FFF - Northern Minnesota Edition (teaser)

Thanks to a lot of hard planning and scheduling work (kudos, Lenny!), the Holte/Diers/Turner/Dranka crew safely made it up north for a week of Forced Family Fun. While the rain kept us contained to the cabin for much of the day, save a brave runner or two, we're excited to spend the next few days on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, Minnesota. Thinking happy thoughts that this sunset is a taste of what's to come from Mother Nature this week:

Stay tuned for a more comprehensive update!

on to the next one...
love,
k

Because...why not?

Hello, best friend.

Shower stop one - Iowa City!

When my dad remarried a few years ago, I knew I was blessed with a phenomenal new step-family. Little did I know, however, just how very blessed I'd be. I didn't just inherit the cutest stepmom and a couple of stepbrothers, I inherited a whole slew of amazingly loving, caring and kind family friends.

Lenny's longtime friend, Marlea O'Brien, hosted a bridal shower for me today. It was so fun to kick off the shower circuit with such good friends, family and food.

Guest appearance from Iowa City's newest resident...
Bottled Lightning member and college friend, Emily Drake!

A million thanks for all the generous and wonderful gifts. I'm a lucky girl!

on to the next one...(quite literally in this case, my next shower is this coming Saturday)

love,
k

it's a girl!

I took a quick detour from the first leg of my "tour de midwest" to meet the newest addition to the Diers/Kleinschrodt/Dranka/future Hein family. Caroline and I hopped in the car this morning and headed for the cheesy promised land - Wisconsin. Introducing the picture perfect, lovely lady Elizabeth Anne.

Princess of life.

Love affair.

Rawrrrr!

Consider me obsessed!

on to the next one...
love,
k

USA! USA! USA!

Last Saturday, Andy'le and a few of his fellow giants jet setted off to the beautiful northern tundra of Canada. There, they will compete in the Pan Am Cup in hopes of defending their championship title.

Team USA whooped some Bahama-mama ace earlier today and fully intend on continuing that streak throughout the week.

Games will be live online and available for watching here: http://www.sportscanada.tv/index.php/2011-pan-american-mens-volleyball-cup

For schedule and additional game information, stop by David and Kelli Smith's blog here: http://kellianddavidsmith.blogspot.com/2011/06/go-david.html?spref=fb

Tune in to watch a group of tall goofy guys kick some serious international tush. And note for game start times, Canada is three hours ahead of us here in California.

on to the next one...

love,

k + a

Wordless Wednesday - Is my niece here yet?

we're famous...

...not really, but "making the blog" has been a goal of ours ever since we decided to engage the talented Mike Larson for our casual and wedding day shoots.


Our kick butt photographer recently featured a few highlights from our engagement shoot on his blog. Mike was so fun to hang with for the day and we're uber grateful to have some of these special moments captured on film.


Check it out here: http://www.mikelarson.com/blog/category/engagement-shoot/


on to the next one...


love,
k + a

Most Awesomest Birthday Present Ever!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far away...

Kate got me the best birthday present ever: Star Wars: In Concert! Last night Kate surprised me with an early birthday present to see this awesome show. I've been wanting to see it ever since I knew it existed and Kate did a great job in making it an amazing night. The show took place at the Hollywood Bowl (which neither of us had been to). I have to say that it's a great venue because of a few reasons: 1. You can bring your own food and have a picnic at your seat 2. There isn't a bad seat in the house 3. You have a clear view of the Hollywood Hills and the Hollywood sign from your seat. Not too shabby. 

We drove up to Hollywood straight from my afternoon practice and arrived at the Bowl around 6:00. That gave us a couple of hours to picnic and hang out and take in the scenery of dueling light saber battles. Once the show began at 8, I was super excited. Now, Kate has never seen any of the Star Wars movies but I'm happy to say that this concert influenced her so much that she's willing to see at least 2 of the 6 movies in the near future. That's a huge victory for me! 

The night was great on so many levels: 1. Perfect weather 2. C-3P0 narrating the show 3. Lasers 4. Great music...and of course 5. The best person to see it with in the world. I couldn't ask for a better early birthday present. 

So E.X.C.I.T.E.D!

Pre-Star Wars picnic

Cheers! Star Wars is awesome and these bottles are little.

Light Saberssssss

Who's pumped? We are!

Certain childhood dreams coming true.

As a certain poet once said, "I look to my right, and I see the Hollywood sign."

HB Orchestra + Giant Screen = Awesomeness

Freaking laser beams.

on to the next one...

love,

k + a

love is in the air...a wedding and weekend update

I promised myself that as soon as I was settled in Southern California, I'd get back into the wedding planning swing of things. Then I swore that once Andy got back, I'd really hit the ground and start cranking on my to-dos. And finally, it became once my mom returned from her stint abroad. Better late than never?

I'm feeling so blessed to have the opportunity to put my heart and soul into this wedding planning adventure. I'm taking care of myself, making friends, adjusting to a new lifestyle and putting in a lot of great work for our future - pretty dang exciting.

Last Wednesday I took a quick jaunt up to San Francisco for my prefit appointment at the dress designer's studio. It was wonderful to put the dress on again and reconfirm that it is in fact that one. My recent rekindled obsession with "Say Yes to the Dress" had me worried as you see bride after bride come back for their first fitting and hate it. Whew!

The next morning, Rochelle and I hopped in the car and headed back south for the long weekend. Friday and Saturday were spent tackling centerpieces and flower concepts with interior designer Aunt Rita, posting and addressing invitations and stalking perfect strangers as they set up for their own weddings our venue.

Thanks for your handwriting skills, Mommy'le!

Top secret decoration preview.

Are you getting a feel for the wedding style yet? 

As far as Memorial Day celebrations, we felt super blessed that the Js (friends Jon and Jaimie-Rose Winder) hosted two wonderful beach days/dinners at their temporary home in Emerald Bay. Andy, Rochelle, Ashley and I all got our fair share of sunshine, beach time, delicious food, incredible desserts and high-quality friend/family time.


Looking ahead to the weekend, we're celebrating Andy's birthday a bit early (as I'll be Tour de Midwest-ing on his big 2-7) with a super secret night out. Stay tuned for a recap of what is sure to be a wonderful and exciting adventure!


on to the next one...
love,
k