I am very proud of my husband. He was one of two selected to receive the Most Improved award for the past year from Big Tree Cycling. Congratulations Andy!
Wine!
One of the fun parts of going to Hermann each year for our anniversary is coming home with lots of wine! Nearly six full cases so far…
20 Years
Today is our 20th wedding anniversary. It was a day of highs and lows. We spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather with a walk around Hermann and then time at the wineries with each other. While at one of the wineries, we received some sad news about one of Andy’s brothers. He and his wife are separating. We talked about that for a while and then went back to the inn to enjoy the evening. We drank frozen margaritas and ate a pizza while we watched Game 7 of the World Series.
About 8 pm, my Dad called to say that Newman had passed away. She was 21 years old and it was not unexpected, but still hard and sad. She was a pain in the ass, but we loved her anyway.
We finished the evening with something I had really never expected to see in my lifetime – Chicago Cubs as World Series Champs!
With the highs and lows of today, I am really grateful to have Andy by my side all the time. Yes, we drive each other crazy, but it is always us together even when we aren’t on the same path. When a marriage begins, it is rainbows and roses. As time goes on, you realize that “never going to bed angry” isn’t possible. Quite frankly, you need that sometimes. Eventually, you realize that marriage isn’t perfect and it isn’t even fun sometimes, but, if your spouse is your other half, you make it work on the high days, the low days, and every other day in between. Andy is my other half. He is my strong hug when I need it. He is my center when I need it. He stands behind me when I need it and protects me when I need it. My husband. I love you Andrew Kassel for everything, but especially because you are the one who will always be there. Thanks for 20 great years! I look forward to the next 20.
Hermann!
We arrived in Hermann today to celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary. The weather is perfect (80 degrees!) and Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn is beautiful.
We are staying in the Chambourcin suite and this was by the door.
This is the inside of our suite.
This is the beautiful view from our room.
I am looking forward to some quiet time with Andy to celebrate our 20 years of marriage.
Halloween!
It was a last minute Halloween celebration this year, but it was still friends, food, and fun! We began the night eating great chili and catching up with everyone while the kids played.
Then, we loaded up the kids for our first adventure into Trick-or-Treating in Vanderveen.
Let’s just say that the “candy getting” was good except for this house!
Thanks to everyone who came to spend Halloween with us! It was great to see the regular Halloween crew even though they can’t walk to our house anymore. Sorry that there were only a grand total of two decorations and our big spider was missing. Next year!
Chili!
The chili master is at the stove! I can’t wait for Halloween with great friends and wonderful chili!
Cub Scout Campout!
It was time for the Pack 2 Fall Campout. It was the biggest campout so far with 60 people. The boys played, we ate lots of good food, and we hung out with great friends in the beautiful weather. You can’t ask for more than that.
Dinner is my favorite part and it is quite a production – pork steaks, chicken, 30 pounds of potatoes, baked beans, and s’mores for dessert.
It usually takes two to three different fires and a camping stove to cook it all.
Laura even got in on the cooking action. She took care of the baked beans.
What a fun night! It was nice to get away and not feel stressed about unpacking. Thanks Pack 2 and everyone who was there!