supplies, and endulged in some cupcakes at Byerly's. He made a Menard's run, painted, rested, etc.

This week I often went downstairs to look at our MESS (hoping something had magically changed)! We got water in our basement due to a sump pump malfunction several storms past, and now have carpet that needs replaceing. Mark has taken this as an OPPORTUNITY to paint the kids' future rooms. IT IS TIME for them to be separated. They just goof off EVERY NIGHT! Let's hope I can get mov'n on the project at hand, instead of living with trashed carpet, and a bed set up in our living area for no real reason except it needing to go somewhere.

This weekend we have more fun summer activities - a party and a graduation. (Which makes it hard to take the basement situation seriously!)

Oh.. I think I have done a good job saving my WW points for food and drink this weekend!

Let the good times roll!

The Bird Book - 2011 Vacation Post #3

2011-06-21T09:00:00.005-05:00

Several weeks back, at our local garden center, Dean spotted a bird book. He begged to take the bird book home, and I said, "No." He mentioned the bird book whenever we went anywhere that had books on display.

Of course, this mommy broke down and went to Borders the day before we left on vacation and purchased "Birds of Minnesota". I gave it to Dean before we loaded the car Friday morning. He was ecstatic. He paged through the book most of the way to Duluth.

He took that book with him EVERYWHERE on vacation. He checked out every bird, and looked up the robin over and over.

He saw a dead/stuffed hummingbird on display at Gooseberry Falls. He spent the next 5 days on the lookout for a live one, bird book on the ready.

Marly has kiddy binoculars to spy the birds!

A happy boy with his bird book!

Changes

2011-06-20T09:37:00.007-05:00

I am interrupting my post-vacation updates for a more REAL time blog.

Today marked a few changes in the Thomberg household.

Before vacation the Twinners had their last day at Daycare Cindy's. After nearly 2 years of good care, it was time to move on for new educational endeavors.

Today was their first day at a Montessori school. Last night I packed their lunches, and they were ready to go this morning, with brand new personalized back packs. We set up a two hour practice two weeks ago, and this morning was all smiles.

Once at school, Marly paused after she put away her pink butterfly pack and put her arms upto me. I was prepared for a grasp and cling to mommy...or tears, but all she wanted was a good-bye hug.

Also this morning, Mark started a new role at the 'Bou. He is officially a district manager. He has additional stores on his scorecard and is temporarily co-directing the Duluth area.

Finally, I started Weight Watchers several weeks ago. Unfortunately, our vacation last week (followed by a wedding and graduation this weekend) caused me to throw the points system right out the window and onto my belly...while drinking a lot more points. TODAY I will begin again!

Welcome Back to Reality World! Welcome Monday!

Meet Earl - 2011 Vacation Post #2

2011-06-16T10:37:00.015-05:00

Meet Earl the Seagull. He is an old fellow.

I first met Earl in the winter of 3rd grade, in Orlando, Florida. My dad became acquainted with the seagull in our hotel parking lot, and introduced the bird to Brett and I on our first (and only) family vacation to Disney World!

That summer following, Earl travelled to meet us up on the North Shore. After that, he found us year after year on vacation. This mighty seagull has never missed a trip.

The first time we took Marly and Dean to the North Shore four years ago, we introduced old Earl to the new members of the clan as soon as we arrived at Bluefin Bay.

As we hopped out of the car in Canal Park, Duluth this past Friday, Marly and Dean searched the sky for our dear friend Earl.

Yup, there he was... third one to the right....

Earl has been hanging with us all week.

Be seeing you around Earl! Take Care.

My Little Pirates - 2011 Vacation Post #1

2011-06-13T09:09:00.011-05:00

The Twinner's were sassy on Saturday after the arrival of the rest of the family to our vacation rental.

With the arrival of Nana came cool new hooded bathrobes. With the arrival of Rachel came sailor hats from the table decor at a work conference.

Add in the imagination of four year olds and you have the arrival of two pirates on the shores of Lake Superior!

2011 Family Vacation

2011-06-12T09:06:00.003-05:00

The Thomberg's are on vacation!!!

The Pacifica hit the road mid morning last Friday - destination Duluth!
Saturday we cruised 45 minutes up the shore and awaited the arrival of Papa, Nana, Brett and Rachel at the Larmont Cottages near Two Harbors, on the bank of Lake Superior.

We have been having a wonderful time enjoying the water, sun, beautiful State Parks and time on our side.

Post will be random and how they hit me......

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-08T11:24:00.002-05:00

Blogging Backlog

2011-06-06T11:07:00.001-05:00

I am behind on blogging, and recording the history of the Thomberg's... my online scrapbook.

So.. I am cheating. I am backlogging/backdating our life.

Scroll down to take a look.

Remembering Marlys

2011-06-03T11:31:00.002-05:00

Tuesday, June 1 marked the 11th anniversary of my Mom's death. Here are the flowers my Dad ordered for the alter at his church over Memorial Day weekend. He kindly gives me the bouquet later. Last year we brought it to the cemetary.
Marlys is loved and missed. Her memories shine bright.

Memorial Day

2011-06-02T11:26:00.003-05:00

On Memorial Day, Mark worked to turn over our townhome for new tenants. The Twinners and I assisted, then headed to Brett and Rachel's for supper and our first boat of the season! Brett checking the slab of pork loin large enough to serve the entire neighborhood. (There are still leftovers in my fridge. I will be moving to the freezer.)

On the water, with the sun or our shoulders and the wind in our faces.

Dean and Uncle Brett.

Dad and Chris in the back.

Not pictures - Lovely pregnant Rachel.

Memorial Weekend Picnic

2011-06-01T11:08:00.002-05:00

Friday morning of Memorial Day weekend, I decided the Thomberg's were light on calendar events for the holiday ahead. What to do??? Entertain! Whip together a BBQ, of course.

Friday at 10 am - I called my best friend Gretchen. "Hey... What are you guys up to on Sunday? You know how I mentioned we should get together?"

Friday at noon - I lunched with two dear friends. "Hey.. What are you guys doing on Sunday?"

Friday at 6 pm - "Mark... What would you think if we hosted a BBQ on Sunday???"

Friday at 7 pm - I texted and called those friends I had casually thrown the idea around with (and a few more of COURSE).

Saturday after a trip to the Mpls Farmer's Market - Worked the guest list, worked the yard, worked the house, and debated the menu with Mark (Crock pot of shredded turkey for sandwiches or hamburgers and hotdogs?)

Saturday at 4 pm - Left the house for the Costco run. On the list - plenty of white wine, beer, fresh pattied hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, fruit, juice boxes, a giant bag of those really delicious crinkle cut sea salt potato chips, and a glorious cream filled cake with strawberries on top.

Saturday at 6 pm - Dashed into Party Place as they were closing the doors for blue napkins and plates, forks, spoons, cups, and a few more flags for decor.

Sunday morning - Lament about the weather and begin set up.

Sunday afternoon - Eagerly wait for the arrival of our guests.

Sunday around 4 pm - Drinking, eating, grilling and games with friends!

Flags in our planters out front.

The men playing boche ball on the lawn Mark can be very pround of.

Eating inside in anticipation of a few sprinkles.

Lawn time with Sam.

The sound of children's laughter and play, and screeches of delight may be one of the best parts of a summer picnic.

We had a wonderful time! We had a similar impromptu BBQ last year... and you can probably expect a similar post next year. That's how we roll at the Thomberg's. We loved having Jess, the Lyons, the Huwe's and sister Sam, and Brett & Rachel for a fun afternoon and evening.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-25T12:38:00.000-05:00

Dr. Dean and Dr. Marly

It took me a while to convince Dean if he ever wanted to be a Dr (or a Dentist... Mark and I think a dentist could be a GOOD career) he was going to need to get dressed, and NOT just put on a hat with his PJ's and white coat.

Rain, Puddles, Mud and My Boy!

2011-05-23T12:21:00.020-05:00

It is with a heavy and concerned heart that I post photos of Dean enjoying the storm aftermath in our yard on Sunday, when so many people are suffering both near us and far (in North Minneapolis and Joplin, Misssouri)... Dean never quite got around to changing out of his church clothes. I told him to "go for it" since everything was washable. Oddly enough, the dirtiest part was his underwear, which somehow got caked in mud!

I don't want my picture taken (unusual for Dean)!

"...But Dean, your so HANDSOME when you smile!"

He went directly to the tub after this!

Questions

2011-05-16T10:41:00.002-05:00

Recently I was in a parking lot fender bender. The minor accident involved me and another lady. There were no passengers. My car went in for front end repairs on Wednesday morning. I picked up the Milan Friday afternoon.

