What Happened to Thanksgiving?

The kids and I were on our own this past weekend because Dan headed out deer hunting. I love those weekends when they are planned of just the kids and I. I always pick one day to go shopping (of course!) and a day to hang out at home.

It was time to take down the Halloween decorations and switch gears to Thanksgiving. For some reason I do enjoy stripping items down to put away. It must be that cleaning feeling I get, a little bit of serenity when everything is put away and in its place. I do like that some decorations stay up from one holiday to the next. It feels like I am saving a little bit of money on it. Fall colors and pumpkins still stay and you add a couple of turkeys.

So this weekend we were on the hunt for Thanksgiving decorations and Thanksgiving crafts for the kids. We ended up going to three different stores trying to find them.

Seriously, did every store forget about Thanksgiving?

• Target had one flimsy set up of only cups, plates, and napkins and one decorations for the windows.
• Safeway had all the fixings for cooking a Thanksgiving meal, but no decorations.
• Michael's had two places to find Thanksgiving items in the store, but both were small and not much there and was hard to find after weeding through all of the Christmas items out. I had to ask someone finally if they had any. The worker asked, "Like turkeys and pilgrims?" "They are on an end shelf over there." We were successful here though in finding our crafts and some Turkeys and a sign that says Give Thanks.

I know that stores want to make money and people are out already Christmas shopping, but c'mon people let's not skip over Thanksgiving! I heard Christmas music in two of the stores we were in already. I heard on the radio station people calling in and saying they put up their Christmas trees already. This is the time to be thankful. Let's try and slow down a little bit and not forget this holiday and everything that we are thankful for this year.

Trick or Treat - 2010

Although my family and I were still on the mend from being sick and getting rid of colds we were still excited to head out and do some trick or treating. After the Vikings game the kids were bouncing around the house, or at least Katelynn was, to get on costumes and get ready. Dan had to a lot of the work this year of getting the kids ready, I was just too worn out from the funeral, being sick, and traveling that morning. Junior was not thrilled to be in his Mickey Mouse costumes; he would have much preferred to see someone else be Mickey so he could look at them. I was able to get some pictures this year before we headed out. Dan and I had costumes that I bought for us, but with everything going on we weren't up to it. I will save them for next year. The neighbor girls were outside waiting for us and we all set out. Junior got the hang of trick or treating after the 2nd house. He started running up to the doors and would say knock, knock and then was in pure awe that people would answer the door and put candy into his basket. I wonder now if he thinks when we go to people's houses and knock on the door if he is going to get candy or if he understands that they were dressed up and this was a special occasion day? We all went for a few blocks and then Junior and I headed back to the house so we could hand out candy to the trick or treats. He thought that was fun too and would get excited every time the doorbell rang or someone knocked. Dan and Katelynn came back a little earlier than I thought they would. It seems the three girls were got into a little tiff at each house about who was going to get to knock, but she had plenty of candy. She had fun after that handing out candy to the other kids, although I did have to tell her to limit it to two pieces per kiddo because she was wanting to give out handfuls to each. Everyone had a good time, it wasn't perfect or how I was envisioning, but that is just the way life is sometimes.

When it rains it pours

Last week did not start out to be a good week and ended even worse.

Sunday we were gearing up for the Vikings game. We made lots of goods snacks to eat and the entire family was dressed in their Vikings gear. Throughout the day the kids started to get the sniffles and by bed time neither were feeling very good. I figured that I would be staying home from work on Monday. Sure enough, they coughed all night long and nobody was able to get much sleep. Dan and I were crossings paths in the night and we all played musical beds. Here is how that went: Katelynn in her bed, then in our bed and back to her bed. Dan in our bed, then in Katelynn's bed, on the couch and back to our bed. Junior in his crib then him and I downstairs and then him back to the crib. Me, in my bed, in Katelynn's bed, downstairs with Junior, Katelynn's bed and then back to my own bed. Whew, what a night.

While I was dealing with my sick kids my own mother was dealing with my grandma who was sick and in the hospital. Grandma went from one town to another with almost all of her 8 children following her with each move. All the grandchildren were kept up to date.

All week long for us was coughing and sniffles and not much sleep at night. Then we had the dreaded call that Grandma was going to the hospice hospital and shortly it would be time to say good-bye. This is when things get extremely difficult living far away from family. You can never drive an hour to go and say good-bye or give someone a hug who needs one.

