Easter is a weekend set apart for Christian to remember that Jesus came, died and rose again so that we could be forgiven and could know him personally. I am forever thankful for His love and mercy in my life. If you're looking for a church to attend on Easter Sunday...we'd love to have you join us at Bethany Church this weekend!
I don't often read fiction. I don't often have time. But, last week I found a book on our table and started reading. It took me a week but I made my way through one of the most incredible stories I've ever read. The book is called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand I'm sure you've heard of it but since I never watch the news I didn't know the author had written Seabicuit too! This book did something to my heart. I'll try and explain. The whole time I was reading I kept asking myself about the power of the human heart or spirit. How much can we endure? Why can some endure more then others? Am I wired to survive, fight, persevere, endure...anything? How can one human heart endure while another gives up?
After I pondered that I kept reading and just when I think no more evil/hardship can happen to one man...more happens. I was amazed at the cruelty of one man and then endurance of another. I started asking myself questions of how can one human torment another, sleep at night and do the whole thing all over again in the morning? Over and over and over again. I don't have the answers. But I know that it didn't end with world war II. I've been reading, studying, and watching documentaries trying to understand the horrors of human trafficking and I can't understand...how we are still enslaving human beings? Even more than that, we are doing it to children - don't even get me started. But, I want do something for those children and I want to believe that the human spirit in them can survive, heal and be whole. My faith fuels that belief.
Unbroken was an incredible book! Not easy to read but I was challenged to live my life well and that means do something about the suffering in the world. SO...I'm doing "something" but, I need your help to make a difference.
I've never done this before and I'm really nervous to be saying this out loud...those of you who know me know I don't like to work out! But this is bigger my likes and dislikes, I am going to run a mile a day for 8 weeks and if I raise $1500.00...I will run 5 miles! (so yes, part of me doesn't want to to raise the full amount cause I've never run 5 miles before and I don't even know if I can physically do it!) But, this cause is worth a little of my blood, sweat and tears.
Here's the info:
Tread on Trafficking is an 8 week virtual event to raise awareness and funds to fight Child Sex Slavery and Exploitation with Love146. Tread on Trafficking 2012 will take place between May 1st and June 30th, 2012.
HERE'S HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
? REGISTER to become a Treader at http://love146.org/tot
? SET A GOAL for the total number of miles you will walk, bike, swim, or row etc... between May 1st and June 30th, 2012 ? FIND SPONSORS to pledge to support you financially for each mile completed. ? GET YOUR TEE and use it to spread the word about your efforts to end Child Sex Trafficking in our generation, pick one up at http://skreened.com/love146/tread-of-trafficking-event-tee# ? START TREADING by yourself, with friends or with a team - and with every step you will be actively contributing to the future of the children that Love146 supports. ? ENCOURAGE OTHERS to join in, even after the 8 weeks has begun, it's never too late to start fighting injustice.
TO SPONSOR ME...and push me towards running my first 5 mile run. Or join my team and run a mile a day with me - getting people to sponsor you in the process.
We're looking at getting a play-set for our backyard...obviously spring in March has made us want to get it sooner rather then later. :) If you've ever shopped or bought a play-set you know that it's like buying a car! Tons of models and tons of money! We're obviously wanting to make a good decision.
So here's my questions: 1. Have you ever bought a new play-set? Is there anything we should know when shopping? 2. Have you ever purchased a used play-set? I've looked at Craigslist and Rainbow sets are still super expensive (about 50%-60% less then the original price) Any thoughts on pros and cons? 3. Any play-set other then Rainbow worth looking at?
Please, please, please...I need you're advice.
Waiting to hear from you!
I'm totally laughing as I write this...kinda embarrassing but who cares? Confession: I have no interest in College Basketball during year but...when March Madness hits I am in with 5 brackets as soon as the teams are chosen! WHY? I love to compete! Does this sound crazy to you? You didn't know I had this side to my personality? Well, there's more, even more then my love for competing...is my love to win!
