Thankful for St. Louis, Stacy, turkey, meatballs, and Brookings.

Greta and I embarked on our annual St. Louis trip to see Stacy and the kids. November 16th marked 5 years since Dave's death, and so much has happened. I spent a lot of time reflecting on those years. I remember bringing Greta as this little newborn, sometimes I would lucky enough to get an empty seat next to me and her little body was so tiny on those trips. I had it all down, the baby carrier and the carry on and only what I needed to make the trip. Now she is 5, and drinking apple juice, coloring in her books and carrying her own carry on (sometimes).

We had a great trip, Greta was completely consumed with Sam, she was basically her shadow. She ate everything she ate and wore clothes that looked like Sam's and played games over and over again. she was in heaven. We spent the afternoon at the Magic House and went for pizza and brought a meal to the local fire station for the first responders in honor of Dave. It was a full and fun weekend.

We came home in time to prep for Thanksgiving which we hosted here this year. Unfortunately Dave had to work, but we managed without him. My mom and Maggie were my right and left hands and the kids played together so well, I was actually able to sit and eat and enjoy some conversations. My mom stayed late to help me clean up and that was the icing on the cake. A solid hour or two of one on one time. Its funny how you still crave that as an adult. She is always so complimentary of the day, the spread, and everything else, but it is because of her that I love that part of entertaining. She is classic and gourmet and fancy and timeless, all it seems, without effort.

We continued the holiday with a quick trip to Brookings to hit the Children's Museum when Dave got home from work on Friday. We made it extra special by staying over night at a hotel with a pool. The kids had a great time, we swam and went out for dinner, hit the vending machine (which the kids loved), and watched a hotel movie. It was a great day.

Finally, we capped off the holiday with Helensgiving at our house. We brought Helen over and celebrated with most of Dave's family on Sunday with spaghetti and meatballs and chocolate sauce for dessert. I made SO much food and we finished 90% of it. I wish I could have frozen time. People were gathered all around playing cards, chatting with Helen, listening to music, it was a lovely evening.

Needless to say, all of this excitement landed me with pneumonia. Way too much fun. Fortunately I am finally on the mend.

Reunited and quickly warming up to the Winters. 

Stacy and I went to an OAR concert which was amazing. 

Firestation tour. 

Saying 'see you next time!'

Dinner date in MSP. 

Selfie with my girl. 

Thanksgiving crew. 

Thanksgiving with my crew.

Brookings. 

Hearts all around. 

Helensgiving - terrible photos, but we are all there! 

Sweet Piper, sound asleep (in our bed).
Note the drool spot ;).

Birthday girls, birthday parties, and Halloween oh my!

We had a full week between Piper's 3rd birthday, Halloween, and Greta's 5th birthday. Fortunately, Dave had a vacation week, so we had all hands on deck. 

We kicked off the fun with a combined birthday party for the girls on Piper's birthday. A few words about Piper currently. First, I can't believe she is three. She is so grown up, so self sufficient, and the perfect size to snuggle. She fits on my hip just right, when she wants to be there ;). She is three, lots of ups and downs, but Im so happy she is ours. We had a full house of family and fun with Qdoba and cakes, each of them had their favorite (Greta- Hello Kitty, Piper- Peppa Pig and Sarah, their cousin who shares Piper's birthday had Harry Potter). It was chaotic and fun and just what we needed to get in gear for Halloween...

We brought Halloween to the next level this year with a family costume and it was a success. We dressed as the Incredibles and everyone played their part perfectly, even Greta managed to give us some attitude in true Violet form. My highlight was Dave's Mr. Incredible hair piece. Thank God he is such a good sport. We had warm weather, in the 50s. We went out as a family early in the evening before I came home to pass out candy. By the end of the night, all of us were here as the kids were coming in such huge groups, it was hard for just me to keep up. We ended up with about 325 and were happy with another great Halloween in our fun neighborhood.

We spent the weekend celebrating Maddie's birthday followed by a school party for Greta on Sunday at Hoovers Martial Arts, which was really a lot of fun. Greta loved every second of the special attention. She finally turned 5 the next day (Monday) and was all smiles (most of) the day. Greta is sweet and sassy and is full on 5. She loves to love on me and get the one on one time, but also mocks and rolls her eyes at me with full on attitude if I catch her at just the wrong time. Lucky for her, I love all of her little personality traits.

Wow! We definitely need some recovery time after a week like that!

