Wamhoff Wedding

Big post, for reals. I took lots-o-pics this time. 

Dan and I have been on 10 plane rides in the past year. I cannot wait until they invent teleporting or the Harry Potter Floo Network or Portkey. Each flight has brought us to family, well... not the honeymoon one but they have all been completely worth it. This time we headed north to Lansing, Michigan for Anna and Ryan's wedding. Delta did right by me when they offered me multiple snacks on the ride. Bischoff is my new favorite cookie. I mean dang. I also got the cutest napkin which looked exactly like my best-friend-in-law's Labrador. Yes, I know that's polar bear but his dog looks AND acts like a polar bear. 

Once we landed in Michigan we headed to Dan's Grandparents' (The Bears) place, "The Ranch"...then we headed off to their farm, a real live, working farm!! Brandon Wood was there so we got to catch up with him for a hot minute before us Texas kids started salivating at all the green tractors we wanted to ride around in. 

Uncle Brain fired up what looked to me to be the biggest tractor in the new barn. Mike and Kelly took the beast below.

Dan and I went with the Bear in another tractor and we all split off to romp around in these monster-truck-lookin' tractors. 

I had to get a "me in the tire" picture!

I made Kelly get in another tire. She literally was frozen in this position until we left. Just Kidding. She moved. But we both were painfully cold. 

In another barn we found a ton of old school John Deeres. There were fifteen tractors in this one; a real sea of green. 

Dan's younger cousins raised up these chickens and sell the eggs to the neighbors. I cooked scrambled eggs with them and man, it was super yum. Also...I picked one of those girl-chickens up. She was real nice until she wasn't anymore and flipped her wings out and tried to escape. Luckily I did not freak out or one of the other Wamhoffs in the coop with me could have lost an eye or something. Anyways, I want chickens now. 

Across the street another barn was there to check out. Uncle Brian said that Grandpa Bear must be the only guy out there that buys up equipment then has to build shelters for them afterwards. 

My camera did a very poor job of capturing the sunset in the picture below. It was just beautiful in real life. Sunset, John Deere, Big Rigs, farm land and snow flurries. Can't get much cooler than that. 

Dan next to Great Grandpa Brenner's Truck. (Thanks A!)

I sure do love Michigan grass. I think it is the softest, prettiest green. Hopefully we will get back to MI in warmer weather so I can go barefoot in it. Last time I was there in August '06 for Greg and A's wedding the grass was amazing!!! Some of the boys played football barefoot in it. 

Part of the fields with snow flurries blurring the picture. 

The next day we went around Michigan State's Campus. Everyone in the car pointed out the Beaumont Street sign. Whoop! Go Beaumont. State has a Beaumont Tower on campus. I did not see it. I do not know what it is about. But I like it. 

Next we headed to Delta Township to go see the GM Plant Uncle Brian works at. GMC Acadia Denali and Buick Enclaves are built there. I mean I do love looking at brand new cars. Seeing them put together on the assembly lines was the coolest thing ever, and I mean LIKE EVER!!! Shiny, fancy, luxury vehicles being put together was like watching "How it's Made" but of course way better. Dan wants a Buick Enclave now. I have never heard the words "Buick" and "want" in the same sentence from that guy and now that's all I will hear till I die. 

Before we went into the plant we put on ring guards and watch covers and belt buckle whatevers so we had no scratchy things that could hit one of the pretty vehicles on our tour.  

I even put some on my purse. When Uncle Brain looked at the hardware on the straps of it, he just laughed and kind of "guffawed" at me. Hardware is in right now. My bad for being trendy. 

We made our way through what looked to me like George Orwell work turnstiles. Big Brother was allover this. 

I did not take anymore pictures past the people-counting-gate because I did not want to mess with their security. These are borrowed pictures I collected from the Google machine. The plant was enormous!!! 

Source credit: http://www.informationweek.com/galleries/showImage?galleryID=193&articleID=208700771 

Here is an older model but the set up here is what we saw. The moving platform, cool people in normal clothes, tons oh machines and stools and computers and fast hands. 