Last night the teams were announced and you have until the first game (Thursday, I think) to pick who you think will win each game and move on to the next round. Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4 and then the Championship Game!
I love picking my teams based on my zero knowledge and watching the teams have it out and see my percentages go up and down with every game. This tournament is amazing! It's all or nothing...each team gets their shot and if they don't win THEY ARE OUT! I literally watch almost all the games and don't know who I'm wanting to win unless I look at my bracket. Funny right? Why do I do it? My husband watches basketball and is a diehard Kansas Jay Hawk fan and he would watch the tournament every year. A few years back I saw him filling out the bracket and said, "I could that!" So now we share/compete for the best score every year. I watch every game cause because I care about my team winning and he watches cause he loves basketball...everyone is happy!
Ok. Now I'm going to tell you incredible science behind the 5 brackets I filled out - the boys at the sports center desk will never forgive me! :)
1. Pick team based on the best ranking.
2. Pick team based on the best uniform color.
3. Pick team based on best away game record.
4. Pick team based on my random whim.
5. Pick team based on the team scoring average.
If you've never filled out a bracket and you have a husband that loves this tournament...think about the cuddles on the couch for the next two weeks (well, in my case that's only if my team is winning...otherwise it's separate couches for sure! You think I'm joking but I'm not.)
The other thing I love is it feels SO AMERICAN. I love that! The whole country is tuning in to watch their teams and I get to be apart of that!
Go KANSAS!
Thought you'd like to see where I came from...everyone has their humble beginnings. I love where I've come from. I'm Uruguayan by birth, Turkish - English/Irish by blood, spanish and english were my parents first languages, second of four born in five years and brought up in a family that taught me to love Jesus and love people because Jesus loves them. Now I have 3 beautiful children and I'm teaching them the same. Whew. What a privilege...to be a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, a mom and a servant. I'm 36 today. I don't think I have tons of gray hairs to prove it but I wouldn't mind if I did. I don't mind getting older. I like my skin and I'm constantly learning about who I am and who I was created to be.
Sorry that the quality of these pictures isn't great but it's all I have of my childhood so they are perfect to me.
Go to WPPI! It's the biggest Wedding and Portrait Photography Conference and Trade Show around and I can't get enough of it! Seriously, I can't wait to start my season of weddings and portraits because I'm totally inspired and ready to push the creativity envelope! Here's my 5 day journey through the lens of my Iphone 4S! I took these photos over the last 5 days and uploaded to facebook (NoemiPhotography) and twitter (NoemiPhotograph)...Feel free to "like" me for future posts! Cheapest pro camera I've ever purchased!
A couple months ago I shadowed a friend of mine who's a horse veterinarian at Canterbury Park. I have always loved horses and it was an amazing opportunity to capture them. So I followed her while she did her rounds and took pictures whenever I got inspired...Before the races, getting ready for the races and during the race! Something different right?
ENJOY!
WARNING: This post is going to have raw thoughts. I'm feeling so many things and needing to write them out. ...I actually feel like my heart has grown in love.
My heart is full. I'm thinking about changing the way I do things. I have so many things I love and some things I hate. You've heard me speak loudly about the things I love often on this blog: family, Jesus, friends, photography, traveling, church, reading, singing, and my passion for teaching others...
But, I've never told you about the things heavy on my heart. Probably not. I haven't even whispered them until lately and now, I'm ready to talk.
What do I hate? Injustice. More then that...I hate injustice towards the poor and towards children.
I'm ready to do something about it. I'm ready to love.
Have you ever heard anything about Human Trafficking? I'm new too. At first I didn't want to hear about it, look it or talk about it...like that would make it go away. But, now I have heard, listened, seen and I am changed...wounded by horrors of one human enslaving another for his own gain.
I'm just starting to learn. So, what do you do when you don't know about something? I typed in "Human Trafficking" in the Google search bar and found www.humantrafficking.org.
