The Nook

I'm spending the weekend in the cities with my family & we had to hit up the Nook for lunch today!  This was also on Diners, Dives & Drive-ins.... two dives in one week!  Uff da! There wasn't room at any tables so we all sat at the bar.  They are known for the "Juicy Lucy" stuffed cheese (fall off your chair) burger. Yum!

The BONUS about the nook is there is a totally old school bowling alley in basement so Lily & Gavin got to bowl while we waited for our food.  Of course, it was SO fun!

It's fun to bowl! :)

The Anchor

Carol, Nikki & I went to the Anchor to celebrate being extra healthy eaters the last few months.  Yep, we celebrated by eating big juicy fatty Anchor burgers!!  I had the olive burger, Carol had the cashew burger and nikki had the jalepeno burger... yum!  This burger dive was on Diners, Dives & Drive-ins so it has gotten really popular.  I had a burger, fries & beer for $7.50... what what.  You've just gotta splurge sometimes I guess. YUM!

... AND here is your Lake Superior shot of the day!!

(Just for you Robby because I know you miss it)

The sweetest Mary I know...

It's the best feeling when you walk up to the front door and there is a package waiting for you... and then you spot the colorful tape that only Mary Olson would wrap a package with.

What a sweet friend to think of us on our anniversary!  Jill introduced both Mary & I to The Pioneer Woman and now i'm crazy about her blog, cooking and her cute farm life.  I can't wait to cook up some recipes from this cookbook... especially the "knock you naked brownies".

 And of course the card is made of an old library card.  That is so "Mary" of you Mary and I love it!!

BIG NEWS!!!  

Mary arrives in DULUTH, MN in 42 days 12 hours 53 minutes and 27 seconds.

I can't wait. I can't wait.  I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.

P.S. Hi Robby, I Miss You!

Up the shore..

We have been cycling up highway 61 a few times this summer and it is seriously incredible!  It has to be on the the most beautiful cycling routes in the country... and it's right out our back door!  I love it!  Last weekend we rode up to Two Harbors & back... about 50 miles.  We stopped for a bite to eat at a cute little cafe called Emily's lighthouse but the BEST place we stopped was the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen (yes Mary they have CHIPPERS!)... we had their hand dipped nutty ice-cream bars.  Oh my.  I did the route again today by myself just so I could get another ice-cream bar (I will not allow myself to drive there because i'm a chocoholic)... but it's not nearly as fun as it is riding with someone else.  I need a cycling buddy!

 And here is your Lake Superior Shot of the day!

Operation Enduring Freedom

He's off!  From Duluth, to Chicago, to Germany, to Turkey, to Krazkhstan to Afghanistan.... I'm not sure what day he will officially get there but he's hoping to at least get a quick stop in Germany for a German beer!  I helped him pack and literally had to jump on his bag to get it closed.  We made a spur of the moment trip to Target to pick up an I Pad so we can Skype when he is away.  I'm actually very relieved that he is gone so that now I can focus on him coming home instead of leaving.  I can't imagine having to deal with a longer deployment... so thankful it will be quick!  Keep praying for God to watch over him for a safe deployment, positive experience and that we can connect on a regular basis.  I'm so proud of him for being brave and willing to serve our country.

 Freshly shaved head... compliments of me :)

 70 days worth of combat stuff

Robby & Becky (this is who is deploying with

300 more airman will be leaving from the 148th Fighter Wing in August)

Don't Go!

We just heard word that Robby will be deploying to Afghanistan.  Seriously... crazy and unexpected news!  He leaves in just two short weeks.  He will be stationed at Bagram AFB... which is in the mountains and actually very pretty.  He will be processing in/out soldiers from the base... so it's a relatively safe job considering it's in Afghanistan.  Mary likes to think he will be sitting behind a table saying "Welcome to Afghanistan, here's your helmet!".  He will be back mid-September... so the summer will fly right on by... hopefully.  He is nervous and scared but also very excited to be able to serve.  I hate being alone so please come and visit me!  Here are some things to keep me busy while he is gone:

*Celebrate our anniversary before he leaves and drink our wedding wine

*Bring Mary to Duluth for a weekend

*Go camping with the Balgaard clan

*Spend some time in Ashby

*Garage sale and buy things without Robby knowing.... ha!

*Read a book (I'm taking book suggestions...)

*Exercise... a lot!

I'm going miss this face!

Dear Beth

We hope you feel better soon!

Love from Duluth!

Karley (and Robby too)