Joey's Birthday and a Plane Ride

Well, Lindsey and I just got back from snowboarding for the last time today. While there is still a lot of snow, this is the last day that Spirit Mountain is operating, so it's time to pack away the snowboards till next year. I'm really glad that we bought them, it was a lot of fun to get into this winter. But, I sure can't wait for the summer to get here. It's finally starting to warm up...although snow is predicted in the forecast for the next two days.

Last week was Joey's birthday so we went home for his party (no clown though). Also, Paul pulled out his plane and took me up for a quick spin around Embarrass. The plane was on skis, which was pretty cool and the ride was really fun.

Here we are pulling the plane over to the runway.

Rocking some headphones in the plane.

It's Joey's first cake. It took him a little while to get into it, but he definitely like it.

The prop need to be pull started. I wasn't allowed to do that yet.

Here's Joey opening some gifts, we gave him a spring jacket.

Wedding Shower and Grand Marais Trip

Just want to say thank you to everyone who made it out to our wedding shower ( a few weeks ago now), it was such a great time. I hope nobody got sick from eating the hot pot, but it seemed like everyone actually liked it. Also, thanks for all the great gifts and also to Jenny, Josh, Linda, and Dale for hosting the party and for doing such a rocking job. If it was possible for me to get pregnant, and if I happened to be throwing a wedding shower and I was due in a mere four weeks, I would not have done half the job Jenny did. Thanks so much, it was a great time. I know all you other bloggers already had your 'Brian and Lindsey Shower' posts up five blog posts ago...but we're planning a wedding!

Lindsey and I wore some Chinese clothes for the Chinese themed shower, we even cooked hot pot for everyone.

Lindsey and Jen, the baby should be on the way pretty darn soon!

Joey hanging out in my new chair, I almost had to give it to him, but then I just shook some keys.

Here's the church we're getting hitched at! It seemed really small in the pictures, but it's going to be just perfect, the trip this weekend was our first time seeing everything and it got us so excited.

Here's a view of the lake right beside Naniboujou Lodge where the reception is taking place. The lodge is even better than the pictures as well. Woohoo!

The whole fam... + counch.

General revelry.

Lindsey's cousin Beth and Brian, it was great to finally meet them and to also meet the last Brian of the family and then find myself christened with a new name by Jocko, which I've already forgotten.

Joey was trying to start something with another baby.

Lindsey's cousin Erin and her daughter Celia.

We went Cross-Country Skiing....we didn't like it. We strapped on our snowboards about a half hour later for a REAL adventure!

Baby Shower!

It's... Joey!

Jen is due is only a couple of weeks and we can't wait to see the new baby!

Lindsey and her Cuz Linnea

After we got home, the "Derricks Pile of Old Clothes" fashion show took place, this is just one of the many, spicy new looks.

Happy Late Valentines DAy!

Well, my Valentine's Day was super romantic and a trip down memory lane... Brian surprised me with Yan Bian Shao Kao, which was my favorite food in CHina.... He decorated with Chinese Lanterns and a sign in Chinese I couldn't read anymore. We had our yummy veggie and tofu BBQ and I told BRian and I would be taking his last name. I'm not sure in what capacity-if it will be Aysta Baldwin or just Baldwin, but I'd like to do that for him and to really be joined with my soul mate and our kids. Wow, this has turned really gushy! Anyways, we are looking forward to my cousin Jenny's baby shower today, and the super warm weather this weekend. We will be hitting the slopes! Have a good weekend-Binzer

Boardin'!

We moved our wedding to April, Linnea and Ernie came down this weekend to visit, we went and picked out a bride's maid dress for Shelley and my sister, and I ate a whole bag of chips and a container of salsa, what a weekend! We're really busy wedding planning, trying to get a whole wedding together in just three months, but we found a great place for the ceremony and reception, Lindsey found a dress, and I already picked out my sweet tux. It's all taking place up in Grand Marais on the last weekend in April. We're both really excited but it's been crazy trying to get this all together.

Minnesota Christmas and NY NYE

Well, we had the longest Christmas that anyone has ever had ever this year. Binzer finally got the Christmas she has been waiting for, it was three years in the waiting. Luckily, Lindz didn't have to work for a week and my boss just shut down the whole office for about ten days, so we were able to have a really long break. We spent Christmas in Pike River with the Aystas and had a really great time. Christmas morning was spent listening to Raffi, watching Joey attempt to open gifts (failure), and eating cookies. Lindsey and I had a good haul this year, especially in the camping gear department. Lindsey also gave me a gift card to buy an amp (which I went and bought yesterday! It's a Crate V32 all tube, made in the USA Palomino, sweet warm tube tone!). Also, Lindsey and I made a children's CD for Joey, Lindz wrote the lyrics and I played the guitar and drums, and we both sang. It made everyone cry (success).