The United States of America is principally a transit and destination country for trafficking in persons. It is estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually. (read more)
I stumbled upon Love146 through a friend. (Pressing this link will change your life...it's changed mine)
I keep thinking about the "utopian" society that the American 50's tried to create...and still there was so much hatred in our country. I feel like one of those sheltered 50's moms or wives that recently stepped out of the kitchen and decided to go to a Martin Luther King Jr. public speech...I'm shocked, stirred and changed but I keep asking the question what can i do about changing anything? Answer: I can do something.
1. Give money to a trusted organization.
2. Pray for the end of Human Trafficking.
3. Invest my time into learning and teaching others.
I have many titles but for my work I always list "Photographer" as my job. I feel like need to change my title to Photographer/Abolitionist. I will be working just as hard to end modern day slavery.
I watched "Amazing Grace" last week and was struck by the sickly, small in stature, young statesman named William Wilberforce. God opened his eyes to see slavery and proceeded to open the eyes of everyone around him. He changed the world. Our modern day views stem from his unwavering determination to change laws to protect the poor and end slavery. I feel like we're let him down by owing it back into our culture. Wilberforce's "great change" involved his time and money. Those are two things I have control over too.
There is so much more coming on this topic. I think I might start doing TWO blogs. :) Am I crazy? YES. My heart is captured and I have to do something. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Last week we had a scare with our youngest baby (almost 2)...we spent 3 days at the PICU at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital. We're home now and laying low for the week. I was reflecting on everything that happened and how it effected me. I started to write and this is what came out.
Everyone is asking, "How are you really doing?" My tiredness is slowly fading My emotions aren't ruling And my thoughts are turning Towards thankfulness.
In the midst of shaking i felt nothing, Afterwards I'm still moving, I keep going back re-living, Stop second guessing, And starting to listen.
I needed you more than anything In the midst of pain I was floating On the prayers of those caring My burdens you were carrying So I could rest and hope.
You were there in the shaking, And now, I'm still standing, My heart you were holding, Keeping me, trusting The one who held me through it all...is the one that holds tomorrow.
We had a crisis this week. I was giving updates on Facebook but decided for your benefit (and mine) I'd write out what happened.
This week started like any other Sunday included church, home and rest. Clara was warm when she went to sleep but, that wasn't cause for alarm. Monday she woke up with a cough, the kind that doesn't do anything but annoy, and she coughed all day. Monday night I put her down and every 30 minutes or so she'd wake up coughing, crying herself awake and breathing weird - very unusual. I did all I knew to do...put a mist machine in her room, did a neb treatment with last year's leftover Albutiral and gave her Tylenol for her fever. She seemed to settle. When Matt came home he checked on her and he didn't like the way she was breathing so he slept with her. At 5am I took over and he got some sleep. I did another neb and decided we needed to go into the Dr. that morning. We got in at 11am, he checked her oxygen and found out she was low (85 instead of high 90's) and he gave her adrenaline mist and her levels came back up. She had a fever of 101 and tested positive for RSV. He explained what the virus was and sent us home saying most cases they get better on their own but if she sounds "worse or different" to come back that afternoon. Now I was sooo annoyed by that...what does worse sound like? And what is different? How am I supposed to know her oxygen levels at home? Very frustrating.
When she got up from her nap she was whimpering with every breath...that was different enough for me. She fell asleep on the way to the Dr. and I was scared...if knew something wasn't right. We got into the office and they tested her oxygen levels and they were back down to 85, they did the same adrenaline treatment and she didn't improve so the Doc suggested admitting her to St. Francis. He made it sound like it was just a precaution so I wouldn't have to keep guessing through out the night cause kids usually are worse at night. So I agreed.