The kids knew Mommy's car got fixed. Friday night Mark was out with friends. I put the kids to bed and we said prayers. Out of the blue, Dean brought up Grandma Marlys. He began to ask about her accident.

Dean - "Mama, what happened to Grandma Marlys?"

Me - "She died in a car accident Dean."

Dean - "Like your car accident Mama."

Me - "No, not like my car accident."

Dean - "Did an ambulance come?"

Me - "Yes Dean. There was an ambulance."

Dean - "Did a policeman come?"

Me - "Yes. A policeman came."

Dean - "Did a firetruck come?"

Me - "Dean, I really don't know. I wasn't there."

Dean - "Why didn't the ambulance save her."

Me - "They tried Dean, but they couldn't fix her."

Dean - "Why didn't the policeman help her?"

Me - "They tried Dean."

Dean - "Was there a stop light?"

Me - "No Dean, it wasn't at a stop light."

Dean - "Did they take her to the hospital?"

Me - "Yes, but she died before she got to the hospital."

Dean - "Oh. Okay then."

All the while, Marly is simply listening, and learning.There were kisses, and the conversation was over.

The next day, we were heading to an kid's mini art class in Plymouth. An ambulance came by in the opposite lane. The sirens were on. The lights were flashing.

Dean - "MOM! An ambulance!"

Me - "Yes Dean."

Dean - "Mom, do you think there was an accident like with Grandma Marlys?"

Me - "Dean, I REALLY hope not. I hope the person who needs the ambulance is just hurt."

Dean - "Okay Mommy. You be careful not to get in an accident."

Nearly 11 years after my mom's death, all this seems like simple reality.
Dean's Friday night questions did not produce a stream of tears, just welled up eyes, and a few moments of reflection.

I am glad my children have question about their Grandma Marlys. Questions mean memories. Memories mean we will not forget.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-11T09:49:00.030-05:00

I had a wonderful Mother's Day. The truth is, last year, in my head, I expected Mark to make my day GREAT. When he wouldn't make me coffee in the morning before church (he offered to go pick up Caribou), there was no breakfast (he offered to pick up Fat Nats Eggs if I ordered), and he was his usual poky self getting ready with no time to help dress the kids... I was...well - MAD!

This year, I changed my mindset, and changed my mood. I loved my day. It started on Saturday, when I ran errands by myself. I went to Costco, and also needed to go to the grocery store. In between, there was a detour to Hot Mama. I picked up the bright blue maxi dress I had been eyeing on line for weeks. I wore it all weekend and it made me happy.

Sunday Mark ran the Susan G Komen 5K for Caribou. He slipped out early. I stayed in bed, and watched some HGTV. On my own time, I got up and started preparing my quiches and salad for the lunch we were hosting for Nana Chris, my Dad, and my Aunt Toots. Again, hosting lunch was my pick for the day. (Mark's mom was having lunch with Kelly, otherwise I would have surely wanted her to be with us!)

The kids were darlings and slept until 9 AM, so I had plenty of time to enjoy the quiet house. When they did get up, I let them play outside in their jammies. They were happy and I was smiling as I set our table for lunch. (Ohh... notice the photo above. My little darlings stole two of the Arthur Court napkin rings before Mark could get a photo.)

When Mark arrived back home, he had a medium 1/2 caf latte in hand for me. I didn't chance him thinking of this on his own, although he probably would have. I called and ASKED sweetly for my fix. He was glad to oblige. He also had a fun token gift for me from the kids.

Our guests arrived. I served the traditional Betty Crocker 1973 quiche Lorraine recipe, and a leek and Gruyere cheese quiche. (The second pick was bland.) I also made a chicken salad with apples, basil, peanuts and a lime and rice vinegar dressing. We served Costco butter criossants. Of course there was champagne. Again, the menu was all my own. Things that would please me.

Afterwards, Mark handled the clean up with out even a prodding look from his happy wife. Our guests talked, laughed, cuddled Marly and Dean, and relaxed.

Later, all the Thomberg's settled in for a nap, and then Mark took our yearly mommy and me photos.

To complete Mother's Day, we headed out for greasy burgers - another Thomberg tradition. More often then not in the Twinner's 4 years of life, we have headed to Wagner's/Galaxy Drive in. This year we stayed closer to home. The weather was a little dreary, so I picked Juicy Lucy's at the 5-8 Club.