Wednesday the kids went to daycare and Katelynn had pre-school. The daycare called me after they picked her up and she was screaming about her ear hurting. Dan was already home so I called him to go and pick up the kids early and said that I would take Katelynn to urgent care as soon as I got home. I got a call 10 minutes later and he asked me to meet him at urgent care because she was getting a little hysterical about her ear. I actually was thinking sooner rather than later as well and was already on my way. I was starting to not feel very well myself and figured that we all better just get checked out while we were there. 5 minutes before the daycare called me my mom had called me and told me my grandma passed away. I had to have my mommy hat on and went to urgent care and filled out the paperwork for the 2 kids and myself. Dan went with Junior and Katelynn and I in a different room. Katelynn did not have an ear infection and I did not have strep throat, so no good stuff to make us feel better. Junior was given a prescription for a nebulizer and antibiotics in case he got an ear infection. I went to Target with our prescription orders and waited a long hour and half. I did get a chance to finally talk to my mom while I was waiting. It was another long night with the kids and with me not feeling well either a lot of work fell to Dan. I was starting to get very worried that I would be too ill too travel home for my grandma's funeral. I immediately started taking vitamin C and prayed and hoped for the best. I kept the kids home again with me on Thursday and we hung around the house trying to get better. I again cleaned and disinfected my house and toys and did as much as I could muster for the day. I eventually did start feeling about 50% better and decided to go ahead and book a ticket home and flew out Thursday night. Dan was left to deal with the sick kids.

I was so glad that I went home. I was able to say a final good-bye to my grandma and be around my family at a time when everyone needed to be together. We rented condos that slept 17 people each and were together for 2 full days. I was able to go and visit my grandma's house and take a few pictures. I thought about all the times I had been there and the things that never changed on her walls. I saw items there that I had even given her as gifts. What a joy she was too everyone who knew her. I hope that I can be even a quarter of the woman that she was. I hope that my children will forever treasure the blankets that she made them when they were born and know how much she loved us all. I love you Grandma.

I flew back on Sunday in time to grab a nap and take the kiddos out for some trick or treating. It was a very long week.

Pumpkin Fruit Baskets

This project was really fun. Project # 2 from our expensive magazine. While the kids were doing quiet time and naps I took 4 oranges and cut a sliver off the bottom so they would sit and then cut the tops off and basically gutted out the fillings of orange. After Katelynn was done with quiet time she came and helped out by cutting up the grapes for me. She was so excited to use a butter knife. Once I had her busy I then cut out of the faces on the oranges like they were little Halloween pumpkins. We cut up some of the oranges, grapes, an apple and a pear for the filling. We used silvered almonds for the teeth. I think these are probably the craftiest thing that I have ever done! I have to say I was pretty proud of myself. The kids loved them with their supper and it was healthy too.

Halloween Goodies

A few weeks ago we were at Lowe's and I paid the ridiculous amount of $10.00 for a Halloween cook book. I figured since I paid so much I better find something that me and the kids could attempt to make from it. I had Katelynn look through the book before we went grocery shopping to see what she would like to make. I had to eventually sit down with her and go through it too because the couple that she picked out were beyond my skill level. We decided (or I did) that we could make these Halloween bugs. They seemed easy enough with candy bars, pretzel sticks, a little chocolate frosting and decorations. We had a ton of fun making them, but they sure didn't turn out as pretty as the one's in the magazine picture!

Junior really just thought it was about eating candy bars, which he had never had until that day.

Katelynn as always is ready to go.

He eventually did get the idea!

Our finished projects!

BUGS, BUGS, BUGS

Work Taboo

I was having a bad day yesterday. I went to work and my thoughts were getting the better of me. I believe that I have posted before that we went to Google Apps at work. One of the functions of Google Apps is the Chat feature. I have used the Chat feature at work for both work related items and some personal quick conversations. It's great, usually. So as I was working I decided to send a friend at work a Chat. I just sent a comment that was running through my head, nothing to serious, just a blanket statement "Do you think anyone would notice if I just left and didn't tell anybody". Don't judge! Just take it as a bad day. I did not receive a reply back from my friend so I closed the Chat.

