Bowling Birthday Party

A while ago we were invited to a bowling birthday party.  It was a blast.  I'm a terrible bowler, but we had a lot of fun.  Here's a few pictures:

Bowling shoes make me smile.  I had Velcro...Ha!

The first game was awesome!  I bowled a strike and three gutters in a row...now that takes talent.  I managed to beat Nels by 1 point!!!   I gloated big time.  :)  But the second game he creamed me.  I did not take a picture of the final score for that game and I conveniently forgot the score. 

I bowled with a 7 pound bowling ball. 

And this happy couple was the reason for the celebration.  Happy Birthday Lauren....even though it was a while ago. :)

Grizzlies Game

The night after I got back from Minnesota we went to a Grizzlies game.  Nels was given suite tickets from work.  We went straight to the game after work...thus the work clothes and tired faces. 

Here's a few pictures:

International Paper Suite 116.

My one arm picture:

Nels watching the game:

Lots of yummy food from bbq to hot dogs to salads, chips, popcorn...you get the idea.  I love suites!

I think this picture is funny.  They gave us these inner tube things that you bang together to make noise.  Grrrrrizzlies!

One of Nels's co-workers took these next two pictures. 

I was so tired from my trip that we left at half time.  I felt bad, but I was not being very much fun.  So I don't know who won or what the score was.  I guess I just went for the food so I didn't have to cook that night!  Oh, and to be with Nels of course. :)

Other Days in Minnesota

Here are some other pictures from my trip, I wish I had taken more!

Here's Cami in front of her house...notice the snow!

Daniel and Clara all buckled in and ready for our next adventure.  They were such good sports!

Sunday we went to church and relaxed and talked and ate yummy fajitas and ice cream!
Then Monday we went to the Mayo Clinic.  Cami's husband John is attending medical school there.
Let me just say that I was super impressed with the Mayo Clinic.  What a great place to learn, receive medical care and to heal.

We took a tour, so the next photos are from the tour.

One of the first Ambulances, it even had a stretcher in the back.

The founders of the Mayo Clinic believed that music and art helped the healing process.  So they had an art gallery and throughout the building art was displayed.

Below is art hanging from the ceiling.

They had several grand pianos throughout.  This one was in the main foyer.  As we were leaving they were singing "How Great Thou Art."  Beautiful.

I also learned that there are 5 miles of underground walkways that connects all of the medical buildings together.  They call it the Subway. 
After the tour Cami dropped me off at the airport. 
Here's our last picture.  Thanks for the wonderful time Cami!

1st Day Minnesota

One of my goals this year was to finally visit my friend Cami.  I had not seen Cami for a few years and I was anxious to see her and her family.  I told Nels about my goal and he helped to make it happen.  One day I was sitting at work when I got this email from Nels:

"Do you want to go to Cami's house this weekend? If so, we can figure out how you can do it.

Love,
Nels"

Below his email was a Delta Fare Special.  The tickets were cheap!  Yah!  I jumped at the chance and quickly arranged to have Monday off of work.  The deal for the ticket only worked to fly out on a Saturday and return on Monday.  Short trip, but oh so sweet.  I was so happy I got to go.

So here are the pictures from my adventure in Minnesota.

From the airplane:  "What's all this white stuff?"  I thought.  Brrrrr.  It's snow.  I am too acclimated to Southern climate.  But it was nice to see snow again.

After the 2.5 hour plane ride I ran outside to my dear friend Cami.  Hooray! I met her two beautiful, fun kids Daniel and Clara.  Then we headed to Mall of America.  I forgot to take a picture until we were driving away, so I snapped this one as we were leaving.

I remember in elementary school in Idaho learning about Minnesota and the Mall of America.   I still remember being amazed that the Mall had a rollercoaster INSIDE, and thinking to myself, "Someday I'll ride a rollercoaster inside the mall."  My dream was fulfilled. :)

It was the first thing we did when we got to the mall.  I saw the rollercoasters and I told Cami, "I have to ride one."  She obliged and I bought my ticket.  I chose the coaster that had a loop.  It was soooo fun!

The loop.

Cami took this picture of me as I was walking off of the ride.

We grabbed a bite to eat and walked around.  Daniel was fascinated by the Lego sculptures.    Cami took my picture with the Transformer dude behind me.

Daniel, so excited about the Legos.  I learned that kids are tough to photograph.  They move soooo quickly!  I think my camera is a little slow too, which makes a bad combination. 

Cami and Daniel.

Then we went to the aquarium in the mall.  It was fascinating.  We enjoyed seeing all the different types of fish.  My favorites were the jelly fish and sharks.

Ah!  Cami is so funny.  She's standing on glass  that looks down to the sting rays (you can't see that part).

Shark!

Clara and me.

After Mall of America we went to Cami's house.  We just talked and talked.  It was wonderful.  That night we went downtown Rochester and ate at a ncie, yummy Italian place called Victoria's.  It was dark, so the pictures didn't turn out well.  But here's a good one of me and Cami.

That's all for day 1.  The day was jam packed with fun!

Ice Skating

Our friend Larysa gave us ice skating tickets.  So we were happy to go.  I am a TERRIBLE ice skater.  I was so shaky and wobbly.  I squeezed Nels's hand the whole time.  When I pretended I was rollerblading I was able to skate a lot better.  I didn't fall, but I didn't take any risks either! 

Here's some pictures:

Our cute skate feet.

The Zamboni came onto the ice.  It was fascinating to watch. 

We did this too while we waited for the ice to become smooth again.

There's Nels...Oh so cute!

It was fairly chilly inside the skating rink.  As we prepared to leave the rink, we braced ourselves for the cold weather.  Then a blast of warm air came as we stepped outside.  I don't know why I was shocked when it was warmer outside than in the skating rink.  We are in the South after all.

Red Robin, Yum!

You probably think all we do is eat around here!  Ha ha!  We don't really. 

Red Robin is one of our favorite places to grab a burger and fries...bottomless fries.  Yum!

So here's a couple of pics from the last time we went to Red Robin.

Cheese. :)

99% of the time I get the Banzai Burger.  My favorite!  99% of the time Nels tries something new.  I think he's tried every burger they make.  Sometimes I'll take a bite of his new burger and then I'll say, "Nope, I like the Banzai better.  I'm glad I got it."  Nels is the adventurous one when it comes to trying food.  Once I find what I like, I stick with it. 

100% of the time I dip my fries in ranch dressing.  Mmmm.  Now I'm starting to crave Red Robin again...

Gus's Fried Chicken World Famous

We tried a new restaurant a while ago.  It's called Gus's Fried Chicken World Famous.  It was pretty good.  The chicken was spicy and juicy.  Here's some pics:

It was raining that night, thus the umbrella.  The white square on my leg is my name badge on from work. Ha!  I guess I'm a little attached to it.

Nels with his plate o' chicken.  He's all dressed up because we went to the temple afterwards.  I like those dates...dinner and a trip to the temple. 

I had curled my hair the night before using those pink sponge curlers.  By the end of the day it was still curly!

That's all. :)