SWEET SUMMERTIME

Josh and I made the most of this beautiful and not too hot Arkansas day. We started the day out with a hike at Pinnacle Mountain. I got some new hiking shoes and have been itching to try them out. We worked in the yard this afternoon and then grilled some t-bone steak for dinner (of course it was from MN..thanks mom and dad) with Hawaiian rolls, creamed corn and fresh blueberries for dessert.  It has been a great day and we loved being able to enjoy being outside and not miserable!

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Dates

I'm still playing catch up but I think after this post I will have all made it. 

For our anniversary this year we decided to just spend the afternoon together and not do gifts as awe are going on a couple nice trips this year. I still decided to make a gift for Josh (really it is for both of us). 

It is 'A Year of Dates'. I saw it on another blog and had to copy the idea. At the beginning of each month Josh gets to open an envelope and see what our date that month will be. We check our calendar for that month right away and make sure to plan what day we will have the date. Yes, we usually go out more than once a month but some of these dates are things we have never done before, some are overnight/weekend and some cost no $$ and are right at home. It leaves for an element of surprise (I have already forgotten what half of the dates I put in are or what month they are for so it is a surprise for me too!) and makes so we have at least one intentional date a month. 

We have already done 2 months. May - Movie Date (we hardly ever go out to the movie theater and I knew Iron Man 3 was coming out, which Josh wanted to see). June is Kinect Game night at home <-- costs nothing but is always fun! 

It is easy to get stuck in a rut of doing the same 'dates' all the time and this makes you get creative. It has been fun so far and I am sure we will continue it year after year. Maybe taking turns who comes up with dates each year.

BREAD PUDDING

About 3 years ago Josh spent a month in Vicksburg, MS for work. One of the times I visited him we went to a restaurant by the river called Rusty's River Front Grill. We both enjoyed our delicious meals. Josh noticed they had bread pudding on the dessert list and knew I had never had it before, so he ordered it. I was apprehensive and didn't think I would like it. They brought the ginormous piece of bread pudding to the table and the rest is history. I LOVED it (we both did)! 

For the past 3 years we both have mentioned here and there that we should take a day trip just have some bread pudding...yes, it was that good! Vicksburg is only 4 hours from us but we never took a trip back. One afternoon about a month ago Josh called and said he was bringing  home a surprise for me.....IT WAS THE BREAD PUDDING! Some of his co-workers had to go down to Vicksburg and he had them get a piece for us while they were there. 

Yes, it was as good as we remembered. 

Yes, the wait was worth it. 

Yes, I can't wait to have it again. 

Sometimes the best things are worth waiting for...right? 

I love that Josh took the time to plan this out. Thanks for another fun surprise, babe!

Not the best picture but here it is in all its glory!

 We warmed it up, poured the sauce on enjoyed every bite.

THE DESK

Before I left for MN Josh and I started on making our new office desk. Josh wanted to make a cement top for the desk and I agreed (I mean he was going to be doing the majority of the work). I must say I am quite pleased with the result and thankful for a handy husband. 

I only have pictures of us making the 'mold', stirring/pouring the cement and the finished product. 

 

 
Proof I helped by getting all the air bubbles out.

It took about a week for it to set

FINISHED PRODUCT 

Josh, thank you for all the hard work and hours you put in to the desk. I love it!

May MN Trip

I went to MN for about 12 days for a couple of fun reasons; one for Andrea's bridal showers, Andrea's bachelorette party, and to run in the Fargo 1/2 marathon. 

~ ANDREA'S CHURCH BRIDAL SHOWER ~

The food was beautifully set up and delicious!

 
The queen bride 

SISTERS

~ BACHELORETTE PARTY ~

Lisa was a bit stuffed in the back of the car with all the balloons

We made Andrea stay downstairs while we decorated. 

We had lots of fun with all the games, presents and stories throughout the night. I was taking pictures with a couple cameras so I didn't get snapshots of everything. 

Sisters after church on Sunday 

SEEING THE GIRLS

Andrea made a quick trip to the cities to spend a day with our sweet nieces, oh and to see Mark and Ana too. ;-) Some of these are with my camera phone and ended up blurry. 

We played superheros with capes...

Snuggle and silly time with Kaja

Liara kept saying my name in a low funny voice to pronounce it correctly, but of course when I had the camera on she said it normally. Love that girl!

Playing in the backyard

Their two favorite aunties! Oh, I guess Lisa is a pretty cool aunt as well. 

Off to the Park


READY TO GO!

Yes, we made her she wanted to pull the wagon.

Do you see her little yellow nose? She was picking and smelling the "beautiful flowers" (dandelions)  on our way to the park. 

Would NOT look at the camera...stinker!

FARGO 1/2 MARATHON 

&

10K

I have to start off saying I thought this was going 1/2 was going to be a piece of cake. I mean the last 3 I have run were in AR and had HILLS. I quickly learned that this run was not going to be as easy as I had thought for a couple reasons; 

1. I had a bum knee and foot 

2. It was raining (mostly just at the beginning)

 3. I hadn't put in the full amount of training I normally do because of reason #1. 

The BEFORE picture. Andrea and Mark ran the 10k and Lisa, Michael and I ran the 1/2 marathon. 

The best brother in the world and I before the race!

Me finishing (I'm right below the 'N' in the pink). My official finish time was 2:20:25 - not my best time but not horrible either. 

Lisa and Michael finishing, holding hands. 

  Andrea did awesome finishing her first 10k!

We all made it!

Our faithful cheerleader! Love you mom!

You ready to run another one Lou?

This was a busy, packed, fun, crazy trip home but I loved every minute. Our next trip up will be for the wedding, can't wait!