 Source Credit: http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f18/gmc-acadia-denali-headed-dealers-95788/

After the coolest tour I have ever been on, we followed uncle Jeff to meet Frank, a Jeep enthusiast. We had to go through Potterville to get there. Potterville is famous for being "The Only Gizzard City in the World". Yep. The sign says so below.

On Saturday, the morning of the wedding, we all went to the new art museum on campus. The art inside was super cool. There were several exhibits I could have stared at all day. BUT the building itself was a slap in the face to the beautiful school's traditional architecture.  

I couldn't believe they put it on campus. It looked like a spaceship. Mike suggested that Gillette may have been a sponsor. Maybe the razor company is coming out with a sextuple blade in Sparty green. lol JK. But you just might've severely sliced yourself if you got near the outside walls.

 All I could think is that if they put something like this on my beautiful LSU campus I would be super upset.

 I'm not saying I am an art person but I really do enjoy viewing art. Museums are great escapes for the public. We didn't even get charged to go inside, they just asked for donations which was really cool and approachable. I like that art can make you uncomfortable. I like that is is a stitch in time. I like meeting artists and hearing about why they did what they did. But honestly, to put this building on State's campus is a huge 50 MILLION DOLLAR waste of money. Moving on.  

Here is a shot of all of us at a super cool 3D video piece. The artist somehow pulled movie clips from hundreds of famous movies and pieced them all together in 3D and called it the End of The World. It was amazing!!! 

Later we tried to get onto the football field. I really wanted to lay down on it. We failed but it was a fun adrenaline rush getting as close as we did. The next day the crew that didn't fly out (meaning everyone but Dan and I) got a legit tour of everything!! Uncle Jeff got the hookup!  Yes, I'm jealous but I'm really glad they got to do it. The alums deserve it!!  

Wedding time! The Catholic Chapel backed up to the Red Cedar River that runs through campus. The stained glass windows were super cool. You can see the Sparty "S" in the pic below. Well maybe YOU can't because the picture is so small, but just take my word for it.

Anna's veil was so gorgeous. 

Jill looked beautiful. This picture does not do her justice. 

Action shot on the way out! 

Da Bears

I went all paparazzi on Anna to get all angles of her dress. And what came out here is a funny little flip book of Anna walking around waiting for her jacket, prepping for their receiving line and Ryan being a sweet new husband trying to negotiate her train. Enjoy.

Look at those shoes!! I want!

THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!!!

She got to put on her super cute jacket! 

...And the receiving line began. 

 I think I need to send those pictures to Anna. Talking to her the night before I totally fell in love with her. She is super cool and vivacious and a breath of fresh air. I think she would love the pictures above :) I think they would both find them too cute. Plus the lighting was good with the overcast sky.

The getaway car.

I believe it was Ryan's younger brother Trevor who put these hearts on the headlights. The first heart didn't work out so he made it a kitty. That one is my favorite. 

The reception area was so cool to have options for the party like the mood lights. Go GREEN! Go WHITE! 

Blurry, my bad. It was yummy. Spice cake and marble were the options. I had the spice. Such a good winter treat! 

The menu. The food was sooooooo gooooddddd!!!! 

The favor. Chocolate and mallows. Just add warm milk.

The head table

I made Dan channel Grandpa Bear and wear suspenders. He was all about it, thank goodness, because he looked great! 

All of the speeches were really, really good. Funny, mature, insightful, and just plain awesome. Below is a picture of the Father of the Bride addressing everyone. He talked about milestones as Anna grew up. Ones that make you happy and ones that make you anxious. This wedding was a milestone that made him happy. When she drove away in a car for the first time, that was anxious. When he dropped her off at her dorm, anxious. But her wedding made him happy because he liked Ryan so much. What a sweet daddy!!  

Jill being gorgeous.

Uncle Chuck is fun to sit with. I dared him to heat up his mallows with the table candle so he did. Then he added some of the fudge for a make shift smore. 

Then he shared one with his eldest Annabelle. That's a fun family. I'm glad we got to sit with them! 