Here is where it gets interesting. I got a voicemail later from my friend and they asked if I had gotten their Chat back later because it was pretty funny. I had closed my Chat so I didn't get it. About an hour or so later I get an email from my boss.

Subject: btw

Context: We would notice if you left :)

I sit up straight in my chair at work and think, What? How strange? So I email back and tell him: Thanks, glad that somebody would notice! I sit there in my chair and think about this and then quickly send an email to my friend. Why did my boss just email me this? My friend was in meetings the entire afternoon, but I know they are attached to their blackberry. They send me a message back stating they were in a meeting that morning and they had their screen projected and their email was signed in. As I sent my Chat it popped up in the middle of the screen for everyone to see. So, the entire room of people in the meeting saw my Chat and my comment including my boss. I saw my boss alter that day and he actually thought it was hilarious. As he followed me back to my office (yeah, I got my own office last week!) laughing at me I told him I was only slightly embarrassed by that and so glad that there were also a couple of big wigs in the room. Just great to make my bad day better. I'm sure; no positive, that my face was bright red the rest of the day.

Lesson of the day: Chat with Google

1 - Even if a persons Chat shows they are available to Chat check their calendar to be sure they are not in a meeting

2 - If you are in a meeting change your status to Unavailable for the sake of your co-workers and friends OR don't pull up your email account presentation!

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Halloween Shopping Day

I was starting to worry about running out of time this year to do the fun things that we usually do for October fun. I have been such a slacker and we've been a little bit of home bodies this month. Today was the day to head out. Shopping day for the girls and hair cuts for the boys.
Dan decided awhile ago that he would relish in his Daddy duty and thought it best if him and Junior start getting their hair cuts at the barber shop together. I love the idea of that. I think it's great bonding for the boys! (And if you haven't seen my previous post on Junior's first hair cut, whew, I was glad to give that duty to Dan). The boys headed out this morning and Katelynn and I were waiting a little while for the stores to open.
Side note: I have been trying to track some of my spending and saving a little extra money to put towards my car payment each month. I found an awesome website: www.mint.com to track it all and put in a budget. Check it out if you are so inclined!
It was time for Katelynn and I to head out to do some shopping. First on the list, Halloween costume. I also needed to find Katelynn some jeans that actually fit her so I decided we would stop at the Justice, just for girls, store too. Then mommies shopping turn. I had a coupon for $20.00 at Victoria Secret and of course the free panties coupon, ya! A stop at The Loft of course too (hey, it's been a little while and I need some work clothes).
The boys were still not back from their Barber Shop stop so we went through town and saw they were still in there. I couldn't resist and had to stop and say hello and see how things were going. Dan was getting his "high & tight" finished up and Junior was up next. The barber did a good job and Junior only freaked out for a little while. Katelynn and I did leave before he was done; enough intruding on "guy time".
Off to the Halloween store. We found a Strawberry Shortcake costume, but they only had smalls left and it was not going to fit, bummer. Katelynn had been saying for probably 2 weeks now that she wanted to be spider girl because one of her friends was going to be spiderman. Although, I think a couple time she said bat girl and batman? Either way, I found her both of those costumes and she didn't want them. She picked out a Cinderella dress. I found an adult Strawberry Shortcake costume and asked Katelynn if I should get it. You should have seen the look on her face. Her comment to me was, "Mom, that would just not be fair if you got to be Strawberry Shortcake and I didn't, it just really wouldn't be." I found a witches hat for me to wear and we decided Dan is going to be a cop (ha ha) and found a hat, glasses and mustache for him to sport. Junior is going to be Mickey Mouse. This will be the last year that I get to recycle one of Katelynn's old costumes. Check off the first item on our to do list! Off to the stores we went and I found her 2 pairs of pants that fit like a glove and she will wear them every week for the price that I had to pay to find "slim" jeans. My shopping was successful as well. Lunch at home and when Junior woke up from his nap we headed to the Pumpkin Patch. I will use a new post and post some pictures!

Quality Time _ Cheerios Blogger Circle

"How do you use quality time with Katelynn to ensure the best nourishment for her body & mind?"

How do I find the time to have some really good quality time with Katelynn?

