January 2

Nine years ago today Rory and I started dating. (And I didn't have a digital camera then. So this picture is from five years later...)

We both had our eyes on each other before January 2, but this was the night that set the rest of our lives in motion. This was the night that Sara was singing the national anthem at the Minnesota Wild hockey game. Lots of Groves family and friends were invited, and I was there for some childcare and to take in the game with everyone else in the box reserved for us.

I had heard countless stories of this successful younger brother, Rory. Enough to make me very, very curious. He sounded like he took work too seriously. Sounded grounded and moral and quality. I always say that I fell for his family before I fell for him. I knew every member before I met him. And I concluded that if this guy came from this incredible family, he must be incredible too.

So we met up at this Minnesota Wild game. Completely ready to meet the other. Emails had been sent letting us know that either of us were welcome to bring a date. Jokes were made that we should bring each other. And I held my breath. Neither of us brought a date. I was hopeful.

All night I kept my eyes on him. Aware of where he was. Trying to play cool. Eventually we started talking. And kept talking. And talked some more. And once I came up for air I realized we were being watched. Like by everyone.

I drove back with Troy and Sara and was asked what I was doing the next night. Troy gave me a heads up that Rory might be asking me if I was free.

It's a good thing he did. Because as we all met up at the house we carpooled from, everyone to get their own cars, Rory approached me in the driveway. But so did our future tax guy. And the three of us talked there, the future tax guy telling us a story while I waited for Rory to ask me out. I stayed and listened and waited an awkwardly long time until it was just the two of us, standing in a Minnesota driveway in January. And then he told me he was glad I stayed and asked me if he could take me out the next night.

And I said yes.

the best of 2012

I just spent some very enjoyable time looking through pictures from the last year. Oh my what a year! At the start of twenty twelve we lived in Minneapolis, I was two months pregnant, we still had our cat and Ivar wasn't walking yet. I cannot believe how much happened this year. No wonder I am still finding my footing...

So here, inspired by one of my favorite blogs, I give you the best of 2012 in pictures.

Happy New Year everybody! I'm really excited for the year ahead.

(And here is the best of 2011.)

color crayon holder

My next crafty project was a few crayon holders made out of the black walnut trees we took down.

This project needed power tools, so I headed Santa's Workshop. Which was actually my brother-in-law Jedd's Workshop. He taught me how to use his drill press and then helped me sort through all sorts of terrible flashbacks from middle school industrial technology. I think a few more session in Jedd's garage, using his power sander, circular saw and jig saw, and he might just reverse my feelings associated with the smell of new saw dust.

And then I got to meet these awesome girls as they got of the bus after their last day of school before TWO WEEKS of Christmas vacation! I was so excited for them!

wrapping in kraft paper

It seemed like such a good idea...another one I got on Pinterest. Wrap all your presents in Kraft Paper. And then when your kids are looking for something to do during the days leading up to Christmas, have them color on the packages.

I love this. Except I don't have kids who can color unsupervised. And I don't wrap presents ahead of time. When Rory saw the presents he made a comment about a bunch of amazon packages having been delivered under the tree. And it did look like that. More like a post office, less like presents. This week I'll buy some colorful christmas wrapping paper on sale for next year. And wait until I have kids old enough to help with the kraft paper vision.

My other reason for the kraft paper was because of a pinterest idea of putting painters tape down to make a Christmas tree, painting over it and then taking the tape off. My neighbor girls helped with this project, and we loved how it turned out. This was the high chair we brought to church for the crisis pregnancy center. The perfect huge box to get artsy on.

All in all, the kraft paper was fun in theory, but my kids aren't old enough to pull this one off yet. Check back in another 5-7 years and we'll try it again.

family guess who

I've been crafty this Christmas and it feels good. Last year I was pregnant and not feeling well but this Christmas (with the inspirational help from Pinterest...I've been on a lot this month) my creative juices are flowing again.

This first project was a personal version Guess Who for my mom. It's a family favorite game anyway, so when I saw this idea on pinterest I thought it was pretty perfect. Now we ask questions like, "Does your person live in Seattle?" "Is your person in elementary school?" "Is your person one of Grandma Margaret's brothers or sisters?" "Does your person winter in Mesa?"

Mom and I played for a while together on Christmas Eve and mostly it is just fun to think about our awesome family and look at adorable pictures. So fun.