Sushi Birthday

Sunday lunch

Birthday girl chooses sushi for lunch, so we stay at Mall of America and eat at Crave where anyone not wanting sushi has other possibilities. Granddaughtrs entertain themselves while waiting; daughters and I have adult beverages.

Guys and younger granddaughter do not have sushi, but we remaining four can hardly wait to get our chopsticks into those lovely pieces.

At the end of our meal, the waitress presents birthday girl with birthday cake, deep chocolate with ice cream and fresh strawberry. Granddaughter graciously offers bites to all of us. Yum!

Happy 10 Years

MN Sunday

Older granddaughter celebrates her actual birthday today, so we start with her breakfast of an oatmeal bar, much like a sundae bar after we pile on fruits, nuts, sweets, whipped cream, etc. and chocolate for some. Today's schedule sends us to the Mall of America with the first goal to ride the Rock Bottom Plunge.

Hey, girls! Whatcha doing'? Buying tickets for the rides!

There they are, two granddaughters with auntie, sitting in the front row as the car chugs to the top of the first drop. Girls take another turn while auntie takes a break.

The final ride is the Log Chute for a splashy experience.

Happy 8 Years

Saturday evening

Since we are celebrating younger granddaughter's birthday early, we have the menu featuring ribs she requests for dinner. Cheesecake is her dessert choice, and she carefully considers a wish before blowing out the candle.

Next come some presents, one box bigger than she is. It holds a stand for the Double Huggle Pod Santa brought her a few days ago.

With parental approval, we decide to give both girls gifts from us at this time since items are the same and older granddaughter's birthday is tomorrow. They read the cards first and have no idea what might be in the packages. When they unwrap new iPads, their eyeballs are surprised right out of their heads, according to my photos. In the happy excitement, they almost forget to open the presents containing the cases, solid turquoise for older and colorful plaid for younger.

Tomorrow will find us celebrating another birthday and continuing a schedule of party every day.

Going Up!

MN Saturday

Girls lose no time attaching their harnesses and scrambling up one of the surfaces to the top. Vertical Endeavors is literally crawling with patrons at all levels of difficulty in all areas of this large facility. About two-thirds are adults ages 20-40 , females and males about equal, getting a workout on the walls and sometimes in the gym section with machines and weights. Children 10-teens are the next group. I see only two people (both men) older than 50, and granddaughters are among the youngest here today.

Photos show younger granddaughter wearing white shirt, older red, and auntie green. Super indoor activity on a wintry day!

Vertical Endeavors

Today we celebrate younger granddaughter's birthday early because school starts again on the day of her actual birthday. After her favorite breakfast of eggs and bacon, we drive to Vertical Endeavors for some rock climbing. She will have a party here with friends invited soon after her birthday.

Even though only three of our family group plan to climb and granddaughters have been through all this at earlier visits, we all must sign release forms and go through orientation. We observers must participate since the possibility exists for injury from equipment and/or patrons. Maybe we should be issued hard hats, too!

Auntie demonstrates correct procedures for the harness. Fun, yes, but also serious. Rock climbing is dangerous, as many signs attached to walls remind us. A long way up there also means a long way down.

Orientation continues in another area of the complex, and granddaughters are restless to get started as eyes glaze over. Their dad checks out the walls and fasteners one more time, and we're finally cleared to safely use the facility.

Ready for Raclette

Dinner tonight kept all of us busy building cheesy morsels of yumminess.

Snow!

Lots of that white stuff here in Minnesota!

Kayak Beauty

The morning begins with a temperature of 22 degrees and heralds a day of blue skies filled with sunshine. Soon after lunch in Leakey, our younger daughter yields to the call of the Frio and proposes a kayak trip. She wishes her friend from Austin could have stayed to participate in her adventure. By 12:45 daughter is on the water. Woohoo!

Seems like only yesterday she was perched on Santa's knee. Oh yeah. That's right. She was. Perched on his knee. At the bank party in Concan. We went directly from my exercise class where she graciously joined our sessions.

After a fabulous week with her here, we don't want to think about the airport, but her plane will leave tonight. Attending church and eating at Mama Chole's, soaking up sun and creating kitchen masterpieces, sharing adult beverages and meeting each orher's friends, we celebrate our sweet and precious times together.

MN Anniversary

With our forty-seventh wedding anniversary two days away, we celebrate the occasion today while we are all together. Brunch buffet at their club is a favorite destination, and we take our appetites.

My wonderful family makes every day precious! Tomorrow we go separate ways but our hearts stay connected always. Thanks to each and every one for a holiday weekend full of sweet memories!

MN Turkey Bowl

Saturday after Thanksgiving the family hosts the Annual Turkey Bowl for some of their friends. They rent four lanes and shoes of a bowling alley below a bar that boasts best hamburgers and beer selections. This year we have four families joining our family of seven.

Pawpaw wastes no time locating his perfect ball before guests arrive. Let the games begin! Burgers with sweet potato fries keep us fueled.

When back at home, we heed the sign made by younger granddaughter earlier in the weekend to remind us to eat some of the pies. A sliver of pumpkin cheesecake topped with a spoon of pecan pie is my winner.

Before bedtime the younger ones manage a game of Twister to end the evening. Merry Christmas! Get ready for Happy Anniversary!

MN Saturday Christmas

By 2:15 Saturday afternoon, wrapped presents are piled under the tree and excitement is at a peak (also at a peek!). True to family tradition, we distribute the gifts and unwrap them one by one with many oohs, ahhs, and thanks. Blessings are all around, and being together is the dearest one.

After opening gifts, we have no time to tidy the room before leaving for the next event. Papers, boxes, new toys, all can wait while we attend/host the Annual Turkey Bowl.