Working full-time makes it hard for a lot of moms and families. Some days it really feels that the daycare provider is more of the mom and teaching parent than I am. I definitely have thoughts to myself every once in awhile, "when was the last moments that I felt really qualified as quality time?" When was the last moments I wasn't cleaning, cooking, or doing laundry so my kids have a clean home and healthy food in the few hours I am home each night?" I had that thought this week. I was looking forward today to coming home from a long week at work and doing just that with Katelynn. We had a great supper of spaghetti and meatballs and Katelynn was in such good spirits. She ate like a champ tonight! She is definitely trying to score points on her reward chart in order to go to the Halloween/Birthday party next weekend for one of her preschool friends. We decided to have a little Salon night and she did my hair and make-up: lipstick, eye shadow, and a headband, a tad scary being done up by a 5 year old. We then preceded downstairs where the boys were watching car races and brushed and styled their hair, just in case they wanted a date night. With our beautiful hair and make-up we next needed, oh so lovely nails and we polished each others. Now that we were all gussied up we needed to burn some energy. I turned on a Halloween music CD and we danced and sang and laughed. Once we had exerted all of our energy it was time for a snack before bed. We enjoyed a piece of pumpkin bread that we made together last weekend. It was such a good time and I think we both really enjoyed our night together, I know I did. She went to bed with the biggest smile on her face and lots of love for mommy.

A little good, nourishing food in the tummy and some dancing exercise goes a long way for both of us. She should wake up tomorrow bright eyed and bushy tailed and be ready for the pumpkin patch! I would say we did some excellent nourishment tonight of body, mind and soul!

Cheerios Mom Blogger!

I have been invited to join the Cheerios mom program as a Cheerios mom Blogger. I am so excited! I will have a few different topics to blog about from them and then they may or may not be used in conjunction with their Facebook page. Check them out at: www.facebook.com/Cheerios.

Elk Fest

I am getting so behind, that I'm going to have to have posts in between the weddings & trips until I get the days all posted.

This Sunday we decided it was time to head out of town and to the mountains. That is what they are there for and we really do take them for granted living here. It was Elk Fest in Estes Park this weekend. We got up Sunday morning and did some things around the house and got ready and headed out around 11am. The goal though was to not spend money, just go and enjoy the day and the mountain air. We told the kiddos this before leaving so they understood we were not going to buy stuff and shop, just to look. Junior thank goodness took a nap on the way up the mountain because he wouldn't lay down earlier for a nap when we tried. Katelynn was really fun and in awe of the canyons on the way up. We hadn't probably been up there since she was 2 1/2 or so (isn't that horrible). It was a rat race when we got there; which I figured it would be, but the weather was beautiful. We had to walk a ways to get to the park with the tents and did some walking and stopped and sat and the kids each had a bananas we brought them. After that we decided to head to the shops to find somewhere to get a snack and a bathroom. We found a local grill and Dan and I had a beer and we got some onion rings and cheesy fries. The kids were so good in the restaurant, it is so hit or miss with them when we take them out. After that we walked around a little more and headed back to the tents. The kids were not interested in the elk bugling contest so I took Katelynn around to some of the Indian arti-crafts they had set up. I wanted to see some elk for elk fest -where are all the elk? It was too warm for them to probably be down the mountain yet, so last resort I told Dan to drive by the golf course. I have yet to be disappointed on a trip to Estes Park where the elk were not gracing there. Sure enough there was one big, bull elk lazying around a tree. I personally think they transplanted him there because he just sat there and was so nonchalant with all the people. We took a little walk down the road and I got some great pictures, which is what I wanted for the day. We stayed in Estes for a few good hours and it was time to head home. Down the winding mountain we went and Junior eventually started screaming in the back seat. Poor little buggers ears I'm sure were hurting. And then - BLECK and YUCK - the banana came back up and he got car sick. Too much winding and too much motion. We found a little convenient store to pull over and attempt to clean him up the best we could. You can only imagine the commotion in the car. Windows down the rest of the ride home and he was fine after that. Lesson learned: take it easy on the way down the mountain and daddy will probably never take him on a trip to Estes Park in the corvette!

Can't beat the view! It almost looks fake.

The Elk is in the background.

Day 3 in Minnesota - Wedding # 1

Congratulations to Josh and Makayla Blanchard. Married on August 28th, 2010.

