the fourth + all things usa

The fourth of July. I simply love love love the festivities, fireworks, time outdoors, fireworks, national spirit, fireworks, and the abundance of activities centered around our friends. Oh, and the fireworks. Any of you that knew me as a child (ahem, high school student) would be shocked at how much my feelings towards those things have changed. :) They are now my favorite part of the day! 

This fourth was truly centered around those latter two things. Friends and fireworks. 

This year we had the privilege of introducing a new friend into the group, Alison's boyfriend Wesley - and to top it off - he isn't American... making this holiday and all things USA even more interesting for him (and all of us!). If I was him, my highlight (you know, other than being over here from Ireland to visit my special someone ;) would have to have been listening to Proud to be an American blare over the PA system while sitting in a blacked-out outdoor baseball stadium at night watching fireworks go off the day before Independence Day after watching the Twins get beat by the Yankees. Wow. It doesn't get much more patriotic than that! (He loved it, by the way).

Jared and I also had the fun experience of being on the big screen during the 6th inning and doing a quiz! Fun experience! 

The rest of the weekend breezed by with beautiful weather, time outdoors grilling, talking on the patio, girl time, guy time, classic 4th food, and a new location for fireworks viewing over the Stone Arch bridge in downtown Minneapolis.

I'm probably going to get in major trouble for that picture.... ;) but it is totally accurate. We laugh.

The fireworks and fanfare are all well and good, I love it all and it is such a fun holiday, but I do want to stop and thank not only the handful of you reading this that I know, but all those who have served or are currently serving in our military. We get to celebrate this day with the joy and fanfare we do because of you. Because of the past service and current service, sacrifice, time, dedication and honor you have given to our country. I don't take that lightly. Thank you. 

We are... Marshall

Well, here's a shorter version of our tour of Marshall! This campus was beatiful! There is so much tradition and history wrapped into this town. You can see it in the old buildings, and even the new ones. Eastern USA architecture has already gotten it's hooks into me.

Both Jared and I are already anticipating a game day here. :) When everyone breathes green, and if your'e not out tailgating, well...... that means you have no friends. Because they're all tailgating. :) I've already picked out the dry fit shirt I want Jared to get me.

Jared found out the sports that he will be working with this first year! According to him, his load is a lot more "balanced" than some of the other GA's. By no means less work... but that the coaches of his teams are all reasonable to work with, and only one requires travel. He's being such a good sport about getting all women's teams, though. He has Women's golf, women's soccer, and women's basketball. Women's soccer and basketball are pretty big deal's at Marshall, so he definitely will have his hands full! He'll also be spending a lot of time here....

I might have to deal with the bleacher butt of this thing we call WOMENS basketball and just go watch. I'll just lovingly watch my hubby instead of what's going on on the court. It'd probably be more interesting. (low blow, I know. But thankfully we've all laughed about my strong dislike for it.) I'll try. Open mind.

One of the most noted parts of this campus is the Memorial fountain they have in the center of campus honoring the victims of the 1970 football team plane crash. Every pinnacle on the fountain represents one of the 75 people who died. Players, coaches, staff, supporters, etc. It gets turned off every year on the day and time of the crash. It's a very somber but yet peaceful courtyard.

As I said, this courtyard area is right in the heart of the campus. And how beautiful it is. It was so great touring a new campus and knowing I didn't have to go back to school. ;)

That's John Marshall, Chief of Justice of the United States from 1801-1835. Yes, the school has been around for awhile. It was unreal seeing pictures of athletes on the Hall of Fame wall from like 1901. Glad we don't wear that small of uniforms anymore...

I'm so excited and proud of Jared for taking this opportunity. I'm happy he is taking on a job he loves, even though his task of balancing A LOT of work, travel, our marriage, the Lord (first and foremost), and getting his masters will not be easy. Again, we so appreciate your prayers. Here's to a new adventure on the East coast!!!

I'll be back in a day or two with pictures of our finished apartment! We have been worker bees this weekend, and it's all done! I just hate clutter.... :)

Take us out to the ballgame!

After a 5 1/2 month stretch without baseball in Minnesota, Skyler and I were able to enjoy an unbelievable day at Target Field to share in the 2011 Home Opener! The day started bright and early as we bravely left the house at 5am to go watch the Mike-and-MIke in the morning show (ESPN radio) at the stadium. I had received an invitation to attend this event the day before, and after asking if Skyler had any interest in going, she courageously responded, "if we're going to go, let's GO!" Just one of things about her spirit I love...

We got up close and personal with quite a good number of "big names." Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Bert Blyleven, the Polads, David St. Peter, etc.

