Some of our favorite dishes

1. Curt's stir fry....so tasty. Every stir fry is an individual creation that can't be repeated.
2. Pizza. Curt normally preps the dough. Then we put on our own fav toppings.
3. Chicken Pot Pie. This is a Christine creation. Perfect for a cold, winter evening.
4. Cheese Fondue with Bread.
5. A meal at Broder's Pasta Bar. It's the most satisfying meal ever.
6. We like to end a meal with ice cream....mint chocolate chip, espresso chip, coffee flavored, butter pecan, cherry vanilla, you name it...we scream for ice scream.

My view from the couch....

After sitting for a long time on the couch one day over Christmas break I decided to take pictures of what I saw around me. This is what I came up with....

Wieland Christmas 2007

Christmas celebration at Josh's parents' house

Me and Curt were able to spend some time at Josh's mom and dad's house this past Christmas. Tim and Jill live in Stillwater. It was really fun to drive out there and hangout. Even more amazing was the snowfall that day. We were able to look out the windows and see the wondrous flakes fall.

My car is resurrected!

Well...could this be a blessing in disguise? I took my car in afterschool because the oil gauge went to the "h" meaning it's getting hot, hot, hot. Couple of thoughts...leaky oil somewhere (apparently my car has problems maintaining it's oil), a leaky hose, the cold caused something to breakdown, or it could be the thermostat (which would explain why my A/C doesn't work and my heat barely works). Sure enough...the thermostat needed to be replaced! Total damage: $170. Not too bad. Now my heat works. I can drive to school in the morning without having frozen feet and hands. I even cranked up the A/C. A/C seems to be working now too...but it is minus zero out there. The true test will have to occur in summer when it reaches plus 90 degrees!

I can't even imagine...to drive in a nice air conditioned car in the summer...it's something that I don't take for granted. A/C allows me to drive with the windows up which reduces sound pollution and dust pollution. A/C allows me to drive to places without arriving drenched in sweat. A/C allows me to have a conversation with Curt without yelling because the windows are down. A/C allows me to avoid smelling the farm smells when we drive down 169 to get to Mankato. A/C allows me to not dread being stuck in rush hour with the sun beating down on me and burning my skin. Oh....A/C...i hope you work this summer!!!!

Wedding Pictures of the Day

Doug and Bev
Than and Thanh

Meet our parents. A lot of people have commented on how the wedding was filled with lots of happiness. Well, we have our parents to thank for this. The day was fantastic and we could not have done it without their support.

We have been newlyweds for only 2 months. It's been so great. I know, cheesy, but true. My heart seriously just swells! speaking of cheese...we tried some cheese fondue tonight...we added a secret ingredient...cherry brandy...not too bad. We got this tip from anton and nicole.

Back to school...

It's been a tremendous three days off. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone. I guess I don't have very many people who I consider heros, but MLK jr is someone who I've always been fascinated with even at a very young age. Maybe it was his vision, way of writing speeches, and message of non-violence that I really was attracted to...

Today actually felt warmer to me than the wknd did. Curt and I survived the artic blast by eating lots of food, working out at Lifetime, and hanging out with people. My brother Calvin went back to school today. For that reason on Friday night we had a 'you are going back to school' dinner for him at my parents house. I ate almost to the point of passing out. If it wasn't for the interesting conversation I would have spent the night at my parents house. Our Saturday was exceptionally leisurely...Lifetime in the morning, nap in the afternoon, and then dinner and a movie. We saw "There Will be Blood". Mixed reviews here. I loved the movie. Curt thought the movie was mediocre. I liked it because it was very stylistic and it vividly portrayed the downfall of mankind when greed and money come into play. Sunday was more of the same...relaxing in the morning, then a trek to Mpls to visit with our wedding photographer , followed by dinner with Anton and Nicole.

back to school!

Brrr...

The newlyweds are trying to stay warm this wknd. If you haven't noticed it's dangerously cold out there. Think frozen flesh and dismembered appendages. Update on the wknd and what we've been up to will come shortly!

WCCO News Reports...

What's the #1 cause for teacher burnout!?!?!?!

PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 Movies We Enjoyed

Over Christmas break we were able to enjoy the following movies:

Juno
Atonement
English Patient

We recommend all three although each are entirely different from each other.

Wedding Pic of the Day

I really like this photo of Curt chilling before the wedding. The wedding party along with our parents were able to hang out with us hours before the wedding. It was special. Isn't Curt cute? Check out his dimples.

A few photos from the cookie contest

Jillian's creation

Josh's Creation

Calvin's creation (check out the man with suspenders)

The Winner is....

The Trophy for the Cookie Competition (crafted by the Wielands)

I am so happy to share that I won the cookie competition for the 2nd year in the row. My winning entry? Pumpkin ginger cookies. Yum Yum. Calvin and Josh tied for best presentation. Calvin made sugar cookies. Josh made crispy rice bars.

Wedding Pictures Are In!

Merry Christmas! Christmas pictures from our time with our family will eventually be posted . The whirlwind of festivities started off with a birthday celebration for my brother Calvin, a cookie making contest, the Mai Christmas celebration in Burnsville, the Asleson Christmas celebration in Mankato, the Wood Christmas celebration in Mankato, then the Wieland(sister's inlaws) Christmas celebration in Stillwater!!!!! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! It's such a special time!!!! Ahhh!!!!! It was so great to see everyone!!!!!

Becca Dilley, our wedding photographer is the best ever. Here is the link so that you can view the gigantic wedding gallery!!!! It's very large!!!

http://dilley.smugmug.com/gallery/4019805/

Christmas is coming!

Tis the season to be jolly! I'm sure everyone is busy with their Christmas preparations! I'm trying to figure out gifts for family and finalize my cookie recipe for a cookie making competition while trying to quiet my soul for the season. It's my favorite time of the year! Both Curt and I look forward to the family celebrations.

This weekend has been fabulous. Honestly, every weekend is fabulous when we get to spend it together as newlyweds. We celebrated Brent's graduation on Friday night with dinner at Olives in Mankato. We are so happy for Brent and Shanna...Brent's done with school now and together they are happily waiting for the arrival Baby Wood. We are excited too. Anyway, on Saturday Curt's parents came up for dinner at Birchwood Cafe and holiday lights. So fun.

Today we went to Home Depot to pick up supplies to repair a leaky water hose on the washing machine. It's been an interesting weekend of home issues as Curt woke up on Saturday morning to an inside room temperature of 50 degrees! The heat works now thank goodness. We are thankful to have a roof over our heads, but sometimes little repair jobs are in order!

Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!

at the church ceremony
a kiss
cutting the cake
a few friends
curt and josh helping out
a celebratory sign

Last weekend we celebrated my parents 30th wedding anniversary with a renewing of vows and reception. Not only did we brave the snow to make the trek to the church, but we realized the Vietnamese church was located in the ghetto of Mpls!!!! we feared for our lives! well, not really, but it was interesting to drive through the neighborhood.

Congratulations Mom and Dad! It was an amazing celebration!