Today marked my first day as a professional teacher as I attended Goodhue's New Teacher Workshop. I have more training the rest of the week, and then it's GO TIME come September 4.
To celebrate, my beautiful wife took me out for supper. Usually, Sam says she's stuffed when she's finished a meal, but not tonight! The baby must have been hungry!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Oxbow Park
I got up early today to go to the YMCA, played racquetball, and biked back home in time to make the smells of breakfast to stir Sam from her pregnant slumber. After breakfast, we went down to the Farmer's Market to get some food for meal recipes planned for the upcoming week.
Adam R. stopped by to drop off his truck so I start digging the hole for the egress window in the basement. Because it was a very nice afternoon, Sam and I hiked some trails at Oxbow Park near Byron. For supper, I grilled potatoes and vegetables for sandwiches. Looking at the meal, we realized that all of the food had come from our garden, her grandma's garden, or from Rochester (Great Harvest Bread). This must be our first 100% local meal (unless you deduct points for it being done unconsciously).
Adam R. stopped by to drop off his truck so I start digging the hole for the egress window in the basement. Because it was a very nice afternoon, Sam and I hiked some trails at Oxbow Park near Byron. For supper, I grilled potatoes and vegetables for sandwiches. Looking at the meal, we realized that all of the food had come from our garden, her grandma's garden, or from Rochester (Great Harvest Bread). This must be our first 100% local meal (unless you deduct points for it being done unconsciously).
Monday, August 13, 2007
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
This morning Sam and I left Hibbing for Chanhassen to visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. We spent a couple of hours touring the grounds, taking in all of the flowers, shrubs and trees. Hiking on the paths, we noticed lots of plants and trees that we hope to landscape our own yard with someday.
Afterward, we stopped at Punch Neapolitan Pizza in Eden Prairie to get some of our favorite pizza!
At home, some of our many tomatoes have started to turn red. We picked two more zucchini and we'll be picking some more green beans, broccoli, and even cauliflower in the next two weeks.
Afterward, we stopped at Punch Neapolitan Pizza in Eden Prairie to get some of our favorite pizza!
At home, some of our many tomatoes have started to turn red. We picked two more zucchini and we'll be picking some more green beans, broccoli, and even cauliflower in the next two weeks.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Soudan Underground Mine
On Sunday morning, Sam, Katie, Matt, and I drove to Soudan (between Tower and Ely) to the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. We rode in the same cage that miners did down the shaft 1/2 of a mile, then rode in rail cars over 3/4 a mile to the last "stope" that miners drilled and blasted for iron ore.
In a dark cavern a half mile underground surrounded by hard rock, the guide turned the lights off and used a candle and turned on the air drills miners used to illustrate how dim and loud it was to work in the mines. You really develop a respect for the hard work and tough working conditions they labored through, and that's without actually lifting rock or running the tools or working in ever-present dust that was in the air for 12 hours a day. What a relief it must have been to come up to the surface everyday! For those who hate baling hay, that would have been a vacation of fresh air and sunshine to these guys! (I knew there was a reason I always liked baling hay).
After supper with Grandma Senich, Kate, Sam, and I picked raspberries from Matt's garden. I assure you there are few better things to do on a cool summer evening than eating and picking raspberries right out of the garden. Afterward, we picked up Kate's friend Kris and went to the Hull Rust Mineview to walk and play disc golf and watch the sun set. We waited around for the meteor shower, but we didn't see it. Life is still good though.
In a dark cavern a half mile underground surrounded by hard rock, the guide turned the lights off and used a candle and turned on the air drills miners used to illustrate how dim and loud it was to work in the mines. You really develop a respect for the hard work and tough working conditions they labored through, and that's without actually lifting rock or running the tools or working in ever-present dust that was in the air for 12 hours a day. What a relief it must have been to come up to the surface everyday! For those who hate baling hay, that would have been a vacation of fresh air and sunshine to these guys! (I knew there was a reason I always liked baling hay).
After supper with Grandma Senich, Kate, Sam, and I picked raspberries from Matt's garden. I assure you there are few better things to do on a cool summer evening than eating and picking raspberries right out of the garden. Afterward, we picked up Kate's friend Kris and went to the Hull Rust Mineview to walk and play disc golf and watch the sun set. We waited around for the meteor shower, but we didn't see it. Life is still good though.
Saturday: Sam's turn to have a friend get married
On Saturday, Sam and I left the hotel early to drop Nick and Nina's present off at his parents' hotel room, eat breakfast, and hit the road for Hibbing. I got Sam to her home in Hibbing in time to eat lunch and change for the final wedding--her friend Andrea S. from high school. She left for Grand Rapids while I went out to the Kotonias family cabin to canoe on Swan Lake. The weekend wedding extravaganza has sadly come to a close.
The Schmidt Reception
After the good news of Friday morning, Sam and I went to one of my favorite stores (REI) and then to look at cribs. We've got 3 or 4 in mind now, so we'll likely pick one soon.
We then went to the U of Minnesota campus to take a look at the I-35W bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi. Though it looks like the pictures, the size reference that you get from seeing it in person lends a new perspective to the tragedy.
And then it was this hot Friday afternoon that Sam indulged me with a visit to the Minnesota History Center. After looking through all of the exhibits, we went to check in at the hotel in Woodbury and get ready for the reception.
People began arriving for the reception at 6:00 p.m. Many family and friends were there from the Lanesboro area, including Dean and Judi. After a great meal and a toast by Nick's father Patrick and Nina's father Paul, the dance began. I think everyone had a great time dancing and catching up with friends.
