cabin bound!

We're off to Minnesota for a relaxing weekend at a cabin and a friend's wedding. I'm EXCITED!  I don't so much like the lakes next to cabins but I'm a big fan of fresh air, silent evenings, hot dogs and s'mores. Plus great time with our friends Justin and Jess who we don't see enough.

I have also developed a love for other people's weddings because we get to dress up and dance! Plus this is the first wedding since ours where we have no responsibilities except showing up, crying when the bride walks down the aisle, eating and having fun. All things I do well.

{James Bond style}

The downside is we'll spend over 20 hours driving in five days. Luckily I have two unread issues of Real Simple and a few books to get through. Plus a large box of GRE words for Shea to memorize. Though we usually end up talking because our busy schedules and my generally less than friendly disposition after running gets in the way of terrific conversation. We're way overdo for some laughs and eye rolling.

So we're off to celebrate the end of summer, the great beginning to a marriage and my love for blackened marshmallows. Enjoy your weekend!

field of dreams

Back in May, Shea, the self-appointed biggest Twins fan in the world, was already upset that people had already been to the new stadium - Target Field - and he had not.

On Sunday afternoon he was redeemed. Big time.

 {He is containing his urge to jump up and down like a little boy at the circus}

We got to the game two hours early so that we could take in all the stadium features without rushing. The Metrodome has clearly been put to shame. For example, what could be more Minnesota than an entire concession stand dedicated to fried food on sticks?

And then we made it to our seats, which were a nice cushy leather. We even had our own personal lounge with concession stands and bathrooms.

{Shea's head pretty much exploded when realizing row five was the dugout box}

 

Here is our view. I can confirm that Joe Mauer's hips and thighs are as large as they appear on TV.

We got numerous texts from people who saw us on TV every time there was a left-handed batter, which is kind of a lot of pressure for me to be smiling when the Twins are down by three. And then, ninth inning, the Twins score four and win. Hopefully WGN caught us hands in the air, jumping up and down like super fans.

We had an AMAZING time.

Thanks to Gene at Gittleson's Jewelers for the tickets! Can we make this an annual tradition?

a minnesota reunion

Sometimes friends are developed over a long period of time. There are other friends that a more instant connection develops because your personalities complement each other, you share a faith, and your lives are on similar paths.

Three months before we found out we were moving to Kansas City, we met four amazing couples, two of which we got to spend time with this weekend - Aften, Brandon, Becca and Stefan.

Mac even got to spend time with his friend, Millie. He is still recovering from all the humping  playing.

We started off with an afternoon playing Kubb, sitting by the beach next to the St. Croix river eating grapes and cheese and catching up on each other's lives.

And as my complete lack of skill in throwing wooden sticks was revealed, the rain began. So we frantically gathered our coolers and raced to the car. We grilled at home and ate way too much only to head to Nelson's for ice cream. As we entered the tiny ice cream shop, the tornado sirens blared. We confirmed that the tornado touchdown was 30 minutes away so naturally we stood in line because what goes better with 80 mph winds than a little ice cream?

 {This is the kid's cone. I'm still digesting two days later.}

As we drove home, our ice cream eating and laughing slowly turned to a lot of "uh..." and pointing at the sky. Aften floored her truck, and we raced home and into the basement. Note: we have not had one tornado touchdown in Wizard of Oz country yet we go to Minnesota and this happens.

When Shea and I talked that night, we realized for the first time in six months we missed Minnesota. These people were not at our graduations. They weren't there when we got engaged or at our wedding. But they are closer to us than many of the friends that we've known for a decade. They understand our fears, our struggles and our hearts. And we miss them.

Hopefully our visits will be frequent and continue for years to come. Thanks for overdue laughs and much-needed fun!

The Great Compromise

Soon after we found out we were moving to Kansas City, the question came.

"What about the Twins?"

So began the Great Compromise. First we agreed to not get cable TV, and instead went with Internet only. Meaning the only way the Minnesota Twins and Denard Span can be an integral part of our summer is with MLB TV. So $80 and a free trial subscription to Sports Illustrated later, we can watch the 100 + Twins games this year.

And that's not all! That $80 also gets us cravings for Shea's masterpiece "god in a bowl" which really tastes a lot more like processed, sodium-rich flames of hell in a bowl. Also the yelling, distress and general emotional rollercoaster of being a Minnesota sports fan.

Now for the part where the wife whose watching baseball games on TV tolerance level is capped at a more healthy 20 games per season.

We have many weddings to go to this summer. And due to my problem with office supplies and waistbands, I need a new dress or two. I will get a dress to wear for a night or two. He gets over 300 hours of baseball watching. I should work on my negotiation skills.

Seriously?

I hate you, Minnesota.