Thank you for letting us be a part of your day.

Katelynn and I had to be at the hair salon at 8:45am for her appointment. Good thing it was only a few blocks away and we were able to follow the bride there and not get lost, a good way to start the day. A few of the girls looked a little rough from the night before, but everyone seemed happy and ready. It was a great place that they had chose. All the girls had their own room to do hair and the salon was huge, so it went pretty quick. I ran to Target to get some Starbucks and some donuts for the two flower girls to eat while they waited their turn. I got back and Katelynn's hair was already underway. She did such a good job of coloring in her coloring book while she waited for her turn. I had pre-warned the girl doing her hair that her head is very sensitive, but we had worked on brushing it out good that morning. She did awesome and was such the little princess and a little Starbucks smoothie didn't hurt!

Katelynn and the bride.

Once the we finished with the hair we went back to the hotel. The bridal party had to be back at the church at 11:45am for lunch. Those of us with vehicles at the hotel had to drive as many as we could to the church so they wouldn't have their cars there, I said I would take 3 people. I figured I had some time to start getting myself ready and let Katelynn watch a show with strict instructions to not lay down on her hair! Well, I wasn't quite fast enough because I was just finishing blow drying my hair and had most of it up in clips and one piece straightened when my phone started ringing and they were ready to go. I am sure I looked like a gem! Into the car we went and it was the funniest ride from Fargo to Moorhead. Katelynn wanted to make sure that everyone was buckled and we were telling jokes or more making comments that were slightly over her head and she was asking a million questions. We got to the church and I dropped them off and told Katelynn to listen to all the girls. One of the girls in the wedding was a make-up artist so I asked her to cover up Katelynn's bruise and 2 huge mosquito bites on her forehead she had gotten the night before. I drove back to the hotel to finish getting ready and get back by 1pm so I could be there when they were taking pictures. The picture taking is long as it always is, but the two flower girls did good. They took pictures inside and then outside and there was a lot of just hanging out for us. The pictures I'm sure will be beautiful. There was some pictures they were trying to take of the bride and the 2 flower girls, but Savannah had, had enough and wasn't really wanting to listen. It's a long day for the kids and no time or opportunity to nap.

Here are some of the pictures that I took.

Katelynn and the Groom.

The wedding party had to then hang out in the back once the guests started arriving, but it was nice that I was able to go out and say hi to some of my family that I didn't see the day before. Dan's mom and nephew met my mom at my hotel room to watch Junior during the wedding. We figured that it would just be easier and I would actually get to watch Katelynn and the ceremony instead of chasing after him or trying to keep him quiet if he didn't want to sit still. We did feel a little bad for him because here he has met how many new people and then Grandma has to drop him off with more new people and leave him there with him, poor little guy.

I went back and gave Katelynn a kiss and hug and told her to do a good job and be sure not to talk during the ceremony. She did really good walking down the isle and standing up. A little bit into the ceremony Savannah started to walk around and her dad had to come and get her. Katelynn started looking really tired and I motioned to my cousin to have her go ahead and sit down where she was. It was cute, her dress was spread out all around her. Although her being tired made her yawn and it was quiet in the church and she gave a big, loud yawn, twice; that should be interesting to watch and hear in their wedding video. Katelynn walked back down the isle after the bride and groom and all went well. Yeah, she did it!!

Katelynn and Savannah and Great Grandpa Barney.

Katelynn and Savannah and Great Great Grandma Faye and Great Grandma Laura.
The reception was good food and Dan's mom and nephew were able to come and eat with us at our table. Katelynn was so excited to see her other Grandma. Just think she had 4 Grandma's in the same room - Grandma Renee, Grandma Davids, Great Grandma Dickhaus, and Great Great Grandma Faye - wow - I should have gotten a picture of that. Katelynn and Junior mostly hung out with Grandma Davids and Tyler in the room after that. We went and got Katelynn so she could come and dance for a little bit, but she only danced for a few songs and then she said she was just too tired and wanted to go to bed. It was 10pm. The rest of the night was mine and we definitely did some partying, dancing and lots of visiting. It was great! I had my own room to sleep in that night since I had originally booked a room for just me and Dan. I went to bed around 2:30am after having a few bottles of water in my aunt and uncles room visiting with them and my dad. (I couldn't find any of my cousins? I wonder if I got ditched?)

