It was a fun weekend - filled with much needed gut busting laughs
we didn't waste any time getting started on those. As Suz's GPS unit led us in circles around the city of Charlotte not too far from where we live and still hours from our destination, I began to wonder if we'd ever make it to the other side of Chicago - but the laughs were worth it. I'm not, however, impressed with the GPS. I'll stick to my paper maps.
We eventually made it tho - and after meeting up with our moms, sisters, cousins - half of us piled into the car and checked out the much talked of Thrift Store. I made out with a few pairs of pants for Allan, a pair of shoes and three tops for me. Oh - and a cool dog that one of the boys will get for Christmas - I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of it all weekend.
After that, we headed back to my cousin Leah's apartment and donned our party hats.
My cousin Janet, she's so stinkin' creative, won the prize for the best hat. It was no contest - and we laughed until the eyes were watering. That should be a written prescription, I think - we all need to do that more often
We then had a yummy spaghetti dinner and celebrated some upcoming birthdays.
Check out those eyelashes!
We then headed to our hotel, checked in and I crashed. The cousin side of the suite headed out to a hockey game.
On Saturday - we split up for awhile - I went with my mom and auntie Barb to this town we had passed thru the night before and wanted to check out. I thought they would have more shops than they actually did - but the eats were good
and because it was also their pumpkin festival - the people watching was prime
Check out this cute little people - she was all concentration as she was decorating her cookie.
And this people makes me smile. She'd been pointing out photos to me throughout the morning and when I turned the camera on her she said, 'what are you doing' and thru giggles I was trying to explain that the blue shirt and the depth of the red thing (my cool terminology again) was a cool shot. She wasn't gettin' it.
The afternoon came - we all met together again and ate at Ruby Tuesdays for dinner and then split again while some of us shopped and others went back to the hotel for a nap.
After that, we decided on bowling. Once again, I was completely unimpressed with the novelty of the GPS unit as it led us in circles landing us at Tokyo Bowl - a take out food place. Eventually we found a real bowling alley and I was once again reminded why I don't bowl.
While we were waiting for some lanes to open, Molly and Leah had a fierce air hockey competition going
Leah won! She also won our personal competition as we were battling to stay out of last place. I'm so not a bowler.
I'll have to study form from the multiple bowling pose shots I took. And just in case you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to ask someone to take your turn for you at the bowling alley - don't ask Suz.
She's a sneaky sneak.
(don't bother clicking that one to enlarge. really)
After bowling we headed back to the hotel and crashed
All too quickly, the weekend was over. Sunday morning found us packing our purchases, loading the car and playing the tourists at the Golden Pyramid on our way back to Leah's.
(from L to R - Carla, Julie (my sil), Janet, Molly, Leah, my mom, my auntie Barb and Susan)
where we said good-bye to her family before heading back home.
A trip that took far too long - we got stuck in construction traffic outside of Battle Creek that added almost two hours onto our trip. Bonus bonding time.
Now - I'm anxious to get back in the routine and reveling in the thought of not traveling again until April. It feels good to sink my teeth into some stay home time and batten down the hatches.
until later -
happy monday!
NICE Shar! You know ME. Paybacks...I have to run get Larissa's bday gift. But, when I get back...everyone check out my blog for pictures. Although, I don't have any of Sharyn's BUM!!! lol It was a fun weekend. TONS of laughs. I got into bed last nite, and started to get the giggles. LOL
Posted by: SUZ | October 13, 2008 at 07:55 AM
LOL Suz - be careful - I only included the good shots here. I've got lots more butts.
Posted by: Sharyn | October 13, 2008 at 08:08 AM
Looks like you gals had a fun weekend. You found our thrift store...so how was it?
Posted by: Judy | October 13, 2008 at 08:22 AM
The thrift store was an experience - I just happened to be in the perfect mood for it after our drive - so I enjoyed it. Normally tho, the lack of sizing on the racks would drive me bonkers. LOL
Posted by: Sharyn | October 13, 2008 at 08:28 AM
Your were in my neck of the woods this weekend!
Looks like you had a fun time.
Posted by: Lori A. | October 13, 2008 at 08:41 AM
WHAT an AWESOME weekend that was (my stomach is STILL sore from laughin so much)! We will have to do this again some year!
Posted by: MOLLY | October 13, 2008 at 08:59 AM
sounds like a fun weekend!
Posted by: elizabeth | October 13, 2008 at 09:58 AM
It sure was a good time with lots of good memories made - thanks for the photo journal!
Posted by: Carol | October 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Oh, how FUN! And with gals who KNOW how to have a great time. Thanks for the pics!
Posted by: Sara K | October 13, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Can't believe it's already just a memory. I Keep getting the giggles. Bill just rolls his eyes. And for those who don't know....Bowing...Molly went out for a break and told Susan to take her turn. As soon as she left, Suz rolled both balls directly down the gutter (as shown). As for the GPS problem. We picked the only good (nice neighborhood) bowling alley we could find from the yellow pages. The GPS took us round, round & round through parking lots, side streets, etc. When it finally said "You are at your destination" we were plunk in front of Tokyo Bowl (asian restaurant).
Posted by: Auntie Barb | October 14, 2008 at 06:04 AM
Susan should get rid of that thing! When they lived in Texas, she had to go to the Dr. and it took her to a field. Looks like a fun trip!!
Posted by: Mindijo | October 14, 2008 at 04:44 PM