Rosonke Wedding

The Ceremony, Jamie, McCain and Matt

Well Hello There...This last weekend was a fury of activity for Matt and I. Matt's Childhood best friend got married this last weekend at a hunting lodge in South Dakota. It was a blast!! Jamie (the Bride), aunt and uncle own a hunting lodge and hosted the weekend for us. It was fun to stay in a hunting lodge, considering I am not a big hunter and will probably never be in one again. The wedding was outside and then the reception was in a big tent. The Bride's aunt is a florist and made everything just gorgeous. Matt gave a very good best man speech. He was very funny, and just the right amount of sincere.. (He would be embarrassed if I told you how hard he worked on it, but he did, and it was very genuine)



Matt "Speeching" It was very good...


Renshaw (Ben) and I busting a move.. I am a Phenomenal Dancer..

Friday night they roasted a pig which was awesome. It was easily the best pork I have ever had. The one thing I have never really seen at a Rehearsal dinner was the shooting of clay pigeons while enjoying some drinks.....It was a little weird but actually kind of fun... when in Rome I guess!! Well enjoy the pictures. The wedding was beautiful and we got the DJ to stay till 3 and partied till 4.. And boy we are paying for it now..


Matt Trying to Look Cool in Front of the SD Boys.
Josh Helmers Quote " I came here to do do two things drink some beer and shoot some guns, and I am done shooting guns." He thinks he is so funny...


Kelly, Jamie, and I doing the world famous point that Josh, McCain, and Matt do in every picture..


Point Taken..Josh and Matt doing "The Point"


All the Algonians...

Not Much else... Matt and I are really excited for the first Presidential Debate this Friday, I am sure you are all planning your weekend around it like us..Oh and I am becoming a red head on Thursday!! I know so dangerous..I am excited.. I better look prettier than I am or I am gonna be mad..I know I have nothing to worry about..I can work any look..Well I will post pictures of the "New Do" later this week...Other than that we have to get Matt ready to move in a week and then we have tickets to Weezer (A band for you old folks), Kathy Griffin, and then Mom and Meghann will be here to go to Tina Turner..All in a matter of 10 days...I feel like like Ecklers with all of these activities!!! Well, at least I will have some things to blog about soon!! Hope everyone is well!!

"Republicans, the Religious Right, and Neo-Cons OH MY!!"

"Daily Show" Taping location... I didn't get tickets but a fellow Law Clerk did and said it was awesome..


Well if you haven't been able to tell, I am not so fond of Republicans in any way shape or form. I basically despise them at this point. So the fact that they were in my city was quite the event. I work right across the street from the Xcel, which was where the convention was held. Tuesday before and after work I walked over to Rice Park and watched MSNBC tape. On my way to Rice park I ran into Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski from Morning Joe on MSNBC. I used to not like Joe because he was a former Republican congressman and a bit of a tool, but not so much anymore..he understands how disastrous this Bush Administration has been..


Chris Matthews after taping...He has a bit of a Thad Cosgrove look to him..just saying..

I watched the broadcast for a couple hours. I was right in the front and on TV a bit. Meghann said they re-ran intros the next couple of days and I was still on..So you might have seen me! She said it was funny because it looked like I was a smiling happy Republican, but there were no Republicans in this crowd...All in All it was really cool to experience a convention..


"Hardball" In Progess


David Gregory and "Race for the White House" [Sorry about the bad quality of pictures..I forgot my camera and had to use a disposal!!]


If you haven't been paying attention to Meghann's Blog and sense the frustration we both feel, I will fill you in. This election is SO IMPORTANT!! The Republican party is completely out of touch with the middle class.

