Happy Anniversary Eve...

Kaleb and I will celebrate our 5 year anniversary
tomorrow December 18th.

Kaleb surprised me by coming home from work with these today.

Thank you, Kaleb.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY KAM!

My sister, Macie and her husband Vijai have
two beautiful girls: Meela and Kamryn.



Kamryn Louise turned one year old today!




Happy Birthday, Kamryn.


Auntie Ab and Uncle Kaleb love you!
I would say Bruise loves you too...but it's just not true.
He is just waiting for an opportunity to stalk and attack again.
Sorry! Love you!

Back in Business

OLD PHONE

I have a cell phone again...same number as before. Back in business! Yeah!

We weren't sure if my phone would be found...so one of our friends offered to sell me his old phone plus accesories for $25.00. Then we got a call from someone stating that they had found my phone and wondered if we were offering a reward for its return. I would give a reward...but I thought it was gutsy to ask for one! I was even more frustrated when the guy said he wanted a $50 reward! Kaleb said he would pay $20 to get the phone back. They arranged a meeting at a local gas station and Kaleb sat for a 1/2 hour and waited for the guy to show. Just as he was about to leave, the guy called Kaleb and said..."Well, I have your phone...but I will only give it to you for $40." Ummm...NO DEAL!

I would have loved to have my own phone back...with my calendar and contact list...however it irked me to pay the person that I am pretty sure stole my phone ANY amount of money! So, thanks to our friend Wolf for the new phone...which is better than my old one...just different. And I guess...thank you to the thief for only taking my phone and not my whole purse!

I'm trying to update my new contact list. I have most of my contacts because Kaleb has a very similar phone book list. However, if you don't think Kaleb has your number, or are not sure, feel free to email me your information! abbymae20@juno.com Thanks!!!

NEW PHONE

Shout out to Verizon: They have exceptional customer service! Very pleased!

Bah Humbug...

My cell phone got stolen today! Grrrr...I'm pretty sure it was taken right off the side of my purse while I was in the grocery store. If you need to call or text me...use Kaleb's number. I'll let you know if I am able to still have my old number when I figure out the new phone situation on Monday! Could have been worse...it wasn't my whole purse!

Merry Christmas

Thanks Jack and Lucy for helping us decorate our tree!
Merry Christmas Everyone!

Mullets and Girlfriends...

Kaleb has been a busy busy man. I got an email from one of his new co-workers in Connecticut today. Apparently when Kaleb was out there working they had fun with a mullet app on the guys i-phone.

Yeah....HOT, right? Hmmmm...maybe this is why Kaleb has a new girlfriend. As Katie said today during sacrament meeting, "Cassidy is in love with Kaleb." I'm sure she sees his inner mullet! Here are some pictures of Cass that uncle Kaleb took while entertaining her in sacrament meeting today. She is pretty cute!

Call me Betty

Kaleb's annual work Christmas party is fast approaching. Included in the festivities this year is a dessert contest. For those of you who know me well, you will be laughing at this point as you begin to picture ME entering a cooking/baking contest. I know, I know, a Betty Crocker cake mix cannot win this contest. However, if I have time, I don't absolutely hate to cook! :)

So with a bit of time on my hands during the next few weeks, I am going to try to come up with some fabulous dessert to enter in this contest. So...since my typical repertoire includes Jello No-Bake Desserts, from the box brownies and cookies, and the local Pick n' Save grocery bakery...I NEED YOUR HELP!

Please feel free to leave me any WINNING recipe's for desserts! Keep in mind that the magnet on my fridge says, "I have a kitchen because it came with the house." and the following may be helpful to me:

• Ingredients that I can recognize and find in a normal grocery store.
• Nothing that requires a candy thermometer...way too technical at this point.
• I do not have any fancy kitchen gadgets and don't plan on buying any!
  
• Something that evokes the holiday spirit.
• Something that appeals to a variety of people, tastes great, and looks beautiful! (I'm not asking for much, right?)

I'll keep you posted on my new adventure. And no worries...I will for sure give you credit if your recipe wins!!! Thanks!

Connecticut here we come.......

We have been blessed in more ways than one in the past few weeks. One of those major blessings is Kaleb's promotion to Sale's Manager with Carmax! I want to congratulate my husband on the realization of years of hard work, dedication, and patience. We feel very fortunate to be able to continue with such an amazing company.

Kaleb will be doing rotations in Milwaukee and Chicago over the next few months to complete his SMIT (sales manager in training) requirements. After the completion of the SMIT program we will be moving to Connecticut where Kaleb will take a position as a Sales Manager at the East Haven, CT store. It is estimated that this will occur sometime around the end of February/begining of March. I will need to stay in Milwaukee until the end of April to complete my coursework for a masters degree in counseling.

Cons of moving to Connecticut:

• Being a plane ride away from both sides of the family! (major bummer)

• Having to sell our first home. We have loved our first home and due to cost of living changes it doesn't look like there is any chance of home ownership in CT in the near future! It may be "back to paying rent" for us for a much smaller place with a much greater monthly payment in rent than our current mortgage.

• Leaving all of our friends in Milwaukee. We will miss each of you and we will miss this great city. (I'll even shed a tear for Miller Park...)

Pros of moving to Connecticut:

• Better budgeting! (salary vs. commision base wages...yeah!)

• Growth in Kaleb's career with a fabulous company that we LOVE!

• Lots of exciting internship opportunities for Abby to complete her Masters Program.

• Lots of anticipated visits from family who will want to see the new sites!

• Close proximity to New York City, Boston, Philidelphia, D.C, and many more new cities to explore. So many exciting opportunites for new experiences visiting historical sites, sports teams, the coast, and many many more fun adventures we are looking forward to!

• Living within an hour drive of Bristol, CT...the home of ESPN. Could Kaleb be any more excited??? I've been told that it is just a building...no visitors centers or tours...but being near this Mecca is apparently a dream come true.
  

Again, congratulations, Kaleb! We are excited for our new adventure! To all of our family and friends...start planning your vacations! We will have a ton of things to go and see...we won't have spare bedrooms...but small living spaces is a part of the east coast experience, right?

Back from CT

Note from the publisher. This is Kaleb. This is my first time publishing a blog post. If it sucks and I get the layout all wrong, sorry.

As some of you know, I've been out in Connecticut on a somewhat temporary assignment for my company. I've been trying to become a sales manager for CarMax. I went to Hartford and worked at the Hartford store for two weeks. Two days of the two weeks were spent at the East Haven store. I came back for a week and then went back and worked for a week at the East Haven store. I'd like to thank everyone in CT for my time and for the wonderful time that I had. I would also like to thank my wonderful wife, Abby, for her wonderful patience through this whole process. We'll get it all figured out one of these days. I'll keep everyone posted as to any updates as soon as I receive them.






FYI: It's about 45 min from the Hartford store to the East Haven Store. It's about 2 hours to Boston and 1 1/2 hours to NYC. It's $18 bucks to ride the train from North Haven to Grand Central Station in downtown NYC. Bristol is about 20 min outside of Hartford which is the home of ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports.

Chicago Temple Trip

Kaleb and I took a road trip yesterday with Katie and the kids. We took in a temple session and then watched the kids while Katie was at the temple. It was a fun trip and the kids were so great! I'll have to get the pics from the temple from Katie. Kaleb got a few on his phone when we took the kids to DQ for a treat. I wish we would have taken a picture of Cassidy drinking Lucy's slushy! The look on her face when the icee made it up the straw to her mouth was awesome!


Such beautiful blue eyes they all have! They couldn't be more adorable!!!



We also stopped on the drive home to have a Chicago style pizza with our friends Scott and Adrienne. By-the-way, Scott, Jack thinks you are an "awesome friend" because he got TWO gumballs!! What a fun day! Thanks guys!

AWE MAN...I TALK TO MY DOG!!!

Let me give you some background on this one. So I've had a really rough couple of weeks/months dealing with a seemingly endless migraine. I recently needed to leave my full time job and I've been basically home-bound for a few months. Yeah, fun.

Kaleb was recently out of town for a few weeks on business and would call each night to ask, "How was your day?". With the current situation, I really really dislike this question. When I've been stuck at home dealing with some primo pain what is my response supposed to be to this question? One evening, this is the conversation we had:

Kaleb: Hi, honey.

Me: Hey.

Kaleb: So, how was your day today?

Me: Oh, it was just great. (note the sarcasm)

Kaleb: No, I'm being serious, how was your day?

Me: I'm serious too...(freakout/rant to follow...) How do you expect me to answer this question? My day was crappy? I had to call in to work; I can't sleep for more than two hours at a time; I can't keep food down; I can't read-it hurts my eyes; I can't watch TV it makes my head spin; I feel useless; I'm drugged; I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING BUT WALK AROUND OUR DUMB HOUSE AND TALK TO YOUR DOG! Yeah, great day...how was yours?

*At this point I'm all worked up and pretty mad*

Kaleb: (laughing hysterically) Oh my gosh, that is the funniest thing you have ever said! You're talking to the dog all day! Ha!

