The weekend report

We'll see how coherent I can make this while drugged up on Benedryl. Could be fun. 

I debated between splitting the post into two or three posts, but I'm afraid I'd get caught up in the week then and never get back to it, so I'm going for more photos and a bullet style summary. Stick with me....

• Woke at at 4 am Friday - left the house at 4:30
• took advantage of long term parking
• Got on the plane in Lansing in time to enjoy the sunrise out the window. 
• Layover at O'Hare, tried my first Pumpkin Spice, got a lot of my daily steps in. 
• Arrived in MSP at 10:20 am 
• Texted my driver that I had arrived and was standing by a #2 in the pick up area.
• Marveled at modern technology that makes it that easy. Remember the old days when we'd have to call the airline to check if the flight was coming on time? 

• Made new friends. My kids second cousins. THIS one is like Brian in the girl form. I said they could be twins. They are champs at the monkey bars, both climbers, same lean build, both love math, they say the same random words, do the same nutty thing with their loose teeth and have the same facial expressions. It was crazycakes. She's going to call me the next time they're in town so her and Brian can meet and chum. 

• I slept in Sarah's bed, so I figured it was only fair that I teach her Wendy's favorite trick of reading/sleeping in the tree. She's hooked. 
• Enoyed a lunch with my cousin's wife MaryEllen, Carol H (who told me she'd only come if I kept my camera in its case, and I agreed - totally worth it), Emily and Laura. Good laughs, good eats, great visit.

• So I already was amazed at how much her and Brian are alike, and then she walks out of her bedroom Saturday morning with a shirt just like Brians, same color and everything. If their mugs had been in the same spot I really would have flipped, but they are not. 
• Saturday morning - 8:30, Jenny picked me up to head out to Cokato. I dropped her off at George's to tend to the bride's hair and I headed over to a dear friends home for morning coffee. 

• Was fun to catch up. Was starting to feel a little guilty about not bringing Wendy with me. First I spent the night in her friend Sarah's bed, and then I went to her friend Lydia's house. Lydia's dad was best man at our wedding 10 days shy of twenty years ago. Was fun to visit him too - we usually go there during his busy season. He escaped the photo,. 
• Ironed my dress for the wedding
• Got dressed for the wedding
• Found my way back to pick up the bride's hairdresser
• Ran to the gas station for a quick bite to eat
• enjoyed some giggles
• headed to the 1 pm wedding

• The photographer spotted me at the wedding and handed me a second camera to take some lobby shots before the bride walked down the aisle. I caught one with my own camera as well. Shots taken, I went to my seat. 

• I had a great seat. All the nieces and nephews of both the bride and groom sang

• It was darling. 

• I might like it better in black and white. 

• We don't normally take photos during our wedding ceremonies, but I was on a roll and feeling a bit of my grandma's sass in me. No flash. 

• My cousin Emily and family

• Bridal party

• The dads - George and Jack
• Enjoyed a delicious catered dinner at the church
• Told my cousin Eric that grandma would have really appreciated how they looked at each other when they said their vows. He nodded. He knew. He was one of grandma's favorites, after all. 

• The bride and groom. Of all of my cousins, Eric and I are the closest in age. I am SO thankful that I could make it to his wedding. It was such a special and beautiful day. 

• The entire Bekkala family. They are SO serious. (click to see it closer up) 

• Okay - maybe not always so serious. From left to right - Emily, Mark, Karl, Jack, Sarah, Eric, Wayne and Maria. 

• My Aunt Sarah (my dad's sister) and one of her granddaughters. 

• Just after this photo, I got stung by a bee right on my thumb knuckle. It hurt(s) like the dickens. This was taken this morning - a day and a half later. I will mention my reaction when I go for my physical this week. I have numbness up to my elbow. And it's itchy like crazy. That's what ya get for taking group photos in an apple orchard I guess. 

• My cousin Emily's boys. I got such a kick out of them - the oldest sings as he plays. "I'm a digger, I like digging, this is fuuuUUUnnnn....." 

• My cousin Wayne and family. When we were little, my cousin Wayne once asked me while I smile so much, and he's the most smiley guy I know - gets accused of smiling too much for a hockey referee. 

• My cousin Maria and family

• My cousin Karl and family. Their boy got bit by a bee too - right by his eye, hence the compress he's hiding behind his back

• There was a bit of a Kivisto style cider mill going on on the back deck - putting those apples and Kivistos to work. 