We got settled into our room and the Respiratory Therapist came in looked at her for 3 minutes and said, "she should be at Children's Hospital." Matt and I looked at each other and I thought, "That's a bit over the top!" But, after trying two different types of oxygen masks and neither bringing her levels to normal they ordered an ambulance to take us to Children's. At this point, I'm just trying to keep up. You have to remember that morning I think my daughter has a cold Tuesday night I'm riding in an ambulance to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at one of the best children's hospitals in the country...it's a bit of a leap right?
Clara was limp, white and breathing hard the whole way there. I kept re-playing the doctor's last words in my head, "She's working really hard and at some point she's going to stop working." Not possible. She's MY baby. Needless to say, I was praying, crying and praying some more. I reached out to friends and family through Facebook...asking people to join with us. It was so encouraging to read everyone's comments. I'd talk to the doctor, text the update, and read about people praying. Amazing! Matt and I knew we're weren't alone.
When we got to Children's 5 doctors and nurses were waiting for us...not a good sign. We had x-rays and blood drawn immediately and everything looked very bad but not awful. The lead doctor came to talk to Matt and I to tell that if she got any worse she would need a breathing tube and she would have to be sedated. I didn't understand want that meant until later...he was talking about putting her into a coma so they could regulate her breathing. Now, things are getting very serious and still all we could do was pray and wait. All night she woke up in a panic from the strange room and tubes attached to every limb. She hated the oxygen mask and kept pulling at it. I slept in the same bed with her and cried. I felt that feeling...the one where I want to take her pain on myself so my precious baby wouldn't hurt anymore. But, I was powerless, all I could do was pray.
Wednesday she improved so much that they downgraded (or upgraded depending on how you look at it) us to a ICU room down the hall. She wasn't critical anymore. AND they had started weaning her off the oxygen. Still not eating or drinking or sleeping...she wasn't a happy camper. At the end of the day they let her have liquids and I was so relieved to see her doing something "normal." That night Matt came and I went home. I hadn't slept since the whole thing began and I was emotionally spent. She needed her daddy and I needed to go home and hug my other babies.
Thursday morning I came back and she started to get mad which medically speaking is wonderful but emotionally is so hard on me. They wanted her to scream and cry because she has loosen everything in her chest but I wanted to comfort her. AND I wanted to do was walk up and down the halls explaining what the doctors said to all the other parents taking care of sick kids listening to my almost 2 year old scream bloody murder! Plus, she would have a full on temper tantrum and pull at every cord attached to her body. It was awful. She was better but not well enough to take the tubes off. Eventually she calmed down and slept. I kept asking them to turn down the oxygen knowing that if she could prove she didn't need it we could go home sooner. She did went without oxygen for most of the day...and then into the night. People were praying and so was I.
At 4am the nurse came in to check on her and because she'd been off oxygen for so long I asked about removing the tubes. It was a wonderful moment to see my babies face again.
Friday morning I saw the doctor and he signed our release.
They said it would 5-7 days...we were out in 3.
Prayer works.
The last image is Clara playing the Doctor...waiting for Daddy to drive through the show storm and come get us.
At home Friday night she slept 13 hours straight and today she took two 2 hour naps. She is on the mend and being home is the best thing for her.
We're laying low for the next week so we don't spread this nasty bug. I don't mind. This will be a week of resting, cuddling, and thanking the Lord for all my blessings.
I know there are mom's who have suffered worse and my heart goes out to each one. It is truly painful to watch your child in pain. I was so thankful for the network of friends and family all over the world who stopped for a minute and prayed for Clara. What a gift.
This is our story. Thank you for reading...blogging is therapy for me. Someday Clara can scroll back and read about her trip to Children's Hospital!
I've been thinking a ton about this year. I love being a Wedding Photographer so it takes no effort to have vision for the upcoming year. So...I'm dreaming. Planning. Thinking...long and hard about my life. What it is now and what I want it to be. And even though I know it's very important in the world's standards to be "busy" and "success" means making more money every year...I find myself thinking differently. Weird right? I'm a fairly driven business minded person so this is a surprise to me to.
