So, our trip. We started out on the 3rd where we headed to Iowa. I needed to do some shopping for the big party. Somehow, I don't really remember that day! We did some shopping, but other than that...I have no idea!!!
On the 4th, we spent the day with my great friends and my future Son-In-Laws and Daughter-In-Law (even though they don't know it yet). Actually, Andrew and Madisen (who are both 10) will deny they even know each other, but we know it's true. Someday, Jen and I will be in-laws. ;) We had a great afternoon with them, and then it was off the fireworks. We bought the kids all-evening passes for the rides (which were really just huge air blown jumpy thingies), so we had time to just talk. Very relaxing. I ran into some old friends, including the guy I went to his junior prom with!! I don't think I've seen him in 8 years, so we had a great talk. My brother, his wife, and kids joined us just as the fireworks were starting. I love watching kids reactions to the show. The little ones were absolutely fascinated by the color and the noise, and only one of them was even remotely nervous. I wish I would have captured their faces on film. It was priceless.
Then, on the 5th, it was time for a 5.5 hour drive to the lake. My brother is all about competition, and I was very anxious to get on the road, so I challenged him to a race to get there. However, I stacked the car against him, giving him his two little kiddos, and Rachel. I had J and A, the big kids. Yep, I won. Chris will deny this, saying in time, he actually won, based on some method he figured out with amount of time on road vs. time of stops...or something equally ridicules, but I got there first, so I say I won. Hee. ;)
My sis and her hubby arrived a few hours later, as did my Grandma and Uncle, and the fun had begun. It was so great to just be with them, and eat our family favorite foods, and catch up. At one point, we locked ourselves in the guest room so we could assemble the cake. I think my mom was a little annoyed with us at the point b/c we wouldn't let her in! Everyone knew the "secret" knock, but her...Poor Mom. We love you!!!!
Sunday morning, we shooed my parents and a few kids off to church while we got ready for the party. My sister and I cooked, and directed the cleaning....we had so much fun together just being ourselves. If you can't tell, we are a family with great bonds.
The guest started arriving about 1, and we had a fantastic afternoon. My parents have thee best friends, and we spent until 8:00 at night just laughing and maybe drinking a little... It was a great dynamic group, and even the kids had fun until it ended. Nobody even got a little crabby. There was plenty of food, and we were still eating leftovers when we left at the end of the week! Good times!
Then, Mon we spent cleaning. It goes so much faster with everyone pitching in. One discussion my sister and I had was about how our parents have done such a great job transitioning us from kids with parents, to adults who have friends that happen to be their parents. We're still not sure how they did this so well, but I can truly say we are blessed to have parents that did such an amazing job (and believe me....I wasn't an easy kid!!!) I love you Mom and Dad!
Tuesday, we took some friends to the airport in Minneapolis, and decided that would be the perfect time to visit the Mall of America and of course my favorite store,
. I didn't buy anything...ok, much....but it was great girl time with my mom and sister.
OK, this is getting long, so I'll post more later. Sorry if I'm boring you, this is more a diary of the trip for me that anyone else!!!!
On the 4th, we spent the day with my great friends and my future Son-In-Laws and Daughter-In-Law (even though they don't know it yet). Actually, Andrew and Madisen (who are both 10) will deny they even know each other, but we know it's true. Someday, Jen and I will be in-laws. ;) We had a great afternoon with them, and then it was off the fireworks. We bought the kids all-evening passes for the rides (which were really just huge air blown jumpy thingies), so we had time to just talk. Very relaxing. I ran into some old friends, including the guy I went to his junior prom with!! I don't think I've seen him in 8 years, so we had a great talk. My brother, his wife, and kids joined us just as the fireworks were starting. I love watching kids reactions to the show. The little ones were absolutely fascinated by the color and the noise, and only one of them was even remotely nervous. I wish I would have captured their faces on film. It was priceless.
Then, on the 5th, it was time for a 5.5 hour drive to the lake. My brother is all about competition, and I was very anxious to get on the road, so I challenged him to a race to get there. However, I stacked the car against him, giving him his two little kiddos, and Rachel. I had J and A, the big kids. Yep, I won. Chris will deny this, saying in time, he actually won, based on some method he figured out with amount of time on road vs. time of stops...or something equally ridicules, but I got there first, so I say I won. Hee. ;)
My sis and her hubby arrived a few hours later, as did my Grandma and Uncle, and the fun had begun. It was so great to just be with them, and eat our family favorite foods, and catch up. At one point, we locked ourselves in the guest room so we could assemble the cake. I think my mom was a little annoyed with us at the point b/c we wouldn't let her in! Everyone knew the "secret" knock, but her...Poor Mom. We love you!!!!
Kransakaka (Swedish Wedding Cake)
Made by me, decorated by Mom's friends
Sunday morning, we shooed my parents and a few kids off to church while we got ready for the party. My sister and I cooked, and directed the cleaning....we had so much fun together just being ourselves. If you can't tell, we are a family with great bonds.
The guest started arriving about 1, and we had a fantastic afternoon. My parents have thee best friends, and we spent until 8:00 at night just laughing and maybe drinking a little... It was a great dynamic group, and even the kids had fun until it ended. Nobody even got a little crabby. There was plenty of food, and we were still eating leftovers when we left at the end of the week! Good times!
Then, Mon we spent cleaning. It goes so much faster with everyone pitching in. One discussion my sister and I had was about how our parents have done such a great job transitioning us from kids with parents, to adults who have friends that happen to be their parents. We're still not sure how they did this so well, but I can truly say we are blessed to have parents that did such an amazing job (and believe me....I wasn't an easy kid!!!) I love you Mom and Dad!
Tuesday, we took some friends to the airport in Minneapolis, and decided that would be the perfect time to visit the Mall of America and of course my favorite store,
. I didn't buy anything...ok, much....but it was great girl time with my mom and sister.OK, this is getting long, so I'll post more later. Sorry if I'm boring you, this is more a diary of the trip for me that anyone else!!!!
Sounds like you had a great time with your family!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have fun and I'm glad that you are back. I've missed you.
ReplyDelete