Summer Monday

Today was a perfect summer day. The only bad thing is I spent the majority of the day inside at work. After work, I went to Keith's 2nd T-ball game. Michael joined up with me there and we ate at Checker's in West St. Paul after the game. That was my first time eating there. I remember seeing a lot of them while in Florida but I think this is the only location in Minnesota. Once we got home, I saw this bunny in the yard. He let me get so close to him and I got a great picture of him. His pose looks just like a chocolate bunny for easter. We ended up going for a quick ride on the bike "in between the lakes". It's only one lake, Vadnais Lake, but since there is a strip of land in the middle, we always say "in between the lakes". The lake was so calm. It looked just like a mirror. There was also a beautiful sunset, of which none of these pictures do justice. It was a peaceful evening on this last day of June.

Sunday Beautiful Sunday

Michael and I got up early and went to eat breakfast and then went to Pioneer Park to play tennis and basketball. Ok, we really didn't play a real game of tennis or basketball, but we had fun hitting the ball back and forth to each other and shooting some hoops. I thought I did alright playing tennis but man, I am bad at basketball. I think I made a total of 3 baskets, of which 2 of them were captured in the pictures below. While walking back to the car, I thought it would be fun to play on the playground. I wanted to try the monkey bars and wow, was I unsuccessful. I think I ripped my shoulder of out my socket. I forgot how much weight I was trying to support! I then moved to the swings. I started to get dizzy and sick. I'm just not a kid anymore.

A Day Trip to Wisconsin

After playing tennis and basketball, Michael and I met his brother Ray on the bike in Afton. This was out first time on the freeway on the bike. It was really windy. We met up with Ray at Windmill Marina. We walked the small shore and beach along the St. Croix River. We then decided to ride to Prescott, Wisconsin. I hadn't been to Prescott since I was a little kid. We continued to ride along the St. Croix on the Wisconsin side going through cities such as Diamond Bluff and Bay City. We turned around in Bay City and headed back to Prescott stopping at their visitor center to take look at the river at the scenic overlook. We finally stopped to eat a place called Enrique's. They had one of the best tacos I have ever had. The chips and salsa were really good too. We got back home around 6 pm and we were both sunburned on our faces. Time for lots of aloe.

Graduation Party

Today we went to a graduation party for Michael's 2nd cousin, David. He graduated from my school, White Bear Lake. It's hard to believe that I graduated 13 years ago. Where'd the time go? Here are a few pictures from the party. Congratulations, David.

Company Picnic

Today I had my company picnic at the Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington. We were able to leave at 12:30 pm to go to the park. Michael met me at work and we went there together. They had lots of games for the kids as well as adults. Right before we ate, it started to rain and it became very windy. They announced that we needed to eat and then leave because a big storm was coming so our picnic was cut short by an hour or so.

Motorcycle Ride

Michael completed his motorcycle safety training today. He took the test and passed with a 100%! The instructors said he was one of the best riders they have ever seen come through the class. So now what is the next logical step? To get a motorcycle, right? Nope, he already has one. Michael bought a brand new, beautiful Star Roadliner about a month ago. He has had his permit since about the same time. With your permit, you allowed to ride a motorcycle as long as you wear a helmet, do not ride on the freeways, do not have a passenger and do not ride after dark. Now that he has his license, that means I get to ride with him now. Not only did I go on my first motorcycle ride with Michael tonight, I went on my first motorcycle ride EVER. I am 31 years old and that is something that I never have had the chance to do. It was a little scary at first, especially taking the turns because it felt like we were going to tip over. But Michael knows what he is doing and we really weren't even close to falling over. The wind was something to get used to and the bugs that hit your face, but it's all worth it. I hope I'll get to ride a lot more with him. Here's a few pictures of his bike.

T-Ball

I went to my nephew Keith's first T-ball game tonight. All the little kids were cute and innocent and didn't really know how to play. They had to be reminded over and over again to run after they hit the ball and to throw the ball to base when they were in the field. It was a co-ed team and each kid played 2 innings and each kid got to bat each inning. I wasn't able to get any good pictures while Keith was playing. I spent most of my time videotaping the game so my sister, Keith's mom, could see him play. She is still away in Branson, MO working at a hotel there. But I can say a big congratulations to her since she has accepted a general manager position at the Fairfield Inn in Burnsville so she won't have to travel for much longer. Congrats, Jamie.