Here are a few notable things I haven't already mentioned that made for a truly lovely day (both material and from the heart).

My kids telling me "I love you Mommy!" without being solicited. They do this every day, not just on Mother's Day.

Being able to host my Aunt Toots to lunch on Mother's Day. Her on own girls were busy with their daughter's, so I got the privilege of honoring my aunt. It meant a lot to me. I was ecstatic when she accepted my invitation.

Actually, I feel good when I can attempt to make other mom's feel special on Mother's Day, most surely including Nana Chris. Not having my own mom here makes me want to give to other women.

The Pandora beads Marly and Dean picked for me for my charm bracelet. This year and last, Nana Chris has taken the kids shopping for these little trinkets. I LOVE IT. I love that Chris is so thoughtful. I love that the kids pick. I love that the Twinner's love their "secret" gift.

I think the tableclothe in the photo above was my dad's mother's. I never refer to Marion Melberg as my grandmother because she died when my dad was just a boy. If my Aunt Carol checks in, she would be able to confirm this....

Anyway, I hope all the mom's out there found their own special way to love their day too.

My Dream Job

2011-05-04T14:00:00.020-05:00

The other day while getting my Caribou fix, I stopped to take a look at one of their newest features to engage their guests - 'The Dream Board' chalk board.

Staff write a question, 'Bou customers chalk their answers.
Current Question, "What is your Dream Job?"

Before my medium 1/2 caf latte was up, I had my answer.

For a few brief moments I thought about the careers I have been intrigued by over the years, but never pursued.

Mortician (yes, for real), Genetic Councilor, Pastor, Barista at Caribou

But in reality, it took only moments to acknowledge my own truth.
I landed my dream job four years ago.
I posted my answer in capital letters with purple chalk.

MOM

It turns out the pay isn't great, the 401K match is non-existent, and there are no sick days offered, but the BONUS's....Oh my are they awesome!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there! This ones for you.

A Funny Thing said by Miss Marly

2011-05-02T14:20:00.004-05:00

Sunday we attended the 8:30 service at our church. After, we all got in line for the Men of Peace monthly pancake breakfast before heading to Sunday School.

While eating, Pastor Nancy stopped by our table. Pastor Nancy is our lead pastor. She was there when we began attending over 4 years ago, before the birth of Marly and Dean. She baptized our children. She often blesses the Twinner's when they walk up with us for communion on Sunday's. She is a 40 something blond woman.

Pastor Nancy came to ask me if I would join the stewardship committee for the campaign year ahead. I was not surprised she asked. She knows I fund raise as a profession, and she has seen me volunteer in other capacities at church. While at the table, she briefly described the demographics of the committee. I inquired about when we would meet. Naturally, I enthusiastically agreed to serve.

Pastor Nancy moved on. Marly looked at me, then looked at Mark, then said,
"Why was Jesus talking to Mommy????"

HU!!!!??????

Mark replied with a smirk,
"Did you see Jesus beside Pastor Nancy?"

Marly was quiet as we both chuckled, and tried to make light of the situation.

We are not sure where we have went awry here! We attend church regularly. The kids go to Sunday School. We pray at dinner and at bedtime. We just made Ressurection Rolls last Saturday, and celebrated EASTER.

And yet somehow....Marly thinks Jesus is a blond female pastor living in suburbia!

Time to read some stories from that Bible picture book we got recently.

Book Club, Elephants and Costco

2011-04-29T09:26:00.015-05:00

I have mentioned before my neighborhood ladies have a book club. We call ourselves 'The Riverview Readers'. I'll just be honest, many members gather to drink more then gathering to discusss literature. Reading the book selection is NOT a requirement. Many books get held over. We meet the last Thursday of every month. We gather at 7 pm. We rotate houses. We drink wine. We talk about the book. We talk about everything else. We talk about how the men DON'T gather unless we plan a neighborhood activity outside of book club. Just to be honest again, we talk about the other neighbors too!

Last week I hosted book club at my house. We had unintentionally taken a month of hiatus. I didn't read the book. I think it was called "Night Over Water". Someday I will read it. The ladies who completetd the novel alerted those who didn't it is pretty steamy. Steamy is good.