This was a moment where Kaleb got away with totally dismissing my feelings...because, lets face it, I was ranting and it was pretty funny! Thankfully I got a good laugh out of it and now when Kaleb gets home from work he just asks if Bruiser told me any good stories today. *eye roll*

So yes, I talk to my dog. Thanks, Bruiser, for being a great listener! He really has been good company the past few months!

Stolen idea...

I will wholeheartedly admit that I stole this idea from my friend Adrienne. In my opinion, she has the best taste and sense of style...and I will therefore continue to steal ideas from her!

If/when Kaleb and I have kids, I LOVE this idea for a bedroom/playroom wall.....


I don't think Adrienne would mind if you check out her blog:Adrienne's Ideas. I'm looking forward to seeing the baby Berg nursery...and someday having a Berg inspired nursery of my own! Thanks for the ideas, Adrienne.

Thankful Thursday.....Ummmm Friday!

My happiest moment this week was when I opened Katie's blog and saw this.................

Cassidy, my niece, has the ability to make me smile anytime, every time! This picture captures her amazing personality to perfection. Really, she is always smiling like this. I love her.

In other thankful Thursday news...
*Congratulations to Scott and Adrienne. Happy Pregnancy!!!
*Here's to two new healthy babies and mommies: Tim and Sarah & Matt and Jenny. Congrats!

Made my day.....

Maybe it is a bit pathetic that this made my day...but it did! If you love dark chocolate (who doesn't???) give this Chili Cherry Chocolate a try. Pretty awesome.

September: Bdays, MN visitors, and Mission

September was full and again...I will poach a few pictures from Katie. Why do I have such an aversion to my camera?



Happy Birthday to Jack and Lucy! The turned 5 and 3 respectively and we had such a fun time at their birthday party!

Macie, Meela, and Kamryn traveled from Minnesota for the party weekend and we were so glad to have them stay for a few days!

Uncle Alex was able to come down for a night and participate in the party as well. Alex flew out to Provo, UT on the 15th and entered the MTC on the 16th. We wish Al all the best for the upcoming two year mission! Can't wait to start getting news from Knoxville, TN!!!

August-Phillips, WI

So much to catch up on! The Lindner side of the family had an awesome weeks vacation in Phillips, Wisconsin. It was one of those incredible weeks that we feel so blessed to be a part of. We all understand that getting all 7 of the kids and their families together in one place is something that is not easy to accomplish and we are so grateful for the moments when it occurs.



I was a little off my game as I was still in a drug induced state trying to pass a kidney stone during the first part of the week....I'm going to use this as my excuse for not taking out my camera even once during the entire week! Not a good excuse...there isn't a good excuse! Well, I will poach a picture from Katie and record my top 20 memories. Most may not make sense to those of you who were not there...but they are more for my remembrance...

1.
"Going to PHILLIPS!" -Meela as the Chairman
2.
Scanoe tipping x2: I thought it was impossible to tip a scanoe....
3.
Andy being way too excited to save Kaleb's life! I'm so sad I missed this picture...I still don't believe you!
4.
Baby Kam..do do dodo dodo
5.
And the Mountain Dew Moment goes to.......
6.
Picture this...me in a towel just after a shower...asking Kaleb to bring me a pair of socks so I don't have to walk across the gross carpet....Tony looking at me saying "Really! You are actually concerned about socks right now?" HA! (Had to be there, I know.)
7.
NKOTB concert. Thanks Katie.
8.
Saturday's Warrior Revival-prompts by Jake appreciated. Bre-we will have to reinact this for you as you were the inspiration! :)
9.
Dad as Rocky...only Dad could pull off this version of Rocky. (See opening picture!)

10.
Catch Phrase After Dark with CSH!
11.
Miranda and Jack leading campfire songs. "A f-f-f-f-furry Bear!"
12.
"IT'S A SAUSAGE STUFFER" -said at the top of my lungs in a very quiet antique store!
13.
An amazing sacrament meeting in the cabin. I'm so grateful for these moments with my family. The meeting was complete with choke holds by Meela and Lou!
14.
Frosted Mugs of Rootbeer on "Girl's Day". "If the service was swell, ring the bell!"
15.
Jake training Tony to pee from a boat. Fishing trips with my brothers are NEVER dull. "Take the Man Stance.....and look....NO HANDS!"
16. DO NOT use the slip and slide!!!
17.
Hangin' with Miranda @ the BP in downtown Phillips while Kaleb uses the free Wi-Fi to draft for Fantasy Football!
18.
Dad's amazing fish fry!
19.
A few great campfires thanks to Mom...the best Boy Scout in the family.
20.
"Abby...I NEED You!" -est. as the official slogan for the Abby Fan Club. To become a member you have to meet the following standards: 1. Love Dora 2. Have matching pinnk sunglasses 3. Be able to take down a box of tic tacs in one sitting 4. Be between the ages of 2 and 3 and be the cutese girls ever!

