The Mama Bear

With Marshall in Minneapolis for work and Tanner hosting camp at the Marshall’s, we decided to make a weekend of it at the Marshall Mama Bear cabin at Long Lake. We took on Thursday after work, worked from the cabin on Friday and enjoyed lake activities for the weekend. 

It was wonderful to be at the Marshall cabin during the summer and enjoying their beautiful place with them. Highlights included pickle ball and disc golf, water skiing, paddle boarding, time at the beach, fire pit and shooting stars, games and time around the fire table. We also ventured into Dorset for lunch. The weather wasn’t super warm, but nice enough to do all the “cabin things.” 

Special thanks to Jacki and Sean for opening their cabin to us. So happy we could make this adventure work - we missed Drake, but he was busy saying good byes to friends and saloon friends up as much of Colorado as he can before heading back to school. 

Gorgeous! 

Beach time 

Pickle ball 

Cousins 

Paddle boards 

The island 

Sisters 

Disc and soccer golf 

Look at those trees 

A fun outing 

Tanner skiing!!! Big smiles on his face 

Sisters enjoying the boat 

Tanner and his employer for the week 

Headed in 

Pretty sunset 

S’mores and fire pit 

Ari skiing 

Tanner outside the wake 

Driving the skiers around 

Learning Catan 

Minneapolis Walking Tour

I was able to walk around downtown Minneapolis a bit while staying downtown with Marshall. I worked from the lobby for most of the day, but got out for lunch and a bit while Marshall finished up work to just check things out. I always enjoy checking out older cities by foot. I grabbed a sandwich at Dagwood’s for lunch which was delicious and it was like taking a step back in time in the 2nd floor skywalk. Walking the skywalks was definitely a highlight. What an unexpected treat! 

View from breakfast 

Wells Fargo building 

Cool light 

View from skywalk 

Inside Wells Fargo - very cool interior 

WFA

Five works days. Five working locations. This is work from anywhere. 

Monday - Stanley Market Place and Aurora Public Library 

Tuesday - Coworking space in Denver 

Galvanize on Tuesday 

Wednesday - 834 St. Andrews Ln 

Thursday - downtown Minneapolis Embassy Suites 

Friday - Long Lake 

Da Boyz

I don’t have any pictures for this post, but they really aren’t needed. I’ve said to several people that I will be sad when the boys hard back to school. I love the buzz and energy the boys bring to the house in the summer. They may not always be around, but being able to see them as they come and go is a treat. 

Last Friday before Tanner headed to his ultimate tournament, tanner came with me on my “coffee commute.” We also grabbed bagels and sat outside to enjoy our breakfast and drinks together. 

On Tuesday night, Drake and I enjoyed talking about our strengths from the Strengths Finder assessment (Drake and I both have “achiever” and Marshall and Drake match on “analytical.” What’s the saying about not outrunning your genes??? 🙃

We then played a game of rummykub and then went to Cinnebar to have dinner and see Oppenheimer. What a special night to have together. We also enjoyed brunch together today before he headed out. It is not lost on me how much the flexibility of our work situation allows extra time with the boys and Marshall. So while I’m sad for the upcoming change, I’m also grateful to be around for the hustle and bustle while it’s here. 

Four Years

It is a rare occurrence that I have the house entirely to myself tonight. Four years ago tonight, I was also all alone in a hospital bed (well, with a lot of nurses interrupting me, but not with my family). What a crazy day to reflect upon…. 

Admittedly, it is has been a weird day reflecting back. I’m just extremely thankful for a full recovery and thankful for so many things, big and small, over the past four years. 

After getting back from the Ultimate party and dropping off Tanner at the airport, I did my walking loop and then treated myself to Sweet Cow. On my walk, the song “Bless the Broken Road” came on and it certainly is a reminder that life is not a straight and happy path all the time. Life is full of ups and downs and these experiences are what make up this messy thing called life. The stroke was certainly part of my broken road, but it had given me perspective I would not have had before. I’m just happy that I’ve been here for the last four years and many more to come. 

Got out my recovery mode shirt 

Eat more ice cream 

Recovery mode 4 years ago 

The Ranch

Drake was fortunate to go to his friend Owen’s ranch for a second year. Five friends made the trip as well as some of the dads (Marshall was not able to go given vacation limitations). 

No wifi or cable. Just good old fashioned fun on a 500 acre ranch. What a special trip with friends. 

River time - rafter all 2.5 miles of the river running through the property 

Dice 

Fires 

Friends 

Youth Club Championships

Tanner wrapped up a three-day Ultimate tournament today. He was able to stay with his team in a hotel for the weekend so it felt like more of a “getaway” even though we were playing at “home.” 

The weather was agreeable all weekend and the team played well overall. They were seeded 18th, but ended up placing 12th out of 24 teams. It was a tough day today to wrap up the tourney with two losses, but it was fun to watch them all give it their all over the weekend. 

Marshall and we’re able to attend all day Saturday and Sunday and Drake and I caught the first game today. 

While the tournament was not all that Tanner hoped for, we are so proud of him for making the top team and working hard this season. It will only set him up for success in the years to come. 

Ready for the pull 

Colorado fans! - look at those hats! 

The team after a victory 

Ready for defense 

Run! 

Day 2 fans 

Team circle 

Tanner winning the disc battle 

Day 3 fans 

Brothers 

Hole Zero

We spent a beautiful Friday night on the golf course with the Wrights. We started on hole zero with drinks at the club house and were joined by the MOHI golf coaches as well. We then hit the course and most of us got our money’s worth with lots of swings. 

We then headed downtown to Casa Alegre to enjoy a meal on their beautiful patio. A lovely night out in Louisville. 

Hole zero 

With the fun cups from the Smileys 

Barbie

Tanner and I ended up at the Barbie movie with friends followed by Red Robin dinner. The movie was not my style, but I did laugh and it was fun to have a different outing with friends. And yes, I bought a pink shirt at Target for the occasion! 

There’s the pink! 

Ready for the show 

The crew 

Gotta Start

Taking the first step is often the hardest. Due to conflicting schedules, Tanner and I have not been able to volunteer this summer at all. We finally got in a volunteering session tonight after work. This activity helps the Special Olympics athletes with tennis practice. Tanner is so great with the athletes and it is a fun activity for us to do together. Here’s to getting more hours in now that we have finally started.