Haven't killed him yet.....

Friday was our five year wedding anniversary. Definitely doesn't feel like it. Weird for sure. We generally don't do big gifts, especially right after Christmas. And even moreso this year, with our big gift to ourselves being the trip to Egypt (that we have been saving up for since the wedding). But we had to do somethingto mark the occasion. So in true Nordyke fashion, it turned into a family dinner to Montage where we received a really sweet music box (5 years is wood) from my parents, as well as an anniversary book (time to think back to other anniversaries). Both Tim and I were pretty sick, so it was going to be low key anyway.

But Tim's gift to me had arrived a few days early. (Fine by me!) A cache of the Australian and New Zealand foods that we have been missing. I am ashamed to say how much of it is already gone mere days later.
2 boxes of Milo, 2 boxes of Sultanas, 4 packages of TRUE Tim Tams, and a bag of Jaffas. Absolutely fabulous.

What's funny is that he had tried to book us massages as his gift before ordering these. Only, the spa called him back to double check because I had already beat him to it as my gift. So he cancelled his and let me be the winner of thinking of it first and had to think of his own idea. I have to say though, as relaxing as our massages were yesterday, nothing beats a bowl of Milo.....

An Ode to the Bridal Filled Wedding!

An Ode to the Wedding:
The Brides came out, said their vows.

Everyone grinned and clapped, a few cheers were roused.

Cocktails mixed and drank, a tasty dinner was eaten.

But then there was the cupcakes, to which all the rest was beaten.

Cute and simple. As are the girls.

They looked simply radiant in their white and pearls.

Chatted with friends, remembered old times.

A lot of clinking for kisses, making those glasses chime!

Then came the dancing. How did we survive?

Everyone on the dance floor, all night long we jived.

Ceremony over, reception put to bed.

What comes next, bonfire and smores you said?!

The day was fantastic, there's no way it could have been equaled.

Best wedding I've ever been to, so next year, let's give it a sequel!

Pre Wedding Jitters? I mean, Lobster.

The day of the wedding, we drove down to Plymouth a bit early as to make the mandatory lunch stop at Lobster Hut. A personal favorite. Best lobster roll ever. Tim always picks the wrong things to eat. I mean, clam strips? Really? Shame. Always go for lobster!

We had time for a seaside walk around town, plus the weather was completely gorgeous and perfect to set up the wedding vibe!

Meg and Kate's wedding was at the Bourndale facility, meaning that all overnight wedding guests were staying in cabins on the grounds. We were given a cabin on our own due to the fact that everyone else that we knew was leaving right after the wedding. Pretty sweet cabins though, for a campground!

All dressed, primped, and ready to go to the wedding!!!!!

Fargo in the distance (FAR distance)

Yet one more round of Common Roots after getting up crazy early to get the drive started. The stop for brunch and Whole Foods was a nice halfway break in the drive on our way home!

Never ending drive....

Pause for Back to Fargo

Yeah, I spent a full week on a road trip to and from New England, and I only posted about the first day. I know, I know. But for a brief moment I am going to go back to the Fargo trip. Mainly because I have over 500 pictures from Labor Day weekend and the trip and I really just don't have the focus to sort those right now (Coke Zero and Burn Notice are keeping me focused)

Before we left Minneapolis to make the trek up North, we had yet another meal at Common Root Cafe. Any place that I can order granola, fruit, and yogurt is up there in my book!


Tim went straight to the rehearsal, while I spent some time in the gym (thank god for hotel gyms) and then got ready for the rehearsal dinner at a golf course. We were running a bit late by the time he picked me up, and I was getting worried about finding it!
But eventually we did, introductions to the wedding party were made, crackers were eaten, toasts were made, bbq sandwiches eaten, and gifts passed out. Members of the wedding party were feeling sick (three straight days of drinking will do that) so the rehearsal dinner was pretty fast before we headed out. Tim and I made a short tour of Fargo, visited Target, and might have grabbed a snack at Qdoba.....

Saturday was another drive around Fargo, trying to find the Farmers Market, and after a few failures, we found a different one that gave us the total hook up in produce and baked goods! Cranberry orange scones and 7 layer bars.....but then he had to go do the pictures thing after a last "boys lunch" so I spent the entire afternoon.....in the gym, shocker, I know. But I made it to the wedding on time (barely) and saw the ceremony with Tim up front, and we drove to the reception at our hotel. Candy bar, dessert buffet, kiev dinner. Food was CONSUMED.

