Looking ahead to 2014

I haven't blogged in a little while but have been thinking about writing this blog for about a week.  I'm not one to make resolutions for a new year, but I do take time to think about goals/accomplishments/plans/events - all that kinda stuff from time to time.  With Jess, those times have become more and more frequent.  It's amazing how much busier life can get by adding one truly special person to it.  Currently we don't have any "big" trips planned but have been talking about going back to Maui.  Maybe for our 2nd anniversary and perhaps with my brother and his family.  We do have some fun weekends planned already.  Super Bowl weekend is soon and if you know Jess, you know she absolutely loves to entertain.  We've been chatting about having a few friends over for the game.  Then at the end of February we are going with a group of friends to New Ulm, MN for Bockfest.

We are also hoping to start a family (in addition to Murphy) so of course some of our "traditions - if they can be called that less than a year or two in, might change down the road.  As long as one tradition continues - that Jess and I have years similar to our first year of marriage, we will be doing amazing.

I wanted to leave you with a few of my favorite pictures from our wedding.  They are favorites for various reasons. None of which I'll explain.  Although I'll say this, memories were made that night that will last a lifetime of lifetimes with our favorite people in the world.  In 2014 and beyond I'll cherish that night forever.

Samantha Anne Clinton

Our newest peanut has arrived!

Our niece Samantha Anne was born January 17th, 2014.

8 lbs 1 oz - 21 inches

Reflecting on year one...

It's hard to believe that it has been a year since our wedding day! The saying is true, time flies when you are having fun!

Our wedding day was the happiest day of my life, to this point. Scott and I put so much time and work into every part of our wedding. From the centerpieces, to the music played to the wedding ceremony we had our hands on every part of the wedding. Although it was so much work, I wouldn't have it any other way. Our wedding was a beautiful reflection of us as a couple. And when I look back at our wedding day, I not only think of that beautiful day I think of the year of fun we had planning. It brought us even closer together

Our day couldn't have been any more beautiful or special. We are so blessed to have two amazing families and some of the best friends that anyone could ask for. We had so much help from everyone, it was amazing.

Here is what I posted on Facebook on our anniversary - I don't think I could find a better way to say it:

I remember our wedding day as if it were yesterday... The relief that the day was finally there, paired with the sadness that the whirlwind was almost over.

Staying up all night talking with my mama and spending the morning with all of my favorite girls drinking mimosas and laughing. The excitement of the final moments before I got to see you for the first time. The overwhelming love and happiness that flooded over me when I saw your smile for the first time that day.

The doors opening for the first time and seeing the beautiful room all set up and the faces of all the people I love smiling back at me. And then seeing you at the end of the aisle and everything else just becoming a blur. I can close my eyes now and still see the candles lining the aisle and you smiling at the end.

The beautiful ceremony that I ugly cried the whole way through. And then getting to spend the rest of the evening celebrating with all our favorite people.

I always thought it sounded so corny when people said their partner completed them. But now, I totally understand the sentiment. I have never felt more at peace with myself and my life as I have since I married the love of my life. I never dreamed that my every day could be as amazing as it is.

I am so blessed to have the most amazing, supportive and just all around wonderful husband. I have never felt more loved. Thank you for this wonderful first year. I am so excited to see what the years ahead hold. If this year is any indicator, it is going to be breathtaking.

Love you more than anyone.

Year One has been pretty wonderful, to say the least. We grew in our relationship and settled into our places as husband and wife. We added our little puppy Murphy, had a lot of fun and laughter, suffered through some heartbreaking loss and started some new traditions. I never imagined I could be as truly happy as I am right now. Everything seems right with the world and I have great hopes for the future. I have the most amazing husband that anyone could hope for. I am truly blessed.

Here's to hoping  Year Two is just as good!

(I meant to post this on our anniversary, somehow it didn't post!)

Happy Anniversary

1 year ago today I married the best woman a guy could ask for.  As you've seen from Jess's post earlier today and mine yesterday, we spent the weekend on the North Shore.  It was an absolutely perfect weekend with my partner in crime.  We had such a great time.  Adding on to what Jess wrote about.  We got up this morning and it was sleeting...so we decided to get our stuff together and try to head out a bit earlier than anticipated!  The roads weren't great to start with, but eventually the sun came out and the drive went smoothly!  We stopped in Duluth and met a couple of our good friends, John and Amy at The Anchor Bar.  Delicious hamburgers, beer and great conversation.  Then we got back on the road home...we had to pick up Murphy yet and we were both pretty tired.  I'm writing this from the comforts of my couch, with Jess right by me as we watch the latest episode of American Horror Story.  I couldn't ask for anything more right now.  It's been a wonderful first year of marriage and I'm so excited to see what year 2 has in store!

Anniversary on the North Shore...

One Year Later.

