Carolyn Hiykel: Before Baby

Mom and Dad got married January 24, 2004. They met at a party after a concert, when your mom was 22 and your dad was 26. They were both there with friends, but as soon as they met they only talked to each other the rest of the night. For their first date, your dad took your mom to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Rainbow (Asian food restaurant), and they watched The Jungle Book.
They got engaged on 3/3/03. Your dad tried to think of a creative way to propose, but he finally was so excited that he ended up giving your mom the ring right after he bought it. He couldn't wait!

They lived at 2112 31st Ave S in Minneapolis. This was your first home. It was also your Grandpa Mark's first home back in the 1940s. Your Great-Grandma Phyllis was born in the house and also married here. There have been numerous wonderful memories in this house over the past 100 years. Your mom was so happy to have another baby--you--be a part of it's history.

Mom and Dad dancing at a palace in Florence, Italy

Mom and Dad always knew they wanted to have a baby. Before you were born they enjoyed a lot of hobbies, and they kept busy with work and play. They traveled to Italy (twice), France, San Francisco, Las Vegas, visited your great-grandma Helen Hiykel in Omaha, and went to Bay Lake. Your dad played drums in a band. The band played in clubs around the Twin Cities, and won an internet contest and got flown to a show in Austin, Texas. Your mom was busy with her job teaching music. She took choir students on tours to New York, Chicago, and Madison. She went to graduate school at the University of St. Thomas, and got a master's degree, principal license, and worked on a doctorate. For one of her favorite classes they flew to Washington D. C. and learned a lot about our country's history and government.