Story A Day

I got a lovely call from my little sis this evening informing me that she is engaged!!  So exciting.  Nothing else in my day compares to this news, so there’s the story of the day!  Wahooo!! 

I had the pleasure of spending this afternoons at Dylan’s parent’s Yak farm visiting with Heather, Dylan, Jack, and the Yaks!  A thank-you to Dylan’s parents, Becky and John, for welcoming me!  Here are some fun photos of the day’s adventures:

Riding a Yak named Jericho.  He holds the world record for the longest horns on a Yak!

Feeding a baby Yak.

Holding baby Jack.

Playing with the goats and another baby Yak.

Posingwith Heather and Jack by the “Yak-mobile” (aka: a really old military and fire dept ambulance) after riding in it for a tour of the Yak farm.

What a great way to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon!

My friend Nate is in town on a short break from his life as a Berkeley grad student, and DC summer public policy intern.  His visit prompted a gathering, hosted by his twin sister Sarah, that brought a number of us Bennies and Johnnies together after not seeing one another for quite some time.  Below is a photo of some of the fun folks that gathered tonight.  It was great to see you all! 

I was a bit too sleepy after the gathering last night to upload photos and blog, but I’m back at it now!  Heather, Dylan and Jack invited some folks over last night.  We had a great time catching up, and being rowdy with Ken and Catherine’s 2 and 4 year olds So fun.  Here are a couple photos of Jack and his friends…

My friend Heather, her husband Dylan, and their baby Jack, are staying with us for a couple days!  I spent the evening chatting with Heather, and holding Jack.  And, as soon as my camera batteries are done charging, I will post a photo – that might be tomorrow Jack is sound asleep across the couch from me…super cute.

Okay, I do like the city, but I do not like the people who make decisions about property taxes.  Tim and I purchased a duplex in Minneapolis last year for $210,000.  We just got our updated tax statement, and our taxes are now $5,900!! Ridiculous!!!  That is a $900 increase over last year.  And, the prior year they also went up $900.  Tim and I are appalled at these absurd increases.  I am expecting some sort of comment from my Republican sister about the Democrats running the city but, I will say this, we live in Saint Paul, and the taxes for our $212,000 home are only $1800.  What a difference!  We are considering appealing.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.

I’ve been away from my blog for a couple days because Tim and I were in Duluth this weekend.  Tim ran in the Grandma’s Half Marathon!  He did a great job – finished in 2 hours & 3 minutes.  He was hoping to finish in under two, so he was pretty close to his goal.  As I stood there and watched all of the runners go by, and I had no desire to be one of them   Long-distance running is not really one of my favorite things to do, but it was fun to be a spectator and soak up all of the excitement!  I forgot my camera so not many photos, thought I did get one using Tim’s phone, here it is (he’s the second one back on the gray shirt)…

= time spent at work today.  A good day, but I’m wiped!  Time for some sleep

I happen to be aware of this great little house in the Como neighborhood that is available for rent In case you know anyone who might be interested…

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/apa/1225340253.html

Check out these fun folks I get to work with everyday!
Here are some highlights from last week’s camping trip with the BSP teachers: