Superior Trip

Last weekend, Ant and I decided to go explore more of Minnesota.  We went North and camped in a town called Two Harbors and it rained pretty much all night.  All of our stuff got wet, but we stayed amazingly dry.  Anyone have advice on camping with a toddler?  It felt like Ira took about 3 hours to fall asleep.  He thought it was especially funny to put his feet in our face and kind of fling his body all over our tiny tent.  When we awoke early the next morning, (again thanks to our little camping insomniac), we packed up and got ready for the day just in time to watch the marathon that started about a mile from our campsite and ran right past.  

 Here are some of the Lighthouses we passed.  We wanted to do more hiking, but it was pretty drizzly.

 Our final destination was a couple more hours North in Grand Marais where they were having a Wooden Boat and Summer Solstice Festival.  It didn't feel very summery.  In fact, I regreted not bringing my winter coat and an extra blanket for Ira. But it was beautiful and a charming town, and a place with such good fish, I'm sort of determined to learn to cook fresh fish myself.  Mmmm.

 Lake Superior.

 Anthony introducing the concept of throwing rocks in the water to Ira. 

Freezing.

Sorry for the brevity and lack of details.  Right now, Ira's napping and Valine, Mckay and I are getting ready to go to the Mall of America.  Sweet!  Peace out!  

Cheese Trip

Hi Everyone!  I'll try and update you on our past couple weeks if Ira chooses to nap just a little longer.

Our Wisconsin Trip

First stop: Ellsworth, the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin!  I was so excited that I bought a t-shirt and will show it off at the next Ellsworth Family reunion.  I especially like the side sign that reads "Ellsworth Funsters."

 For some reason Ira was obsessed with my hat that day...not sure why.

 Below are other small cheese factories and shops we visited, four all together.

 Ah yes, the Bartz's.  This is where we bought some chocolate cheese which I'm really excited to share with the Quinns when they get here tonight.  I think it tastes pretty much like fudge, but it has a cheese base...whatever that means.  I think I just like the idea of joining two of the most divine foods in the world into one. 

Here are some of other purchases from the trip. 10 year white cheddar, and 6 year (normal?) cheddar.  It was pretty sharp and made some great mac and cheese.  

The rest of life is good.  We've started the long distance apartment hunt for Detroit, and it's just as difficult as I remember...only this time I don't have a sister in town to check things out for us.  

  Ira seems to be having a verbal, cognitive, and foot growth spurt.  His feet have almost grown out of the sandles I just bought him!  And it's been really fun to know that he understand a lot of what we say.  He knows when I'm asking him to get his shoes, or asking for a kiss, and will usually comply if he's not busy.  We've begun the first faze of the potty experience, and over the last 2 weeks, he's added a handful of words to the 3 words he knew before. His vocabulary now includes (while consistently leaving off the last consinent)  

Da(d)

Ma(m)

Bir(d)

Ca(r)

Mo(re)

Ba(ll)...thanks to Truman, his also ball obsessed cousin. 

Bea(r)

Apple (which translates to Bubble)

Ha(t)

Yes, Yep, Yeah

And of course his all time favorite: "No!"  I added the exclamation, because it seems like he just barely learned to say it really assertively.  Like, "No!  You crazy person!  Why in the world would I let you put a diaper on me! Never!!!"  That's just me filling in the blanks though.  

  Ope, he just woke up.  Good timing Ira.  Love you guys!

Sharon

Let Summer Begin

 Hi Everyone,
   If you haven't heard, our next rotation is in Detroit.  I've never been there, but the impression I have of it is similar to the one I had of Pittsburgh before we moved there.  I think it will be a good thing.  Anthony's excited about the technically focused rotation he'll have there, and it looks like there may be an opportunity for me to volunteer with an awesome organization.  Details pending...or over the phone. The worse thing about leaving Minnesota though, will be leaving the Durants.  sigh...  We must cram in a lot of playing in before August comes.

  Let summer begin!!!  I took Ira to the "beach" this week.  He wasn't a huge fan of the water, but then I wasn't very surprised.  He only likes it in small quantities: in a cup or in a tub.  

 Anthony and I went to hear the orchestra in Minneapolis.  It was fabulous...and we killed time before the performance by taking pics of my new hair cut and sweet street art.

 It was really windy!...and really hot.  We passed a free concert that ended early because the lead singer got heat stroke.  

 Mom, I'm trying to mimic your senior picture below since I realized that I now have the same hair you did in the late 1950s.  Do you have a digital copy?  

 Anthony:  No explanation needed. :)

 Before the haircut

 After: First time with bangs since 3rd grade..and it feels alright.

 Sorry these are so out of order.  This was another fun date we went on...thanks to groupon and the awesome babysitter across the hall from us.  Sample Night Live.  This is a rad band called "The Smarts."  They're kind of like Weezer, They Might Be Giants, with some rockin' jazz and bluegrass mixed in there. 

 St. Paul

We love you guys!  We're glad to hear Mom and Dad are back from India, and are praying for the Larsens in Africa and Dallin in Jerusalem.  Speaking of exotic travel.  Expect exciting pictures next week, we're going to be off to Wisconsin to visit the land of cheese.  Peace out!
  sharon