BABY PAGEL!!!!!!

YES!! The time is here-- we are having a BABY!!!



Right after the test actually gave me a positive sign!!



I wanted a belly shot from when I first found out so I could track my belly growth-- so this is me at 4 weeks along.... obviously more belly pictures to come as I hit more landmarks and as I get bigger!



I made these frames and took a picture of my positive stick to give to our parents! They both were shocked and SO happy to be Grandparents again!! Now, from us, they have a Grand Cat, Grand Dog, and as they called it- a Grand Stick! :)

On the "feeling" part- I'm feeling pretty darn good-- Pam said she had morning sickness right away and heart burn- but my mom said she really didn't have much of that- a little morning sickness here and there-- so let's hope things go like that for me. (Feel bad for Jenae- she followed in her mom's footsteps)I am feeling bloated and have those "uterus is growing" feelings- basically feels like a dull cramp- and the chest area is a bit tender-- but I'm sure as the weeks continue to pass I'll be experiencing more and more symptoms. Any advice is welcome!

We are SOO excited and we should be expecting our little bundle of joy around January 4th.

Meet Lauren Marie Dissmeyer

Meet the newest member of the family Lauren Marie Dissmeyer- Tasha and Joe's baby girl.

She was born on April 25 at 12:42am, 9 pounds 3 ounces, 21 inches long.

Tasha did an amazing job and everyone is doing well.

Here is Lauren and her dark head of hair



And Grandma Lisa holding her first Grandbaby

Joey Playing

Having a puppy is just like having a baby in the house---when it's play time he has to take all of his toys out of his little puppy toy box and spread them all over the living room- just like a baby-- I guess this is good training! :)




I call this his toddler years-- he is getting so big so fast!!

Joey's New Tricks

Nap Time

This past Saturday we got to babysit Mr. Landon for a few hours in the afternoon- lucky for us we had him over his nap time so I thought I'd join him- and then Joey thought it looked like a pretty good idea too!

Our Honeymoon Cruise to the Caribbean

Well- We are back from our week long cruise to the caribbean for our honeymoon. We had a BLAST!! The weather was amazing- the food was delicious and the relaxation is greatly missed.

Well- we started out in Miami which is where our boat took off from and first sailed to Puerto Rico. Here I am in San Juan - our Carnival boat is the Victory- it's the one behind me with the blue lights- 11 stories high!



In San Juan we just walked around and looked at stuff-- the streets were rather dirty but the buildings were beautiful.



Then we stopped at the island of St. Maarten where we decided to do an excursion. We took a boat ride out to a shipwrecked cove and went snorkling. We got to see some shipwrecks and a ton of fish- the only downside was how salty that water really is- you'll never believe it until you've experienced it- but it was fun to actually swim in the ocean as I've never done that before.

Here is the boat we went on.


Then here are a couple pictures of the island- very beautiful.




Then our final stop was at the island of St. Thomas were we took a taxi over to Coki beach and laid in the sun and jumped in the waves- it was a nice relaxing day.





Here is the sunset off the back of the boat while in port at St. Thomas and some sail boats that were in the bay enjoying the beautiful scene.





We did spend 4 days on our amazing boat- Carnival Victory- it was 11 stories high- had a ton of fun bars to enjoy, a Caribbean Lounge where all the shows and a lot of the activities took place, 3 pools, a ton of hot tubs, a water slide, gym, and spa- which we did enjoy on the first full day as it rained- massages and facials were the perfect thing to get us relaxing!

This is looking down over the bar area on the 3rd floor in front of our dining room- this was more of a classy bar where they had a Piano Man most of the nights- but also some string players a few of the nights.



Then here are some photos off the top deck where we tanned a lot- it was beautiful to look out and see only ocean!



The boat was full of WONDERFUL staff-- and of course I had to have my picture taken with them....

Me with the Piano Man



Me with our assistant waiter in the formal dining room


Here is our head waiter in the formal dining room- by the way- BEST food we've EVER had!!



Me with our assistant Cruise Director- Big Sexy is what he liked to be called


And our main Cruise Director- George during the day- and Jorge at night!



They kept us busy on the boat- we went to a lot of the afternoon activities that went on- we went to 5 sessions of BINGO- then I got up on stage and played Game Show Trivia where I won a medal- and Taylor got on stage for The Match Game- he won a 24K Plastic Piece of Ship on a Stick- that's what they called it!



And the formal nights were a LOT of fun-- here is us on our first formal night- the Captain's Dinner-- the second formal night was our farewell dinner.



And then what vacation wouldn't be complete without the different towel animals that got placed on our bed each night!! We had a complete group of an Eskimo, Seal, Elephant, Dog and Swan!