We then went to the U of Minnesota campus to take a look at the I-35W bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi. Though it looks like the pictures, the size reference that you get from seeing it in person lends a new perspective to the tragedy.
And then it was this hot Friday afternoon that Sam indulged me with a visit to the Minnesota History Center. After looking through all of the exhibits, we went to check in at the hotel in Woodbury and get ready for the reception.
People began arriving for the reception at 6:00 p.m. Many family and friends were there from the Lanesboro area, including Dean and Judi. After a great meal and a toast by Nick's father Patrick and Nina's father Paul, the dance began. I think everyone had a great time dancing and catching up with friends.
Social Studies Teacher?!
On Friday morning, Sam and I went out to one of our favorite breakfast spots from college - Keys. After an excellent omelette, pancakes, and a big cinnamon roll (Sam's favorite), I had a message on my mobile phone once we got back in the car. The Goodhue principal had called about my interview I had with the district Wednesday morning. I returned his call and was offered a full-time job with the Goodhue School District. Sam and I are very excited! I'll find out more on Tuesday...
Until I got the job offer, I had thought that the hard part was getting the job, what with online application forms, resumes and cover letters, scanning postings every day, etc. Now that I have a job, the work really starts!
Until I got the job offer, I had thought that the hard part was getting the job, what with online application forms, resumes and cover letters, scanning postings every day, etc. Now that I have a job, the work really starts!
I now present Nick and Nina Schmidt!
Nick Schmidt is married! Thursday brought Sam and I to the St. Paul Conservatory in Como Park to see Nick and Nina exchange vows. It was a beautiful wedding, held in the "Sunken Garden.Nina looked beautiful in her white dress and Nick very handsome in his red shirt and black suit. " I gave a blessing and was in charge of running the music.
After the ceremony, we went outside for pictures. The warm evening was complete after an excellent meal at Kincaid's in dowtown St. Paul.
Congratulations Nick and Nina Schmidt!
After the ceremony, we went outside for pictures. The warm evening was complete after an excellent meal at Kincaid's in dowtown St. Paul.
Congratulations Nick and Nina Schmidt!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Schmidt to tie the knot!
It's another big summer week. Nick and Nina are getting married tonight in a small ceremony at the St. Paul Conservatory, followed by a wedding dinner at Kincaid's Steakhouse. I'm reading a special prayer from my own wedding, which I just realized I should probably print out and rehearse. Hopefully Joyce won't cry too much, but we all know she'll cry a little... Don't worry - we'll have extra tissue.
On Friday night, it's party time. Everyone is coming to Woodbury to celebrate their nuptials. Then Sam and I leave early Saturday morning for another wedding - Sam's high school friend Andrea is getting married in Grand Rapids.
Yes, lots of weddings AND babies! Emily and Eric have told everyone that they are expecting their first child. Congratulations!
On Friday night, it's party time. Everyone is coming to Woodbury to celebrate their nuptials. Then Sam and I leave early Saturday morning for another wedding - Sam's high school friend Andrea is getting married in Grand Rapids.
Yes, lots of weddings AND babies! Emily and Eric have told everyone that they are expecting their first child. Congratulations!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Camping in the Northwoods of Wisconsin!
The third weekend in July, Sam and I were in Hibbing and Duluth for Benjamin Senich's baptism and to celebrate Katie's 15th birthday.
Nick and Nina, who are getting married August 8, came up Thursday (July 26) from Ames, IA, where they're both in graduate school at Iowa State University. The next morning, Nick and I got up early to pack so we could hit the road to Northern Wisconsin. We arrived in the Chequamegon National Forest, set up at a campground on Lake Namekagon, and then each group hit their respective trail. Sam and Nina hit the hiking trails while Nick and I went on a 3 hour mountain bike trek, slogging through sandy logging roads to get to the fast singletrack.
Back at the campground, Nick and I made supper and sat around the fire while Nina and Sam read the final installment of Harry Potter. The next morning, Nick and I hit the trails again for another 3 hours while Nina kayaked. After lunch, Nick and Nina went for a paddle while Sam and I swam. Then Sam and I hit the Lake for our own spin in the tandem kayak.
On Sunday, we packed and headed South to Chippewa Falls to tour the Leinenkugels Brewery on our way home. We all had a great time together on our last trip before Sam and I become parents and Nick and Nina tie the knot!
Nick and Nina, who are getting married August 8, came up Thursday (July 26) from Ames, IA, where they're both in graduate school at Iowa State University. The next morning, Nick and I got up early to pack so we could hit the road to Northern Wisconsin. We arrived in the Chequamegon National Forest, set up at a campground on Lake Namekagon, and then each group hit their respective trail. Sam and Nina hit the hiking trails while Nick and I went on a 3 hour mountain bike trek, slogging through sandy logging roads to get to the fast singletrack.
Back at the campground, Nick and I made supper and sat around the fire while Nina and Sam read the final installment of Harry Potter. The next morning, Nick and I hit the trails again for another 3 hours while Nina kayaked. After lunch, Nick and Nina went for a paddle while Sam and I swam. Then Sam and I hit the Lake for our own spin in the tandem kayak.
On Sunday, we packed and headed South to Chippewa Falls to tour the Leinenkugels Brewery on our way home. We all had a great time together on our last trip before Sam and I become parents and Nick and Nina tie the knot!
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