At book club, the hostess can serve whatever she wants. Nothing fancy though. Crackers and cheese, and something sweet (bought or baked) works well. Fruit goes, like if you have grapes in your fridge. You must serve wine (a selection of red and white). Others may bring a bottle. It better not be fancy. It probably aught to cost $12 or less.... more likely less. That's how it goes, and it works for us.

Last week I served chips and salsa, cheese and crackers, strawberries, bruchetta with a toasted bagette, and Costco's Kirkland sea salt caramels. I also served Kirkland wine. It was the right price point, and went over well.

We may have discussed the sea salt caramels, wine, and Costco as much as we discussed Ken Follets (author???) book.
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Last night, the Riverview Readers went on a field trip. We headed to the theater to see "Water for Elephants" (our book 4 months ago). My neighbor Jill (along with Kelly and Jaci) picked me up at the end of my drive, then stopped three houses down to get Chlo. We headed to Champlin where Jill got us in for FREE because her future son-in-law is the theater manager. We felt a bit like teen-agers sneaking in.

After a great movie, we headed over to the neighborhood favorite, Maverick's, where we indulged in a drink (or two), since we couldn't drink wine IN the movie. And since we were out, well...most of us choose something harder then wine.

Of course we talked about Costco again. Kelly and Jill had both purchased Kirkland sea salt caramels and Kirkland Pinot Grigio for Easter. Okay, the wine may not have been for Easter. Kelly also discussed 'Night Over Water' again. She talked about how she thought the print was particularly small, thus making it difficult to read, and part of the reason she hadn't finished the book. Jill suggested it was time for cheater glasses, and not the text in her copy.

So, there you have a rather random glimpse into our book club!

The Riverview Readers - driving the sales at Costco, and keeping our little community sharp!

The rest of our weekend

2011-04-28T13:40:00.017-05:00

Easter Weekend was a traditional four day weekend for me, and we made the most of it. Friday the kids were good sports, and we met my dear pal Jessie for coffee at the 'Bou. Later the Thomberg's headed to a matinee to see HOP at the theater.

Look at Little Man (above) with his daddy. This was not planned, but they both have on Gap button downs, vests and hat! Aren't they handsome?

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Saturday morning we started off making Resurrection Rolls, before dying eggs. A lady at church told me to google it. The recipe is simple, and LOTS of mommy's blogged about it this past week. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and marshmallows tackle the story of the death of Jesus, his body, the tomb, and Resurrection. When complete, there is a hot, sweet treat to eat. I will embarrass myself, and disclose I could NOT find a bible to read the Easter passages as we made the recipe! I can picture at least two bibles in my house I could NOT locate. I had to google the bible.

Above - Dean is about to dip the marshmellow in butter (representing the oil) and this roll it in cinnamon and sugar (representing the herbs put on Jesus before being put in the tomb).

Below - Marly wrapping 'Jesus' in the 'tomb' .

At noon, we headed to the Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley for their annual Spring Fling.

Not pictured - the always popular petting zoo!

Finally, on Monday I took the kids to Minnehaha Falls for mommy and me time!

It was another percfect weather day, complete with a DQ treat.

So there you have it - Our weekend wrap up. I do regret I did not get to the Maunday Thursday service or Good Friday. I was chatting with my dear friend (& Catholic) Heidi recently about Holy Week, and reflecting on how much I like the somber hymns leading up to Easter 'morn!

A Fantastic Easter

2011-04-26T10:09:00.014-05:00

Happy Easter Everyone! Hope you had a lovely day & enjoyed the lovely weather.

On Sunday, the Thomberg's headed to church, took some photos in our yard,

(before getting too muddy),

then loaded into the Pacifica and headed due west to Bird Island to my cousin Dawn's!

We stopped for coffee at the 'Bou, got gas in Plato, and pulled on a gravel road near Brownton for two kids to go potty. Two hours later we arrived with our bowl of broccoli salad.

It was a great day. Naturally, as a child we gathered with aunts, uncles, and cousins every holiday. Then we grew up. We got married. Some of those we love have left us. We have our own families. We host our own holidays.

But this year, we gathered! My cousin Dawn invited and rangled some of the Toren clan. We had a marvelous day.

We ate (of course).

The kids hunted for eggs under rocks and behind trees.

The adults had an egg toss under the open blue sky and white clouds.