We consumed a delicious complementarty breakfast while enjoying this national sports broadcast. Of course, throughout the morning we snapped numerous pictures as we had TOTAL access to to Target Field from 5-9:30am! We saw "the greats" all over - hall of famers, owners, players, etc. And despite the early hour, we did have a bit of celebrity craze. I think there was only once or twice where I looked over at my wife and saw her eyes glazed over a bit. A favorite part of our morning, however, was watching the sun rise sitting over home plate with a "Twins" cup of coffee. This setting produced quite a feeling!

Notice the new HD screen next to the plaza for the left and center field viewers.

Once the morning event ended at 9am (although we already felt like it was the afternoon), we spent a couple hours strolling downtown enjoying the weather and each other before the field "officially" opened. 


We headed over a bit early to watch the unveiling of the Tony Oliva bronze statue. Oliva, a native of Cuba, is the 4th Twins player to have a bronze statue made of him. He played for Minnesota 15 seasons (1962-76), where he posted a .304 career batting average with 220 home runs, and 947 RBI's. Tony O. was the 1964 AL Rookie of the Year, a Gold Glove Award winner (1966), and an 8-time all star. It was fun hearing retired players and Tony himself!

Skyler and I then officially entered Target Field. The heat of the sun made our skin tingle and the smell of the grass was simply awesome! This feeling signified that baseball was back! Maybe Skyler's favorite part of the afternoon was when we camped out on the first base foul line to interact with and watch the Twins take batting and fielding practice. My wife was like a kid in a candy shop as she shouted at the players, asking (cutely) for them to toss her a ball. She quickly became jealous though that she couldn't compete with the 6-year old boys with gloves that could say, "Mr. Nathan, Mr. Nathan!" I think I heard, "sigh... it's hopeless..." about 5 times.

Joe Nathan

Jim Thome and Jose Mijares

And what would a game be without some classic ballpark food? Yes we indulged, and yes it was worth it! After consuming our game-time grub, a unique national anthem and Air Force fly-over set the tone for the remainder of the afternoon. We continued to soak up the 60-plus degree sun as we watched a pitching battle at its finest. 

The A's had a 1-0 lead until the 8th inning when the Twins received a clutch 2-out hit to grab a 2-1 lead. This is all Joe Nathan would need to close his first ever game at Target Field. I think I can say that we both got goosebumps watching Joe jog that valient run from the bullpen to the pitching mound, while the stadium roared. Get's your blood and Twins spirit pumping!

We hope the Twins can start winning consistently, but no matter what, this will be an occasion we will never forget and a team we will always cheer for!

Go Twins!

Jared

Happy Birthday Jared!

Well, as you already saw, Jared's birthday started out in the morning with some really scrumptious muffins! His grandma Barb sent me the recipe after finding out for herself how "truly glorious" they just were, and we had to agree! They definitely get you started to a healthy and tasty day. My favorite ingredient was the shaved apple. I will adding more of its goodness next time I make them!

Glorious Morning Muffins

2 eggs                                        2 tsps cinnamon

3/4 c. veg. oil                            1 1/2 c. shredded carrots

1/4 c. milk                                 1 c. shredded apple (peeled)

2 tsps vanilla                             1/2 c. coconut

2 c. flour                                    1/2 raisins

1 c. packed br. sugar               3/4 c. sliced almonds

2 tsps. baking soda

Heat oven to 350 and spray muffin pan with cooking spray (Pam)

In large bowl beat eggs, oil, milk, & vanilla until well blended.  Add flour, br. sugar, baking soda & cinnamon.

Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in carrots, apple, coconut, & raisins, and 1/2 c. almonds.

Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full.  (use all the batter if I’m using the jumbo muffin cups)

Sprinkle remaining 1/4 c. nuts over batter.

Bake 20 - 25 min. 

Delightful with a ice cold glass of milk

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Jared and I spent the rest of the day just doing things we love. "Plans" didn't come until the evening, and sometimes, the best fun comes when you don't have a plan at all. That's how we went about our afternoon and it proved to be one of the funnest yet! And we can't forget about the free Caribou Coffee on your birthday! While we were out and about (on a whim) we decided to head into DSW to "just wander." Mistake. We definitely both walked out with a new pair of kicks. Cute though, huh?

After a tasty dinner at Ruby Tuesdays (my favorite location for a burger), we nixed our previous plans and decided to spend the evening in... together. Add in the cake, a movie, some homeade popcorn and it's a wrap! I had been busting at the seams to give Jared his present this year. For the record, keeping secrets isn't my "strongest suit" to put it nicely... so this was a huge accomplishment for me! And I think I can safely say... we are BOTH absolutely pumped! It might be just as much a present for me! (But of course I kept that to myself...) ;)

And yes, I have a 23 year old boy who still likes funfetti cake. And I love that about him.

We brought in the closer for the night! Homeade popcorn and a movie. (2 T olive oil to 1/2 cup corn - try it!) Yum! It was, as the whole day proved to be... truly glorious! Happy 23rd birthday sweetheart!!!