Saints Game

Michael and I were invited to join our friend Efren and his employer at the Saints game tonight. Efren is from The Phillipines and he got back from vacation there not too long ago and tonight he gave me this beautiful shell bracelet that he bought while he was there. I love it! We ate back behind the general admission area that was for Minnetronix employees only. The game was sponsored by Minnetronix and the theme of the evening was "COWabunga, Dude". There were real calves by the picnic area. Even the bases were black and white like a dairy cow. If you've been to a Saints game, you know all the silly stuff that happens during the game. They had a game where 2 people threw cottage cheese containers into a big, tall trophy. The person who had the least amount of containers in the trophy lost. Do you know what happens when you lose? You stand in a kiddie pool and they pour cottage cheese all over your head! We had a great time tonight as the pictures below show. If they don't make sense, that's ok. They're not supposed to. That's how you know you were at a Saint's game. It's so silly, you just sit there and think..."what?"

RIP George Carlin

Rest in peace, George. You made a huge impact within the comedy world and in everyday life for many. You broke the mold when nobody else would. You will be remembered.

Awwww!

My aunt Pat and uncle Dennis just got a new puppy. He is a Daschund that was born on May 3rd that they named Schroeder. Isn't he cute?

Canoe Trip

Today we went on our annual canoe trip. This is our 4th year that Michael and I have done this together and we brought along our friends Tanya and Chris this time. You couldn't have asked for any better weather for our 17 mile journey down the St. Croix River on this 1st official day of summer. The river was very high today but one of the canoers told us that the river was 4 feet higher just a few days ago. We stopped in Osceola to relax and have lunch. After the canoe trip, we went down to Stillwater to have a Bloody Mary at Brine's. Michael loves their Bloody's. Newcastle Brown Ale was doing a promotion there and asked us trivia questions to win prizes. We all ended up being winners with the girls getting a hat and the guys a t-shirt. Not too bad considering that it is one of, if not the favorite, beer for all of us. After Brine's we walked down to PD Pappy's for one more drink. Overall, it was a perfect day with perfect weather and perfect company.

Food Poisoning!!

It's been awhile since I've last wrote. After eating at The Happy Gnome on Sunday, I got up just before 3 am and threw up. I knew instantly that it was something that I had eaten. I had eaten fish tacos and a spinach salad that evening so which food was the culprit, who knows. From Sunday night to Tuesday morning, I slept 33 hours. I stayed in bed almost continously until when I went back to work on Thursday. I don't think I have ever had real food poisoning, but only having food not agree with me. It was one of the worst sicknesses I have ever experienced and hope I don't have to go through it ever again. I even lost 6 lbs from not eating very much in the days after and whatever else you want to imagine. I did gain a couple of pounds back already since incorporating food other than bananas, soup and applesauce back into my diet. We did call the restaurant to report that I did get sick. While I have no desire to ever eat there again, it was a fun place and I don't see why I won't go back there for drinks. I want to try their banana bread beer!

Yay Celtics!

Kevin Garnett finally got his championship on Tuesday night. While I wish he could have gotten it in Minnesota, I am glad he is "certified" as he stated after winning the game. Congrats to KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and the rest of the Celtics! It was a fun series to watch.

Walking with Dinosaurs

Today was Father's Day and Michael and I were lucky enough to get free tickets to see Walking with Dinosaurs from our friend Tanya and we went with her and her fiance Chris. While we were probably the only group that didn't have any kids with us, the show was still good for just adults too. This show has been very popular all around the world and the dinosaurs were very life-like. Here is a video of some footage I found on YouTube that came from a different show. The video doesn't give the dinosaurs justice but it gives you an idea.


After the show we went to a place called The Happy Gnome in St. Paul for dinner and drinks. This place used to be the old Chang O'Hara's. They have over 200 kinds of beers to choose from and have a nice patio. While were were there, Tanya and Chris gave us a "friendship" card and it asked if Michael and I would be a groomsman and bridesmaid in their wedding. We both accepted and of course we are both honored to be in their wedding. They are getting married October 10, 2009. Here is a picture of the newly engaged couple.