A couple of days after Natalee returned from Girls' Camp we "set sail" for North Dakota for a week long visit and my mom's family reunion. It's a long drive, but we decided to do it all in one day, instead of breaking into two days. We got up at 3 a.m. and took off and really made good time traveling!
We did end up doing a little back roading instead of interstate traveling, which means we weren't in a good place to stop for lunch. We ate a lot of snacks that I'd packed and the kids were really very good. We finally stopped to feed them about two hours out from our destination at my uncles' houses.
The other kids were with us, honest, but weren't so much for pictures! We actually let them play in the climbing structure at this Burger King, which I never do - and then I disinfected them with Thieves sanitizer when they came out. Bleck! This little ham stayed at the table to keep eating with Daddy.
The rest of our "immediate" family had already arrived at the farm when we pulled in. It was nice to get there early enough in the day to be able to play and visit before bed!
These little buddies were glad to see each other! They had a big week playing and got along pretty well for little boys only 6 months apart in age.
Tuesday, July 18th
Mia got Nannie ready for the day...
Renae took us to the new inclusion park in Mandan - it was
awesome! We played for a solid couple of hours before going for lunch.
Mia dressed herself for the day...cowboy boots, tshirt, and cloth skort with a ball hat.
The zip line and seated zip line were probably the favorite activity.
Theo took a nice tumble and skinned his little nose at the park. In a park with soft flooring, he found the strip of concrete.
Back to the farm...
More and more family came every day -so much fun!
Great Grandma Mary and Aunt Nae doing some spoiling.
Uncle Mike and GiGi spoiling Theo with a cookie.
So it doesn't get dark in ND until well after 10 in July. We learned early on in the week that this was going to make Zayden a late night party animal.
Wednesday, July 19th
We were going to go to the lake this day but it rained, so Mike took our big two kids to Sky Zone with some of the others to do the big indoor trampolines. They said it was super fun!
First, breakfast...
Zayden became a coffee lover.
Baby boys...
This boy...
Monkey...
Food. This is the day we realized if we set them close together they'd just take what they wanted off each other's trays.
Cuddle puddle
He didn't get a sunburn... :)
Wednesday took a little turn downhill right before supper. Many of us were congregating at the shed - more had arrived and we were greeting and visiting - when Uncle Brad looked across the barn lot toward the house and went gray in the face and took off fast. Mom and Xavier had taken the four wheeler to the house to get supper supplies - plates, napkins, etc - and when they were backing up from the garage they caught the 4 wheeler just right on the hill and went rolling. My mom heart and my daughter heart were all in a jumble as I jogged faster than I knew I still could to get to them, sending Mike on ahead of me. Upon initial evaluations we thought they really were okay but after sitting for a bit we decided to get them both checked out at the local ER. Xavier checked out fine with just some road rash and bruising. Mom took the brunt of the accident, likely shielding Xavier from most of it, and broke four ribs. She's done remarkable in my opinion - I'm sure it doesn't feel like it - but she is healing and we're so thankful.
Xavier's biggest struggle of the whole night was when they discharged him but kept mom for further testing in their adjoining room. He cried off and on in the waiting room, wanting to know if grandma was okay. I have noticed that he regularly checks on her to make sure she's still feeling okay when he sees her. Sweet boy with a big big heart.
Thursday, July 20th
No rain! Lake play day!
Beach bunnies...
Zayden thought the kayaks were cool.
Mia outlasted everyone - she loved the water.
After the lake play more cousins came!
We ended the night with sleepy cousins worn out from travel and lake play watching a little Disney.
Friday, July 21st
We divided up on Friday. Some of the dads/grandpas took the children to the local zoo while all the girls went with Grandma to her local Bingo parlor to try our luck at Bingo.
cousins...
I love that this new generation of cousins made memories together.
Bingo was intense - and super fun!
After Bingo we went back to Grandma's condo to have a favorite things party.
Then we drove back out to the farm for supper and to visit...
Tired dolly...
The kids played a pick up game of baseball with some adult help. It was nice to see them kind of bridge the gap among the ages for a little while and find something they could all do together. The little guys sure look up to the big ones.
Had a little weather...
My cousin, Chrissy's little girl, Alaina, and Ameliya became fast friends and were caught high tailing down the drive after Aunt Val. Funny little girls thinking they run the farm.
The weather continued...hail! ND really needed the moisture so we couldn't complain too much about getting wet. The tornado was really maybe a bit much but it didn't get close to us. I'm glad of that...see the camper above? That's where we were sleeping all week. :)
Saturday, July 22nd
Reunion Day
We had group pictures taken. ALL 50 of us were there for the reunion. Every.single.one. Precious memories.
Grandma and her daughters...
Grandma her children. She has 3 sons who have passed...
with the spouses...
Grandma and the grandkids. All of us!
and the great-grandkids!
Uncle Brad and his nieces...
the granddaughters in order by age...
Our parents have the oldest, the youngest, and the middle.
the grandsons...
the kids...
Tallmans + Grandma Mary
this kid with his hands in his pockets...
Reunion day was great - it was nice to catch up. It's always exhausting to travel with kids, and by this day I was about worn out, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
these two love each other...
buddies...
Sunday, July 23rd
Sunday was travel day. We left at around 8:30 and got home just before midnight. It was a long drive and we were worn out but we just pushed on with the promise of home baiting us!
Sioux Falls Lupper stop
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