Chene Graduates from Minnetonka!

Well, it seems that Minnetonka High School has seen it's last Meldahl relation to graduate, with Chene finishing up this year. And really, considering that Chene spent this entire past year as a PSEO student at the University of Minnesota, the halls of Minnetonka really haven't had one of us for the past year. That said, we all gathered to celebrate Chene's accomplishments today. What a great student and fabulous young woman she is!

The Wedding Reception!

The wedding reception was a glorious affair - wonderful food with many humorous moments, of course! Who can forget Steve's dismay at the $5 gin and tonic that appeared to be primarily ice with a splash of tonic, or Dad chasing the little old server who insisted on carrying his plate from the buffet back to his table, or Jim and Claudia lighting up the dance floor later in the evening?? Whatever the memories, it was truly a wonderful way to celebrate Chloe and Travis!

Chloe and Travis get MARRIED!!

This was a beautiful weekend to celebrate Chloe and Travis at their wedding in Mankato!! Gunnar and Hans were in the wedding so we headed down to Mankato on Friday afternoon. As we drove into Mankato and got settled at the hotel it started to rain (and rain and rain). We had just enough time to pick up the boys tuxes before heading out to join the rest of the wedding party at the rehearsal. Fortunately, at the venue for the wedding they had a tent as the rehearsal would have been quite the washout (literally) otherwise. Both boys learned of their duties, the rehearsal went off without a hitch (literally, again ;)), and we enjoyed a nice dinner at where else but Buffalo Wild Wings in downtown Mankato (walking distance from our hotel). The day was capped off with a swim in the hotel pool. Lots of fun!

Saturday dawned sunny and bright - a glorious day for an outdoor wedding! We were there early to take pictures - check out the shots both before the wedding and during. More shots from the reception to follow...

Summer's here - time to CLEAN the house!

Orn was a bit shocked to find that both boys jumped in to help me clean the basement on their first weekend of summer vacation! So much so, that he ran upstairs and got the camera in order to document their efforts. Here they are hard at work...

Birthday Time!

Today was my birthday (no details on age...although if you ask Gunnar or Hans, or Orn for that matter, they are very forthcoming with my age!). I had a wonderful day, beginning with breakfast in bed with both boys, then hanging out by the pool with friends in the afternoon, followed by a nice dinner out with my handsome hubby. Can't ask for a better day of celebration! And, I was given a new pair of running shoes, Wii Active, and a golf bag to boot!! :)

Last day of SCHOOL!!

Today was the last day of school for the boys!! Woo Hoo and all that! I was already on my way to the cities to go out to dinner with some friends, so Orn ran out and got a picture of the boys getting off the bus. It was a great school year for both of them, but way fun to have it over and done with as well. Let the summer sports begin!! Everything starts up next week (including teaching summer school for both Orn and me)!!

Hans's Fieldtrip to downtown St. Cloud sites and Gunnar's Fieldtrip to St. John's Arboretum

Today I was able to tag along on Gunnar's fieldtrip to St. John's Arboretum in Collegeville. It was a glorious day to be learning all about the wildlife and plantlife that one can expect to find out there - also the many, many woodticks that can be found in this neck of the woods at this time of the year!

Meanwhile, Orn went along with Hans's final fieldtrip of the year - to Red Lobster (of all places), the new St. Cloud public library, and Lake George. The kids had a great time learning all about lobsters, spending time at the library, and having a great time at the park!

Gunnar's Spring Recital

Gunnar participated in his Spring Piano Recital today. We were extremely proud of how composed he was and how well he did. Hopefully I'll be able to upload the video I took with my digital camera here so you can see his accomplishments for yourself! After the recital, Gunnar was also adorned with multiple awards for all that he has done this past year, including participating in Guild, participating in Contest, consistently practicing, and participating in any of the other activities that Mrs. Kiffmeyer had organized. It was an outstanding 1st year at the piano! Great work Gunnar!!

Orn and Hans hit St. John's Arboretum

Today Orn took some time off to go on a field trip with Hans's 1st grade class. He was to meet them out at the arboretum at St. John's University in Collegeville. Unfortunately, the directions that were sent home from the school were not quite accurate, so he ended up driving around a bit before getting there. Kids manage to make things all okay because as soon as Hans saw Orn come walking up, he bounded out from his class and came over to greet his dad with a, "Dad, I'm so glad you're here!" As Orn told me later, it just made him melt. They had a wonderful time exploring the arboretum together...maybe I can get Orn to add to this with some commentary to go with the pictures he took!

Gunnar's 1st Masterpiece!

About a month ago I was completing the typical after school task - unloading the boys backpacks - when I came across a watercolor, folded in half and crammed in Gunnar's backpack along with everything else. I thought it was an amazing piece and so went out this past weekend and found a mat and frame for it. Fortunately, with a little bit of tugging and some scotch tape I was able to stretch it across the mat before placing it in the frame. It now hangs proudly above Gunnar's bed in his sailing themed bedroom!

Mother's Day

Today is/was Mothers Day! As has been the case since the boys arrived on the scene I started getting peppered with questions starting late last week concerning what I wanted to do on Mothers Day - starting of course with breakfast! I made my request, but this year opted to have breakfast in the kitchen...I've learned over the years that Mother's Day breakfast in bed is not limited to me in this household! The boys came in as soon as they each woke up and showered me with the kinds of gifts that truly make Mother's Day special - I enjoyed the handmade cards and gifts AND the iPod Nano running band (to hold my iPod when I go out for a walk or run) that Orn gave me as well. My mom was getting over a nasty flu bug, so we just stayed up here in St. Cloud and had a very pleasant day. The boys spent the better part of the morning building forts in the basement (see two pictures they took from in their forts). After lunch we all went to the Great Theatre here in town and saw High School Musical 2. And later in the afternoon, I enjoyed one of my favorite activities - taking the boys over to the park and hitting them grounders and pitching to them. They are both very excited about the upcoming baseball season...as am I!! :) The day was capped off with a perfect grilled salmon feast served up by Orn. What a day!

More Mudroom Shots

I think I can finally report that the mudroom is completed. I'm sure there are other things I will do over time, but at this point it is 100% functional. What had been left to be completed was the inside of the closet (hanging bar, shelves, etc.) and the steps from the back door down to the back yard. Pete finished the steps yesterday - they look gorgeous!

As for the closet, I have asked husbands of friends of mine for help far too many times, so about a week ago I went over to Home Depot and bought myself a power drill. After practicing once on a board in the garage, I set to work on installing a Rubermaid Closet! I am proud to display the finished product! Considering I had to use a stud sensor, a level, multiple drill bits, anchors, and assorted other tools, I am very proud of my first project with the drill. I LOVE MY DRILL. Now I'm ready to attack and organize our garage! At this point, I'm a lady on the loose with a power drill - just stay out of my way, or you may get hurt! :)

I also built a set of shelves to use as a dumping ground for my purse, sunglasses, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, and other necessities. It is located under the mirror as we head out to the garage. Love that too. In addition I pulled out a sheet that I had an artist paint while I was in Benin. I had it framed over some wood (now that I have my drill I could do the job myself...too late now). It now hangs at the far end of the room over the cat's feeding area. Mom gave me the fish frames complete with pictures of the boys out on a lake in Wisconsin. I still have plans to put up the boys names in letters we received from Orn's Aunt in Denmark after each of the boys arrived on this earth...maybe I'll get to that yet this weekend too!