Piper turns 3! 

The girls playing with their new American Doll Girls. 

Birthday girls! 

Action shot. 

Incredible kids ;).

Mr. Incredible and Jack Jack. 

Family fun. 

The Incredibles. 

Greta gets to help lead the group at her birthday party. 

Swag. 

Master Hoover breaks a board. 

Greta's birthday photo.

A surprise visit the arcade with Isaac where Greta hits the jackpot! 

Earl morning voting selfie. :)

Chicago with the Barkers.

After months (literally) of searching for a date that worked for both the Barkers and us to travel to Chicago together, it finally happened. Matt and Rebecca have been couple friends of ours since the early days of our relationship. I have known Matt, however, since I was a kid. He used to be a lifeguard at the pool I lived at. I never imagined our paths would be so intertwined. He and Dave hit if off with similar interests, both physicians who work together and book club together. Rebecca and I have been friends since the Kindermusic days, some years we were more connected than others, but we have always maintained our friendship. We are both also part of the same 'trivia' crew which involves two other amazing couples.

After months (literally) of searching for a date that worked for all of us to travel to Chicago, it finally happened. The Barkers have a Chicago condo and invited us to join them for a weekend. And it was amazing. We had dinner a few months prior to the trip and made reservations at some amazing places that are so hip and trendy that they require reservations that far out. We arrived in time for cocktails at SOHO house before dinner at The Girl and the Goat and then major bar hopping to 5 or so fabulous bars with amazing rooftops and views. Saturday morning started slow with hangovers and brunch followed by shopping and spa apts for the girls while the guys went to museums. Dinner on Saturday evening was at Maple and Ash  followed by Second City and then dessert and wine at the Peninsula. We snuck in one more brunch before returning home on Sunday. It was truly a weekend of eating and shopping and the fun sort of adulting that only happens once a year because of the amount of alcohol and food consumed. But it was amazing, and I can't wait for it to happen again. Mega thanks to the Barkers!

Meanwhile back home, Sully had his very first piano recital (and rocked it!) and Greta finished her  soccer season with a great game and ceremony, soccer trophy and all. Courtney took great care of them, I'm not even sure they knew we were gone. :).

Bar hopping on Friday night - I have no idea where we were when we took this.

Second City

Maple and Ash inside joke. 

Greta and her team. 

Proud Greta.

Matt and Cassandra take the music man to his recital. 

So grown up and professional. 

Special visitor, grandma. 

Nonstop

We have been moving full speed ahead this fall and this post is dedicated to catching up on photos, which also gives you a brief idea of the happenings around here lately.

Enjoy!

Gymnastics class for this duo.

I opted for my own photos rather than the professional ones :).

Gymnastics/Ninja zone buddies. 

Science Center fun. 

Cool Fall soccer mornings. 

Everyone cooperates at story time ;).

Piper made me a 'snake surprise' by opening
our entire costco box of soap, she was proud. 

A couple of old gal pals.
My mom and Lyn help me hang drapes. 

Greta's field trip. 

Piper gets to be one of the big kids/trees (right next to Greta).

Piper hangs our American flag. 

Blue eyed little sis. 

Scavenger hunt for Alex and Owen's birthday.

Sully's last game. 

They Coyotes had a great season. 

Sisters in Anna's hand-me-downs. 

Pumpkin patch. 

Riverview Christmas Tree Farm.

Twin sis twin cities weekend.

To cap off my trio of adventure weekends, Maggie and I headed out on our annual get away to Minneapolis for shopping, eating, drinking, and just being away.

Our general agenda is always the same, we hit the road as soon as absolutely possible and on our way, we make a detailed plan of the weekend, then allot a reasonable amount of time at each location and then we hit it hard, aiming to be as efficient as possible. And then there is the time needed for repeat stores and always the inevitable buyers remorse and return sessions. We've got it down to a science, although it never gets old. In fact, we are constantly taking notes from previous trips on how we can be more effective next time and it all boils down to this...we need more time! Like one more day, or two if we could ;). Some day.

We had a great time together and neither of us were ready for it to end. Thanks sis, for being my besty.

This trip's highlights were Maggie's big purchase and finding a new favorite Mexican restaurant- something we have been on the hunt for for years, literally.

Masks and wine. 

Maggie is a sucker for a good backdrop ;).

Meanwhile, back in Sioux Falls, the kids had a karate tourney.