• Gift opening. 
• My ride showed up. 
• Got dropped off on Darrel and Ann's front porch. 
• Stayed up late visiting with Ann while she applied baking soda tinctures to my thumb. 
• Saw Ann twice this year and didn't take a picture either time. I'll make up for it next time. 
• Slept in Wendy's friend Sonjas bed, felt guilty about not bringing Wendy. 
• Woke up on Michigan time and enjoyed some coffee before everyone else woke
• Went for a walk with Ann and the dog
• Went to church

• Sat behind my cousin Tim. Poked him. 
• Saw Mike's new baby - That HAIR! Wish I had taken a picture
• Met Jenny's mom - *waving!!* (so glad you caught me and said hello) 
• Said a few more hellos
• Tried to guilt Missy into taking me as I was wandering, lost, in the parking lot dragging my suitcase behind me. 
• She wasn't buying it. 
• Switched my suitcase from Ann's car to Jenny's car

• Had lunch with my new friend Suvi

• Went sight seeing. I have never been to downtown Minneapolis in all my years. 

• My buddy. He didn't have a good week last week, so I was so glad that he was feeling better and able to show me some sights. 

• My favorite picture of the weekend
• You should know that Jenny and I have never actually met before this weekend. We have circled around each other for probably 25 years - we have so many of the same friends and have done so many of the same things, but honestly - never met. Long overdue. I love her. I wish we'd had more time. 
• At the airport by 4:30
• Texted Denny just after 5:00 - "hey, guess what, just ran into an old friend at MSP"  (Loren K) 
• Denny texted back, "you always find someone"
• I love people. 

 

this one is way better when clicked on. I can't imagine ever not marveling the view from above

 

• Pulled in my driveway at 12:20
• thankful. It was not an easy drive from the airport to home. I was tired. Windows down and radio up. 

It was good. 

Hope this wasn't too long for ya. 

peace - 

Comments

[Mom]

Looks like a load of fun stuff packed into a quick weekend! Love all the photos - it's so nice to see who you saw and where you went.

[Mindijo]

Nope. Not too long. Thanks for all the photos.

[jen t]

i wonder what wonderful prize you will win with the chicago photo. LOVE.

i had a happy glowy feeling as i collapsed on my bed last night. sooooo glad you were here:)

[Christine N]

What a nice wedding. Looks like a fun family time too.

[Barb]

So glad you shared. And so glad that you got to go. Hard to pick a favorite here. I like Sarah with granddaughter and suvi with her mom for starters. Now to find someone that will share pics of the other wedding out there. Our JAEDON was the flower girl.

[Deb Wisker]

Not long enough! Love your adventures and stories! Fabulous photos, as always!
Put an ice pack on that right hand. It will help.

[Emily]

So nice to see you! Was wishing I would have taken you to FinnStyle on our way in. I've never been there, and I picture you enjoying that store. The girls look forward to seeing you again, and Sarah's appreciating generous people who sleep in her bed. :) Hope your finger is feeling better.

[Jersey Girl Anne]

I follow your blog daily as a scrapbooker and really enjoyed all the pictures of your trip. Your blog is great. I need to throw in my two cents about the picture of all the children singing. I like the picture in color better than turned to B and W because of all the blonde hair. You lose the whole feel of family when turned into B and W. You are a wonderful story teller and thats why I love your blog. Keep it up!!!

[Amanda J.]

What a wonderful trip! I love your pictures and your stories <3. I especially love the Chicago one. I saw you used it for your cover on Facebook!

[Patti Isaacson]

So fun to enjoy this trip through your story and pictures! I'm sad you were so close (relatively) to me and I didn't get to visit you. Some day...

[Amy]

Love the part of the cider mill done 'Kivisto' style - always good for some entertainment those Kivistos!
Also that photo of Chicago - awesome. I do not ever think I will grow un-amazed by the sights from an airplane - the reason I always choose to sit by a window.

[Emily]

Great pics Sharyn! It was great seeing you! You made an impression on Luke - on the way home, he told me that "You know that lady that was taking pictures of me and Keegan in the sandbox? I like her, she has a cool laugh. What's her name again? I made up a digging song, want to hear it?"

[Heli]

Thanks for sharing your pictures, Sharyn dear. Beautiful!