Tag, I'm it

I have been tagged by a great friend. By being tagged I have to say 6 things about me that most people wouldn't know. So here goes...
1. I love traditions more than presents
2. One of my dreams is to fly a helicopter
3. I do not like snails any more. We have a fish tank and they have taken over!
4. I am not musically talented but I really want to learn how to play the guitar.
5. My comfort foods include beans and rice, corn chowder, and non-sugar cereal.
6. I am a tree-hugger at heart. I wish I could wear khaki pants and hiking boots every day. I love the outdoors, especially Zions National Park!

Take me out to the ball game

Finally a wish come true! I have always wanted to see a major league baseball game and what better place to see it than at Wrigley's Field? It was heavenly. We didn't have tickets, so we used our friends, the scalpers. How exciting! they are so sneaky in all they do. I don't really trust them but hey one who was selling newspapers just so happen to have two extras. He sold them to us for less then face value - what a steal! We sat by to men who were awesome. Every time a homerun was hit we all stood and gave each other high 5s and whooped and hollered. it was awesome!!! And I had a huge learning experience... I have never passed so many cups of beer down the isle than that night. Combined with cotton candy, popcorn and nachos, beer is absolutely awful. But hey, it couldn't bring me down. I am a Cubs fan and that is for sure. (thanks Celeste for letting me borrow the shirt).

Galena, IL

What a fabulous weekend away from the land of work. We drove 5 1/2 hours to Galena, IL where we met up with Joseph's family in a little eutopia in the middle of corn fields. It was picture perfect in every way. We went on a family bike ride on bikes that squicked, wobbled, seat-twisted, etc. It was an adventure!
We went to the "mountain" to do the alpine slides. Great fun. Papa Ure lost his hat on way down. Fortunately someone thought that our Indiana Jones needed it back. Phew! But just for the record, I raced Austin (brother on the far right) and I beat him to the end, but he went a whole lot faster but was wise and stopped before the bumper tires, where I happened to crash full speed (but slower than Austin).

The weather was a very nice temperature, but the humidity was worse than I have ever experienced in my life. Our clothes stuck to us as we would run outside then back in again. But this was a picture moment in the sticky weather, it is starting to mulilate our faces. We ended up staying inside a lot of the time where there was an air conditioner. But we played games, munched on Mama Ure's delicous cooking, and laughed and played.
Here is the cute house that we stayed at. It was the perfect size and is going into my future book of house ideas. I loved it. the best part was a screened deck where we could go out and read Harry Potter without the bugs.
Another great and wonderful experience with the family. I don't know if I say this enough, but by golly, I have the best married-into-family in the world. We had an absolute wonderful time and was VERY sad when the three days passed in a blink of an eye and we had to go back to the work life and also leave the family. Till next time Ure family... bring on the Rage game.

Split House Lighthouse

On our way to the famous lighthouse, we followed the scenic route, Highway 61. First of all it was absolutely pretty, second, they had little shops everywhere! As for this one, we stopped and got some smoked salmon. Joseph had never had it before. He loves it!!! We dove right in and ate half of it at once. But now, after eating the delious, but nutritious, our fingers smelt FISHY!!! It was bad news all around. So, Joseph, the college student that he is saw this pine tree and so we had to go pick the needles and rub them all over our fingers. Did this work? no, but Joseph thinks that it helped. I don't think it did anything. But then he picks some of the branches and puts them in our car! We drove the rest of the trip with pine bows in our car to try to hide the fishy smell. It was very festive, just 5 months early.
Next stop along our trip to the light house was this awesome guy on the side of the street making art out of tree stumps and a chainsaw. It was absolutly incredible. I really like this eagle. But this was not the only kind of thing there. There were bears of every shape and size, buddas, native americans, turtles, flowers, etc... Right behind me is the artist working on a dog or wolf - still in the early stages. As we were leaving, Joseph told me that one of his customer's son is actually getting a degreen in chainsaw art. Can you imagine?!!! How could someone see an animal in a stump of wood? I asked Joseph this, and he can. Watch out world, because Joseph is going to start to widdle and work his way up to a chainsaw.
Finally after two hours of driving and stopping here and there, we get to the lighthouse. Wow, it was awesome. I loved it. and the area around was breathtaking. But this lighthouse was featured in one of the calendars I had as a kid so of course we had to go. But after learning more about the work and dangers of lighthouse keepers, I don't think I want the job anymore. But I would love to go to spend a week doing it, then I would move to the next light. Kemper, Keeper of the Light - sounds good eh? I will keep dreaming. But I just want a lighthouse that isn't going to be around hurricanes. scary! But as for this one. I loved it. It was so awesome that we had to get a souviner, a Christmas orniment so we will be reminded every year of the great experience our trip to Duluth was - unforgetable.
Next time I am here, though I really to be on my bike. There are bike paths all over the place! And to bike the whole northshore of Lake Superior would be absolutely great. I need to find the equipment: bike trailer to haul tents, food, flash lights, etc. I will be back one day with my future family to do this. One day...

Duluth

What a vacation! Even though it felt like three days, it was only 29 hours long. Here is a rough time line of events... First blueberry picking, drive for three hours, yummy dinner, watch a crazy, but exciting show about king crab fishing, sleep, church, nap, to the LIGHTHOUSE!!!, nap, roller blade, dinner, off to home.

Here are the pictures of us in the actual city of Duluth. After eating dinner the first night, we went strolling along Superior's Lake front. Right next to the land mark bridge, I found the "castle" that I grew up with seeing on my dad's uniforms. Yep, we came across the Army's Corps of Engineers buildings. Actually, that little castle emblem was all over the city. Ahh, the memories.

