Just Another Day at the Office

Stay-At-Home-Mom

I might as well be Frank's stay-at-home-mom because I set up a play date for him earlier this week.  Yep, I'm that kind of dog mom.  And, I bet Franklin actually thinks I stay at home just for him...

We were actually just doing a favor for a neighbor that was going to be gone for a few hours, but Franklin couldn't care less about the reason as long as he has a buddy to play with.

Cooper may be small, but he's mighty.  And maybe has a touch of little-man's-syndrome.  And, totally puts Franklin in his place.


















They're a funny pair, but really do play well together.  They even share!  Kind of.





























































Isn't his scruff so cute?

























Drool much?  Unfortunately, this is normal.











Cooper has to go back to his normal house in Kansas City this weekend and Franklin will definitely miss him.  :(

Habitual Napper

Frank has a bad habit.  I think it started when I was gone to Minnesota.

He thinks the family room couch was brought in specifically for him.  And he's not allowed on it.  But there is no arguing with this guy.

I caught him zonked out on it the other day.



















Thinks he can get away with it...almost.

The HAPpiest Place on Earth

I went back to Hiawatha this past Friday/Saturday to attend a benefit at the HAP (Hiawatha Aquatic Park) for Susie McElroy - a good friend's mom and also a past boss.  She's the manager of the HAP and LOVES the pool.  Here's a pic from the summer I was assistant manager...


















Really, I think the pool is Susie's favorite place in the world.  She and I spent many, many hours basking in the sun together so it was really awful to hear she is battling a brain tumor.

Really - I'm not sure you can find better people than in Hiawatha.  The town is rallying around Susie and her family and everyone was there to partake in a community swim meet, along with lots of other really fun events.  Like the cannonball contest.  :)

























I participated in the fastest-down-the-slide contest, but didn't win.  Although I sure felt like I was going fast.  Guess I've lost my touch.

It was a great day, and I was really excited to spend some time with my brother and his family, as well as see so many good friends from high school.

Quinn was super excited to see Willie the Wildcat who was scheduled to make an appearance.  Except she kept calling him Wally.  She and Noel even practiced saying K-State's #1.



















Not sure anyone was surprised that when she actually came face-to-face with Willie she was completely terrified.  Oh well. 










It was still a success as it was Quinn's first trip to the HAP and it was so fun watching her conquer the frog slide!





























And Brynnan had a pretty good time getting oohed and ahhed over.










































































































So glad I could make it back for this special event.  Susie - we are praying for you!

(Taken at Susie's birthday party at the pool several years ago.)

The Normal Things

I really love weekends.  I love having plans and getting together with friends and family, but I also really just love the normal, boring things about weekends.  Like making breakfast on Saturday morning.

And, I really love them with my new camera.  It's like this thing opens my eyes to really appreciate anything and everything that's going on right in front of me!

Like an ornery puppy.









Andrew reading the Sunday paper.  Err...looking at the ads.









Franklin getting so excited to play frisbee.






























Or getting even more excited when he realizes it's pool time.




















It really is the little things in life that make it so special. 

Joe Mauer on a Stick

I was in Minneapolis Monday - Wednesday this week for work.  One of the brands I work on is actually the Official Hot Dog of the Minnesota Twins and based locally about an hour and a half outside of the Twin Cities.  So my team and I met up there for a private tour of the Twins' new stadium, Target Field, a game against the Chicago White Sox and a plant tour.  This is my second meat plant tour this month.  Are you surprised I'm still eating meat??

It was a lot for just three days.  Especially because I drove to Minneapolis with my client.  That's 10 hours one way.  That's 20+ hours in the car between Monday and Wednesday.  That's half of a work week spent in the car.  Can you tell I'm ready for this much needed weekend?!

No pictures of the meat plant for you.  Sorry.  :)

But, I did take my new camera and got some great pics of the new stadium during our afternoon tour. 








































What a great setting for a game!









Nice view from the Bud rooftop deck...



















































But also pretty great view from the Champions Club seats (that include valet parking and all you can eat/drink, plus leather cushioned stadium seats directly behind home plate for the game).  Not too shabby.

Go Schweigert!

Love these little Target baseballs EVERYWHERE around the stadium.  :)

















And these fun candids from the game.





































































I know, kid.  I love Joe Mauer, too.  So cute.  Wait, the kid or Joe Mauer?  :)









Not too bad for my first visit to Minnnesoooooota.