Dan and Momo

The four of us had a fun late night experience. I have learned where the liquor cabinet is at the ranch. We dusted off a bottle and took it down, and I mean we LITERALLY dusted off a bottle lol.

It was a really great wedding. Anna and Ryan have super cool friends that danced the night away. It was a great trip that I'm super glad we got to go! 

Lily Beans

So while I was sick I got to have some quality time with Lily. I learned she toots quite alot. Her toots are quite potent. I learned that no matter how well I think I prepped the house before I leave she will find something to destroy. She smells pretty bad. She got a bath. 

Lily as a nun/white haired Bob marley

Lily gets uncomfortable. Lily versus the iRobot. iRobot wins. 

 Lily gets an empty bag that held popcorn. 

Bag got turned inside out. That dog is good. And determined. 

Rain, Rain Go Away

Last week during the deluge of rain I was home sick for most of it. I gots the bronchitis. So in between doctor's visits and rereading the Hunger Games trilogy (Yes, I read all three last week. Obsessed.) I ventured out to document the flood prone areas of our yard. Dan wants to dig drainage and add rocks and whatever else to avoid these collections of water on the regular. 

The previous owners left that mop bucket in the barn when they moved. I scrubbed it up and leave it in the car port most days. But thanks to the wind tunnel there it always ends up strewn across the yard like that. Whatever. You can see the water in the back ground...and it looks like Dan's mustang is sinking. Which it very well might be. I'm not sure he will be able to get it out of that position until it dries up. I did move the mop bucket back to its carport home. 

 My poor flowers were drowning :( 

The pond and the back there aren't an issue. I just wanted to take a picture.  The pond has a pipe that lets the overflow go to the land behind us. Dan may want to eventually fix the drainage in the back area since his latest idea is to plant a 16th century strand of wheat for us to grow and make bread with. I'm not sure who he thinks is going to be preparing that wheat for bread but...whatever. Maybe when we retire after winning the lottery. We'll send you a loaf. 

This.. this right here is a problem. This is a Defcon color/number that means it's serious. 

Let Me Clear My Throat!

I really love party music. Give this girl a good beat and she will bust a move, either breaking it down with a mean robot or a good shoulder shake. I know you feel me on this one. 

Please enjoy this Youtube from Jimmy Fallon, Justin Timberlake, and music played by the Roots. If this was available on iTunes I would have already bought it.

Sometimes I daydream about memorizing this kind of stuff and performing it in front of my family. It's like the grown up version of the times I made Rollerblade routines with my sister and we performed it on our deck for our parents. Too cool for school. 

Mardi Gras Season Has Already Begun!!

35 Days till Mardi Pardi 2013!!

I feel so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement that I cannot put enough exclamations points at the end of this sentence so I will not even end it (nope, not doing it)

Mardi Gras Season is in full swing, baby! The hotty toddies of The South are making the rounds to their favorite (invited to) balls and I am smokin' jealous! Beautiful times, family and friends, loud noises and flashing lights, all dressed up in tuxes and ball gowns. 

One of these days I'd like to go big and have a bunch of us roll down to NOLA for the weekend. We will set up a tent on good ol' St Charles Ave and snack on g-free foods and sip on drinks all the day long while we catch beads and make friends with the locals. 

Below is the highlight reel for my fav times out in NOLA. I am proud to say I have celebrated with a parade a few times. 

2012 SETX MG-It poured rain most of the time but who cares 

2011 SETX MG-It was beyond cold but who cares

2010 Nola Dimanche Gras-we had to work the next day in Texas but who cares

2009 Nola

We do not talk about 2008.

2007 did not happen for me. But I was there in spirit. 

2006 STP and Nola baby's first MG. When it's your first you need ALL the beads you can get. 

I would really like a picture with YOU this year for Mardi Gras!!

There is a chance that I can get you on a float with me for the Southeast Texas Mardi Gras in Port Arthur. No it is not the historic parades of New Orleans but I can promise you it can be as dirty and gross and fantastic. Also being on the float side of things is an experience in and of itself.  

