memorial weekend.

How was everyone's weekend? Ben and I took off Friday for Canada. His dad built a cabin just over the boarder on Lake Superior. It's such a relaxing place to hangout. Right on the lake it overlooks a handful of islands including Isle Royal. We had beautiful weather the whole time so much of it was spent outside helping out with the gardens or just laying in the sun snacking* and drinking. We saw a lot of animals while driving up there- the cutest porcupine, a few foxes, and a big black bear and cub! I have always wanted to see a black bear so I was pretty excited seeing this guy. He just sat and watched us for awhile like it was no big deal.

*On our way there we stopped in at Grand Portage to get some snacks and to my surprise they carried Twin Bings!! I was listening to NPR's The Splendid Table (on Saturday afternoons) a couple months ago and Lynne had on this author talking about the best old school candy bars and he said the Twin Bings was his favorite. Ever since I've been keeping an eye out for them but couldn't find them anywhere until now! They're absolutely horrible for you, but they are a tasty treat for sure.

white weekend.

We lucked out this last weekend with awesome weather. I even cracked open a window this afternoon! Mid 30's, sun shining. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. On Saturday we took my sister's family skiing at Spirit Mountain. Most of us decided to go CC skiing instead of downhill which was fine by me! It was a beautiful day spent skiing through the woods (falling repeatedly) and relaxing in the chalet with a beer in hand. It was my niece Lo's first time cc skiing and she really loved it. Her and I ended up ditching everyone and going on another 5k. I don't remember the last time I laughed so much with her. It meant a lot to be out with her like that. Especially since she's 12 going on 21. I hope she will always think of Duluth as her second home. ...............
On a completely different note. I watched 500 Days of Summer this afternoon and was disappointed. Is it just me or does Zooey Deschanel always seem to be playing the same role? I think she's super adorable and I even kind of like her music, but I find her annoying in movies. There I said it.
(Oh. And I also watched 17 Again (Lo picked it out...) and it was better than I thought it would be. There I said it.)

happy weekend!

What are you up to this weekend? My sister, nephew Chris, and niece Lolo are coming and staying with us for the weekend. Last time Lo stayed with me we went to the aquarium and saw so many wonderful things like this swimming duck. We're planning on going down hill skiing tomorrow at Spirit Mountain and I am a little nervous. I haven't been down hill skiing in over 10 years! eeep! Wish me luck and see you Monday!

fathers day...

I meant to post about this yesterday, but I was swept away by chaos and family. Anyways, yesterday was Fathers Day and I must say I have one of the coolest dads a girl could ask for. My dad is a unique character. He's a typical sports fanatic who is also super sensitive, caring, a power shopper (no joke, this man shops more than I do), and is the most generous human being I know. Even though I lived almost 3 hours away from him he never missed a weekend to be with my brother and I. He would drive all the way up to Duluth just to watch a basketball game of mine and drive back home right after. That's 6 hours of driving just to watch me in a stinky high school gym for 2 hours. To this day we have remained close and I always look forward to our weekly conversations. We usually catch up on things like The Bachelorette (he's addicted, you should have seen him when Jason denied Deanna...), recent purchases, and life in general. I'm so thankful for having such a wonderful father. Thanks for being so awesome dad!

Life Aquatic

I took Lolo to the Aquarium this weekend. It was pretty awesome. We saw otters, tons of fish, snakes, sea horses (amazing), and a HUGE bald eagle. We even touched Amazon stingrays and a sturgeon! More on the race later... {a cat fish that was fond of Lo}

{duck!}

{i kissed a moose and i liked it....i embarrassed Lo by singing this for the rest of the day}

run like the wind

This weekend is Grandma's Marathon in Duluth! I have run this race many times, but I'm just watching this year. Ben is running the full, and we have lots of family & friends running the full and half. This is one of my favorite weekends of the summer. There is always a lot of good energy floating around and its so fun to watch thousands of people run by. The course itself is nice and flat and is right by Lake Superior the whole route. If I were running Saturday I would have 'Chariots of Fire' playing while I got ready. Maybe I'll play it for Ben when he gets up at 4 am to catch the marathon bus....

Our house will be full this weekend and my 11 year old niece Lauren (Lolo), Ben's cousin, and his two friends will be staying here with us. I called Lauren from the grocery store to see what kinds of foods I should pick for her.

Me: Hey Lo, I'm at the store. What do you like to eat?
Lolo: Uhhh, Pizza, chips, cookies...
Me:Hmm OK, what about for like lunch and dinner?
Lolo: Mac n Cheese
Me: Alright...so you eat pretty healthy huh?
Lolo: huh?
Me: Do you drink soy milk?
Lolo: What? Gross!

My goal is to try to introduce her to things called vegetables this weekend...

stinker

Every night while I'm getting ready for bed, Argos creeps into the

bed and plops down in MY spot.

Head on pillow, drifting off to sleep like nobody's business.

And everytime, I have to coax him to move (which takes effort) and he usually ends up

squished in between Ben and I until he gets too hot and leaves.

This literally happens every single night.

You think he would know by now he's not allowed to take my space, but nope.

Sure enough, he's always waiting for me to move him.
Sometimes, when I have to get up in the middle of the night he creeps right back in!

What a little stinker.

(but I love him)

Reason #872 why I love my grandparents so much

When I was a little girl I would have overnights at my grandparents house. I would stay in the "pink" room. A room that was so magical and every little girls dream. It was of course, pink, but also filled with frilly blankets, a canopy bed made for one, a vanity filled with antique jewelry, and stuffed animals (usually wearing my old baby dresses) to keep me company. I have so many fond memories of staying with grandparents place. Their house was immaculate, but beautiful and dainty just like my Grandma. She had flower gardens everywhere, little candy dishes on every table, and cabinets filled with fine china. She would have her "lady luncheons" which where usually attended by her "lioness" club and Avon lady. At these luncheons she would set the table with these fancy white porcelain dishes. She would place a doily under each teacup, and make sure the silverware was polished. It gave her much joy to do these things, and I remember always being mesmerized by how everything she touched was so beautiful.

Things have changed a lot since then. I now live 3 hours away and rarely see my grandparents. They still live in the same house which looks the EXACT same (including the "pink" room), but are now gone 6 months out of the year in Florida. I was so excited to hear that they would be driving through Duluth today and would be stopping by. Not only that, but they brought gifts! I am now the new owner of my grandmothers fine china set, or as she calls it "her luncheon setting". I can't wait to continue the tradition of having my own luncheons. What do you say ladies? Tea and crumpets anyone?

They also brought a box full of Tobies rolls....I know right? Be still my heart!