I was put at a table with other wives and significant others to the wedding party, only they all knew each other and I knew no one. So I made my early escape after toasts. I felt so atrocious after so much food that I needed to get some more cardio in so I could sleep comfortably. But not without a mirror photo shoot first....

On the way to Fargo: Minneapolis Eve.

Last weekend (which felt more like a month long experience), Tim and I headed north for the wedding celebrations of one of his college friends. By wedding celebrations, I mean not only wedding, but rehearsal/rehearsal dinner, and bachelor party. And by north, I mean FARGO NORTH DAKOTA. And let's be honest, that might as well be Canada. I figured Fargo is well known, it should be a decent sized city, wrong. This speck that we live in in Iowa is more culturally diverse than the capital of North Dakota.

But first was the bachelor party in Minneapolis, a city I could definitely dwell in, if it weren't for the arctic tundra that takes up reidence from September to May of every year. Heated seats can only get me so far. But mid-August, I can handle it. Especially when, as the female, I am left on my own to wander the city while the boys go get blitzed and watch baseball. But first things first, food. Not just any food, but the Common Root Cafe, a friend of ours works in the catering department and had them cater her wedding, so we knew it was the place to hit up. And since we ate there a total of three times in three days, I think that speaks for it self. But if it doesnt, feast your eyes on what our stomachs feasted upon. (Josh, our hotel room partner on this leg of the trip also joined us for this early lunch).
My Tomato & Mozzarella Panini

Tim's Bison (yes, its Minnesota) Tacos

Dark Chocolate and Orange Bread Pudding.

The funny thing is that that took an hour, before noon. And the 12 hours, I only have two pictures to show for it, and they don't even involve me! The boys half of the itinerary had them on a Pedal Pub around to different bars (which I heard incessant bitching about) and then a Twins baseball game before I was called to come pick up Tim and Josh a little before midnight (and then on a wild goose chase of a Perkins hunt for muffins).


So yeah, it looks like they had fun. But I have to say that aside from the driving portions of the afternoon and evening (I have no idea how people get anywhere in Minneapolis, its like Picasso painted the map of the road system, completely illogical and insane), I had a great time. I had the opportunity to catch a hot yoga practice at the Corepower at St Louis Park, which was absolutely amazing. I wish I lived up there so I could get certified through them. The practice was great, the instructor (Dylan) was fantastic, and the facility is just, awesome. Can you tell I dug it? Hit up Mall of America for a titch bit of shopping. I only got through the first floor, but it took much longer than it usually does. I ended up with a $75 pair of Gap jeans for $23. Score. But I ended up spending far more than the difference at Lululemon....oops.

Picked up dinner at Whole Foods after getting caught up in a hot mess of traffic. Thought I made a great decision by getting a to go meal of steamed salmon, veggies and rice. Not thinking that I had no way to HEAT said food. Now, dont get me wrong, I can eat a lot of things cold, but rice? Ehhhh....bad choice. Plus I felt like my mother in the fact that I would have done ANYTHING to find a speck of salt. But it was tasty for what it was....and Love Crunch was on sale. I mean, that alone is happy.

Hotel gym was next. I ended up watching the same episode of Jersey Shore twice in a row, but whatever, that facility was killer. It's ALMOST the biggest hotel gym I've seen. A full room for weight lifting, and at least a room and a half of cardio equipment. Good stuff too. I'd work out there on a regular basis. Ok, I just realized I dedicated this much space to a hotel workout. I clearly have priorities messed up. Im not even picky, I just like my vacation workouts, and when its at that level, it makes my sweaty heart happy.

Then as I said before, drove downtown (made me think and miss Boston hardcore) and picked up Tweedle Dee and Tweedle "I need a bathroom, my head hurts, Im going to blast AC even though youre sweaty and cold, the Pedal Pub sucked, people suck, I have to pee" Oh my.

And yet, that was the best day of the weekend.....

No Lightning Bolt Scar for Me!

It's been awhile since a real update, but I can't say anything extremely out of the ordinary AND exciting has happened recently. A few weeks ago Tim, Mom, and I went up to a day trip to Minneapolis to do a bit of shopping, but nothing crazy (unless you count the amount of things we got at Whole Foods, or the receipt I had from Lululemon....).

I've also had more than a few battles with the scale, which has led me to start the Skinny Girl brand of Restore and Cleanse, just thought I might feel a bit better. And it has, if by better you think I mean I feel like I want to choke all the while drinking the two packets a day. Although if I mix it with half a lemonade packet, hold my breath, chug a few swallows, then still hold my breath while I chase it with a regular packet juice, the exhale, I can handle it. Kinda. Ugh. Its gross people. Really really gross.

