Introducing Miss Tana Hofman

I know, I'm crazy but just look at that face! So how did I end up with one more addition to my already hectic life? Let's just say that God was planning this all along...and we all know how that goes.

Found under a car by a co-worker's sister, Tana (as in Montana) came into my life on Tuesday afternoon. Said co-worker's sister had found this little pup, took her home, fed her, and began hanging up signs for someone to claim her. And no one did. On her way to the pound, she decided to try one last ditch effort to get this little girl a new home and headed into our office of dog lovers. One look at her and I couldn't say no. Ok so maybe it wasn't that easy for me to decide.

After tons of debate, lots of coaxing from my co-workers and a few funny phone calls to Griff, I loaded the little girl into my car and drove to my new house which is still basically empty. We sat at the floor, looking at each, and probably both wondering how this was all going to work out.

And so far we're getting along just great. We think that she's about 4 months old and some kind of boxer/shepard mix. She's house trained which is a huge plus and she has slept through the night without waking me to let her out. She hasn't gotten into any trouble just yet (although I just jinxed myself) and she follows me around like my shadow. "Sit" is also our specialty : )

After 2 days of being away, Griff returned home today to his 2 girls and seems to be completely loving every minute of it.

It's going to get crazy but heck, who's life doesn't get crazy?

4208 Lewis Avenue

So it's official. Today is the day that we can actually start moving into our new house! Although I've had the keys for a few days now, we actually haven't felt like it was "our place". So with the garage full of all of our stuff and an empty house waiting to be cleaned, painted, and lived in, I thought that I would unveil a few photos of our little humble abode : ) Enjoy!

Invitations, Invitations, Invitations

During all of this wedding planning I have found somethings to come easy (time of year, venue, colors, bridesmaids dresses, my dress) and other things I have obessed over (favors, centerpieces, guest book, decorations). But there is nothing that I have obessed over more than my invitations.

There has just been something about those little suckers that has been driving me crazy...yet I can't seem to help myself. I know that I was being absolutely idiotic about it all...but I still couldn't help myself. Until now.

I couldn't find anything that I liked in one place (or that I could afford for that matter) so I went looking in all different places. I coordinated colors, I coordinated papers, and I coordinated printing...well actually Griff handled that part : )...and they finally graced my sister's kitchen table for assembly a few days before the Fair started. Talk about poor timing.

My sisters and I were sure that we could completely do this ourselves and we began trying printing them all at home (which I wouldn't recommend if you have purchased the paper from a specialty store). We finally realized it wasn't going to work when in swooped my knight in shining armor who suggested that he take them to Staples for a little professional TLC.

Wow was that the right choice to make. The next night we began cutting and gluing only to realize that we had a lot of work ahead of us.

Sure it might be a lot of work when you are doing something like 110 invitations all by hand but it's been a labor of love and I can't wait to see what people think!

Here's a little sneak peek : )

Lindsay and I cut all 4 pieces for each invitation.

Lauren mounted each invite onto a piece of green paper.

A little preview of the finished product!

Since the "party", lots has gotten done. Griff's mom, sisters and Marci helped with assembly and do a little gluing. Griff helped with stamps and assembly and they are ALMOST done....and they look pretty darn good if I do say so myself : )

Are you a Fair Fanatic?

So it's been awhile...I know I'm sorry. With the trip home and the 4th of July holiday it was instant craziness once I returned back to work. Like I mentioned in a previous post, there are some different summer traditions here in Montana and one of those happens to be State Fairs.

The summer months are filled with the old fashioned culinary and sewing contests, deep fried food, and carnivals here in Montana...and even across the Midwest. Fairs pop up all over the place as people enjoy the warm weather and the days where it's light out legitimately until 10 pm.

And I just have the pleasure to work for one of the biggest fairs in Montana...the Montana State Fair of course. Starting Friday, I will submerse myself in 9 days of Fair fun. Of course, this year the fair isn't for the faint at heart. As this year's State Fair explains, there are plenty of "Fair Fanatics" here and I am proud to say that I am going to get to be a part of one of their favorite past times.

For some people it means taking the whole week off from work just so that they can go to the Fair every day. For others, it's making sure they get to enter their prized steer or swine into the Livestock competitions. Some people come just for the Vikings that are sold from the Sons of Norway booth (I however probably won't be in line for one of those since it's basically a deep fried meatball the size of a softball...oh and of course it's served on a stick).

Since I started my new job in May, I have been introduced to world of Fairs. This includes fantastic concerts..our lineup this year consists of Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Styx, LeAnn Rimes and many more...5 nights of rodeo, a carnival, Dinosaurs...yes I said Dinosaurs...and unbelievable amounts of fried food. I've had the pleasure to be a part of some of the coolest activities that will happen here in Great Falls over the next week.

So as I enter my very first Fair season, wish me luck. These will probably be 9 days of intense chaos, craziness, and down right fun. It will be nice to finally have one under my belt and add "planning the Montana State Fair" to my list of achievements.

Oh, and if you are looking for me...I'm "out of the office" until August 8th around 5pm. Or if you're in this neck of the woods, don't miss out - be sure to make your way down to the Montana State Fair!

Wedding Planning Day Highlights!

Gosh I'm not even sure where to start! Griff and I just returned from our trip home yesterday and there is just so much to talk about I might be blogging for days! Well maybe not days but that trip truly was the jump start that I needed to start off wedding season...


Yes, wedding season. It's what I have so cleverly named these next 4 months so that I don't stress myself out. I have to say, going home took so much of the stress and anxiety and kicked it to the curb. For one, I hadn't been able to make a decision about anything. And then, like magic, poof! I was making decisions left and right. Of course everything is easier with your mom next to you : )


So to save you all from the long rambling blog post, I'll give you the highlights...a few teasers...and go into detail as other posts unfurl.


Tuesday was the big day for us. I'm sure that Griff was dreading it but equipped with my notebook, camera, and checkbook we headed off to Middletown for a day chock full of wedding planning.


We met with our wonderful photographer Tony Spinelli, went to scope out some places for the rehearsal dinner, met with the people at the hotel, met with the lady at the church, showed Griff the Barns, picked out the food choices and linens with the caterer, and met with the florist.

All in all I have to say that was quite a busy day...but 100% worth it. Who's ready to get to work?!

More details to come...