Summer To-Do List: Go to Minnesota

The week of 4th of July was spent visiting friends and family in Minnesota. It's fricking cold there in the winter but perfect in the summer. We stayed a whole week and had so much fun. Here are some of the highlights:

We went to Casper and Runyons Nook...a hole in the wall bar with a restaurant that is famous for their Juicy Lucy's (burgers with cheese in the middle). I went with a BLT and can you believe they brought me my sandwich with no BACON??!! I was a little turned off after that. They made it up to me by bringing me out plenty to add to my sandwich. The fries were freshly cut and super yummy and the area of the restaurant is really neat.

Joe's dad came to the cities and we took him to the Mall of America. We ate lunch and walked around a bit...well I pushed Sally and Joe pushed Clarence in a rented wheelchair. Here is Sally being silly at lunch.

Sally in the Mall of America

Clarence and Sally holding hands...so sweet!

We stopped for some ice cream at DQ...yum!

We took Sally over to visit Joe's Grandpa....Grandpa Don. He lives in White Bear Lake and has owned a nursery there for years. He is quite the character....90 years old and still ice skates and water skis...the secret to living long is to stay loving!

I couldn't resist snapping some pictures of my sweet girl on the farm.

Grandma and Sally

Sally in front of an old milk truck

Joe, Sally and Grandpa Don

Sally LOVED driving the tractor!!

Sally was passed out this day...but we had plans....

A tour of Summit Brewery

I loved all of these wooden pallets that were stacked!

There was a free tasting after the tour and can you believe it...they had ROOT BEER on tap! I used 3 of my sampling tickets for root beer :)

Grandma helped Sally practice her walking.

Sally reading in the car.

hanging with Grandpa Gatis and Grandma Peggy

On the 4th of July, Grandma had a special treat planned for Sally...red, white and blue pancakes!! With a sparkler. Sally was not sure what to think.

One day Peggy and I took Sally to Stillwater. Right across this bridge is Wisconsin. Stillwater is the oldest city in Minnesota and its filled with restaurants, shops and antique stores. LOVE it!

Another day we went to the Como Zoo. I was so excited when I saw this blast from the past. Do you remember when they had these at the Memphis Zoo. The smell is so nostalgic for me. I wanted to buy a  $3 wax animal but instead decided to just take a picture.

We spent the 4th of July at the Minnesota Twins baseball game!

We watched fireworks that night in White Bear Lake.

Sally LOVED them!

On our way home, Sally found a plane to play on at the airport. We had a great trip and I cant wait to go back :)

FIVE On Friday: Link Up Fun!

Woo-hoo!!! It's FRIDAY!!! Not that it matters....everyday is like a weekend for me now that I am a SAHM. But Fridays mean its the weekend for everyone else which means dinners out with friends and all around happiness :)

{one}

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it was a good outline on how to live a healthy, well-rounded life. I am going to try and do more of all of this.

{two}

Yes, I know it is only August...but Fall is upon us people. Just go to Hobby Lobby/Michaels and look around. There is tons of fall stuff...and Christmas stuff. That may be a little much for me. One season at a time for this girl or I get overwhelmed. 

 I did see this on Pinterest and knew exactly what I was going to do with all my canning jar rings....so cute!!

{three}

My hubby is HOME!! I didn't say much on the blog or Facebook, but Joe has been gone for almost three weeks training to fly a new airplane. I am so excited he is home. Being a single mom was hard and VERY tiring!

{four}

Joe and I have been doing one of our favorite things...watching scary movies. I used some free Redbox codes and we watched these two the past two nights. I wasn't that impressed with Last Exorcism 2 but Evil Dead was SCARY!!

{five}

I LOVE my class at the gym I do to. It is called Dance Fusion. It's a little like Zumba except for hop hop instead of latin dancing. It's a booty popping good time and I have so much fun!

Hana Flat Iron Review

I am embarrassed that it has taken me so long to do this review.  I have been using this straightener for months now :) I was contacted from a representative of Misikko a few months ago to try out their top rated flat irons. I had read reviews on this flat iron and I knew I was in for a treat!

 I was shocked and a little surprised when I opened the box and found all this stuff. The angel was a little much...but everything was so thoughtfully wrapped. 

I couldn't wait to test it out. I usually use a CHI that I have had for years. 

So here I am with crazy big, frizzy hair....ready to straighten.

This is the straightening spray that I use.

Here I am after. Straight hair...yay!!

Price:

It is on sale for $129.98 right now.

This is a bit on the pricey side for a hair straightener, but it is well worth the money. I would rather splurge on something that I know will not only make my hair look great, but also keep my hair healthy. Plus, keep in my mind you not only get the straightener, but you also get the Heat Resistant Storage Bag AND a ton of other goodies that you will see in tomorrow's post. You definitely don't get anything extra when you buy a drugstore hair straightener.

 

Where to buy:

Misikko

Hana Salon

 

Facts about the Flat Iron straight from the website, Misikko:

Advanced Tourmaline Ceramic Plates for Accelerated Ion Generation and Maximum Frizz-Free, 

     Conditioning Shine 

Ceramic is naturally hygienic, protects color & retards fading

Floating 1" Plates Auto-Adjust To Glide Over Any Hair Texture

Curved Plate Edges For Versatile Styling - Curl, Flip or Straighten!

Adjustable Temperature Dial - 5 Settings from 140-450° F for All Hair Types

Flash Heats in Seconds with Instant Compensation for Heat Loss

Ergonomic Handle Design with No-Slip Grip

Smooth Grooves Keep Hair Strands Separate and Snag-Free

Tangle-Free Salon Quality Cord Swivels 360°; Convenient Hanging Loop

Energy Efficient at 38 Watts

Independent On/Off Switch

Includes Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch, Heat Proof Silicone Mat, & Special Edition Tin Case

And most importantly, comes with a two-year warranty

Brody's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Birthday Party

Last weekend Sally and I drove up to Jackson, TN to celebrate Brody's 2nd birthday. Brody is the cute son of my god friend, Beth. His party theme was Mickey Mouse and Beth did an amazing job!

How cute does Beth look in her Minnie outfit??!! Love it!

Sally and Aunt Kristy

Birthday Boy!!

Sally had a great time. I promise this girl can walk...she just likes walking on her knees the best. I think its because her knees help her go faster. Poor girls gonna need some knee pads soon!

Thoughtful Thursday

Hello August

Well my friends, August is here. I love the beginning of a month. It's like fresh start....a new beginning. August is also the last month of warm weather. That means we need to pack in a lot of days spent at the pool! It also means I only have one more month to check items off my "Summer To-Do List". Not gonna lie. It feels so amazing to be at home hanging with Sally while my teacher friends are at work :) Ahh....being stress free is good for the soul!

Now here is a happy because I love you! It is free Redbox code for today!