Along the lines of probably too much information, I have been exiled from the land of yoga for too long (a few days), hopefully ending tomorrow *fingers crossed*. This coming from the fact that I have about an inch and a half of wire sewn into my back that I don't want to be torn out by an overly aggressive downward dog. Ok, that sounds much more exciting than it is. I had a suspicious mole on my back, they sliced it off with a razor, felt that it was an even sneakier bugger than they thought and went back with what seemed like a machete and took quite a chunk out that required lots of stitching. And really, the only thing that is hindered by it is yoga. Ugh. Although yesterday and today, it has been itching like crazy. Its all I can do to not take a hairbrush to it. But I wouldn't exactly like to revisit the Covenant Surgical Center if I can help it. It was quite the experience though, the nurses came in for quite the party and I got lots of pre-warmed sheets. Not too bad if he didn't slice and dice me.

But I swear not all of my life is a physical mess! The beginning of summer is taking a chill pill (or a sweltering hot pill) in preparation for the insanity that is coming up. 10 days in Africa is looming quite soon. Not exactly the way I thought I would be feeling about it, but there isn't much to do about it unfortunately. I'll go and try not to punch too many white people in the face. That will be that. Then the day after I get back is our 4th of July party which Tim has taken charge of. So at least I'll have that to directly look forward to while in Kenya.

Then a family vacation to Colorado for a week, which will be absolutely SPLENDID. I havent been to Copper Mountain in five-ish years and I want to go now. Like, yesterday. It's going to be perfect. I can just tell now.

A wedding weekend in Fargo. Then a fantabulous wedding outside of Boston which we are turning into a week long trip involving an Incubus concert, a Cirque du Soleil show, Boston vs Yankees game, few days in Boston, capped off with the wedding and subsequent wedding bonfire.

And then athletic season starts.....the football and volleyball schedule is already out. Seems like summer is already almost over before it's begun!

Slow Down, its moving too fast....

The next six weeks are shaping up to look quite awesome. Well, a few less awesome and more just eventful. But still. Keeping busy feels nice. And then summer doesn't exactly slow down....

Week #1-Valentines Day, normally eh. But this year involves a six course dinner. 4 Queens opens. Last Mens Bball game of the season!

Week #2-Two days in St Louis of eating and shopping and Ke$ha in concert. And then getting my top teeth yanked out, thats the less than awesome event....

Week #3-Dropkick Murphy's show in Des Moines. And the last two Womens Bball games of the season!!! Yay free time!

Week #4-Get psyched up (as if I'm not already) and leave for Disney!

Week #5-Best week of the year of Nordyke family craziness at DisneyWorld.

Then June brings (MAYBE) a mission trip to another continent with mi madre. No more on that until its locked. I'm already far too excited for only being in the works.

Perhaps another summer vacay with the fam in Colorado sometime in July....

Throw in five weddings, one being in South Dakota and another in Massachusetts, and you have one poor, yet happily busy and socialized Clare!

Ryan and Bonnie, sittin in a tree.

Two weekends ago, Miss Bonnie and Mister Ryan got hitched. After a Ukrainian Orthodox ceremony in the woods (involving a crown ceremony, a three times walk around the altar, acapella singing only, and standing the whole time), we made our to the kickin reception. Absolutely gorgeous and the food....good lord, best wedding food EVER.

A woman asked if I was with catering. In my $350 dress I frickin hope not!

We don't see John very often, so when we do, its always a special and hilarious treat.

No ALPHA kids, he did not smell like chlorine....

Julie hooked Ryan up by flying in his bestest friend in the whole wide world (his heterolifemate) Lance up from Arizona. There was crying involved.

Oh Ryan.

This picture warms my heart beyond belief.

And then. Oh yes. A trip to Whole Foods. Its my Mecca.

Throwback Thursday: Weddings Ago.

I am headed to a wedding next weekend. Shopping for shoes for said wedding this weekend. As well as going to a wedding reception Saturday night. It shall be my first wedding of 2010. Kinda crazy that I went all summer.

The wedding above happened years and years ago, although for those of you that actually know me, you would realize that, considering that I haven't seen that groom in 5 years and my brother looks like he belongs on the Disney channel....

I definitely remember it though. Lindsie sat with us. And I had on a black long sleeve shirt that had a dragon on it, along with the same Chinesey dragon gold skirt. Weird, the things we remember....

