Riverboat Cruise and Minnetonka Orchards

Every fall, there is a Riverboat Cruse hosted by ASDA {American Student Dental Association}. It starts in St. Paul and cruises for a few hours down the Mississippi. It's always fun to have an excuse to dress up and of course, it's great to see friends! Summers are always busy, so this event officially kicks off dental events for the year. Last year, we went with our friends/neighbors the Conroys. This year they weren't able to join, as they just welcomed their new daughter, Kelly Adeline, a few days prior! She is so adorable and both her and momma are doing great :) Anyways, we headed off to the cruise and like last year, tried to go to Cossetta's Pizzeria before getting on. Like last year, the line was insanely long and we defaulted to Jimmy Johns. Oh well. The boat cruise was so much fun and it was a blast seeing all of our friends again. I've said it before, but we are seriously so blessed with amazing friends that dental school has brought our way. It was also fun meeting some new D1 students and spouses. It's crazy to think that Adam is an upperclassman now! Where did the time go? We talked and danced the night away and all headed to McGovern's Pub in St. Paul afterwards. It was another night for the books and one I'll never forget. I don't have many pictures, as Adam had to carry my phone in his pocket, but I do have one cute one of us! 

On that next Sunday, it was gorgeous out. I really wanted to find an orchard to visit and Adam was a great sport. Minnetonka Orchards was the closest to our apartment, so we headed out Saturday afternoon. They had a corn maze, pumpkin patch, giant hay bales and toy train cars for kids to climb on. A short walk away brought you to the actual orchards and apple festivities. They had tracker rides, a petting zoo, live music, an apple donut hut, a store selling anything apple your heart could dream of and a man making fresh pressed apple cider {he let kids help}. We decided on a half a dozen apple mini donuts and fresh chilled apple cider. The apple donuts were honestly the best donuts we've ever had. We went over to a sitting area that looked over the entire orchard and enjoyed our treats. We sat next to a couple and their infant son and a few rows away was a mother and her three kids. The mother stood up and asked the couple next to us to take their picture. They started talking {we overheard} and they soon found out that their son was named Adam and the mother's youngest was a five week old named Eve. Adam and Eve, meeting in the apple orchard. It gave everyone a laugh and was cute to listen to :) It couldn't have asked for a better afternoon with my handsome hubby. 

Cider Pressing!

this is what happens when you don't have children...

We will returning for these, if nothing else

Hellos and Goodbyes

To say I've been behind on blogging wouldn't be particularly new, so I'll just jump right into our life happenings. First off, this fall has been wonderful. I feel as though it's a little apology from God for the rainy weekends/months we had this summer. Apology accepted, because the weather and colors have been remarkable these past few weeks! There have been some big changes happening in the lives of our families lately and each comes with it's own complicated set of emotions. However, underneath every change is the knowledge that God is good. God knows our desires, wishes, troubles and prayers. He knows better than anyone where we are supposed to be and when timing is right. Good things are happening, so let's get down to business.

First off, Alyssa and Michel have started their transition to Texas! Michael grew up in Texas, and moving back there someday has always been in the cards for them. It's been on their hearts for years, but the timing never quite felt right for them to make the move. Job promotions, exciting new opportunities and simply life had always seemed to keep them in Minnesota. Well, signs started pointing to this fall being the time to go and Alyssa has officially started her journey south {this morning to be exact!}. Michael will continue his job in Minnesota and move down with her after Alyssa finds work in the Austin area. She has several interviews lines up for Social Work positions and theres no doubt in my mind she will get one of them. She's smart, personable and passionate about what she does. If I could wrap up all our friends and family, make them live within a 10 mile radius of us forever, I would. Okay, that is probably a bit unrealistic, but I like the idea. It's sad to see them go, but this is the next chapter of their story. And it's going to be a great one. We can't wait to see all the wonderful things unfold for them in the next few months. Plus, Austin will be a great winter getaway ;) We had a fun going away party for Alyssa {and Michael} on Thursday at Pizza Luce in Hopkins. Adam's whole family came down from Fargo and we all met up for dinner and drinks. It was so much fun having everyone together. We talked about the big move, caught up with everyone, reminisced with funny Erickson children stories and laughed. I am very blessed to be a part of this family and this night was yet another subtle reminder. After dinner we headed over to Kip's Irish Pub, near their hotel, and spent another few hours chatting. A fun sendoff it was!

