Surprised the Socks Off

Awhile ago in September, we surprised the socks off of my family! Well, all except Christina. My Mom was home from the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks before her transplant, my sister was visiting from Japan, and it was my Dad's birthday. Eric called on a Wednesday and found there was a small birthday barbeque planned for my Dad for that Friday. I contemplated going by myself but knew that my hubby and kiddos would be missed. Seriously, I would be shot if I showed up without the grandkids! So, we connived with Christina and she graciously offered to let our family of 4 sleep in her studio/efficiency apartment and not tell a soul that we were on our way. We decided on that Thursday morning to leave the next day by noon-ish. Really?!?! Pack 4 people, sleeping bags, car snacks, car toys, and venture on a 7-hour car ride with 28 hours notice. Well, we did! Because it is not that often that my entire immediate family is together. And we were the only ones missing.

So we drove and drove and drove. And the kids were so good and slept! We pulled up in the alley, honked, and Simon and I crawled under the garage door, into the back yard, and surprised the socks off of everybody! The visit was very short but incredibly sweet and so very important!

So incredibly great to see Aunt Debbie from so far away!

Sleeping arrangements included Aunt Christina in her bed; Norah in the pack-and-play in the walk in closet; Simon, Eric and I lined up like sardines on the floor. We pretended that Simon slept in the office, Eric slept in the living room, and I slept in the dining room! The highlights were walking a few blocks to get to her apartment, riding the elevator up to her floor, watching the squirrels build a nest on another building, eating in the same room as sleeping, seeing her bike in her apartment and calling that part of the wall her garage, and having her pantry/sneezer girl so accessible for little hands! Nightime and morning time were busy so no pictures to capture the moments :(

Saturday morning we drove through the U of MN during pre-game mania to get to my parents house. Now my parents live near this awesome path that connects the state fair grounds to the U of MN campus for campus busses and bikes. Quite important as Mom is at the U of MN Medical Center. So Dad, Simon and I biked to the stadium to be a part of the hoopla before game time. Soooo much fun to see the new stadium during the first season! We could not believe the sea of maroon and yellow pouring into the stadium. Simon was broken-hearted that we did not have tickets to go watch the football game. He sort of accepted going home to watch it on t.v. with Grandma. And proceeded to fall asleep in Grandpa's bike trailer.

Mom, Debbie, and I snuck out for some mom-daughter time and went to a very nice re-sale shop. I picked up some very nice items that Eric later wrapped up for my birthday in October! Everything was to my liking and fit! Mom just sat in her chair, approved the items I should try on, and watched the fashion show! So much fun, but I think Mom was tired.

Later that afternoon, Norah experienced her first bike-ride with Grandpa! He took her to the state fair grounds to look at horses that were there for the 4H horse show. She had no problem going by herself and Grandpa thoroughly enjoyed her excitement! I think that Grandpa loved his play time with both Simon and Norah probably more than we realize!

Grandma and Grandpa sure are some special people! We loved our time, even as whirlwind as it was!