So, we ended up caving in and planning a quick trip to Minnesota over the 4th of July.When I say "we ended up caving in", I mean that we caved in financially and logistically. After having just completed the big remodel and addition on our home, and then adding two members to our family… dropping a bundle on 4 tickets to Minnesota wasn't exactly part of our plan for 2008. Not to mention, the question of "can we actually do this with 3 under 3?" was a bit daunting. Ok… I'll be honest. It was flat out overwhelming.
But, yes - we did it. The boys were fantastic on both flights. They made the trip easy on us. And outside of Gabby having a temper-tantrum while going through security because a *random TSA* touched her shoes… she was great too.
Our schedule while in MN was extremely busy and somewhat exhausting. Something was on the calendar every single day. But, we were able to spend a lot of time with my mom and dad, all 3 of my brothers and their families, great grandma's Leona and Helen, and my uncle Bill, aunt Kay and cousin Haleigh who were in town from CT.
My family getting together is no small feat. Mark, Patty, Alexa and Callie, were in town from Shanghai, China. Jon, Jazzmin and baby Ellie were in town from Alaska. We were actually hoping to meet baby Ellie… but she decided to wait and not make her appearance while her extended family was together. We were so bummed… and will have to settle for photos. And then Dave, Joanne, Madeline & Emily, live in MN. So we were very lucky they also were able to spend time with us.
Minnesota highlights:
* Gabby getting to constantly play with cousins! Play time was spent on the beach, swimming, and boating. And, lots of time playing inside. Also known as operation destroy the inside of Gammy and Papa's house. As in… did a tornado go through your home or was that just a result of 7 grandchildren enjoying each other for 7 days?
* Attending cousin Maddy's 5th birthday party. Gabby was in party/sugar heaven. FUN!
* Attending a surprise birthday party dinner for my mom… more FUN!
* Spending a few hours visiting with three girlfriends from high school.
* Meeting two girlfriends from college for lunch.
* A fabulous 4th of July BBQ at my parent’s home with my entire family, and several of my cousins and their families. And that night we all went out on the boat to watch fireworks. Even the twins! I hesitated, thinking the loud bangs would scare them, but they both watched in awe and weren't bothered by the noise.
* Dan was able play 18 holes of golf.
* Gabby and I saw the movie "WALL-E" with her cousins. She happily sat and watched the movie, ate half a bag of popcorn, laughed louder than anyone else in the theatre and eventually face-planted on the movie theatre floor after attempting to climb the seat in front of us. Always the lady.
* Two baptisms… with a few surprises! See baptism post below.
* Poor little cousin Callie getting the 24-hour stomach flu… and not one of my children catching it! Amazing.
* I was able to get out on four runs. Four long, lovely sanity runs that didn't involve pushing babies. Wow… what a difference that makes.
* Dan and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary. We went boating, and then to dinner with Gabby, while my mom, dad and sister-in-law, Jazz, babysat the twins.
* 5 sleepless nights for Dan and I. Apparently, the boys weren't too thrilled about their new beds. And, they were thrown by the different daylight hours. They decided to gang up on us and switch off waking up every hour of the night for several nights. Two sleepless babies = two very tired parents.
* One set of car keys thrown in the garbage by yours truly. And, as usual, my mom rallied to save the day and retrieve the missing keys.
HUGE hugs and thanks to aunt Jazzmin, cousin Alexa, aunt Patty and Gammy and Papa for all the childcare help! And, thanks so much mom & dad for being such wonderful, kind and loving parents and hosts. Gabby has so many wonderful memories to keep her going until the next get-together!
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