Surprise Birthday

Just realized it's been almost a month since my last blog post! I can't believe time flies so quickly!

I've almost survived the TOUGHEST month in Minnesota, the January winter, and I'd say all in all it was quite a success :)

After Christmas break I started off Mark and I's first weekend with a nice dinner date downtown and a SURPRISE birthday party for him. Of course he hates surprises, I knew that, and did it anyways. I wish I had a picture that could capture the moment of his surprise right as he's heading to use the restroom and all his friends scream, not say surprise, just scream, and he jumps at our Christmas tree :)

The rest of the weekend we just took it easy and for the first time ever I tried making tuna steaks, which if I do say so myself were DELICIOUS. Thanks Pinterest!  See recipe below
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Balsamic-Glazed-Tuna-Steaks

The next week flew by like always and then the cold came.. right in time for my dad's trip to MN! Luckily the day he came in the weather was mild, a warm 36 degrees and sunny. Unfortunately for him, as soon as he got the tour of my house the first thing he got to do was trap a bat! He succeeded, however, it was not the first thing you want to find in your room when you are going to a place for the first time :) (To keep facts straight bat was not captured night one, however mark and dad did dress up like ghost busters to kill it).

Day 2, my dad and I started the morning off with a cold walk through Wirth Park. Still.. it wasn't the coldest it was going to be that weekend. We walked about 2 hrs and then came home to Mark to go on an adventure of finding ice skates! We finally found them for both my father and I and headed down to Wirth lake! Even though the lake is not kept up we enjoyed a people free ice skating experience, WITH CICI, until the ice started freezing to her poor belly. We headed back home and spent the rest of the windy evening inside. We got to see a movie that actually all three of us enjoyed, The Lorax, and then went to bed to enjoy spending the next day together.

Day 3, colder still. I believe the high this day was 11, but we decided it didn't matter we still wanted to head into Afton and spend the day at Afton State Park together. The day began with a trip to Mark's parent's house (even though sadly no one was there) and then we head to Afton state park. Now like I said... the temperature was around 11, with a windchill, but we were determined to hike some trails :) What ended up happening is we saw the St. Croix, and dad decided it would be a good idea to "walk on water" from MN to WI, so we did! Granted, I was pretty nervous, especailly when we were in the middle of the river with a good 10 minute walk to either end. But no one slipped through the ice, and we had quite a fun time skating in our shoes :)

Day 4, Coldest day in MN in the last 4 years... high I think -4. Dad and I decide we want to brave the cold and we walk on his last day here.. in -11 degrees. Yes, by the end we had boogers frozen to our face, and his eyelashes were icicles. But it was fun and neat to experience. Needless to say I'm sure he was ready to leave by the end of the day Monday, but it was a wonderful trip.

This past week at school was a 3 day week for me, what with testing and Monday off and report card work day Friday, but quite a busy week.

We got to enjoy a nice relaxing weekend after the crazy week in Afton with Mark's parents, Anne and Mike and Chris. As relaxing as little Max would let it be :) But we had a great time, played hockey, watched hockey, had good food and enjoyed family time. Cici had a good time too!

Today we enjoyed a nice relaxing day today, watching the snow fall down, we've had about 3 inches so far and it's looking like a pretty Winter scene :) Just hope the trip to work is ok....

Christmas Breaks as a teacher....

Oh, I have enjoyed the last few weeks getting ready for Christmas and celebrating time off, both in Minneapolis, Afton and in NC.

At the start of break Mark and I had one day together before we headed to celebrate the holidays with our parents. We spent the time opening up Christmas gifts from our students, watching Christmas movies and eating the Christmas gifts from our kids :) Below you'll see my Thank You cards I made, we decided (I decided) that it would be more fun to make our own cards than to buy some.

In addition, before we left I was able to make a present for my Secret Santa, a wonderful tradition my Suite Mates and I have had since we were in college. This year my secret santa was ANNA and I knew I'd be seeing her in W-S (See picture below for our New Year's Eve Celebration) So I painted her a quote I liked. Paul likes it so much I think I'll paint one for him too!

Our travels began as we headed to Afton, MN to celebrate with the Aronson side of the family. It was neat to get to have a mini "Christmas" day there before Christmas. Chris (Mark's brother) just moved back from Colorado, his 3 kids were there, Anne, Mike and, Max, Mark's grandparents, his wonderful uncle Bob who sang at our wedding, and of course his parents! We had fun playing with Max (see the picture of the stickers below, as well as his precious Christmas "dress") and opening gifts and having dinner. Nancy found the perfect gift of MITTENS which I have so badly needed over my $1 pair of target gloves I've been trying to get away with...Note does not work in MN weather!

Visiting Grandma

Playing Games

Rosie

New Pup

After we left MN Christmas Eve, to a white 12 degree day, we arrived safe and problem less in NC! We got to spend 10 days with my family: playing games, walking in the WARM 40 degrees with Dad, watching the Hobbit, going to the YMCA, opening presents (which Rosie ate... Thanks for replacing it mom!) visiting extended family (Thanks Christina!), slack lining, making sushi and meeting Paul's Girlfriend SUSAN!


 Also if you don't know what Slack lining is, look it up, super addictive and fun, kind of like walking on a low bouncy tightrope.






















In addition, in true Gerlach fashion my parents got a new dog! (As if Crazy Rosie was not already enough!) But luckily Buddy/Tony/Teddy (he takes after Cici/Riley) is a VERY good dog, super laid back, super mellow and very sweet!







To start the new year 2013, back in MN Mark and I are staying positive and peaceful :) (More me than Mark, he doesn't make New Year's Resolutions, and he's already laid back enough). We had people over last night to watch the Vikings game, and although the loss was sad we had a fun time. Today I made a smoothie to pay tribute to my brother and his girlfriend, who's diet consist of smoothies, bagels with cream cheese, and sushi. Go figure :) And also made a Christmas wreath out of on sale Holiday materials... I think it could almost work for Valentine's day too? :) So I'd say we are starting out 2013 right! Let's see how things continue as school starts tomorrow.... Wish me luck!