I find myself saying, "slow down" and I'm enjoying my day more because I did.
I found this cool video from one of my photographer heros DANE SANDERS. Have a look and tell my what you think.
I know I am and always will be a photographer. It's what I do and it's a part of me...but, there are so many other things in this life that are important to me. Maybe this year is about slowing down in some ways so that I can focus on other things. My kids are almost 7, 4 and 2. They are changing so fast and I don't want to miss it. They need me. Hmmmm. So much to think about.
This won't be easy for me cause I'm kinda a people-pleasing girl. But, as I look at the calendar filling up I'm wanting to slow down and think things through before it becomes too full and this is another year that flies by in business.
This isn't a normal blog post for a Wedding Photography during booking season but, I'm not your normal photographer. I pour my heart into everything I do. I'm honest and straight forward. My blog has always been about sharing my heart. I'm not changing anything dramatically but I will be tweaking things so I have boundaries on how much I take on. (It's sound advice I'd give to someone else but, rarely take seriously myself!)
I'll keep you posted.
Merry Christmas! Looking back on 2011, we know that we are blessed. God has been so good to us, and we cannot speak enough of his love, his faithfulness, his mercy, and his kindness. At this time of year, we pause to reflect on the greatest expression of his love and kindness that the world has ever seen. Our Heavenly Father sent His Only Son Jesus Christ into the world - to come as a man, to take on flesh, to live a sinless life, and to lay down that life to pay the penalty for our sins. In the Book of John, we read of Jesus when it says, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world… to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” For the Hedrick family, 2011 has been a year of seen more and more of the glory of Jesus Christ.
Here are some of the highlights from this past year:
2011 was a wonderful year for Matt. He is going into his tenth year as Bethany Church's Senior Pastor. The congregation at Bethany Church has seen a tremendous amount of growth and maturity this year, and Matt is so honored to work with the men and women that he does on the church staff. In addition to his leadership role at the church, he continues to serve on the Board of Directors for a couple of ministries in the Twin Cities area (Transform Minnesota and World Relief Minnesota.) A planned ministry trip to Kenya in the fall of 2011 was delayed to early 2012 because of some of the unrest that has been occurring in that region of the world. In addition to his ministry life, Matt kept busy working on and finishing the basement at our home and also enjoyed his annual trip to the Boundary Waters with some friends from church. Noemi is learning more about herself and what it means to be a mom and wife all the time. She continues volunteering at Adriah's school, serves on the church worship team, and leads a Mom’s small group. This year she’s started to attend a BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) group and has loved studying the Book of Acts. It’s been 8 years of developing her photography business, and she loves continuing to learn and has started teaching two different types of Photography Workshops. After a busy season she’s ready to slow the pace heading into winter, allowing more time for family and friends. All of her roles fill her heart to full... Adriah Liberty is now 6 ½ and almost 4 ½ feet tall! She’s thriving as a first grader at Aspen Academy. She is excelling at reading, math and music! She loves reading chapter books, playing IPAD games, memorizing her Bible verses for Awana, and performing for us on the piano (she’s been taking lessons for almost a year!) She just lost her first tooth and the second one is not far behind. And we are pleased to share that Adriah made a HUGE step in her faith this year! She was publicly baptized in front of her church family. We are so proud of our firstborn! She is our little-love! Leyton O’Neal is 3 ½ and loves everything with wheels! Trucks and Lego are a big part of his daily play routine. He and Clara are becoming so close and are learning to share their days together while Adriah is in school all day. He continues to amaze us with his happy-go-lucky ways. He loves to laugh and make others laugh...his jokes are actually funny now. He’s been working on potty-training - and hopefully, it will be “mastered” soon. He loves going to BSF with Mom and calls it “his school!” He’s learning hymns, scripture and bible stories. He's still daddy's boy and wrestling has become a normal activity in our home! He will start preschool in the fall...but we’re not in any hurry to see him go to school. He is our joy! Clara Isabel is almost 2! She is talking up a storm. She didn't walk until she was 18 months... so perhaps she was thinking of all of those words while she sat! She goes back and forth from being “spicy” and being “snuggly.” She really takes the cake on both extremes! We love her “rock-star” hair, her belly laugh, and her willingness to jump right in with the rest of the family. After talking with Adriah about the fact that she was our "Love" and Leyton was our "Joy," she made the comment that Clara should be our "Peace." Although we are still getting to know her and learning who she is, we believe that might be a great description of who this precious gift is. We delight in her.
