lake superior

Clay thought it would be awesome to go visit one of the Great Lakes since we were so close to them! So we headed out Saturday for Duluth, MN, which is the mouth of Lake Superior.  

This is what we saw as we drove into town.  It doesn't even seem like it's a lake...more like the ocean with how huge it is!  We were told to eat at a place called Grandma's Saloon, which was yummy! We sat on the rooftop and enjoyed the scenery, as well as this bridge lifting up to let the boats through.

We walked around the boardwalk and through the visitor's center.  Clay was able to re-enact the captain of the Titanic's final moment in his cabin.

It was a fun little place to walk around downtown.  As we were leaving, we drove past a Cold Stone and I immediately told Clay to turn around and park so I could get some ice cream! Oh, it was so delish :) I've been craving sweets like 24/7, especially here in Minnesota.  I've been trying to cut down for the last few days because I go in for my glucose test at the doctor's and am so afraid of getting gestational diabetes.  However, I have heard that mostly those who are overweight or have been gaining too much weight usually get it, which I don't even think I'm at the right weight right now, so I'm a little relieved. But, I have been hungry ALL the time now these last couple days too...so looks like the weight gain will catch up to me now :) ha ha  Anyway, it was a great time in Duluth to spend with Clay and have a gorrrrgeous day to enojoy it on!!!

ideas and opinions needed...

Ok, so I'm going back and forth debating on whether we should get a pack 'n' play or a crib for the baby.  We thought of a pack 'n' play because of moving so much this next year with the baby; however, I definitely like the look and feel of having an actual crib.  Yes, they are more expensive, but I want to be practical too, like being able to take the playard with us too when camping, etc. 

SO...this is where you all come in play.  Give me the pros and cons of having either one of them.  AND...I'm so lost with my list of things I need to get before the baby comes.  I want to wait until Black Friday/Cyber Monday to see if I can get things cheaper, so if you have any experience with buying baby stuff that time of the year, let me know!  So give me your top 5 MUST-HAVE baby items that you can't live without, what you'd pay more to get your bucks worth, and what you use allll the time :D Thanks!

minnehaha park

We have made the move to Minnesota for the next 6 weeks, so we have decided to take advantage of our weekends and go sight-seeing in all our free time.  This last weekend we hit up Minnehaha Park and walked through the park and saw the falls.  It was absolutely gorgeous! It reminded Clay and me of being in Idaho's mountains - the smell, the scenery...!

It was a gorgeous day to explore and then we topped it off by stopping at DQ on the way home to get some ice cream to beat the heat :)

trip to mt. rainier

We had planned out going to see Mt. Rainier last Saturday, but didn't end up going into the park. So, sadly, we never really got a good look at it, as well as a picture :(  However, we did have some great sight seeing along the way. 

 This is Alder Dam.  We drove up to it and looked down.  It was pretty cool, but for some reason, I think Shoshone Falls is way more cool to look at when it's full of water :) ha ha I loved this picture though, seeing it from far away!

This was a steam engine in Elbe. They give rides around the bottom of the mountain and around a lake, but we didn't want to spend $20 a person, so instead, the guys let Clay and Quinn take a look around the driver's booth (or whatever it's called).  It was actually pretty cool to look at.

It was just a nice day drive with plenty of trees, mountains, and greenery! Next time though, we will have to make it through the park and get some awesome pictures of Rainier!

dang raccoons

We just found out the other day that our neighbors have 5 raccoons living in their bushes/trees.  They've been trying to get a hold of the people to come pick them up, but haven't had luck getting them to.  So, we took matters into our own hands.  Clay borrowed some traps from a guy at work and set them up last night.  Everyone was gone and I had come downstairs to the kitchen and heard really weird noises.  I looked out the window and saw raccoons coming into our yard. We caught one!!! Clay was pulling into the garage at the time and I was freaking out, afraid to open our back door.  Well, we put the cage in our trunk and headed for the park.  We dropped it off there and hopefully we'll catch the rest of them.  Oh boy, do they ever freak me out.  I am no big city girl, but I'm no country girl and I've never seen raccoons until here in Washington so go ahead, make fun of me :) They are just ugly little things.

20 weeks

This definitely is not the most flattering picture of my belly.  I was in fact, very lazy this day, but it was on the 20 week mark and I didn't want to put off taking a picture later.  

I purposely had Clay cut my head off. I highly doubt I had my makeup or hair done, and since it's really the belly you look at, hey, why not leave my head shot out :)  I've definitely felt the baby kick, or at least have stronger "flutters", which is just crazy! It makes it more real knowing that something is growing inside of me. 

whale watching

Last year Clay and I went whale watching for our anniversary.  It was a gorgeous day, however, we didn't get to see any whales.  Because of this, they gave us "fluke" passes, letting us come back whenever, with no expiration date.  Anyway, seeing how I didn't do too well even on a plane, I decided to let Quinn take my pass.  So Clay and Quinn went this last weekend.  They were lucky enough to see whales...well, at least the fins of the Minke whales.  Clay was the only one who got to see dolphins, so at least it was a worthwhile trip for them.

They went in the evening this time and Clay captured this beautiful sunset!  Once the boat started heading back in, the captain warned everyone that it was going to get rough, so they might want to get inside.  Well, Clay being himself, went to the very front and all of a sudden there comes this huge wave and pounds Clay and Quinn all over.  They were soaked!  Lucky Clay - he got this twice, so he was soaking wet when he got home.  Glad they could have a good time though.  Maybe someday we'll go on a cruise and be able to see whales and dolphins that way :) I'm just fine with that idea.