We had a wonderful time and we hate being back at work- but at least spring time is just around the corner and we have the summer to look forward to! And we do have to admit- we REALLY missed our Joey and Tigger-- Joey grew over our week of being gone- 3 pounds!! Now we are settling back in to life again and raising our little boys! :)

Joey

Taylor and I decided to make and addition to our family...... we just got a puppy!! He is a lab husky mix from the Miller boys. His name is Joey!!

As a puppy- 7 1/2 weeks old- he sleeps most of the day.... his favorite place is right next to me on the couch---- so cute!

And while Joey sleeps- Tigger can finally relax and take a nap too! Actually, I'm pretty surprised how Tigger is handling everything- we let them meet slowly and kept Joey upstairs while Tigger just kind of watched from a distance and followed Joey around for the first night. Today being home all day with both of them its been funny seeing Joey trying to get Tigger to play with him and Tigger just kind of shrugging him off. Some day I know they will be BEST buds!

Here is Joey playing around and Tigger keeping a safe distance from behind the microwave box... He is just a little guy now- but we are projecting him to be around 50-70 pounds when he is all grown up.

Life sure will be different- but we've already made our special bond and love him to pieces-- how could you resist this cute face!!!

3-Peat 3-Peat 3-Peat

YES!! We did it again! We captured that State Championship Blue Medal! The girls did outstanding on Friday at both prelims and finals and they peaked at the PERFECT time and nailed their dance and took home what was rightfully theirs!

State Champions for the third year in a row baby!

3-PEAT!!!!

National Anthem

Cannon Falls has just been given the honor of singing the National Anthem at the State Tournament on Friday at Noon.

Our singers include:

Bradi Smith- my cousin

Sam Stiehl

Lauren Stiehl

Andrea Schiebe

Dana Banitt

Tess Pfohl

Only 4 teams were chosen to allow singers to sing the anthem and we were one of them! Congratulations girls!!!

Section 1A Champions!!!!

Ok- first off-- I'll explain the outfits-- every year for Sections and State the coaches get a cute matching outfit--- this year we tricked the girls- we showed up in the morning with matching red fleece pants and sweatshirts (kind of looked like PJ's)-- and they honestly thought that that was our outfit for Sections and State-- WELL-- after we got done marking our dance we ran to the bathroom and put on these Sassy outfits!! So- we are all decked out for Sections and State!!!

So-- sections was this past weekend and we are the now 4x Defending Section Champions!!! And it was by a landslide!2nd place- Plainview was 48 points behind us! We really rocked the floor! BUT- the girls said that they didn't feel like they peaked AT ALL- they said they could have kicked higher or done something better-- which I was happy to hear that- I didn't want them to peak at sections-- So- now we are headed to the Xcel Energy Center on Friday, February 16 to STATE!!!! The girls are planning to hit their PEAK of the season at State and that is what I KNOW they can do!!! Our top competitors- in my mind- will be- New Ulm Cathedral, Montevideo, and Yellow Medicine East- probably with us included will be the top four teams in Class A in the state.

Our qualifier round starts right at Noon- and finalists are announced at 1:45- then we have a break while AA and AAA teams dance and Finals will be at 5:45 where the top 6 from qualifiers will dance again. Come and cheer us on to our Three-Peat!!! Doors open at 11:15!!

** The Task Ahead of you is Never as Great as the Power Behind You! **

Come and be the POWER behind the Cannon Falls Bomber Dance Team!

5K Run

Well- Since my mom, aunt, and cousins are working hard to be healthy and stay in shape- I've been asked to take part in another adventure. My friend Megan has always wanted to run a 5K marathon- and she has decided this is the year to do it as she is getting married this October and there is no better time to get in shape! She needed a running and training partner and she has asked me to join her. Running a marathon I guess wasn't something that I had on my list of things to do in my lifetime- but now that I have been asked it has now become something that I would really like to accomplish as well.

We haven't finalized our decision quite yet on which race we want to run- but we do know it will be sometime in May or June- so we have begun our training! I was in track for 3 years so running isn't that big of a deal for me-- granted I'm pretty out of shape but I've done it before- Megan wasn't a runner in high school but she enjoys getting in a good workout- which makes us a really good team. She motivates me to keep up on our training and to make sure we actually follow through with it- and I motivate her to keep up a good pace and to push herself. Together we make the perfect match!

I'll keep you posted on our adventure! Wish us luck!!

Support my Mommy

My Mom is part of the team Dubar Dolls for the Walk Against Breast Cancer. My Aunt Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in August and 2 months after that my Gramps- their dad- passed away from lung cancer and then 3 months after that my Grams- their mom- passed away suddenly from a stroke. So my mom, Kris, and Michelle along with my cousins Heidi and Angie have decided to do the 3-day 60 mile walk for breast cancer to help others out and to empower themselves as women and all of us as a family.

