State Fair

These are Ben's nephews Matthew (left) and Grayson. We went to the state fair the second to last day. It was hot, but we had a bunch of fun! I made them model some hats for us.

The two cowboys.

Eating cheese curds on a tractor. Ahh, Minnesota.

I told him to "look like he was driving REALLY fast." This is what he did. Funny guy.

Uhh.

I still can't get my blog to straighten out. The pictures look like they are lined up when I'm putting captions on them- then I hit "post" and they go back to messy! I want to change the format of the blog anyway. Maybe this is my excuse to do it now.

Josie and Zach's Wedding Aug. 9

We had more fun at this wedding than we have in a long time!!! Josie was one of my best friends from high school, and I am so glad to see she has married a wonderful man.
Molly and Josie




































































Our good friends and Goddaughter- Taylor, Mindi and Miley Pagel

Up North in August

We went up to the cabin at the end of August, and had a blast. Mom and Dad came up on Friday, and Katie, Jeff, Ben and I came up Sunday. Casey couldn't get there till the end of the week, but we were sure glad she was able to make if for a while!! We left the following Sunday and had perfect weather most of the week. We all enjoyed spending time together and watching the free entertainment. Noah.

I'm Bad

I know- 3 months behind. This summer has been so darn busy! We've been doing a lot of fun things, but we are never home! Well, last Monday Ben started his new job. He was hired to a sales position at College City Beverage. He was working in the delivery department for the last year and a half, and he interviewed for a sales position and got it!! I am so proud of him, and he loves his new job. He gets a "Bud Light van" that he can drive to work and back, which is so nice.

I'm still loving my job at St. Mary's and finally feel like I get the hang of it. There is soo much to learn, especially being right out of school. But everyday there is something new, and I learn many new things every day. It's fun!

We are still slowly fixing up the house. We haven't done hardly anthing this spring/summer but this fall we are whipping out house into shape! Someday soon we would like something bigger, with a garage we can park in. It was an ideal starter home, but we are ready to move on to bigger and better houses.

Well, that's what's new in our lives. I need to post pictures sometime. I just have way to many right now. We went to a wedding this weekend and my memory card was full, so I couldn't take many pictures. It's been a long time since I've developed any. Take care everyone!!
- The Bakkens

Working Woman

Well, this week has been busy. We haven't been doing anything extraordinarly fun, I've just been working like crazy. I picked up my first night shift. I worked nights during orientation, but I wasn't allowed to work overtime. So on Tuesday, I worked and evening shift from 3:00-11:30, and they asked me to stay till 7:30 the next day. So I did- I haven't been that tired driving home in a long time!! I slept for four hours and went back to work Wed evening. Anyways- I'm working 12 hour nights this weekend, so I have some extra time to update the blog.

The only other new thing in our life is we FINALLY bought a new (well, new to us) car!! We said goodbye to Ben's 1994 red/pink Escort wagon. So now he's driving a Hundai Santa Fe. It's so nice driving something from this decade! I'm still driving my 1998 Buick Lesabre. It gets me to work, so I can't complain too much. Ok, it's 1:30 AM. I'm going to take a quick break and eat my "supper," then get back to work. Have a good weekend everyone!

P.S. On Wednesday evening, I received a text message from Ben saying "Thanks for working so much this week. It's so nice having a sugar mama. Let's hang out sometime." Needless to say we haven't seen much of each other. Oh- and on Friday afternoon, Ben got home from work and he gave me a kiss and asked, "did you get your hair cut?" I replied, "Yeah, on Monday." Sad huh.

Another Gig!!

Just a reminder that the band is playing in Zumbrota at the VFW on Saturday April 12 from 8:00-12:00 pm. It's $10.00 to get in the door and they are having a silent auction as well. We are playing to raise money for the Relay for Life. Becky Jokela, who sings in the band with me, is walking with a group from Zumbrota. So come and dance the night away and raise money for cancer research! Hope to see you there!

A Few Additional Photos...

Meghann and Jake. Too funny! They look like they belong together.
I don't know why she felt the need to bring a shovel into the picture, but she did. This is Molly. Doesn't she look great as a blond?
I just get a kick out of Mom and Dad's matching van club jackets! Not to mention Mom's hamburger pants?
Josie and Molly.
Again- Dad spent $0.00 on his outfit.

