Mary lives in Kennedy, MN (population 287). Mary was born and raised in the Kennedy area, and has worked in the Kittson Central School system for the past 30 years as an English teacher, volleyball coach, girls basketball coach, yearbook advisor, and drama coach - oh and she raised Mindy and her 3 siblings...we're pretty sure she deserves a medal for that one!

FUN FACT: Mary hosts snipe hunting tours and ditch burning excursions (summers only, please call to inquire about pricing). She loves her grandchildren Chloe and Dusty dearly. She also makes excellent BBQs and peas (according to Christopher).

Chrissy and Mindy met in Mindy's second year of grad school at UW - both were in the Psychology Ph.D. program -- Chrissy earned a degree in Social Psychology and Mindy in Developmental Psychology (Mindy was referred to as the "kid-lover"). Chrissy now lives in north Denver with her husband Zak and their two dogs, Tank and Lola. She works for the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice as a statistical analyst. Chrissy is an avid yoga-er....yog-ey...??? (person who enjoys yoga).

FUN FACT: Chrissy has been known to alert others to her level of intoxication by stating "This is FUN"...just an FYI. She also calls slippers 'house shoes.' Big weirdo.

Nancy and Mindy have been friends since Mindy's sophomore year of college (at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN). They met when Mindy was an RA in Hoyum Hall, and Nancy was a freshman - Nancy peeked her head into Mindy's room and said "HI, I've seen you around, you seem interesting, want to be friends?". (Well, it was something like that...) Nancy has recently transitioned from teaching music to pursuing a career as a jazz singer in Minneapolis, MN.

FUN FACT: The Nancy Harms Trio performs at Rossi's in downtown Minneapolis 4+ nights a week - if you're around, go check them out! Christopher is Nancy's biggest fan, even though they have never met in person.

Dana and Mindy have known each other since Mindy's second year of graduate school at the University of Wyoming. Dana spent most of her life in Spencer, IA and is now living with her soon-to-be-husband Kai and their lovable dog Jack in Philadelphia (they will be married in the Virgin Islands in December!). At UW, Dana earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology, focusing on jury research, and is now a trial consultant with Dispute Dynamics.

FUN FACT: Dana has been known to throw shoes at people late in the evening. She is also fluent in Spanish, and has some sweet bowstaff skills.

Jody is Mindy's first cousin (and Bridget's sister). They grew up together in the farmland of northern Minnesota (until Jody moved to Minneapolis when she was 8). Since then, Jody has lived in Durango Colorado and most recently, has moved to Tampa Florida. Jody owns her own sales company, specializing in men and women's apparel, jewelry, and shoes.

FUN FACT: Jody and Mindy were early entrepreneurs; at the age of 5, they started "The Wallpaper Club". No one remembers the exact function of this entity, but it was very important back in the day. Jody does not like to be tickled; I repeat, DO NOT TICKLE.

Stacy is Mindy's younger sister (by 5 years) and lives in Moorhead, MN. She attends the University of Minnesota, Moorhead, and also works her butt off as the assistant manager of a Verizon Wireless store there.

FUN FACT: Yes, Mindy and Stacy do look a LITTLE bit alike...she had the unfortunate title of 'miniature Mindy' at certain points in her life. But Stacy is about 6 inches shorter. (Mindy just HAD to add that part, ha ha!) Stacy also loves anything in the shape of a star.

Jessi and Mindy are friends who met at work - they both serve the citizens of Wyoming at the Wyoming Department of Health, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services Division. Jessi has an MSPH from the University of Hawaii (lucky!) and specializes in prevention work, particularly with mothers and children. Jessi is married to Eric, who is an English teacher and basketball coach here in Cheyenne; they share their house with their new dog, Charlie the golden lab.

FUN FACT: Jessi is from the Deadwood, SD area, and even SHE won't drive from Wyoming to South Dakota in the winter. Jessi also has a special place in her heart for mojitos from PF Changs.

Bridget is Mindy's first cousin (and Jody's sister), who lives in gorgeous Santa Monica, California. Bridget works in the fashion industry for labels you have likely heard before...including Kay Celine, and has recently accepted a position with BCBG. She has two VIPs in her life: her dogs Nala and Haven.

FUN FACT: Mindy and Christopher visited Bridget for Christmas 2006, and had an excellent time (including Disneyland and Slava's Snowshow). We learned some important things; for example, if you ever need a ride, in a car, to or from anywhere, we daresay you may want to skip asking Bridget to drive you...and ask her sometime about the performance she put on for us Christmas Eve. The critics are still raving about it.

Jeanette "Netty", along with the rest of her family (husband Rick, and daughters Lavina, Andrea, and Erica) became our dear friends and camping partners just a few months after we moved to Cheyenne. She and Christopher met while working at the University of Phoenix, Cheyenne campus. Jeanette recently completed her MBA (Woo!) and now works for the State of Wyoming, Department of Workforce Services as a program manager.

FUN FACT: We have adopted their family in many ways - for example, we celebrate Family Night each Wednesday at Venti's Italian Restaurant. Netty also possesses an EXTENSIVE knowledge of campfire songs, which no doubt includes many of YOUR favorites...such as, "The FEEE Song", and "There was a Rose".

Dusty is a 6-year-old salt and pepper miniature schnauzer who hails from Michigan. We adopted her from Dana's brother Jason last summer. Dusty likes doing tricks (such as playing dead when we say "Bang Bang!"), waiting at the kitchen door for her food, running around in the backyard, and stepping on her younger/smaller sister Chloe whenever she gets the chance.