Minnesota Thanksgiving

Enjoying a meal out at Lord Fletchers with the Hukee and Miller cousins!

Upside down tree in our hotel!

North Carolina Vacation: THE BEACH

It isn't ideal to raise kids 4 hours away from grandparents, but I assure me kids have nothing short of hundreds of memories with my generous parents.  They took my sister and her family, and me and my family on vacation this year for a week of rest, relaxation, and sheer fun!  Traveling with 4 kids and vacationing with a total of 13 people isn't the most relaxing vacation I've ever been on, but I tell you what, it was rejuvenating in a whole different way.  And although I did cross of the words rest and relaxation for obvious reasons, I almost undid that key stoke because in a strange way it was still restful and relaxing,  an excellent break from real life, we did enjoy a king sized bed, we did play cards, we did cuddle up together and watch playoff hockey at night, sleep in a little bit, cook less, hardly clean, and I get to read my bible every morning to the lapping waves on the shore while my dad delivered me a latte that he got for me from the local shop.  

I have so many wonderful things to say about our extended family vacation this year with my parents.  After poor weather in northern Minnesota the last two years, we took a flight to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and enjoyed fabulous weather and fabulous family!

We spent considerable time at the beach daily.  We started most mornings there digging for crabs, running out of the cold waves, and building castles.  And finished most evenings there flying kites, walking, and hunting for sea shells.  My kids did not play with toys the whole week.  I packed one ninja turtle figure for each child for the plane ride, but none of them used them.  I packed coloring books, which the kids used during the 10 of so minutes per day that they weren't on the move! And other than beach tools and pool stuff my dad brought, these charmers were entertained my constant sand and water fun!  I love when they are entertained by nature, family, and new experiences.    

Minnesota Vacation Part 3: MY COUSINS WEDDING

Leg 3 of the trip was another car trip, even further northwest this time.  We headed to my cousins wedding in Fargo, ND.  Don't worry, we actually stayed in Moorehead, MN so were only in North Dakota for a few hours!  On our way, we took a detour to visit two places.  

PELICAN RAPIDS

The first detour was to our old family cabin that we grew up going to every summer for 2 weeks.  The cabin has since been torn down but the memories remained.  It is right outside of Pelican Rapids, MN where there is a huge pelican that we stopped to take a picture of the cousins by.  I am trying to track down a picture of me and my sister when we were little, taken from the same spot. I hope to get that added to this post soon.

BARNSVILLE

The second detour was to go to Barnsville, MN to see the red house my dad grew up in and to eat Dairy Queen!

THE REHEARSAL DINNER

Luke should have been in charge or writing this section.  He LOVED the food.  I have to pause before you get to see the pictures of the kids and explain some of the food.  Yes the pictures deserved to make the blog.  This food is a part of most of our conversations about the Wedding festivities.  The first picture is of some Louisianna Gumbo complete with Aligator Sausage, Andouille Sausage, 2 other Sausages, Scallops, Chicken and numerous other Gumbo items. The next picture shows Aligator Sausage and Chicken Drumsticks in the best marinade!  I do not have a picture of the dessert but it almost deserves its own post.  My uncle Dan makes the best Carrot Cake.

THE HOTEL

There was more fun to be had at the hotel.  We played scrabble in the lobby and even enjoyed some time in the hotel pool which was shallow and included slides.  The kids had a blast.

THE WEDDING
Here is the handsome crew just after the wedding.  I loved this setting and I of course love the people in the picture.  Please take time to notice Brooks twirling his hair and Wynnlee grabbing onto Leighton's.

 My beautiful sister Amber, and her family Hayden (4), Abby, (3), and Brendan Miller.