Vacation with the Family

Hi Everyone,
I can't believe that it is July already! This summer is just flying by! I have been traveling a lot in the past few weeks and I wanted to share with everyone my adventures along the way. On June 30-July 2 Grant and I spent a weekend vacationing in the Twin Cities with my family.
We started out Saturday by going to Stillwater, MN to go to the local brewery- Lift Bridge Brewery. I picked a brewery tour as part of the weekend, because growing up my family and I went to the Coors and Budweiser breweries. It was a small company but they give great tours and the best part is it is free to have a tour. I will definitely take friends there when they visit. On Saturday night we went to the Twins game vs. the Royals. The Twins is my favorite baseball team and it was fun going to a game with my family. The Twins ended up winning which is a big deal since they are having a rough season.
On Sunday we spent the day at the Mall of America. We spent the afternoon looking around, eating, and I got my dad to go on the log ride with me:) (It is a tradition) On Monday we spent the afternoon at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and went to my family member's house for dinner.
While we were there we stayed with my dad's great uncle Ray. It was nice being able to stay with him and to catch up on what is new in his life. His cat is usually not friendly to people, but I had a lot of fun petting and brushing his fur. I am not usually a cat person either so it was good for both of us:)
It was a fun time of being with my family and showing them the city that I will be moving to shortly.
Enjoy the pictures!
-Kara-

My dad and Grant getting excited about the brewery tour.

Grant and I in front of the old kegs.

My dad and mom in front of an old vat.

The inside of the brewery factory.

The night was a throw-back night and they dressed in the old Minneapolis Millers uniforms.

The field.

Me with the field in the background.

Grant and I inside the stadium.

My parents, Grant, and I.

My dad and mom.

The big jumbotron in the outfield.

My mom and I watching the game.

The wall of legos.

My dad and I in front of the log ride.

The large lego robot on display.

My dad and Ray.

The cherry on a spoon in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

My parents and I.

My dad and mom.

My parents with the view of Minneapolis in the background.

Me enjoying the city!

An Afternoon with Grant

On Sunday Grant and I went down to Canal Park for an afternoon of fun. Grant and I have always enjoyed spending time on walks together(we got engaged on a walk) and so wherever we are we make sure to take the time to enjoy walking as a couple. It was fun to see the sights that make Duluth a great place to live and visit. One fact that Grant informed me of while we were walking is that Duluth as one of the two aerial lift bridges in the world. We started by walking along the path by the lake and from there we crossed the bridge and walked to the beach area on Park Point. People were swimming in the water even though the water was muddy due to the recent flooding in Duluth. It was fun to be able to be on a beach again even though it wasn't on an ocean. We went looking through the shops in Canal Park and the shops there are so unique and different, it is a great place to look for gifts. We finished the afternoon by eating at ColdStone Creamery, it was great being able to go there since there wasn't one in Saipan.
Walking is a simple activity but Grant and I have enjoyed it as a great way to spend time together. During our time in Duluth, we are trying to get out and enjoy the beauty of the city.
Enjoy the pics!
-Kara-

The bridge and I.

Grant and I in front of the bridge.

Grant and I at the beach.

I found a moose by the shops.

Grant by the lake.

The lighthouse by the lake.

The beach!

Me next to the muddy waters.

Hi Grant!

Grant and I at the beach.

Adjusting

Hi Readers, Friends, and Family,
We have been back in the states for 3 weeks now and it has definitely been a whirlwind of activities and emotions. Grant and I first started our adventure of being back in the states with Grant's family in Duluth, MN. During our first week we had to get our drivers licenses, new license plates, pay for car insurance, and deal with our boxes that we mailed from Saipan. The drivers license was the hardest part especially for me since I had to take the written and road test. I did pass but I was nervous about taking the road test since I was in Grant's mom's car and had not taken this test since I was 16. Grant's parents threw us an afternoon party on the first Sunday we were here. It was fun seeing Grant's family and friends during this time. Grant's brother Owen came in from Michigan and it was so great to see him. It was also fun to have all of the siblings together after being a part for 2 years.
On June 8th we headed to Omaha, NE to see my family. We spent 10 days hanging out with friends and family. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to catch up with friends and family and to be able to make memories with them again. One special day was my friend's bridal shower which I will be a bridesmaid in Sept. I have missed a few wedding since I was in Saipan and it was so great to be there for her on her special day and I can't wait to be a part of her wedding! My family threw a party for us on Saturday night and it was full of food, friends, family, and of course Scramball.(best game ever). We also had the opportunity to go to the first College World Series game as a family. I also went to another College World Series game with my sister and her friend on Sunday. Another favorite time we had in Omaha was we were able to go to my Uncle John's house on the lake. I enjoyed getting to spend time with my "little" cousins even though one is in high school and one is in upper elementary. John took us for a boat ride which is something we do every time we are there. I am not sold on swimming in lake water though, I really enjoyed the clear water of Saipan where I was able to swim and see the fish. :) I miss my friends and family a lot and at some point I would love to live in Omaha so I could see them on a more regular basis.
We spent a little bit of time in the Twin Cities to talk to our college about financial aid and I  had an interview.
So right now we are staying in Duluth and applying for jobs online. I have had 2 interviews and am waiting on results. Grant and I both have an interview on Wed. so we are just waiting and praying for the right opportunities to come our way. God has been blessing us and taking care of us every step of the way so I am so thankful for this. Everything with going to Saipan turned out well and everything coming back is going well so far. One blessing was our Saipan car sold the day before we left! We have enjoyed being able to spend time with family and friends and now we are waiting to see what God has in store for us next!
-Kara-

Grant and his siblings(Meredyth, Gwen, and Owen)

Gwen and I.

Marilyn and Owen.

Grant and his grandma Nancy.

A family photo. (Fifields)

My Cornhusker!

Grant and I with our articles from Saipan.

Grant made this for our party.

Peggy, Me, Jackie(bride to be) and Hope at Jackie's shower.

Grant and a parakeet!

In the zoo's rainforest.

Hanging out at the College World Series (CWS).

My sis and I in the General Admissions line.

Grant and I at the new stadium.

My family and I at the CWS.

My cousin Amber and I.

Waiting in line for game number 2.

My sis and I at the CWS.

Grant and I at Cheddar's for dinner.