Our children truly are our gift from God! We see Him in them, and we see Him moving in us as we parent them! We enter 2012 knowing that the Lord is faithful to provide for all of our needs...we are rich in Christ Jesus. This year is about pursuing him individually and as a family! We’re thankful for Bethany Church, Awana, and BSF to help give structure to our hearts intent.
Please pray that we will hear the Lord's voice and will move in whatever direction He leads us. We love you and are blessed to have you in our lives. Blessings from our home to yours - Matt, Noemi, Adriah, Leyton and Clara!
It occurred to me a couple of days ago how much time I spend deleting emails that I don't even read. I don't read them because I don't want to or/and because I don't want what they are selling. So, I took charge of my inbox. I started clicking "unsubscribe" every day! New emails come and if I don't open them...they are deleted forever.
I can not tell you how liberating this has been for me.
If you didn't know you could do this you can. The unsubscribe button is usually at the bottom of an email and if they don't have one you can right click, select junk and block the email address.
Or you may be like me and you're thinking, "Someday you might want to know when the BIG SALE is." Well, here's what I've figured out. There is always a sale somewhere. If you want to find it on sale you usually can...no email required!
The great news is all the stores you get emails from will not be offended! They love you and would take you back at any moment! You are safe.
I like having less mail and more relevant mail waiting on me.
Whew! Try it! You might like it!
Last week my six year old daughter said, "Momma, what's wrong? You look mad." But, I wasn't. In that moment I realized, how important it is to smile. Try it.
Seriously. Right now. Just smile.
When I do it I automatically giggle. Which in turn leads to more smiles.
I take care of my kids every day and I know they won't remember that...what do I want them to remember? I want them to remember my smile. Because I love them, love being home with them, love sharing the good, the bad and the ugly moments of every day AND I love laughing with them.
(Can you hear the song from Mary Poppins in your head? "I love to LAUGH!" or is that just me?)
So, what I'm saying is, take an opportunity today to turn a seriously frustrating moment...can't think of any? I'll lend you some of mine!
"Put on your shoes. Go find your shoes and then put them on. Did you get your shoes on? I asked you to put them on. Can you do that right now please?"
OR
"Pick up the toys and put them away. Let's sing the clean up song! Can you help Momma put the toys away? Nope. Not playing time...It's time to put the toys away. Pick up one toy at a time and put it in the bin. You can do this!"
OR
"Can you eat over the table? Sit on your bum and eat over your plate. Don't play with your food just eat it. Sit down. On your bum. You're doing great on your eating! Can you finish everything before you ask for more?"
I could go on but I'm sure you get the point. When you feel like you're losing your mind from constantly repeating and getting zero response...smile. Laugh at the moment. Enjoy the moment and the craziness of your life.
You know I'm totally preaching to myself on this right? I hope I hear it!
Yesterday a friend came up to me at church and said, "I love your smile! When you smile the whole room lights up!" I want that in my home.
Have a wonderful day of smiles and laughter.
Love,
N
What does this season mean to me? So much. Anticipation.
Family.
Dressing up.
Snow.
Getting cozy.
Friends.
Celebrating.
Thankfulness.
Spending.
Savoring.
Peace and rest.
Focusing.
