New baseboards

Some of my friends are probably laughing at me right now. I know that new baseboards do not seem super exciting, but when you've been looking at broken plaster pieces for 3 months it gets kind of old. My dad and Uncle Jerry spent the better part of their Saturday installing the baseboards that I carefully stained. And our living room looks great! Check out the before and after pictures.

Le Gourmet Chef

During the summer, when I actually have time to breathe, I enjoy cooking. Alan loves Vietnamese food and received a few cookbooks for Christmas a couple of years ago. I finally opened them this summer and have been practicing my culinary skills. Mahlia also LOVES to bake and decorate cakes so she has been teaching me.

Picture #1: My first cake! Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting

Picture #2: My second cake- almond cake with strawberry filling and chocolate buttercream frosting

Picture #3: egg rolls

Cutest Kid in the World

My best friend Kristen and her husband Eric moved to Tulsa, OK, a few years ago where Eric took a job as a pastor at a local church- they have since added baby (almost big boy) Tate to their family. I miss then like crazy. Alan and I were blessed with being able to spend time with them on Monday while they were in town for a wedding. (Congratulations Kendra and Brett!)

After a fun dinner at Champps watching Tate try to stick crayons in Eric's drink, they came over to check out our new house. Aside from Bentley trying to lick Tate to death, I think they liked it! Tate was showing off some of his newly learned skills- see video.

Happy 4th of July

I think the only reason men like the 4th of July is because they have an excuse to blow things up. Our 4th of July was plagued by last minute plan changes. We were originally planning on tubing down the Cannon River in Welch, MN. However, it was freezing and raining so we decided to head to the parade in Apply Valley. Then it began pouring. So we ended up spending too much time and money at Mall of America shopping and eating lunch at Ruby Tuesdays.

Later in the evening Jason and Alan set off fireworks in our driveway and made a gigantic mess. We capped off the night with fireworks at the Eagan community center. (sorry the video is sideways; I couldn't figure out how to flip it. )

Roommates

Our friends Mahlia, Jason, and their collie Leo have come to live with Alan and I for a couple of months while they look to purchase a home of their own in the area. The first week if their extended visit was filled with some very exciting times; most notably, Alan received his one-year anniversary present early- a new TV, stand, and blu-ray player.

Mahlia is an excellent baker and has been learning how to decorate cakes. This week she made a strawberry cake and white frosting which she colored and made into cute little flowers.