Also - a bad word?

Katelynn's preschool has a new show and tell program this year. Each week they have to bring something that starts with a letter of the alphabet, obviously A is the first one. I see on the calendar about 30 minutes before bedtime that Monday is show and tell day and Letter A. I call Katelynn into the room and tell her we need to find something that starts with the letter A to bring to school. She starts thinking and asks: Frog - no honey that's "F"; Dog - nope, that is "D". We go through a few more ideas and then head up to her room to look through her toy box. I cannot think of a toy that she has that starts with the letter A. All we keep thinking of is the word "Apple". Katelynn grabs a little stuffed kitty and says this is what she really wants to bring. I start thinking, how can I pull this off. Then I ask her, What is your kitties name? I knew the cat didn't have a name. I told her we should name the Kittie, Apple, and then she could bring it to show-n-tell for her letter A. We agreed on it. A little while later we were in my bedroom and I wanted her to remember that she named the Kittie, Apple, and mentioned to her, You could go into show-n-tell and tell them: This is an animal and it starts with the letter "A" and her name is Apple which also starts with the letter "A". You would think I told her to swear at the class. MOM, I am not going to say the word ALSO. I just looked at her and said, okay.
This morning I wanted to remind her of what she was presenting and probably forgot about exactly what I said the night before and said it again: This is an animal and animal starts with the letter "A" and her name is Apple which also starts with the letter "A". MOM, I already told you that I am NOT going to say the word ALSO. Oh yes, I forgot, okay honey you say it however you would like to say and that was the end of that!
I am still wondering what she has against the word?!

Day 2 in Minnesota

Friday morning we all sort of slept in and my mom was on vacation from work the entire time we were home. I was so grateful for that. We kind of just hung out at the farm for most of the day and let the kids get re-acquainted with everything from the night before. I was scrambling that day though to decide exactly how I was going to get everything organized or planned for the wedding on Saturday. We had the grooms supper that night and then Katelynn had to be at the salon for her hair appointment in Fargo at 8:45am. After that we had a short break before needing to be at the church in Moorhead at 11:45am for lunch and then pictures and then the ceremony. My dilemma, when was I going to be able to check into the hotel, I also had Dan's mom coming to Fargo to watch Junior during the ceremony and she was bringing Dan's nephew to do some shopping and she would need to be able to get into the hotel room. Also, when and where was I going to get myself ready during this time and drop our stuff and Junior's pack n play, etc.? So, finally after going back and forth I called and asked for an early check-in for one of our hotel rooms for Friday night and decided I would need to spend the money and Katelynn and I would stay at the hotel on Friday as well. I made my phone calls to those who needed to know and then we drove to Fargo to check into the hotel and get to the church for rehearsal. Me and Katelynn left and met my mom and Junior at the hotel. The hotel room was really nice. We brought in our luggage and the pack n play and I got Katelynn changed into her dress. Of course she spots the candy they left on the table for us immediately and opens one for her and one for Junior, what a sticky mess! At this point I was starting to freak out a little bit and we were starting to run behind on time. Out the door we flew. Making our way back to Moorhead to the church I took the exit off the Interstate that I should have, but I usually have drove to the church from a different exit or my grandparents house and got lost! So, here I am already running a little late and getting upset with myself for not knowing my way around anymore. I called a few people and they kept trying to tell me where to go and I kept asking for the address. "Just give me the physical address of the place so I can look at my navigation system and the street signs!" I did finally get there. You would think I would remember how to get to the church that I got married at, but apparently not.

It was so great to see my family at the church. Most of them had not seen Junior since he was born and he did really good with meeting everyone and sitting in the pew for the rehearsal. Katelynn was a doll and was pretty excited to be at practice. She did pretty good at practice, but I still had my concerns about her not talking during the ceremony the next day.

After rehearsal we went to a park for the groom's supper. My mother left me thinking I was following someone else to the park. I did try to follow one of my aunt's and ended up driving in circles around town again because they apparently didn't know how to get there either. Leave it to the out of towners to follow each other I guess. We did eventually find our where and I thought it was pretty funny; at least I wasn't the only one getting lost!