I love this time of year. Have you put on your Christmas music, lit a candle, taken a bubble bath, read a book lately? Why not? 'Tis the season.
Just over 3 weeks til Christmas. Let's enjoy every minute.
Not only did a few hundred shoppers come out to Rachel's Holiday Boutique and buy from Twin Cities Small Businesses, but we raised almost $4000.00 for the Michelle Project! I'd say that is a success! I was so happy to be a part of it. I took some pictures of the vendors. Here's a few of my favorite things!
Anna Dvorak Skin Care - She is working really hard on a new website and I'll be featuring her site in the near future! Sit tight!
This first shot was taken at The Floral Studio table. Christmas is a beautiful time of year and this captures it perfectly!
For as long as I can remember I have loved to sing. I sang as a child.
I loved listening to my mom's high soprano voice ring out on top of every other.
I sang alone.
I was drawn to TV or movies that sang.
I sang with my sisters.
I loved singing in a choir...hearing voices all around me in harmony.
I sang with the radio.
And somewhere along the way I learned that my voice wasn't just for me, but it was a gift and it needed to be shared. I started singing for Jesus...and I haven't stopped.
Tonight I'm going to hear one of my all time fav. worship bands...Hillsongs Worship Team is performing at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. They don't know me and I don't "really" know them, but because we have shared music I feel like we know each other.
I will sing tonight because...I gotta reason to.
(Hope the person in front of me doesn't mind)
Here's a sneak preview. Can't wait to show you the finished product!
Are we cute?
November 12th will be here before you know and soon after that will be Black Friday and Christmas...how will you be shopping this year? Every dollar spent at Rachel's Holiday Boutique will be helping The Michelle Project! Gotta love 2 for 1's!
Shop local. Find creative gifts. Enjoy the festivities. Make a difference.
The 2nd annual Rachel’s Holiday Shopping Boutique will feature more than 40 local businesses and artisans offering a wide variety of unique products and services just in time for the holidays.
* Children’s Shoppe * On-site gift-wrapping * Coat check * Festive food and drink * Chair Massage * Tea Room
* Over $1000 in door prizes!
We can’t wait to see you and your friends on November 12th. Come join the fun!
"For the first time ever, I got all of my shopping done before Christmas Eve. My gifts were special, affordable and unique. Everyone loved them!" – Gail
"My five-year old daughter got all of her shopping done in the Children’s Shoppe, with the help of her very own personal shopper! She also got everything gift wrapped right away, and I opened my present on Christmas morning without ever having known what the gift was, and without having to take her to a mall! So much less work for me!" – Vanessa
About our Charitable Beneficiary: The Michelle Project Founded in 1996 and based in the Twin Cities, The Michelle Project is a 501c3 organization that mentors and supports families with financial need along their journey toward self-sufficiency. Since its inception, The Michelle Project has mentored many local families—the majority led by single mothers who have faced challenges in providing for their families on their own.
What better way to spookify your Halloween weekend than coming out to "The Sweet Colleens Second Annual Halloween Monkey Dance Spooktacular," a not-so-scary kids concert and dance party. If you made it last year, you will know what fun the Spooktacular was.
You can look forward to...
* The Sweet Colleens rockin' songs off their acclaimed kids CD, The Monkey Dance: All the Kids Are Doin' It! * The Mini-Mosh Pit, with lots of room for kids to dance and move around * Interactive musical fun for the whole family. * A great chance for kids to give their Halloween costumes a "dry run" before the big night. * Special musical guests the wonderful Madrigals choir from Field Middle School (who promise to show up in full trick-or-treating attire!) *Special prizes.
Speaking of costumes, all guests, but especially kids, are invited to wear their Halloween costumes (although please no costumes that may be offensive to others).
Last year's Spooktacular was a near sellout, so reserve your tickets early! We'll see you there...and don't forget your monkey-dancing shoes!
The Cedar is now fully air-conditioned for your year-round comfort!
Ticket options and info