We had a wonderful first anniversary celebration on the North Shore this weekend. True to our style, we spent most of the long weekend relaxing, chatting, laughing and playing games. It was so great to spend some time together away from home and unplugged.

We stayed in a one bedroom condo at the Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte. The condo was really nice! It had a great kitchen, a wood burning fireplace and an awesome view. There was also an outdoor hot tub, which was awesome!

We drove up to Grand Marais and found that the town was pretty much shut down! We found one open store and poked around in there a bit. We decided to head down to Lutsen and have an early dinner at a restaurant called Moguls. The food was great and there was even an awesome singer there. Scott surprised me later that night with a couple of the artists cds!

Overall it was the perfect way to celebrate our first year of marriage. :)

1st Anniversary Weekend

Tomorrow is my 1st anniversary.  Jess and I decided to take a nice long weekend trip to Tofte, MN where we are staying at a resort called Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior.  We left on Thursday morning, once we dropped Murphy off with Jason (Jess's brother).  It's been an absolutely perfect weekend. The weather has been great, it snowed a little last night and I thought I'd get a quick blog post in.

So I'm sitting in the living room, overlooking Lake Superior while Jess gets ready.  We are heading to Grand Marais this afternoon.  Jess loves to listen to music while getting ready.  The first song that she played was Marry You by Bruno Mars.  Quite fitting.  So I'm enjoying typing this, the fireplace going on one side with the door of the patio slightly cracked on the other.  The sun glistening off the lake...wait, my peaceful mood is rudely interrupted by some song called, "Drunk in Love" by Beyonce and Jay Z.  Oh and did I mention - she knows that I dislike this song, so what just happened, she put it on repeat.  That's my wife, and just one of the many reasons I love her (cuz lets be honest, I would have done the same thing to her).  

Anyway, I'm looking forward to checking out all that Grand Marais has to offer!  We'll have a few beers and some bar (sorry to interrupt your scheduled reading, but another shitty song came on thanks to DJ Jess - ugh...apparently Jamie Foxx has a very bad stutter when trying to say alcohol) food.  I think we'll try to take advantage of the outdoor hot tub the resort has.  It was perfect last night, in the teens and we were in 95 degree water with beers in hand.  

Ok, before I hear another crappy song, I'm going hit next on this one.  Then get ready.  I'll be sure to blog at some point tomorrow about my first year of marriage and how freaking ridiculously awesome it has been!  

Parker Lee!

We finally got to meet Parker today! He is the 3 week old CUTIE of my high school best friend Meagan and her husband Jeremy. He is the sweetest baby and has the cutest little face.  Would you look at all that hair! We got to spend some time snuggling with him and catching up with Megs. So fun. 

Cannot wait until the next time I get to see him and kiss those little cheeks! 

Just in case you were wondering...

Yes, Murphy is a spoiled puppy!

Train Open House

Another  year, another Train Open House! 

It is crazy to see the train set up in person. The train table is just gigantic... I am fairly certain it is as long as our house is wide. The time that Jerry and Lorie put in to setting  up the buildings and people every year is just amazing. It is so fun to walk around and look at all the little details. I walked around the table so many times over the course of the day - and still found fun new things every time! 

It's fun to see everyone that comes out to see the trains and visit. Lots of familiar faces and amazingly, we see new people every year! It is great to see the joy that it brings to people, especially the kids!

Here are just a few of the 300 or so photos I took.

(I even climbed up on a platform 10-12 feet in the air to get some shots of the whole table)

Conductor Jerry over-seeing the operation.

One of my favorite buildings.

It's hard to put into perspective just how big the train table is! 

Scott and Casey cheezin.

TD and Kristie! 

Trelin and TD running the trains

Big smiles! 

Auntie... I just woke up. No more pictures! 

Sweet Addy snoozin. 

Addy and Uncle Scott hanging out

Kristie, Casey and Katy

Big smiles from Oma and Emmy! 

Emmy wanted a picture with Murphy!

The three grandkids! 

Finally got a smile out of Jerry! 

Christmas with the Ploehns

We had a wonderful weekend down at the farm celebrating Christmas with the Ploehn family! Lots of snuggle time with the kids and laughs with the "big kids."

Fondue was delicious as always and with a few years under my belt, is becoming less and less stressful of an endeavor! :)

As promised, here are some photos of the weekend.

Emmy and Uncle Scott in the "pool"

Buddies! 

Jump! 

Uncle Scott teaching Emmy how to negotiate more time in the pool! 

Addy and Uncle Scott

Teagen opening presents!

Emmy opening her present from us! 

Teagen in his cute new shirt! 

Big smiles for this one!

Addy checking out her Advent calendar from Oma and Opa! 

Smooch! 

Checking out Teagen's picture book

Teagen wants in on this gift! 

Cuuute!