Where were we?...

When October came around Matt and my life did not slow down. God has blessed us with some awesome friends here in Minot. It may have took a bit of time to find them all but now we are able to stay busy and enjoy the days with great people.
The first weekend in October was Military Day at Norsk Hostfest. The Norsk Hostfest is North America's largest Scandinavian festival and happens every year in Minot! It is a festival to celebrate and partake in the culture and entertainment of the Scandinavian people. We went to the festival again this year with our friends, Matt and Katherine.


Most of the vendors and events were the same as the past years but it is fun to go see my ancestors lived and all the artwork.
Since getting back from our vacation in Vegas Matt and I have tried to find ways to spend time with friends without spending any money (Norsk Hostfest was free because of military appreciation day!). We are grateful that most of our friends are either in the same boat or are understanding. So, the following week we spent a few nights having dinner with the Moores, playing games and enjoying each others company. Our friendship has grown by leaps and bounds since the summer and we now try to spent at least one day a week together making a dinner together and playing games as it doesn't cost anymore money for us to feed 4 then it does two. The only true difference is no leftovers!
Mid-October Katherine's family came to visit Minot and they had a BBQ for all their friends to meet the family. We were fortunate to be in the middle of "Indian Summer" and spent the evening playing ladderball, getting to know Katherine's family, and chatting the night away.

A few days later we went to a free Wine Tasting event in town hosted by Marketplace, a grocery store in town. We went to the event with the McPhersons and were overwhelmed by at how large the event was! There was over 80 different types of wine available to try and each was paired with a food. Matt and I do not like dry wines so we did not try all of the wines as well as wines we have had before. It was a great time for Matt and I to try wines that we wouldn't otherwise and we left with a few new types of wines on our "like list". The rest of our evening was spent over at the Moores, relaxing with good friends.
Since we began spending more time with the Moores, I have given the spouses group a "second chance" and went another meeting that next day with Natalie. We had cupcakes and cookies and talked about the 42nd Holiday Party which we have volunteered to be in charge of the prizes so we are making baskets filled with many different things. I am in charge of the coffee basket, of course and couldn't be more excited to get everything to make it. :)
The weekend of the 16th and 17th we spent it with the Moores again. Natalie's 25th was the 17th and we spent it going to church, lunch out, shopping (part of my gift was a mini shopping spree!), dinner, and a movie at their house. A long full day that tired little Elizabeth out quickly (she is one).
During that next week we went out to a local pumpkin patch with the McPhersons and got some little white pumpkins and squash for our house. The night of the 21st after a 4 hour delay which Matt stay with me to whole time even though he had an alert the next day, I jumped on the amtrak to Minneapolis to see Christine and Nate. I was originally scheduled to get into the station at 730am but came in at 1130am. Once I arrived and a big hug was shared with between Christine and I, we were on the road to Cottage Grove for lunch at Applebee's across from our hotel with Nate's Parents and sister, Cassie and brother-in-law, Kyle. Though I should have taken a long nap to get ready for a long night at an Evans' Family wedding. I hung out in the hotel with sick Christine, showered and got ready for the wedding. It was a wonderful fall day in the high 60s, thank God as the wedding was outside by the lake. A beautiful location but they truly lucked out for October in Minnesota!


The reception was inside the country club and the Evan's wedding party began. Christine and I danced the night away! It was a great night and I am so thankful that Nate's Cousin, Brandon allowed me to come to his wedding!


The following day Nate drove the three of us to the Mall of America. Nate had never been to the MOA so it was quite an experience for him! We ate at Bubba Gumps and I had much missed, seafood. After going around looking at through many of the shops we stopped at the Amazing Mirror Maze. It was crazy how confusing and fun the maze was. I had never done it before and was a blast with such great friends as we made fools out of ourselves almost walking into mirrors!


After the MOA, we went over the IKEA.... Oh, how I love that store. Later we went back to the hotel and had salad and pizza delivered before I jumped back on the amtrak to Minot. I had a fantastic time in Minnesota with Christine and Nate. Matt and I are truly blessed to have them in our lives. I am so glad that Christine is my best friend! We missed them like crazy, as they are part of our family.
October 26th, was not only Minot's first snow... it was a blizzard! Snowing for only 36 hours with 60+ winds. With the ground still warm it was slush with snow on top so we had to shovel for the first time this year also. Once the winds calmed down the weather got better and since then it has gotten back up tot he 50s and it has began to melt.
The blizzard however won't be the biggest event of the month we will remember, it is our long awaited Halloween party we had on the 28th (which is also my pops birthday!). But I will leave that for our next blog! Happy Halloween!
.mandy.