Grandma K's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Grandma K's 60th birthday a bit late, but in style.  Buca di Beppo was the restaurant of choice.  We ordered different types of pastas to share family style and toasted Grandma's big day with sangria and margaritis.  For dessert, we enjoyed a huge platter with tiramissu, cheesecake, triple chocolate cake, and apple crostini.  Yum-o.  My brothers and I bought her a gold birthstone necklace containing the four different birthstones representing us- her wonderful children.  We also gave her some perfume and a lego key chain light.  She had a great time.  Happy Birthday Mom!

 

Playdate with the Cousins

We started our lazy Saturday with playtime at the neighborhood park.

We then made our way to the cousins for a playdate.  Mia and Logan had a super time playing with cousin Willow and cousin Emerson.  They were being watched by GG and Pa as their parents were out of town.  We ate Greek food for dinner, Mia and Emerson discovered they were wearing matching shoes, Willow played the keyboard for us, and Logan enjoyed playing air hockey with Pa.  What a nice day.  

Dinner with the Hoyles

The night after we arrived, my family all came over for a bbq.  We had a wonderful time eating good food, playing in the backyard, and running around with cousin Shyla (and don't forget Grandma K's dog- Cricket!).

RIP Grandma Betty

On my mom's 60th birthday, my Grandma Betty fell and broke her hip.  She had hip surgery the next day and never fully recovered.  A few days after her surgery, she took her last breath with my mom and Kathy by her side.  We were still on the road while this happened.  

I loved my grandma and was very close to her. I was sad that she was taken this way and that we were unable to say good-bye.  However, I know she is with my Grandpa whom she loved with all of her heart.  She was buried at Fort Snelling, a beautiful cemetery, with my Grandpa and we had a personal and very lovely ceremony to say good-bye.  I found a beautiful photo of Grams before she was married and put it next to her urn.  She looked like a movie star and everyone loved seeing the Grandma that Grandpa fell in love with many years ago.

I miss you Grandma.  XO.  

Backyard Fun

The weather in Minnesota has been so nice!  Mia and Logan are having a blast playing outside in Brody and Kathy's huge, grassy backyard.  Brody put up a great swing and it is a big hit.  Frisbee and the water guns have also been entertaining.  We have seen deer, squirrels, chipmunks and many different kinds of birds.  The kids fall asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow because of all the fun.  Magnificent.

Road Trip Day 4

Our last day on the road.  We spent the morning playing at the park with our buddies before hitting the road at noon.  Filled the gas tank and we were off.  Made one potty stop at the Wisconsin border- good photo opportunity with the sign!  And then we continued driving and driving.  With only that one stop, one tank of gas, many snacks, and a couple of movies... we arrived at Brody and Kathy's house seven hours later.  Wow!  We were soooo happy to arrive.  Ate some dinner and went to bed.  Now let the fun begin!!