The Weekend Lens | His Birthday and Snow

This last Saturday was D's birthday.  To celebrate we went to Macaroni Grill, my favorite restaurant.  (We were originally going to go last weekend for our two year dating anniversary, but I got sick with the flu.)

After a late lunch, we went shopping for a bit and then headed home a little early to beat the snow that was expected.  It's a good thing we left when we did because the snow began right as we got into town.  It snowed and snowed for hours.  We even lost power for about an hour at 1am.  (D was up watching True Detective, I was asleep.)

When we woke up it was still snowing.  Big, huge, flakes.  It was absolutely beautiful!  And it snowed for the rest of the day Sunday.

And just a few days ago we had 60 degree weather.  But I'm secretly happy that winter finally showed up! 

Our Weekend Trip to Minnesota

Last weekend, Dakota and I traveled to Minnesota for the weekend.  It was our first road trip and it was full of emotions (both good and bad).

We arrived late Friday, so we didn't get to explore the city until Saturday.

We found this little hole in the wall breakfast place on the campus.  The line was out the door, and it took us 2 hours to get through the line, be served, and eat breakfast, but it was so worth it.  

The campus was packed because of a football game and there were no places to park.  We eventually found a parking lot and parked.  2 hours after our breakfast, we came back to the parking lot to find our car gone.  Apparently if you aren't a customer of Pizza Hut or Subway, you get towed....The cab that came to get us told us that he picked up at least 5 people earlier that morning and we watched another person get towed.  Also, these companies make money for every car the call in.  Needless to say, we won't be eating at those places any more.

$250 later, we got our car back and headed to the Sculpture Garden for my friend's wedding.  We got there a little early so we walked around and took a few photos to pass time.

I have been friends with Jenna since we were in first grade.  We kept in touch ever since I moved away 16 years ago.  And this past weekend, she got married and asked me to take a few photos of her special day.  I am so incredibly happy for her and I'm glad I can still call her a friend, after all these years.

^^ There was a Photo Booth at the wedding and Dakota would only take a photo with me if there was a mask.  There was so I won and he had to take a photo :)

Since there was a little hiccup in our plans, we spent part of Sunday doing more exploring.  I took Dakota to Minnehaha Falls and we spent about an hour there walking around and taking in the beautiful morning.  

^^ The other emotional part of the trip was that on Saturday night I had one of my nightmare episodes (they are always about dad passing away).  Dakota has never experienced those before, but has heard of them.  He handled it with grace and took care of me until the sobbing and shaking stopped.  These episodes always leave me a little bruised the next few days and he just took care of me.  I am so thankful for that and for him.

The rest of Sunday was spent showing Dakota the house I spent my first 9 years in, the school I went to, the playground I grew up at.  It's the first time I really got to show him my past (older than my last 2 high school years and college years) and it was such a fun experience.  

Around Here | Memorial Day Weekend

I have lost inspiration.  I haven't picked up my camera since the photo trip I went on last month.  I've been wanting to pick up my camera and document my life, but I just didn't know what to take photos of.

So, insert a 3 day weekend.  To try to fix the slump I was in I decided to pick up my camera.

^^ On Friday evening I picked up this beauty for Dakota's yard.  We still don't know where to plant it.

^^ I was given the ok to decorate Dakota's house.  Thankfully I have the furnishing for an apartment in my basement.  Car load #1 came over this weekend, with many more to follow.  And a bonus--Dakota loves the homey touch.

^^  On Saturday afternoon, mom and I met with my college girlfriend and her mom for a shopping spree.  And let's just say, mom and I did some damage.  Lots and lots of damage.  

^^ On Sunday morning I made Dakota monkey bread for breakfast.  He loved it!

^^ My boys :)

^^Rory's favorite part of house decoration....the packing paper.  I caught him laying on top of it and chasing his tail.  I so wish I got it on camera.  

^^  Snuggles with these two are the perfect way to end my Sunday.

^^  A day off work and summer weather calls for bubble chasing.  Abby had a blast!  

^^  Our garden finally started to bloom.  We had these iris's at our house in Minnesota.  We transported them to my grandparent's house when we moved from Minnesota, and now we have them back.

^^  We ended the weekend with laying flowers down for my family.  My grandpa H was a pilot in WWII, my grandma H, my grandpa B, my uncle, and my great grandparents.  I miss them so so much.

The Weekend Lens | Trains