Ohhhh we should buy this....

Here is a downside to Kaleb working for Carmax....

I frequently get a text that says "Oh, I found a great deal...We should buy this!"

This is an actual picture he sent me this week....

How can I say no???? :)

Thankful Thursday

Ohhh it has been a LONG time since I have done a Thankful Thursday post. Here goes...

1. My Idaho family. I really miss Kaleb's side of the family. I wish we could see them all more often. Kyall recently visited Idaho from CA, and I loved this picture of he, Aliah, and baby Kendon! Baby Kendon...is not looking so much like a baby anymore! Could he please stop growing until we get a chance to see him again???

2. Knoxville, Tennessee. My baby brother, Alex, received a mission call for the LDS church to serve for two years as a missionary in Tennessee. I am so proud of him and am very grateful that he will have this amazing opportunity! (If you have questions about what a mission is...feel free to ask us, or check out www.lds.org or www.mormon.org)

3. And on a less serious note...I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance! Kaleb and I have enjoyed watching the show this season and we are excited to go to the live performance in September with Katie and my Mom! The show just makes me want to dance. I really should try to find a cheap class and just go make a fool out of myself!

Meela's Birthday Extravaganza!!!

A couple of weekends ago I made a trip to Minneapolis to visit my sister Macie and her family. The weekend centered around an incredible third birthday party for Meela! What a party!

Vijai's cousins provided an awesome bouncy house and water slide for the kids! One of the family friends brought Meela a pinata! It was a full blown carnival in the backyard!


Meela requested a "pink" cake and her Aunt Sonita delivered! Sonita gave Macie and I a lesson in covering a cake in fondant and decorating. We had a great time decorating the cake...Kamryn had fun too! I learned that cake decorating takes a TON of time! I'm more of a box cake/canned frosting person...however, this was really fun. Maybe we should try one for Lucy's birthday next!












Macie created a great "Dora/Map" treasure hunt. The kids loved it. Macie is so stinkin' on the fly creative!






















Meela had so much fun with all of her birthday presents. She modeled all of her dress up jewlery for us....too cute. Uncle Kaleb couldn't make it to the party...but he picked out a bowling set for Meela and she loved it.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, MEELA MAE!!!

(Side note to this post....I am horrible at formatting on the blog! What is the deal...I cannot get the layout right without spending tons of time. It never looks the same from the Edit post area to the actual blog. Does anyone have any advice???)

Cutest Baby in the World-Kamryn Louise

Kamryn is at such a fun age. I'm so glad I was able to spend the weekends with Khan's and get to know Kam's personality! Kamryn hardly makes a peep...she just hangs out and gives you the cutest little closed mouth smile whenever you look at her! She really is adorable...a little like the Gerber baby don't you think?

Kaleb and I are so fortunate to have the best neices and nephews! We love them all!!!

Diva Influence....

Last weekend I stayed with the Khan's to go to Meela's third b-day party! It was soooo fun...and yes, someday I will get the pics downloaded and on here! Grrrrr!

Anyway...when I sleep, if it isn't completely dark, I will wear an eye mask. So, while crashing on the couch at the Khan's, I slept with my eye mask on. Meela was a bit intimidated when she would come to wake me up in the morning. I didn't think she knew what was up with the mask until....Macie sent me this picture of Meela with her headband:



As Macie said..."Wonder where she got this idea from?"

From Begining To End...

A couple of weekends ago Kaleb and I enjoyed a weekend up north with my parents. We stole our niece Lucy and took her along for the trip!

We started off like this...




And ended it like this...



Obviously we forgot our camera and didn't catch the amazing weekend on film. However, it was one of our best vacations in a long time! We spent a day with Steve, Marci, Ethan, and Ella playing in the pool and hanging out at their house...awesome day. We celebrated Father's day with Dad, Mom, Al, Chris, Heidi, Miranda, and Brittany. The last day we went out in the boat and Dad found the sandbar on the river for us!!!

I wish I would have remembered the camera for this trip. The memories will be awesome.

New Pictures from the Khans

Here are the most recent pictures of two of my gorgeous nieces, Meela and Kamryn. Thanks for the pictures Macie!