OMG, Is This What Brides Sound Like On Wedding Message Boards?

OMG, Is This What Brides Sound Like On Wedding Message Boards?

This is hilariously fantastic. Women are absolutely crazy, and that's without weddingmania. Add them together. Whoa buddy.

Three Years Ago Today...

I was a little bit more busy than I am today....just slightly....

Coulda. Shoulda. Woulda.

And man, I really shoulda.....
http://www.tracyturpenblog.com/?p=5595

Two Turtle Doves or a Disney Princess?

Summer is the time of weddings. It feels like at least someone I know is going to one every weekend from May through September. Combine the actual ceremonies and receptions with the bridal showers, bachelor parties, bachlorette parties, and it gets to be all lovey dovey wedding schmedding all the time! Wash, rinse, repeat. All summer long.

And it's not much better for those getting married. Point in case, when we got married, I swear we got the same exact wedding cards. There were maybe 5 or 6 different ones, and we got 10 of each. A few creative handmade ones, or from people out of town here and there, but realistically, same mass produced pastel sappy card.

Until one.

It came from one of the groomsmen. Bright pink. Disney Princess on the front, cut to follow the shape of her dress. Complete with glitter. Opened up, and its a little girl's birthday card. I don't remember what it said, but that's so not the point. We laughed so hard at the oddness of it, it was by far our favorite.

So now, when one of our closer friends get married (doesn't quite work as well with those distant relatives who think your fruity anyway) we attempt to find the perfect card to celebrate their day. A card that has NOTHING to do with marriage, weddings, or even anniversarys. Just hoping to brighten up their day. Although, I must admit, when this particular groomsman got married, his card was at least anniversary oriented, but here's the catch. It lit up, played some interesting bedroom music, AND. AND. Vibrated. I think it worked out ok ;)

Old Love, and New Love!

Been awhile, so let's knock out two great topics in one post, shall we?

Great Topic #1:
My parents went to Colorado two weeks ago for their 31st wedding anniversary. After I saw a few of their pictures, I just had to post some of their cuteness, although I'm sure my mother won't be too pleased. But she should deal with it, maybe she shouldn't be so cute! ;)
As a sidenote, they were nice enough to bring us back bags of Moose Munch, t-shirts, and Pyrex bowls! They must be saints.


Saints that are in loooovveeee. (Just don't get too ewwy-gooey on me)


In love, saintly, and apparently insane enough to talk to statues.....

Great Topic #2:
My lovely friend Mary got married this past weekend. And what comes before weddings? Bachlorette parties. And while most would expect crazy insane stories from such a statement, I really have none to tell. It was a great time, but nothing worth Catholic confession.

I mean really, how wild can chicks playing pool get?

But that's not saying there wasn't crazy feather boas and a Sexy Bitch pimp cup.....

Ceaglske's celebrating LOVE!

This past weekend, Tim and I got to participate in an event that has been a long time coming! Tim's best friend since elementary school had his wedding reception. Austin and Lexi did the whole destination wedding thing last month in Jamaica, and we sadly couldn't make it (just a titch bit pricey!) but the reception was held for the celebrating to continue with everyone!
The Groomsmen gang consisted of pretty much everyone we hang out with, so it was fun to see the boys all dolled up in their pretty white shirts and bright pink ties. They clean up quite well!
During the dollar dance, Tim took it upon himself to pay his dollar so he could dance with his beloved friend. It was hilarious though, he HATES dancing with a passion. He would rather be a party pooper and not dance, but yet, when given the opportunity to PAY to dance with a DUDE, he was all about it. Awesome. True friendship right there!
At the reception we got to watch the wedding video from the actual ceremony in Jamaica, had some tasty dinner, listened to the speeches, and had lots of hilarious conversations. By the end of it, we were all quite exhausted!
With Tim as a co Best Man, sitting at the Head Table, I got to sit with the lovely Julie (and Josh, but he was too busy taking the picture to be in it). She even matched the occassion in her adorable pink pocketed dress!
During the reception, we found the opportunity to head outside...to uh...decorate :) But close by was Jayson's new bike. Matt went all GQ with his pink tie, wine, and hot bike. It was pretty hilarious.

Overall it was a great weekend, super tiring, but nice to see everyone together again. We haven't all hung out together in quite awhile between people working, going to school, and just general business of life. But getting all cute and chilling at Austin and Lexi's wedding reception was just what we needed!