This whole Gov. Palin thing steams me!! I was very disturbed today when a new poll came out saying white women are falling in line for this woman? Why? Does no one Read anymore? This woman believes in censorship, she was on a campaign to fire the Wasilla librarian because she would not remove books Palin found inappropriate. She has said this war is God's Plan, and God's Will..My god doesn't believe in war....She also claims that she against federal earmarks, and claims she said No to the so called "Bridge to Nowhere." Actually she was all for it until Congress said it would not fund it, and yet she still took the $300 million dollar federal earmark and used it for other transportation projects. She wants to teach Creationism in school..not cool...As Mayor of Wasilla, a population of around 7500 with no debt and left it with over 20 million dollars in debt, she is under investigation for abuse of power as Governor for allegedly firing the Safety Commissioner because he would not fire her ex brother in law, and today it was released that she charged the taxpayers of Alaska for "lodging" expenses when she was at her own home in Wasilla. It blows my mind how this woman can be seen to be competent to be #2 to McCain. If Hillary Clinton had done just one of these things her political career would be over. But that is not fair to compare Clinton to Palin, Clinton has class, brains, and experience..This woman is an empty suit..

The whole republican convention they never once mentioned Healthcare, the state of education, how to fix our crumbling economy, or a new Energy Policy.They just talked about God, Guns, Drilling .. DISTRACT.. DISTRACT...DISTRACT, but that is their game..I don't know who's speech was more hateful Giuliani's or Palin's?? McCain has already said he will keep the Bush Tax Cuts for Corporate America and the Wealthiest 5% of Americans, don't worry about the rest of us. Not to mention the fact that medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in this country...Do Republicans forget they came to office with a Surplus, a strong economy, and good standing in the world, and now we have a Trillion Dollar war,and a rising Deficit? Somehow they forgot they have been in charge the last 8 years and F'ed everything up..Republicans Cut taxes for the Rich, but never Cut Spending..This current state of the federal government is the largest it has ever been, yet they are the Party of "Small Government"

Well I've had it. I am officially taking back Liberty, Freedom, and Patriotism from the Republican party. It's time to restore America. I am done with the divide and distract...The next few weeks leading to the election will be tense..it is too close..I only hope people pay attention and realize the negative repercussions of what another 4 years of Republican Rule would do..

Emily's Wedding

Well this weekend was one of my dearest friends Wedding. It was so much fun that I am still trying to recuperate from Emily & James big day. It was a blast, easily the best wedding I have been to, and impossible to top. The wedding was nice, elegant, and 75 and sunny. Of course the best part was the reception. The reception was held in a tent by East Lake Okoobji and it was beautiful. From the flowers to the food, the drinks, it was all fabulous. Better than that was the fact that Damon Dotson (http://www.damondotson.com) and his band played the reception. Damon is an Okoboji native who has steadily been climbing the "band" scene. One of the first gigs he played was our friend, Darci's 15th Birthday party on her parents deck in Boji. Ten years later he has come a long way. We absolutely LOVE him and we our his biggest fans. It was just about as cool as getting Dave Matthews to play your wedding. (Well for me anyway). We are very happy for Emily & James, as they are good friends of both Meghann & Jamie, and Matt and I. Below are some pictures of the fun we had, especially the reunion of fellow Bloggers!!


Darci, Kristina, Em, Me, and Donna...So PRETTY!


Mom and Dad with East Lake in the Background


Libba, Juli, Me, Emily, Meghann doing our Best "Prune" faces for the blog!!


The beautiful bride and I singing along to Damon!!


James Singing his favorite song, AC/DC "Shook me all night long" to his bride, this was one of the highlights of the night!!


Meghann and Jamie enjoying the band

*Party Weekend*

Well Hello Fellow Bloggers!! I hope everyone is well. This week is my semi-summer vacation week. I am only working 20 hours.. Woo-Hoo!! What I would give to take a week off....Well I start my 3rd year of law school next Wednesday. I am so excited for my last first day of school ever!! After High School and College I was not ready for school to end, but I am this time, I am REALLY ready for it to end.

Another big event this week was my first airbrush spray tan. I did a dry run this week because in two weeks I am a bridesmaid in my best friend Emily's wedding.I decided in College since staying thin may not be my forte...maintaining beautiful young skin might be possible. Thanks to my Irish Roots, fabulous "Almost Famous" sun-hats, and application of generous amounts of sunscreen I stand a chance. I think it worked awesome and It is still going strong.. I am completely hooked. Your Opinions from the pictures would be appreciated..Who needs wrinkles and cancer when you get a spray tan from an air pump? Plus an arm workout..lots of holding your arms in weird positions...


