Tag: roadtrip

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December 2022 road trip revived!

We loaded up the suburban this morning and pointed it south, with a final destination of STL programmed into the GPS.

The roads in southern MN and northern IA were particularly crummy and we considered turning around when we stopped for lunch in Clear Lake. However, we decided to give it until Cedar Rapids before we turned around. Jake said there were a few slick spots on overpasses, but overall the roads were mostly clear and we were able to drive at posted speeds.

We made a stop in Cedar Rapids for gas and to get shoes for the girls. We discovered about an hour or so into the trip that they only brought their crocs. This wouldn’t have been a huge issue if we weren’t planning some activities that require more secure footwear. Thankfully Target had what we needed.

We have a hotel booked in St. Charles for the duration of our stay.

The girls went for a quick swim before the pool closed for the night. I know I haven’t done much, just sat shotgun the whole day, but I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep. 😴

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Christmas 2022

Our plans for Christmas break changed from road trip to homebound thanks to snow, sub-zero wind chills, and poor road conditions.

We had originally planned on traveling to STL on 12/23 to visit Shecklet #3’s godfather, then on to GA to visit family, and finally to FL to visit friends. On 12/21, the house was minimally decorated for Christmas, I was caught up on laundry, and we had minimal items left in the fridge.

If you’re wondering why there is an “M” on the tree on the right, Shecklet #4 asked if we could get an ornament for the baby we lost between Shecklet #2 and Shecklet #3. (I had a very early miscarriage in August of 2009.) We never named the baby until #4 started referring to him as the “microscopic baby.” That turned into the formal name, Mike. So the “M” on the tree is in honor of our other little saint in heaven, Mike.

School ended up being cancelled for Shecklet #2 on 12/22, so we we considered getting on the road a day early. However, IA looked like this:

We made the adult decision to stay safe and not risk the stress or potential car trouble while in a “towing not recommended” zone. Our cancelled plans meant we were able to play games as a family, decorate sugar cookies, and shovel lots of snow.

We were also able to attend Christmas Eve Mass at our parish.

Jake shopped for heavy appetizers earlier in the day for our after-mass Christmas Eve meal.

Christmas morning we opened gifts and relaxed for a few hours. Shecklet #1 assembled his LEGO set, we hung Shecklet #4’s new cork board, and Shecklet #3 got to work figuring out classic rock melodies on her guitar. Shecklet #2 had to wait to try his new goggles.

We headed to Jake’s parents house around 3pm for dinner and opening gifts. The Shecklets enjoyed getting to see their cousins.

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Duluth day trip

I haven’t seen my aunt and uncle (my godparents) in over two years. A lot has happened to all of us during those two years. Seeing them today and being able to catch up in person was so good for my heart.

My aunt Deb gifted me a cedar chest that my grandfather made and several knitted items that my grandma and her twin sister made. I had asked her to write up a brief history of the piece, which will be a treasured piece of information about the chest that I will keep with it.

Here it is in its new location in our home.

Aunt Deb introduced me and the girls to diamond dots. (The peacock in the photo of the two of us was done by her.) She sent home three mini kits for us to try.

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Moving to FL

Our good friends are headed back to FL. We are going to miss them so much!

Jake is helping them drive down and will fly back on Sunday.