How does that sound?! COME ON! 

Mardi Gras SETX

Mardi Gras New Orleans

Eye On A Tiger

LSU is so fortunate to have a live tiger mascot, Mike VI. I stand by the University's position of keeping Mike and treating him like gold. 

Below is a video I think anyone can enjoy. It highlights the day in the life of one of Mike VI's three caretakers. She is a such a smart, hardworking Vet Student! 

Link to LSU's Eye on a Tiger Episode One Article

New Year's Party

I am happy to report that New Year's 2013 is so far so great! The party with the family went off quite nicely and I feel confident in saying that everyone had a good time. 

Here are some before and during shots plus a few videos to include you in on the fun. Thank you, Joan for sending me your videos and pictures to make this post way bettah! 

To prepare for the big party Dan bought sand to fill in potential trip hazards to and from the barn. He texted this picture to me one day while I was at work. I was very jealous. At that moment I would have rather been shoveling sand than pushing paper. They don't pay me because it's fun.

We bought a propane flame throwing to clear the brush/weeds around the pond. It really did a bang-up job. Everything looks so nice out there. Unfortunately the smoke did a number on Dan's lungs. Next time he will wear a mask. Lesson definitely learned.

The house really came together. I wanted a ton of different things for my guests to look at. This is the photo op wall with numbers to pose with. 

My mom brought all of her LSU paraphernalia complete with purple (pink) lights. She took over for the game. 

Table-scape with candies and party accessories. 

Dad silently sat by as mom took over. You can almost see him rolling his eyes. I sure was.

It was a cold and rainy day. Luckily we knew this a week out and were ready for the poor weather. Before the storms hit and the LSU game started we all headed out to light the bonfire. Dan did use his new propane famle thrower to light it. That thing worked like a charm. I had to play the Aggie War hymn in the background. It only seems right when that many Aggies gather around a bonfire to play their theme song. I am a sucker for tradition and I have totally adopted theirs. We all stayed near the fire, some with umbrellas and some without, to let it dry out semi soaked outfits. 

I just love our group pictures!!! We look so cute!!

Then the boys...us girls made them put on top hats and other party gear, they tried to resist but ended up taking out their frustrations by acting goofy. Works for me. 

LSU played Clemson that evening. Dan agreed to wear the feathers if I put on my helmet. Little did he know I would wear the helmet regardless. I win. 

I just knew I would have a crowd of fun sock wearers!!! I literally called each girl out by name and they did not disappoint: Kelly, Ari, Kameron and I rocked out! 

Gran-gran with his girl dog Lexi. Lexi did not make friends with Lily, despite Lily's best efforts. I think after all the growling Lexi did Lily started to growl back thinking this was the way to best communicate with her. 

Celia and Chris came over in time to watch the end of the game and spend the rest of the evening with us. My confetti partner was there!!

LSU ended up losing the game, sadface, but we all rallied and headed out for some fireworks. Compliments of our friends Greg and Kritsy. It was raining the whole entire time, some heavy bouts but always constant rain. My dad, Dan, and I took turns lighting and running into the barn. I hope everyone enjoyed watching me look like a complete fool, a wet rat, wearing heavy boots, acting confident as I would light the fuse then completely flip my lid once the fuse caught I would run like a banchee into the barn. 

           

Dan and I looked quite awful after the rain/firework fest. I should have changed my clothes but the show must go on. 

Just before midnight a few of us headed to the porch for a few rounds of ladder ball. Ari beat everyone. Which is typical. Ari has a knack for party games. 

When the clock struck twelve the house erupted in cheers! 

Dan the man took the stage for his second annual machete chop champagne bottle opening. He is getting quite good a this. 

Silly Sisters. 

Tia hid in the guest room. Her safe place from loud firework sounds and scary people. 

After midnight we went from one bear to another.

We always need confetti so a few of us went to laugh and scream and toss confetti and the rest came out to watch the craziness. We always mean to entertain. 

Thanks to everyone who made it to the party. It was a lot of fun to prep for and enjoy. Here's to a happy, healthy, and holy 2013!!