Please support them in their journey-- I've nominated myself as their #1 Cheerleader and will do whatever it takes for them to reach their goals to make their walk possible. They each need to raise $2,200 in donations in order to participate in the walk- they have already begun training and have stocked their closets with the appropriate shoes, socks, and walking materials. So please help them out in helping out other women around the world.

Click the link Dubar Dolls on my page and it will direct you to their blog of their adventure and you will find their donation links on there as well.

Our family thanks you greatly for your donations, support and prayers.

God's Peace!

-Mindi Kay

DANCE

OK-- I haven't posted about dance in two weeks-- so an update on who we've been doing.....

On the 20th we were at Waconia- we danced against some teams that we know we'll see at state and the girls went out there and performed beautifully!! And took home first place!! We FINALLY beat New Ulm-- by 18 points too!!!

Then this weekend we were up against them again--- we had a sick team-- we had two girls miss 3 days of practice- and right before we went on we had 4 girls that thought they were going to get sick-- but they pushed through it-- but because they weren't feeling too well we had 2 pretty big mistakes and that energy and spark that was there on the 20th wasn't there this weekend- so New Ulm beat us--- BUT-- we had tied with our rank points- so they had to break the tie and we only lost by 2 total points--- and New Ulm HIT their dance and danced it VERY well--- so I was glad to know that we only lost by 2 when we know we didn't hit it and we had sick girls and they nailed their dance--- We call this DEFENSE-- we get them to think that they can beat us- so when it comes to state and our girls are healthy and NAIL their dance - victory will be that much sweeter!!!!

We are dancing on Monday- the 29- at the High School for parents night and then we have this weekend off- we will be at Sections in Zumbrota on the 10th- and then State is the 16th-- the season is almost over!

Grams

My Grams- what a wonderful woman. She wasn't just a Grams to me- she was my next door neighbor- my second Mom- my best friend. Oh, the conversations we would have about life and how it can't be easy all the time- if it was- we wouldn't appreciate the good times as much. She would give me a hug and tell me that I can handle it- but I just have to buck up and take charge. And those words from Grams are words and conversations that I will cherish now for the rest of my life. She was so giving and caring. She would do anything to help me out. Cooking dinner when I didn't have time to get something together. Giving me groceries for helping her out when she knew we needed it the most. Being there to give me a hug when even mom was to far away. She was my little Grams and always will be- the best Grams a girl could ever have. I know she is in a better place now and I know she is hugging Nikki and Danny and Gramps and playing cribbage and I'm sure a few games of war with Nikki as her and Gramps always did with me when I came to visit. I know she is in a better place as she was missing Gramps deeply- but I just thought we'd get to keep her for a little bit longer. I still have tupperware in my dishwasher that I needed to return and we had a few more conversations to have before I moved. At least I can move without worry now- as sad as it is. I was so worried about who would be there to take out her garbage and carry up her groceries and I was planning on visiting every Sunday when I would come to clean. But now there is no worry- and I know she is in a happy place looking down on all of us- telling us that its ok to cry because we miss her and its no ones fault that she is gone- it was just her time- she had a wonderful life and brought joy to all who knew her. She had accomplished what she was put on this earth to do and she would want us to know that. She would want us to cherish our memories with her and know that she will be with us for the rest of our lives in our hearts and will be watching down on all of us with Gramps and guiding our every step. They are together again and for that- I am happy for her.

I love you Grams- and I know you know that- Both Grams and Gramps I hope you know all of the love you brought to our family. We will keep you both in our hearts forever.

Progress on the house

Well--- we are getting there!! The walls are ALL painted- besides my bathroom- and we cleaned all the carpets- they eventually need to be replaced- but for now we know the carpets are clean and we'll update them as we can afford to.... getting a new house can sure be spendy! :)

Here I'm painting the some-day-to-be workout room-- overalls and all!!!

YES--- THAT'S M + T--- so cute!!!

Here is our dining room before with the wood paneling--

Our big window in our dining room- with the wood paneling-- so 70's!

We took the wood paneling off to see what we could do--- it came off pretty badly-- so we had to do something other then just painting it....

OK-- So I have to tell a quick story-- Taylor wanted to get wainscoting or beadboard- whatever you want to call it-- so we thought all we could afford was the cheaper sheets of paneling of the wainscoting so he went to Menards to price it out- when he got there he couldn't believe his eyes-- the most expensive- really good quality beadboard was on sale for $5.35-- normally that stuff is over $12 for a pack of 6 - 5 inch pieces.... so he HAD to take advantage of this good deal so he grabed enough for the dining room and proceeds to check out-- it rang up the $12+ at the register and Taylor asked the guy why because there was a sign that said $5.35- so they sent someone to do a price check-- they came back and asked Taylor how much he said it was and he told him-- and the guy said-- well- you are right-- it was mismarked but we have to give it to you for that price!!! YEAH TAYLOR-- GOOD CATCH DUDE!!!

