To MN with Love

Saturday we traveled in the very early hours to Minneapolis for a double shower and family potluck extravaganza! We arrived around 1:30 and changed at  a little lunch spot before heading to Jeff and Rita's new condo near  St. Anthony Main Riverfront 
 in  Minneapolis. What a beautiful condo overlooking the exciting Riverfront area and Minneapolis skyline that is seen from the home office, living room, kitchen and bedroom!

Joe and Christin's Skype wedding shower was a sweet success due to Beth Nohner's planning and that not only are Jeff and Rita gracious and organized hosts,  but Jeff is a technology rock star with his camera on a tripod and microphone in the center of the room, and the bride and groom on a BIG screen TV. They could see the entire room and it was really smooth!

Beth had sent them a box that held a "necklace" and "tie" for them to wear, some Valentine cookies from Jan,  Macy's gift cards from most of us with stories enclosed for Christin to read relating to his aunts' memories of his childhood. We had champagne on our end and they did as well, for the toast.

Grandma Bernice with darling great-granddaughter, Eva

Kayleen never left Eva's side and was ready and willing to hold her

Well attended and lots of fun :D  Mike and Lindsey (forefront left) know it'll be their turn next, as they have an October wedding date

Reading the cards and stories :D

Jan's cookies

Jeff and Rita in their new digs were fabulous hosts for this three event marathon-wedding shower, baby shower and family potluck

At 3:30 we bid them good-by and regrouped on the 4th floor in the condo party room for Eva's baby shower. 

The Aunts enjoy catching up with Emily (who returned to Kampala the following day for a one week meeting)

Shirley and Eva

Grace looking fabulous 3 months post baby

Grace Eva and Matt--what a beautiful fam!

More cookies! Thanks Jan!

A "baby diaper changing swaddling race" blindfolded!

Matt won :D

Cute Christmas ornament from Jan for future holiday memories…..

This card had a picture of a baby wide awake that said "nighttime" and sleeping that said "daytime". Unfortunately it is too true right now!

Em and Eva 

She seriously looks like Kayleen's doll in this picture! What a sweetie! (Kayleen too!)

We had a wonderful evening together over wine and pasta, sharing stories and conversations about so many significant life events that have occurred or will occur soon-Peg had her aneurysm last fall and was flown by helicopter to Minneapolis on the very day Mike and Lindsey were to close on a new home; Baby Eva was born 6 weeks early; Al had knee surgery; Jeff and Rita moved to this condo; we had a wedding in Maui; Emily is home after 13 months in Uganda and Mike and Lindsey are preparing for their big day in October! Lots to catch up on :D 


Later, we talked until the wee hours at John and Ardee's house and continued on to Chuck and Mary's with them on Sunday morning.  Anton continues to entertain me with his collections --he has a "Gnome Garden" with real growing grass :

His invention--a head phone holder for his most expensive possession--this is a box taped to a cigar box, wherein the wires and ear buds are lovingly nestled in paper straw

ear buds and wires

His "Manatea" brewer

Love it!

Looking at video of dog sled races from recent trip to Duluth

Chuck, Mary and Anton had a bunny birthday gift for me! A beautiful handcrafted ceramic dish by Willem Gebben (Netherlands)  from Northern Clay Center, Mnpls.
 Love it--thank you  :D

~~~~~~~~Happy Valentine's week--filled with    love from Minnesota !  ~~~~~~~~~~