White Trash Party!!! March 15, 2008...A Night to Remember

The Happy Family! Ma and Pa sur no how to rase good youngins.
The best we've looked in a long time!
New baby, one on the way, and no daddy.
Taylor and Mindi. Miley looks so cute. Very appropriate attire for March weather. A onsie and socks. Right on.
Our good buddy Bob. Sadly, he didn't spend a dollar on this outfit. He had it all at home! He said this was his "good stuff." The bad stuff is at the cabin in Wisconsin. I don't want to know.

Jake had some of the shortest shorts I have seen in a LONG time! But he does have the nicest legs of the group.Just like old times.
Another great picture showing off his outfit.
No comment.
Jamie and Nate sommer

The newly engaged couple- Zach and Josie!!
When he was given this shirt- he thought he would never have a place to wear it. Low and behold-- There was such an occasion!
High school girl friends. Meghann, Molly, Josie and I.
Josie came back from the bathroom and had the front of her awesome jean dress tucked into the front of her fanny pack. She had no idea, and was so willing to pose for a picture!
The country trash mom... Mindi.

Sister Casey stopped by after her shift. She was WAY underdressed.























Oh Nate. No words for this. You did it to yourself, and it's great.


This is a co-worker of Taylor Pagel, Greg and his wife.

Jamie Sommer. As always- best hair of the night! No one can look as trashy, and yet, so good- all at the same time.



















My pregnant husband.

Happy Birthday Don!

I want to wish Don Bakken a very Happy 74th Birthday!! Thinking of you today, and wishing you a wonderful day. Love- Ben and Bekki

Oh just you wait...

This past weekend we had a White Trash Party-just for the fun of it. I will get those pictures up this week. They are AWESOME! I have not laughed so hard in weeks.

Huh. I'm not good at this.

I am annoyed. I can't get the next post to straighten out. Whatever.

Here is Miley's baptism on Feb. 10 at Spring Garden. She slept through the whole service, and looked so cute in her dress.















My little man is growing.


















Ben's cousins Jamie and Christine. Jamie is a hair dresser and recently cut ALL of Christine's hair off. Very trendy, but only she can pull if off. Love it!














A random evening at Ringo's. Molly brought a few of her college friends with. They were a blast! And really good at beanbags.




















My good friend Josie and her boyfriend Zach. A fun couple!

Garage Party

I was so rediculously excited when I passed my boards that I had to throw a party to celebrate! Here's mom and our Godchild Miley Pagel.















Here's cousin Justin with Noah. So glad he came.























We have the BEST friends and family. I just wanted them to come over and have supper with me, I wasn't expecting gifts! But they were beautiful and make our house smell sooo nice!












Dad getting a little "boy" time with Reeder. He was loving the strawberry angel food cake dessert.















A lifetime friend- Molly.

Here is an old picture from "Family Fun Night II." This was in January. I know, it's been a while. Jeff stopped by to have supper while he was on duty. "Serve and protect" my foot.
This was taken the day I took my nursing boards. Katie took me to Rochester that morning, and we went shopping afterwards. Noah tagged along.
Alumni weekend. Molly and Ben at Mill Street.
Michelle and Jamie Stay.

Ben's buddy Jason and his wife Kristy.

A Workin Woman

Well, I have one day left of classroom orientation at Mayo. I started on Monday February 11 and finally get to work on the floor full time starting this coming Monday. I can't sit in a classroom all day, it makes my legs hurt! I am so ready to get out on the floor and learn about specific patient care. And it's tough to get anything done at home when I'm gone all day! I leave by 5:40 to catch the 6:00 bus, and don't get home till nearly 5:00 pm. It's tough. But after nearly two weeks of boredum, I get to play some rock and roll tonight. I have band practice! It's been a while since we've gotten together, so I'm looking forward to it. We're practicing for the March 22nd gig at Grandpa's Event Center. I'm going to try to get Ben to come with me, but he's preoccupied by his favorite past time...napping. Poor little lamb. Anyway- I'll get some new pictures up soon.