My BFF Ray.. Seriously I look good, Sorry Ray I get to be pretty this week and you get to be skinny..don't be greedy..

Since it was one last fun weekend before it is back to the 9 month grind of school, my friends and I decided to make a weekend of it. Friday night was two of my friends from law school birthday on the same day. So of course we had to have a good old fashioned house party. It was fun, but not nearly as out of control as college...how lame. We talked about politics, loans, job opportunities...All lamerson. What ever happened to sharing walk of shame stories, making fun of frat and sorority dorks, and offensive jokes..Ah to be a kid again..wait..we still do that..never mind..


BA 3L's Liz, Me, Linds, Ash (That is Badass Third Year's for you civilians)

Saturday we all headed to the world famous Apple River. If you don't know what the Apple River is, it is a nice shallow river in Wisconsin that god created for us human folk to float down on with old black tubes, tied together with twine. This can only be enjoyed with other tubes in tow carrying cases of "beverages." I have heard the legend of Apple River many times before, it was nice to actually experience it. It is refreshing to see the commingling of people in swimsuits, cut-offs, and cowboy hats with koozies in hand... Americana at its best..


Apple River's Finest


My 1/20/09 Bush's Last Day Hat.....Matt's exact word's "Why must you always alienate those around you? Do we really need hillbilly confrontations?" My Response "It is my duty to poke those who don't think with my stick." Boo-Yah... Two weeks until the neo-con invasion...I'm ready

Tom Petty & The HeartBreakers Meets The UNI Heartbreakers...

Well I figured it was time to update my blog before the Young Sisters send out the hounds for me.. Last week was a big week, and this week I am still trying to recover. Well, Wednesday Matt and I went to Tom Petty.. It was awesome. We spent the whole concert on our feet, dancing, and taking in lots of second hand smoke from those "Funny Cigarettes..." Learning to Fly was the best song of the night..All in all it was awesome..



Warming up for "Running Down a Dream"

Thursday we headed to the Lake (Yankton), to meet up with UNI's Finest. (aka Hotties of 2006) On the way to Yankton, Matt threw a fit about being too Tom Pettyed-out to drive, so I took over. Well... I got pulled over and got a ticket for going 70 in a 65.. Total BS..I thought 5 over was standard...This is Relevant because on the way home Matt got pulled over on I-35 for going 12 over and got a WARNING!! Seriously, does Matt flirt better than me? Does he wear his skirts shorter?? Matt claims that warning makes his total amount of warnings a "Baker's Dozen," and no tickets.. Not Fair..

Anyway... The weekend was a blast...We got a lot of sun..ate a lot, had some cocktails, and re-lived all the good memories of Dancer Hall. We also did some more "Prune" and "Magic" pictures. Seriously try it, it is too funny..We also ripped off a Vanity Fair regular feature by shouting out situations and then you have to make the appropriate expression.. I can't really publish any of them..but the least offensive one was "Somebody you don't particularly enjoy just died, and you could really care less..(Expression Below)"


"That's really too bad..."


Sucks to be him...

Besides having too much sun the other highlight of the weekend was Me getting in a fight with some WT dad in his tank top at the Marina Patio Bar. It was the girls, Mom, Matt, and I grabbing some drinks and food..Well let's just say there was a little talking like sailors..(I blame being on the water..) At one point I used the really bad one, It was wrong of me I know. Well, Mr. Tank Top yelled at me for swearing in front of his kids..(he was way more offensive in the cut-off) I apologized nicely, that was not cool of me.. I forgot that it was a "family" bar (is there really such a thing??), but he just wouldn't accept it...Well, Matt's rule is that you apologize once nicely and if they don't accept it and they want to keep fighting, then you have every right to tell them to shove it.. So that is what I did..Tankity Tank Top didn't handle it too well..at least it was entertaining..

But it was still a good time... even if we got in a tussle with Cut-offs... Enjoy the Pics..



