To Minnesota + A Family Party!

Hooray! We're home and getting settled again.

I was pretty concerned about our trip this year because I had been feeling poorly for a few months before our trip and I didn't know if I'd have the energy to be a positive addition to the family fun,

but it turned out that I had a health upturn about two weeks before our trip and I've been feeling peppy since then!

I was happy with our flight each way - the process was quick and fairly easy, and there were movies available right in the seat back!!!  

I watched "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them" on the way to Minnesota.

(On the way home, my screen was busted, so I read this wonderful book!)

Although I was ready with my own entertainment!!!

Greg discovered that hoverboards are not allowed in airplanes.

Once we landed, I found a full-length mirror and was able to take a picture of my outfit.

I REALLY love this outfit

blouse: Karl Lagerfeld (TJ Maxx)
skirt: Rekucci (Amazon)
shoes: Target
bag: ABage (Amazon)

We went to Davanni's for dinner . . . 

where I got a tasty gluten-free vegan pizza!

My Mom and Dad prepared for us, as usual!

We got a tour, since Greg hadn't seen my parents' new place after the renovations.

Here's my Mom's adorable and happy laundry room!

The next day Greg and I didn't sleep in all that much, so I was able to go to Grandparents' Day at my nieces' school!  They didn't know I would be there, since I didn't even know if I'd be able to make it, so they were surprised.  I wasn't sure if they'd LIKE me in their territory, but they did!  It warmed my heart to spend that extra time with them.

Here are some videos of us surprising the sweeties:

Visiting Esme:

Visiting Cora:

And some cute photos:

Cora is sitting on my Mom's lap, and some friends of hers are all snuggled in.

They were CUTE CUTE CUTE!!!

The teachers take photos of the Grandparents who come to visit on Grandparents' Day.

They send them to the parents and I think post them on the school's site so the Grandparents can get them, too.  Great idea!

I LOVE THESE PHOTOS.

THAT LITTLE HAND ON MY KNEE!!!! le sigh!

THANK YOU, MOM, for filming this special day and taking special photos.

After that, I was still feeling spunky, so Mom and I went to SuperTarget to get healthy food for me.

Greg and I were going straight from my parents' to his Dad and Step-Mom's the next day, and I wanted to have all the stuff to take with me to make things EASY on everyone; I really don't want to be a burden because of my stringent eating requirements.

I carried my cat bag and this cropped 3/4 length sleeve denim jacket,

to which I added a black cat pin.  

These are officially my very favorite jeans!!!

Look at the lovely crochet.  I love them.

Here is the whole outfit together in the Target dressing room! 

blouse: Who What Wear (Target)
camisole: JKY by Jockey (Target)
jeans: INC International Concepts (Macy's)
bag: ABage (Amazon)
shoes: Target

While at Target, I also wanted to pick up that same blouse for my Auntie Cindy,

who also likes dots.  We found one!!!

Sadly, my Mom was between sizes, so we didn't get one for her. 

Here we are together, having fun at Target, one of our favorite things to do.

Before our extended family came over, we went to Chipotle for dinner.

Tasty tasty burrito bowl!

Mom and I wrapped up the blouse for my Aunt and a little dotted wallet in pretty dotted pink paper and bag.  I met them in the driveway, where my Uncle Ron commented how much he liked my blouse - hee hee! 

As soon as she got inside the house, I pounced on her to have her open the presents.

I love to give presents.  You can see that we both were excited.

Here's the cute little wallet.

She put on the blouse and we took some selfies.

I love you, Auntie Cindy!

Lots of members of our extended family on my Mom's side were there

and it made me happy to wander around and hear snippets of conversations and see people smiling and laughing and catching up.  This is what holidays are meant to be, and I've been missing them for a long time.

my cousin Ryan and my uncle, Ron

my niece Cora and my Dad, Tom

left to right: Ron, my Dad, Greg

Ryan, his wife Jennifer, and their daughter, Caylie

So sweet!

Cora and Esme got pizza!

Since my parents are celebrating a milestone birthday this year, and this was probably the only time the extended family would be getting together before then, my Aunt planned a birthday party with presents and cake!  The rest of us saved our presents for our "faux-birthday" celebration we had planned for the cabin! (More about that later.)

Smiles all around, even though it's blurry.

That candle was spinning around and playing a tinny "Happy Birthday To You".

Cora loved it, Esme and my brother Mark hated it. 

Esme doesn't like candles, and Mark doesn't like tinny sharp-sounding sounds.

The directions were HILARIOUS:

After that, we all sat around and chatted.

Here are many feet:

mine, Cindy's, my Mom's, Ron's, Maria's (Maria is my cousin Jared's wife).

me, Jared, Ryan, my Dad

Uncle Ron, Greg

 I think Greg was looking at pictures of the cool one-person canoe Ron made!

It was a WONDERFUL evening and I my heart felt very full and happy and grateful.
Thanks to all the people who took the time to join us to BE TOGETHER.
It's very meaningful to me.

I love you, family!!!
xoxoxo