First Year Anniversary

Pardon my blog posts jumping around chronologically :)

I found some pictures from when Tom and I visited Winona for our first year wedding anniversary and wanted to share! Although not great pictures, they represent so much of our past.

Winona is where we went to college. We grew so much as individuals and as a couple during those years, so it was a perfect place to celebrate our first year.

It was just a short weekend getaway because Tom can't take off too much time, but oh so worth it. We got to relive some memories while strolling through campuses and visiting some of our favorite hot spots. We even were surprised to be able to see some great people that we went to college with - one being Tom's roommate, Alex Dabelstein.

So many memories here. Love it! I could visit every summer over and over again. Who wouldn't love a place sandwhiched between beautiful bluffs with lakes on one side and the Mississippi river on the other!





Until next time!
Brenda

South Dakota Inauguration

This past weekend Tom, Marqueta, Gabby and I adventured out to Pierre, South Dakota to celebrate Steve's best friend since childhood, Dennis Daugaard, being sworn in as the 32nd governor of South Dakota.

It was such an exciting, busy weekend! What an honor not only to be able to attend, but to know Dennis is such a great family friend. Dennis and his family are such great individuals - it is an awesome feeling to see great things happening to great people.

We left Thursday evening after work and stopped in Sioux Falls to sleep around midnight. Then we woke up Friday morning to finish the rest of our 8.5 hour drive. When we arrived in Pierre, I was so surprised to see how small the capitol city was. Although small, it was still rich in history. We toured the third largest earth dam in the world (Oahe) and checked out the governor's mansion, Tom's uncle (Steve's brother) Roger's memorial (check it out here - such a touching thing). Friday evening we headed to the volunteer party where we got to see Dennis, his family and all those who helped in the campaign. It was jeans attire which was nice knowing that the next day would be spent all day in heels and a few different dresses/gowns! :)

Then Saturday was the big day! Here is the schedule of organized events we attended that day:

January 8, 2011

11:00 a.m. Oath of Office Ceremonies for Legislators
Respective Chambers. Open and free to the public.

12:00 p.m. Oath of Office Ceremony for Governor, Lt. Governor, and other Constitutional and Elected Officials
State Capitol Rotunda. Open and free to the public.

1:30 -3:00 p.m. Receiving Line
First floor of the Capitol. Public greeting of Governor, First Lady, and Constitutional and Elected Officials. Open and free to the public.

6:30 p.m. Capitol Ball
State Capitol. Features "Over Forte" band. Tickets are $25 per person. Dress is formal.

7:00 p.m. Grand March at Capitol Ball

8:00 p.m. Inaugural Ball
Ramkota River Centre. Features the 147th Army Band, South Dakota National Guard. Tickets are $25 per person. Dress is formal.

9:00 p.m. Grand March at Inaugural Ball

Tom's aunts and uncles were there as well so we got to spend some quality time with quality people. I don't have pictures yet (I forgot my camera), but hope to soon. My favorite part of the weekend was the capital ball and seeing Roger's memorial for the first time. The pictures don't even do it justice in how big it is sitting there right on the capitol's grounds.

Congrats, Dennis! Steve is staring down from above so proud of his best friend.

First Dance Song

Tom and my first dance song, simply just love!













Photo Credits to Con Tiempo Photography

Lake Vermillion

This August, Tom and I ventured with my parents to Lake Vermillion; it was Tom and my first time and well, WE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PLACE! It is so serene there. The lake is just beautiful surrounded by all the pine trees. It's got character with all its islands, rocks, bays, etc.

Although the pictures mostly just show golf, we did so much more! I wish I took pictures to show it.

Lots of boating, fishing, casino trips (we stayed in a suite at Fortune Bay Casino), restaurant trips (my favorite being the VC Club), golfing, etc. One of my favorite memories was the day we went out on the boat when there were HUGE HUGE HUGE waves. Even though it was cold and we got soaked from all the waves overboard, lots of laughs were had.

I totally love the place. I hope I get to go back soon! Too bad for no vacation days.

2011: A New Year

Well, hello fellow blog world!!!!

Yes, I know. It's been months MONTHS! since I've last posted. And I have MISSED YOU!!!!!!

So, at the start of this new year, I'm going to try again, really hard, to mend our relationship. I will be around more often. And I will make up for lost time.

I want to blog. I love to blog. I WILL blog.

Since I've last posted, life has been a roller coaster of emotions. We have experienced:

-In August, we lost the life of one we loved so close, Tom's father and a dear friend to many, Steve. He was one of the most fun-loving, caring, smart, selfless and energetic person I have known and we miss him so, so much. I am so proud to have his as my father-in-law. His memories have been blessing us a lot over these past few months. Thank you to everyone for your continued love and support. Steve, forever you are in our hearts! I can't wait to tell my kids someday of how wonderful their Grandpa Hainje was.

-Two weeks later, a new job! I still work part-time at Novus but have moved onto a new job, what I went to school for, and am now a Graphic Designer at Amy Zaroff Events + Design. I spend my days designing invitations, cards, stationery, programs, anything for events and anything paper, you name it! The job came unexpectately so it was a true blessing - thank you, Vanessa! This job has been a great experience.

-Steve's friends dedicated a tree and brick in his name at the Maple Grove Arboretum. I will have to take pictures for a later post. Beautiful location and beautiful tree! And, just like Steve, they picked one of the tallest trees in the bunch - a beautiful, tall pine. They had a wonderful dedication ceremony for him; Steve was loved by so many.

-A few weeks after that, just when we renewed our lease at Mallard Ridge thinking we will be there for another year, we switched gears and got a new place to call home in Orono, MN!!! We are so happy to be renters of a beautiful townhome and LOVE LOVE LOVE living here. It was the changed we needed. Thanks, Johnsons!

-Later in the year, Tom lost his grandmother, Steve's mom.

-Around Thanksgiving, we found out that Tom's brother, Dan, is deploying to Iraq in February 2011 - more than a year earlier than we originally thought. We were blessed to have Dan home over Christmas though and hopefully will get another trip in to visit him before he deploys. We love Dan and love having him home! Prayers are already starting for when he is overseas. We will be thinking of him lots and lots and lots.

-Babysitting Tom's family dog, Gabby, a lot over the past few months. Enough where I say we have temporarily adopted a dog. Gabby once was Tom's brother's dog, then his parents, and now I say ours a little bit, too. :) She is the cutest, most well-behaved Chihuahua and totally brightens Tom and my life. I never thought I would like a Chihuahua but she totally stole my heart.

-Christmas - Brenda sick. Not much to report! Although, we did still make the norm 48-hour triangle trip from to Canby, MN to Dell Rapids, SD then back home to the cities.

-New Years - Tom sick. Not much to report! We were in the whole weekend.

Our friends have had babies, people are getting engaged, new jobs, new homes, it's just been a crazy year!!!!

But now, 2010 is behind us and 2011 has just begun. I can't wait to bring you along this journey of the new year! Great things will happen this year, I just know.

So, cheers to a wonderful year to come!

Now, back to my photo archives to bring you some pictures to view over the past few months (unfortunately, there aren't many but another goal of 2011)- a blog wouldn't be a blog w/o pictures! :)

Until next time,
Brenda