Tag: cousins

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Nissedalen – Day 6 – 2020

We stayed an extra day so we could see one of Jake’s cousins who we haven’t seen since last fall. It was great to see her and meet the friends she is spending time with this week at Nissedalen.

After lunch, we took Jake’s grandma to visit Jake’s uncle, another cousin and her kids. We went on a pontoon ride, the kids swam and tubed, and we sat on the dock and chatted. It was another amazing day. I don’t think we could have asked for better weather than we have had this week.

Grandma Lois treated all of us to pizza before we loaded up our truck to head home. We are returning with sun-kissed cheeks and a week of fun memories 💕

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Shecklet #3 at the lake

Five of us came home from the lake Monday night. Shecklet #3 stayed two more days and hung out with her cousin. From the sounds of it, they spent A LOT of time in the water, visited the candy store in town, and had a great time playing and laughing.

Jake drove up this afternoon to pick her up (and bring our kayaks to the lake.) Her cousins left earlier in the afternoon, so she got to spend a few hours one-on-one with Grandma Lois. They went to A&W for dinner, had a visit from Jake’s aunt and uncle who live in the area, and had some much needed down time.

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A day at Nissedalen

Jake took a day off of work (but did get on two video calls) so we could spend the day at the lake. The kids had a blast hanging out with some of their cousins and visiting Great Grandma Lois.

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Father’s Day 2020

I put together a collage of pictures with Jake holding the Shecklets as newborns.

Bittersweet day. It’s hard to not feel Astrid’s absence.

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Cousin visit

No school for these kids because of cold temps means they get to see their cousin and aunt today!

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Overnight guests

My cousin and three of his boys stayed with us last night on their way to Green Bay for the Packers/Seahawks football game today. The fact that our kids haven’t seen each other in years didn’t phase them – they had fun playing video games and having nerf battles. Hope we can connect with them again, soon.

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Game day times three plus a birthday

Basketball is in full swing in our house. And the games must go on (even when it’s mom’s birthday!)

Jake is took Shecklet #2 to Duluth for a tournament and we called in reinforcements (my amazing in-laws) to help shuttle the girls. My friend, Michelle came with me and my FIL to Shecklet #4’s game while my MIL and Shecklet #1 went to #3’s game.  Then afterwards, my MIL gave me the amazing gift of time to spend with Michelle going out to lunch – while she and my FIL hung out with the kids.  It was the best birthday gift a mom could receive during this stage of life!

Shecklet #2 had a cheering section of family while in Duluth – Jake’s cousin and her family for one game and my aunt and uncle for another.  It was so nice of them to take time to support Shecklet #2!

BTW- since Jake & #2 had to leave Saturday morning, we celebrated my birthday on Friday night. Chinese take-out and cake.

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Ren Fest 2019 and a train ride

Today’s trip to the Renaissance Festival was a first for three of us. We saw knives, royalty, and acrobatics, ate Scotch eggs, beef sticks and cheesecake, two Shecklets tried sword fighting, and the girls had face paint and henna done. We enjoyed spending the day with cousin Jess, who was a gracious guide.

Meanwhile, Shecklet #1 spend the day with Grandpa Dave. He started out at Grandma Lois’ house and had breakfast with her before Grandpa came to pick him up. They went on a train ride across the St. Croix, stopped by a candy shop in Stillwater and then headed back to Grandma Lois’ house to watch the Gophers beat Purdue! He spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, went to mass and then met Jake and Shecklet #2 at Aunt Kari’s new house. Jake worked on her getting her internet working while the boys helped with unpacking and putting things away. I’d say Shecklet #1 had a pretty packed weekend.

📷: Grandpa Dave

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Baby shower

My SIL, (Jake’s youngest sister,) is having her first baby. She is due in September with a little boy. The Shecklets are excited to have a new cousin 💙

I found a photo from the baby shower that Jake’s sisters threw me a little over 13 years ago…amazing how much happens in a little over a decade.

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Cousins’ Day 2019 @ Nissedalen

We spent the day at Nissedalen with over 40 family members.  The weather was fantastic, the food was tasty, and the memories we made were plentiful.  I love that my kids get to experience the gift of having a large extended family.  There’s always someone to talk to, play with, or laugh alongside. And to think – this is just a portion of the family!

One thing that I enjoyed watching (this year especially,) was the way that Jake’s younger cousins (who are now all adults) have taken an interest in showing my kids how to do certain things – helping them ski, how to safely use a gun at the shooting range, as well as taking the time to talk with them and ask about their interests.

Here are the rest of the photos from Cousins’ Day and the shooting range the day before.

Jake’s cousin, Jess, let the guys ride up north with her on Friday AM. I followed the next day with the girls.