Brittani and Nate are staying in Minnesota! The story is a whirlwind and I'll do my best to summarize. Nate's contract with the Minnesota Wild ended after last season and he signed a new contract with the St. Louis Blues. This was for several reasons, but simply enough it was the best option for their family and his career. Nate was offered a two way contract with the St. Louis Blues, meaning the team would have the option of having him play for their NHL team in St. Louis, or their AHL {minor league} team in Chicago. If the team wished to send him to their AHL team, he would have to clear waivers. Now, waivers means that for a 24 hour period {prior to sending him to the AHL}, any team can pick him up- so long as they fulfill his current contract. In my understanding, this is to prevent teams from shipping players back and forth too many times. Well, Nate was 'on waivers' and guess who picked him up? The Wild. This was not expected in the least bit and everyone was in complete shock. The had been trying to sell their house and when they found out he was back with the Wild, off the market it went! I'll spare more details, but God definitely had a hand in their situation. What a lesson on being faithful and patient. We couldn't be more excited they're staying and are so grateful for the time we now get together over the next year...

October Updates

 I've been slacking on the blogging front! We've had an eventful few weeks in our household {apartment-hold?} and I'll recap as best I can in a few different posts.

A few weeks ago we went up north to the Erickson's cabin and had a wonderful time! On Saturday morning Adam, Tim, Julie and I headed to Fargo for some Bison Football tailgating! Before we got there, we stopped by Julie's new Designing Women 2 building. It was huge! So fun to see where she works and all of their beautiful pieces of furniture/artwork. The company Adam's dad works for, West Central Ag., bought and converted a massive trailer into a tailgater's dream. A few years back, the trailer made it's way down to the University of Minnesota when the Bison took on the Gophers. That was the first fall Adam and I started dating, so it feels like a lifetime ago! Well, the tradition of amazing food and drinks hasn't seemed to let up. They had prime rib, an open bar and so many other amazing grilled goodies. Grandma Jayne, Grandpa Ken, Julie and I walked up and down the tailgating rows looking at the crazy happenings. There were intricately painted buses, trailers, cars and more team spirit than I've ever seen before. It was so fun to see, as the University of Minnesota  never had quite that same enthusiasm. The weather was beautiful and it was so nice spending time with Adam's family. Rachel and Kyle even biked up and joined us for a bit! We headed back to Detroit Lakes just as storm clouds were rolling in and the game was about to start. A few volleyball friends of ours joined us Saturday evening at the lake and we had a great time hanging out with them through Sunday morning. After they left, we got to work on the docks. This always makes me sad. Summer is officially coming to a close :( After a few hours and one mangled dock later, we had it pulled out. It's safe to say it was the last time that dock will see water. What a fun weekend it was!

West Central Tailgating Truck

My first Bison shirt!

Grandma Jayne and Grandpa Ken

Our volleyball team, the Pocket Aces, lost in the championship game of our summer league. It was a sad ending, but we still had a great game and a lot of fun. We decided to take this fall off, so our next league will start in January! My basketball league and Adam's flag football league are going well. I forgot how different it was to be in volleyball shape vs. basketball shape. After my first game, I was sore for almost an entire week. It's so much fun though and I love reconnecting with teammates I played with in high school. Adam's football team has won every game so far! Like me, I'm sure he enjoys getting back into a sport that was once such a huge part of his life.

The following weekend, we headed up to my cabin to take in the docks. We're dock moving machines, us Ericksons. Okay, to be fair...it's mostly Adam. I'm great at managing and encouraging the real movers. It was fun being up at my cabin during the fall. The leaves were turning and everything looked so crisp and clean. Funny though, the weather that weekend was warmer and nicer than several weekends we went up there this summer! It was almost 80 on Saturday, which made taking the docks out bitter sweet. But, being born and bread Minnesotans, we all know what's right around the corner. Snow. Lots of snow. Our cabin was recently resided and it looks so wonderful! It's quaint and old, with a certain charm about it that I love so dearly. This update refreshes it, while still allowing it to be the same cabin we know and love.

The bunkhouse and garage {new shakes on the garage}

New shakes and siding!

More October updates to come :)

xo,
Courtni