The bridge was really cool too. Every time a boat needed to get in or out of the Harbor, the bridge would rise. When it was down though, it was low enough to the walking path that you could swing on it. Of course every few feet were signs telling you not to, but Joseph needed to do just for spite.

Sunday morning, we woke up to get ready for church when Joseph discovered he was missing something. He brought is suit, white shirt, tie, church shoes and socks, but he forgot the pants to his suit!!! I really wanted him to go with the white shirt and black shoes, but wear his Khaki shorts. It would have been funny. But of course, he wouldn't, so he just wore his shorts and a polo. You would think we was an investigator in the church!

After coming home from Sacrament meeting, we took a power nap and packed up to go see a lighthouse. More stories on that in another post. As we were coming home, we read our favorite book Harry Potter. It is so exciting! But once we got back to Duluth, we strapped on our roller blades and went up and down the shore of Superior lake - by the way that is one gorgeous lake! It was lots of fun but it was hot! So we stopped for an ice cream cone in the middle. Kemps Ice Cream has the best strawberry I have ever tasted. (I also like the name).

After blading, we ate a delicious dinner at Grandma's and drove home reading Harry Potter. It was a real quick trip but worth every minute and penny. We were able to get of the stress environment of Plymouth and remember why life is so good. It will be a weekend we won't forget!

Blueberries

On our weekend vacation to Duluth, we had to stop and pick blueberries. I have never done this before so of course we needed to do something new. But before we get to the patch, let me tell you about that most peculiar thing we saw. We were driving down the major highway through farmland and far ahead of us we see a four wheeler go across the two lanes of north bound traffic. And it was going kind of slow... When we get nearer, the four wheeler is now in the median waiting to cross to the other side. not weird yet, but then we saw more details. It was a very old grandpa only wearing overalls, no shirt under or nothing! The best part of the whole deal was that strapped to the back of his ATV was his walker! Imagine that ! We got a kick and a half of a laugh! And if you don't think that is funny, I guess it was one of those "You had to be there."

Finally we find our way to the blueberry farm. We were the only ones there, but it was great. The berries were SOOO sweet and delicious (and chuck full of antioxidants!). It is my new favorite fruit. You can't really see them in the bucket, but we really did get a lot. As we were picking, we ate lots. At first Joseph didn't think he would like them (see the picture) but he really did. So our blueberry experience was great - I just need to find some plants so I can start to grow them and have them for free! You want to know why berries are expensive? It is because it takes a while to pick them. That is my guess anyway...

What a week...

Yea, I love blogs yaaaaaaaaaaaa ha. Is that sarcasm for you or what? This week was an interesting one, I had a car that broke down, interesting scenarios with guys in the office, a cancelation, a lady that I have to pay $500 bucks to due to her own studpidity and my mercy towards her, and I got picked up by the police in an area that could have been good for knocking. But we finished the week with a great meal at a greek restaurant that Kemp and I love. We ate our food outside on the grass while reading the "last" Harry Potter book. Wow, talk about tense! I feel like such a dork for even liking the stories but I have found it to be one of the best ways to relieve my stress. So I will keep reading them....for the summer at least. Thats about it, except for the fact that we found out we are pregnant with triplets! Ok that was a joke but it will get a little attention from some baby hungry parents of ours. Love ya all

4th of July

I know they are bad pictures, but the experience was unforgettable. We went with serveral friends to Lake Minnetonka on a dinner cruise with Al and Almas Charter Cruises. It was absolutley awesome watching the fireworks from a lake surrounded by HUNDREDS of other boats doing the same thing. The food was delicious, the company was tons of fun and the fireworks were great. What a night to remember! and worth every penny.

Friends left to right: Jessica and Regan Norgren, Lindsey and Justin Bingham, K&J Ure, Ryan and Brittany Cushman

Science Museum

Today, we went on a field trip to the Science Museum in St. Paul, along with tons of little kids who were all wearing matching shirts (adult supervisors were constantly counting heads!). What a cool place. We went to the Human Body exhibit where we learned about the biggest man ever. Yep, that is Joseph going up to his elbow. :) We also played with circuits, warm and cold fronts, and I can't forget the dinosaurs! But my question is... How do scientists know what color they are? Whatever color they are - their bones are pretty darn neat.

St. Paul, the area where we were, is a cute part of town. We saw the top of the capital, lots of churches, a huge stadium (Xcel Energy something). I could easily go back just to look at everything. And of course go back to the science museum. With a job like Pinnacle, you don't have a whole lot time to go exploring, just enough to get a taste. Till next field trip!

Arboretum

One of our grand adventures was the maze at the University of Minnesota's Arboretum. I really felt like Harry Potter in the Triwizard Tournament. I was just waiting for a double blasted ended skwert to attack! It was great fun! Even though there weren't many flowers out or anything, it was fun to be together seeing something new - and getting lost in a MAZE!

Kemp's birthday in the berry patch

One of the best days so far that we have had was the day we traveled to a farm and picked strawberries. We picked so many! I made tons of jam and still had oodles that I froze to put into shakes and everthing else. Our fingers turned pink in about 20 minutes of picking. But I think that I actually ate more than what we came home with - oops.

Life of Ure

This is the first of all Ure Blogs - what a cool word! We are now in our second summer of sales with Pinnacle and once again in the Minneapolis, MN area. We love it here! not the job, but everything else. If only we can find Joseph a job at one of these big-wig companies in the area, then we can stay for life! But I wonder how the winter is.... worse than Logan? Nah, we wouldn't have to walk to class in the freezing, rather we would drive from heated garage to work/school/play, then drive back home to a heated garage. Easy.