Mo, Bri, Liz, Anna



Deborah and I Chilaxin..

We hold these truths to be self -evident...

Well the 4th of July was a wonderful holiday. My aunt Tracy came and visited and I am pretty sure we wore her out!! We boated, ate lots of good food, complained about republicans...ya know all things patriotic. Thursday night we went to watch fireworks after the Crofton HS baseball game. Crofton is a town smaller than Holstein by our cabin and they had awesome fireworks. They even had a firework I have never seen before. I called it the Sparkling Vagina because it was in the Shape of a V. My dad corrected me and said it was for Victory, that probably makes more sense....

Friday night we watched Dad and Jamie light off our fireworks. 4th of July is my second favorite holiday next to Bastille Day. We may have started a minor forest fire but we got it under control. We also had a modeling contest. Try next time with a group of people. All you need is a digital camera and say Prune to get the Movie Star pout look and Magic to get the big smile. I had read this lovely tip from the anorexic Olsen twins in some stupid celebrity magazine. We had a lot of fun making "Prune" and "Magic" faces. Tracy and Meghann had the best ones. Unfortunately my camera (well Matt's) is broken and is getting fixed, and mom somehow thought she uploaded her pictures, then deleted them all from her camera and low and behold they were NOT on her computer. GRRR... So we lost a lot of our pictures from this last week. I will post a few we did get... All and all it was a good weekend and it was great to have Tracy Visit..Hope everyone had a good 4th!!!



Lillian looking at all of the Boats



Just got done kicking some HS butt in a race.. Check out those pipes..



One of the many beautiful sailboats out on the lake



Lillian wanted to get in the Lake after she saw Me swimming. She did it twice but not for very long!!

Mi Padre

Well Yesterday was Father's Day and I had a lovely day. A little Shopping, Golf, and a brownie.. And no Father to spend it with... JK.. I did my daughterly duty and stood in line for two hours on Saturday to get a book for my dad, "When Your Engulfed in Flames" By David Sedaris. David happened to be here in the cities and everyone in my family loves him, especially my dad. He is a social commentator type writer and is a contributor to "This American Life." Which if you don't know is the greatest radio show in broadcast radio. (Support your Local Public Radio: Yes I am a PROUD NPR nerd)

Well I stood in line to Meet David and when I told him that the book was for my dad, he Replied "Really... Well have you ever seen your Dad naked??" I was just like WHAT!! Are you kidding me..If you knew Sedaris or his writing you would understand that this question was par for the course. So my dad will receive his gift this weekend when I am home... and Yes I have seen my dad naked, once.. ..

It was one Saturday Morning and we still lived in the house on Kiel street. I was about 8 and Clare was 3. It was around Christmas time and we were suppose to decorate cookies with mom later that day. Clare and I were the only ones up,and Clare said she had to go to the bathroom, so I just let her go by herself, I mean I am sure the smurfs were on, I was busy. Well a couple of minutes later I smelled smoke. I went into the kitchen and mom had put the wicker basket of cookie decorating necessities on top of the stove and it was now on fire, as were the cupboard's above the stove. Meanwhile Clare was on the opposite end of the counter just chillin.

I ran upstairs screaming "FIRE!!! FIRE!!!" Dad came Flying out his and mom's bedroom in his Birthday Suit, he ran down the stairs and My mom was chasing him with a robe... Needless to say the nakedness was more traumatizing then the fire. (My dad may be mad at me for sharing this story, but it is too funny and has already been told a million times) And if my memory serves me correct I think Michael Fauci got Clare a fire extinguisher for Christmas that year.. and that is every daughter's "Omigod I saw my dad naked story!!!"

Posted below are Pictures of My Dad (With Clothes!!) and my other great Father Joe Cosgrove, together they are The Great and Power Cos



Me, Mom, Clare, Dad (Iowa vs. ISU Fall 2007)


The Real Great and Power Cos: Joe Cosgrove aka World's Greatest WomBat Killer and Foot Soldier for Captain Waterworks


T.C. The Gpa (But don't ever call him that, he hates it..he..he..he)


Dad and Baby Lillian