So- here's our beautiful beadboard!! We have to freshen it up with white paint as its only primed- but we'll get that done once we get a little more settled.

Here is the view of our kitchen from the dining room-- its pretty messy but the cabinets are airing out as we cleaned them and lemon oiled them to make them look fresh again- but its a pretty nice sized kitchen!

Here is our upstairs living room right off the dining room- walls painted- carpets cleaned

Here is our upstairs living room- top of the stairs- hall way- and great built in- we were cleaning the carpets some more...

Here is our bedroom- walls are a Cocoa Cream--it matches our bedspread!

We have two closets in EVERY bedroom! Which ROCKS!! I get the big one- the other one is Taylors... but we have wonderful Closet Maid in there to help keep up organized

Just a different view of our bedroom- we put in this ceiling fan :)

This room we are calling the nursery-- and NO-- I'm not pregnant right now- but we figured since we were painting we might as well paint it this subtle green color now so that when we use it as a nursery it is already gender neutral ready- for now- we are keeping our futon in there

Here is another view of the nursery-- two closets in here as well--TWINS someday--MAYBE-- my bathroom closet is being stored in here right now-- hehe

Alright- here is my bathroom, it's a work in progress- luckily- this was the only room with wallpaper- but they didn't put it on right- so taking it off was a PAIN- Taylor's mom and dad worked on it FOREVER! And now we have to re-texture the walls before we can go any further- so we are going to get that done this next weekend then I'll be able to use it!

Here is down the steps and looking into our entry way- on the way out to the garage...

Here is the garage-- it measures 18.5 feet- meaning a two car garage- but they only put a single door on there...strange... well- it will hold my car and Taylor's motorcycle- and we'll have plenty of room to work in there.

Here is a little cubby in our garage for more work space and storage- its a pretty nice size garage

Alrighty- let's head downstairs....

OK- so this is the FIRST thing you'll see when you do down the stairs.. TOTALLY RETRO-- a lighted window box-- I'll have to display a cool photo or something neat here- something that deserves its very own LIGHT!! LOL-- Its cool though~ Bet you don't have one of these in your house! HAHA

OK-- here is our REALLY bad carpet- RED SHAG- and it isn't pretty-- so we are going to be replacing this right away-- we are in the process of getting the carpet chosen....

Here is our downstairs living room- which is our holding room as we cleaned the rest of the carpets-- that maroon- it was paneling as well- well it still is- but we filled the cracks with putty and painted it-- gives it that warm feeling down there and will match our big chair nicely.

Here is our office-- the carpet is plaid-- we were planning on replacing it right away- which is why we painted it blue-- now we aren't going to replace it right away- so it doesn't quite match in there right now-- but it will all match eventually....

Here is our storage under the stairs-- LOTS of space!

Here is our guest bedroom so we have plenty of room for any visitors at any time! We have Grams' old king size bed for our guests-- so feel free to come for a sleepover!!

This room actually has THREE closets!! So if you come for an extended amount of time-- we've got closet space!

This 4th bedroom we call the workout room-- we are eventually going to get a sweet little home gym set up down there!

This room also two closets! Crazy huh!

OK-- So--I made a MAJOR OOPS!! And this was at the time when we thought we were getting all new floors-- dang it! I split some paint!! Luckily, its the workout room downstairs and its not going to be much of anything as of right now- and we are planning on putting in some floating wood floors in this room (better for the equipment to sit on) so for now-- I'll have to put a rug over it. OOPS!

So- to finish up with my photo tour-- here is Taylor's bathroom downstairs-- I'm SO excited to not have to share a bathroom with a BOY anymore! Boy's are gross! HEHE :) Actually- Taylor's pretty clean-- but boys can just make nasty smells in the morning when I'm trying to do my hair- ick! I know- too much information :) LOL

Here is his bathroom from the other view- we both have closets in our bathrooms too! Closet Maid to save the day!!

Well- you've seen the laundry room already before-- so that's our home!! I'll post once we get furniture in there and things are more settled in. We are officially going to be living in there on January 29- so feel free to stop by- we enjoy company! It's a work in progess- we know what our final ending project is going to be someday and we are just taking the steps a new homeowner must take to eventually get there- however long it takes us... we'll get there sooner or later.....

PS- do I get the award for the LONGEST post EVER!! LOL :)