The groom's supper was set up wonderfully. There was even a park for the kids to play at. The food was great and there were a lot of people. For the entire week before we left I had been watching Katelynn closely - "Do not get any bruises on your face, you have a wedding!" One night her and Dan were having a fight with the ball pit balls and I kept yelling that over and over. We had done good keeping her face clear of marks. At the park that night she was climbing down a ladder and when she got to the bottom she took off in a dead run and made it only one step before plowing into the pole that was there - OUCH and bruise! Dang-it. Okay, we'll cover that with some make-up I guess.

As the party came to a close the wedding party, which included a lot of my cousins, were deciding where to go and grab another drink, but I told them that I had Katelynn and we were heading to the hotel. They finagled my mom into taking Junior and Katelynn to the hotel and watching the kids so I could go out. I called my mom around 10:00-10:30am and asked if the kids were asleep and told her she should just spend the night; no use waking up Junior and she was tired already, so she did. I was a good girl and had only 2 beers at the bar and was in my bed at the hotel room at 11pm. I felt a little bad about not going to the hotel with Katelynn. I was kind of looking forward to staying there just her and I and thought she'd think it was pretty neat. We'll have to get a hotel room for ourselves one night and have a girls night out to make up for it.

I have to add one thing at the end of Day 2: I don't think my right butt muscle will ever be the same again after driving for 17 hours. I don't know what I did to it, but there was no way I could sit in a pew that day and every time I had to get into my car I cringed because of the pain.

Here are some pictures of the Groom's Supper:

Uncle Jeff, Junior and Grandpa Randy

They were shocked that Junior ate 3 hot dogs, 3 strawberries, 2 garlic toast, some raspberries, 5 pickles and then still had room for dessert! That's my boy.

Always the characters when they are together.

Grandma and Junior at the church for rehearsal. Riley and Katelynn and our Nana in the background. Katelynn

Nana and Katelynn

My smiley little man.

The Drive to Minnesota

I got up on Thursday morning at about 4 am, noting that I wanted to be out the door and on the road by 4:30 am. I washed up, packed up, and woke kids up and they did pretty well getting up and going that early. It was definitely a first for Junior. We gave hugs and kisses to Dad and said see you in 12 days and we were off! I had decided that we would stop every 3 hours, so our first stop would be at 7:30am and we would get out and stretch our legs and have some breakfast, potty break, diaper change, and gas up the car. This went well. The kids watched a Disney movie and we stopped at a McDonald's and all went well. Next stop at 10:30am, no problems again and the kids were doing really good in the car. After that they decided after 2 more hours they wanted out, I decided that it was lunch time and saw an exit with a Perkins so I figured we'd take a nice lunch and run around a little. Lunch ended up lasting an hour long and we got back into the car. Junior started to get a little irritated after an hour and wanted out again - ahhhh - it had only been an hour and we were already behind schedule. I stretched it out as long as I could and finally pulled over at a rest area and let them run around in the grass for awhile. We stopped after another couple of hours because Junior started to scream and was not content at all. The poor kid did not want to sleep in the car at this point (keep in mind he got up at 4:30am) he had taken a 40 minute nap and a 30 minute nap and it was now pushing around 4pm. We stopped for supper at a Burger King at around 6:30pm. At this point I was still a way from home and I had really thought my plan and time line would have me home by supper time, that was definitely not going to happen. Junior eventually did fall asleep and Katelynn and I trudged on while it started raining bugs outside. She thought that it was pretty cool to see both the sunrise and the sunset in the same day. As we drove along we were chatting and then something came flying at my window and SMACK! in the upper right hand corner of my windshield, it scared the crap out of me. I thought it was a bird and then as I thought about it awhile I realized that I hadn't seen a bird in like six hours, so what the hell was that thing?! (Later my brother said it was probably a bat, duh!). So I drove freaked out for awhile and then about a half hour later right in the middle of the lane was a dead deer and it was dark, by the time I saw it, it was too late to do anything and I ended up straddling this deer. I was so lucky. I can't believe that it didn't bottom out my car or if it had been a buck with horns one of my tires would have been toast. At this point I could do nothing but keep driving along. Katelynn eventually fell asleep as well. We finally made it to my parents house at around 11pm (we lose an hour on the way). How did my 12 to 14 hour drive turn into 17 hours in my car?! Whew, at least we made it safe and sound.