After Christmas morning we went over to Lindsey's Aunt Sally's place to meet another side of the family I had yet to encounter. It was a really great visit and I felt like I already knew everyone there because of the blog world. It was too bad we didn't have more time to visit, but we had to get a ride with Amanda and Brian down to the cities so we could catch a flight to NY the next morning. Amanda and Brian saved us the trouble of hitching and then sleeping in the airport by graciously putting us up in their house and then driving us to the airport, thanks again guys.

NY was a whirlwind of family, food, beers, and activities. It was great to spend a lot of time with everyone, and although we both thought six days would feel really short, we were able to make the trip seem really long. My high school band (Crooked Beat) was able to fit in a crappy reunion
jam, the family went bowling, we went out with all the neighbors for Caitlin's 21st B-Day, went to the local dive bar for some dancing on NYE, played a lot of Nintendo Wii, had a belated family Christmas, and much much more! Overall, the holidays were really great this year and I'm so glad that were able to spend so much time with all the families. In the words of Mr Magoo's Tiny Tim, "God bless us, everyone".

Christmas morning with the Aystas. Joey's not looking and the dogs were running around, it's perfect.

Derek gave Joey a couple of minutes to try out his new John Deere tractor, complete with farm animals.

Faceoff.

Too cute (Lindsey is attempting her new favorite photo move, the splayed "here is the ring" hand).

In NY, first day we went for BBQ, had sushi for dinner, and then watched a movie with the family (Superbad not being the best 'family' movie choice).

NYE at the Ten Pin (local dive-bar), Dad and I rocked the pool table while Lindsey and Caitlin rocked the dance floor.

NY couple photo

These are my buddies from home, Colin Brady and Chris Cimino, and my sister Caitlin.

We're Engaged!

I'm sure the news has reached most everyone by now, but a blog post seems in order. This past Wednesday, Lindsey and I were out looking at Christmas lights (walking...still no car) among the bigger historical houses in East Duluth. As we were standing in front of a really big house, I went down on my knee in the snow and asked Lindz to marry me. She said yes, but the question seemed to put Lindz into a daze for the next hour or so. She just kept saying, "Oh My God", over and over. When we got home we called both of our parents and then e-mailed lots of people. We're both really excited and happy and can't wait for whatever comes next, which seems to be a lot of annoying planning if my boss is right.

We are both so excited for Christmas this year as well because it's going to be a never-ending holiday this year. We'll be spending a couple of days at Lindsey's parents place, meeting another gaggle of Lindsey's relatives, and then flying off to New York to spend a week with my family. It's going to be a great holiday. Merry Christmas Everybody!

Thanksgiving and Christmas Tree

Lindsey and I spent this years Thanksgiving out in Pike River...or Lindsey's parents place. It was a rather quiet affair, with only Lindsey's parents, her sister, and nephew Joey, but it was really nice. Becky cooked some great food for dinner and later in the weekend Paul cooked up some of the venison he nabbed this year. I also had a good time driving the Gator around (helping Paul haul wood into the house). Lets let the pictures speak for themselves...

A week ago, Amanda, of former Peace Corps Volunteer from our city in China fame, drove all the way from Chicago to come visit for the weekend. Lindsey forced us to go stand in the freezing cold to watch the Christmas City of the North Parade in Duluth, but it was fun. There was even a camel in the parade (picture didn't turn out)!

The chef and turkey cutter at work.

Its Lindsey and Joey. Joey's been a lot of fun lately, he's finally old enough to sit up, stick his tongue out, and eat blended peas, he's almost ready for college.

Here's the tree that Lindsey and I decided on for Christmas. It may only be November 25th...but we have a tree in our house!

Paul was quite excited about the prospect of having a picture of the Gator up on the website.

Lastly, here's the fully lighted tree. We only have about 20 ball ornaments on it so far, were still waiting on the box of goodies from NY to finish it off. We had a great weekend for Thanksgiving (great food Becky, thanks!) and we both can't wait to get to NY for Christmas, only one month away!

Halloween and Hunting Season

Halloween just passed us by and Lindsey and I didn't do too much. Yet, we still managed to carve pumpkins and watch The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We did have one trick-or-treater at the door but Lindsey got scared and ran to hide under the covers. "People don't just come and knock on your door when you live in the country". But, it was a pretty good Halloween.

This weekend is also the start of what I recently discovered is this states biggest holiday, Hunting Season. The three other guys at my office are all taking multiple days off to go stay at their "shacks" in the woods for extended weekends. They were also dumbfounded when I looked at them quizzically about the song, The Thirty Point Buck. A song about shack and hunting life. No, I had never heard the song, nor is it played multiple times on radio stations in Syracuse, NY I sadly informed them. Sometimes they think I'm from another planet, but it's pretty funny.