I was paired with my Uncle Gary. I took one for the team. There is still egg on my shoe and sweater. Every adult had a true and natural grin from ear to ear.

There was one four wheel rider for five of the second cousins. They went up the country road to see the neighbor's cows. They returned with reports of lots of cows pooping and peeing! Dean was the only boy. Of course he found himself seated right in front.

Late in the afternoon, we headed back to suburbia. We made a stop at Nana and Papa's. As Mark and I were getting ready for bed that evening, he was STILL talking about the egg toss. He declared it a fantastic Easter!

I second that!

Yesterday and Today

2011-04-20T10:24:00.005-05:00

The nieghborhood turkeys, photographed YESTERDAY with my Blackberry across the street from the mighty Mississippi on West River Road, on our way from daycare in the afternoon. Snow, photographed TODAY with my Blackberry across the street from the mightly Mississippi in our yard, on our way to daycare this morning.

Happy Easter

2011-04-19T14:37:00.008-05:00

Recently one weekend we took the kids for a mini photo session with Becky Prentis of Freelance Photographers. The kids had fun with furry bunny friends! Take a look...

Happy Easter from the Thomberg's

Spring = Paint

2011-04-18T16:37:00.008-05:00

Wondering what the Thomberg's have been up to lately.

Painting. Yup.. spring is here and we find things to paint.

Oh wait a minute - actually we find things to paint year round. If you follow this blog, you know we have lived in our home for nearly 2 years. In those 2 years, Mark has painted EVERYTHING except two downstairs bedrooms.

We still haven't painted those rooms, but it is on the docket for this summer as we transition the kids to their own room downstairs. But, we have started OVER on some rooms. If you keep a score card, the downstairs family room (now the color of our upstairs bathroom) is on round two, as is our bedroom.

The downstairs bathroom has also gotten a re-do recently. First go around, it was painted in sherbet orange stripes. When we picked the colors, the Lowe's paint guy chided our choices. Turns out he was right. After about three months with the stripes, I felt like some kid threw up a Schwann's Push-Up pop all over the walls.

We have since decided to move on to some shade of blue.

Mark did a full coat of the blue on the far left below. Then I found the perfect shower curtain at Target, and decided I didn't like the blue. We stopped at Menard's for a sample size of a new hue. I went back two days later for 2 more samples. In the end, we decided on the same blue from our bedroom. All those pots of paint, only to choose something we already had! Yup, that is how we roll with paint around here.
I have looked, and simply can't locate a photo of the orange bathroom. I wish I could have. It was wild. Of course Mark jumped right into the work prior to a "before" shot.

While Mark was rolling inside, I was spray painting outside. Spring DOES = SPRAY PAINT! I LOVE spray paint. Oil-rubbed bronze is my new favorite. More updates to follow.

When stars align

2011-04-12T09:34:00.012-05:00

Friday was one of those days when all was PERFECT in the world. I had the day off work. The weather was glorious. Friends would be gathering. The zoo was calling. The kids were joyous.

Last Wednesday I set up a play date with Jenny at Como Park.

Thursday evening I texted the beautiful Ms Molly deVries - "Will you join us?" It is best not to count the months (year...) that have passed since Molly and I last shared time together.

And so we gathered under the clear blue sky, and let our Vitamin D deficient bodies soak in the sun. The kids took their time admiring every creature they encountered.

We had a picnic lunch. The kids played at the playground. The mommies sat on a blanket sipping a delighful bottle of twist-off Savignon Blanc from plastic cups. Everyone laughed.

The stars aligned. The day was magical.

If you were to poll the three women in attendance, (3 women who work hard to be their best for their families) I think all would agree the three women had at least as much fun as the six children among them.

Friday was a day that nurtured the soul.

**P.S - I almost forgot to mention I got to meet gal pals for food and drink, and the comforts of friendship at Sulut on Grand in the evening! How lucky at I!**

Going, Going, GONE!

2011-04-10T09:26:00.003-05:00

There was a heck of a lot of activity at the Thomberg House last week week. Between the roofers and the stump removal guys, we were the gaulker house on Riverview Lane. It was just the right spring weather to get all the neighbors out to chat about the noise coming from our corner lot. It feels so good to have our big Willow Stump removed. The massive stump and remains were so forlorn in our yard.

Between our swanky new roof, and neatened up back yard, things are looking much better around our place.

...ahhhh, the joys of home ownership!