Joey wishing he had a sweet sexy beard...someday little guy, someday.

The famous Duluth lift bridge.

They looked sweeter with our headlamps in them...really (we forgot to buy candles).

Life in Duluth

I finished my first almost full week of work today (the first full week of work in my life) and it all went pretty well. I'm working with GIS software making maps and editing data for counties and towns, exactly what I wanted to find for this year. Upon coming home from work after my first day on Monday, I remarked to Lindsey that I can't believe people do this everyday. When is there time for anything besides work? I'm sure we'll both start getting used to a work schedule, but it's hard when you're used to a day of teaching for maybe 2 or 4 hours. I know, don't shed any tears for us, but America is one of the only countries where people actually work this much without leisure time.

Anyway, last weekend Lindsey and I went to a hockey game, went to dinner, and went walking along the lake. It really is a beautiful city and it sure is nice to be able to walk everywhere (thank god because we don't have a car yet). Then on Sunday we went to a Quaker meeting and it was incredibly interesting. We live about three doors down from a beautiful, small, old Tudor church that's been converted into a Friends Meeting House. Neither or us knew much about Quakers, but we wanted to go check it out. There were about 20 people at the Meeting and everyone was really friendly and earthy. Traditionally in the Meetings, you sit in pews that are arranged in a circle and everyone just sits quietly and reflects. When you want to speak, you stand up and say something and then sit down. In the Meeting we attended , everyone was given a rock and a quote. One person read the quote aloud that we were all holding, and then if you wanted to talk, you put your rock in the basket and spoke. It took about an hour for 20 or so people to say something and then the Meeting was concluded. It was very quiet, but people were open and friendly and never criticized what another person said. You had time to sit and reflect upon each person's interpretation or thoughts, it was very peaceful. Lindsey and I both really enjoyed it, it was fascinating to see and experience something so different from the services we have typically seen. We were surprised that there weren't more church members, but Quakers don't proselytize, and what average person really knows what Quakers are anyway?

This coming weekend, we'll be seeing Shelley and Derek. We're also planning on going to a square dance, we'll see if I remember any calls from all those years of college dances. The fun keeps on rolling! Also, we love having visitors, so anybody who ever wants to come out, you're all invited! We have an uncomfortable pullout couch that's ready to swing into action at a moments notice.

Here's a shot of the beach down near Canal Park

I've never seen wild black bunnies either, Lindsey was quite impressed

This is Jeff Green and I holding Niecie's kids, Eva and Phiya. My arms have been continually sore from holding kids. I guess it's better to get a little more exercise than right clicking map layers all day.

Sorry!

Well crap it's been a long time. Finally, Lindsey and I have an internet connection (wireless through the house which I have just to decided to try and sell to the neighbors for $10/mo.). So, we're moving on up. We have a fantastic little apartment in Duluth, MN, about three blocks from Lake Superior, six blocks from the grocery store, and we both have jobs as of this week. I had been playing house-husband for about a week and a half while Lindz went to work and I wandered the streets, rode the bus, and generally looked homeless while trying to find a job. I was starting to get nervous because I was applying at call centers and restaurants, not exactly my dream job. Yet, it all worked out. I found a job working at a small GIS (computer mapping) company, which is exactly what I wanted. All the guys in the office seem really nice and I'm just so lucky to have gotten what I wanted. So, things have been great here thus far. Duluth is actually a cool little city, it has great views, parks, two micro-breweries, jobs for us, and buses (we don't have a car yet).

Well, we still feel like we've just moved in and we're just trying to get used to everything. Finally, we're starting to figure out our little neighborhood and realize there are fun things to do in this country. So, tonight we're going to a hockey game, which I'm super excited for and we've also been to an open mic, farmers market, and a grocery store with regular food, oh, and you can go to really good restaurants here (in the USA). So, we'll try and keep this updated a little better now that we're not trying to use free dial-up.

Here's me celebrating my birthday on September 23rd. I got some pretty sweet stuff, including this world atlas and some Adidas Samba K's.

Lindsey and I tried to cook a Chinese dinner on one of our last night at the Aysta house, it turned out pretty good, but it sure didn't taste like the Chinese food we remember.

Here's a shot of our bedroom, it looks small here, but it's actually really big, with two huge closets.

Here's the kitchen table Mr. Aysta made for us (Lindsey and I stained it) and the living room straight ahead.

Here's the living room, it's quite large has nice high ceilings as well.

We finally had a chance to put up our Chinese scrolls and there's our sad little TV with rabbit ears (rocking 4 channels).


Here's the kitchen, nice and big with lots of storage space.