Punta Cana

I won a contest at work and received a travel voucher for Luke and I! We chose to go to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic March 10-14 (Mon-Fri).

We had quite the eventful start to our trip. Immediately after our plane took off at 7am on Monday morning a man 4 rows in front of us stood up and starting shouting and waving his arms...pointing towards the window. We later found out (and saw) part of the wing was hanging off the wing. We circled for about an hour to burn some fuel and then landed back in MSP. We were met on the tarmac by firetrucks and then towed to the gate. We all got off the plane and waited for instructions on our next flight. We were lucky to be able to get on another plane just 2 gates down from ours that left about an hour after we landed. We arrived in Punta Cana about 3 hours late, but we were happy to arrive safely. The incident made the news and it is under investigation. There were many stories circulating through the plane.....but it sounds like an engine may have failed, which caused the wing to detach.

The red portion is the broken part hanging off the wing-this was taken in the air

This was taken on the ground--you can see the red part and the firetrucks

We were happy to arrive and relax that first night. We weren't able to make dinner reservations for the first night so we had to eat at the buffet, which wasn't what I was expecting.....but it was fine. We stayed at the Riu Palace Punta Cana. The rooms weren't very nice, but everything else was great--the entertainment at night was great--the beach was perfect and the pool was great...with a swim up bar!

My view! It was beautiful!

Before dinner reservations on the 2nd night

There was a nice plaza area where everyone congregated in the evenings, which was fun!

On Wednesday we took an excursion on a Safari. We visited a school, a home, saw how the locals lived, make coffee, chocolate, coconut oil and the way of their life. The highlight was visiting a local beach where the waves came in and we were able to go boogie boarding--it was awesome and I laughed the entire time we were there-it was so fun!

On the Jeep to go on the safari!

Our first stop--a school--this class had grades K-6

Hanging out with a couple school children

Next stop--lunch!

Iguana

Bishop's favorite picture from our trip--an alligator!

Our great guide, Ruddy!

A nice local house

The stove in the kitchen at this house

Their sewing machine--Luke insisted we take this picture for my mom! :)

"The Jungle Man"--with 7 snakes and a tarantula on his eye!

Luke was riding the waves!

The local beach

 Each night at 9:30 there was live entertainment. Some of the shows were better than others--this was one of the better ones....it was a "circus show".

Our last day at the beach.....

Playing a little backgammon!

While we were in Punta Cana my Grandpa's health started to decline. He got a cold and hospice came in to make him more comfortable. It made me so sad not to be able to be there to visit him, but according to my mom the steroids they gave him made him much better by Thursday.  On Thursday my sister and nephew Jack went to visit him, along with my parents. Thursday evening I got a message on my phone to call home.....I had wifi while at the resort, but I had my phone capabilities turned off. I called my mom and learned that my Grandpa had passed away a little after 6:30pm. I was so sad. It was hard being away from home and learning this news. He was 90 years old so it wasn't a huge shock, but I thought I'd be able to get down to visit him when I got home. My Grandpa loved his beer....so I had one in his honor on Thursday night! Cheers to a great man!

A beer in honor of Grandpa!

The Kids

This is a little catch up post on the kids

Nora and her friend, Jack, at school!

On Sunday, March 9th, Bishop sang in church again. We're not supposed to take pictures or videos of the kids while they are singing....so I got this picture before church. He sang about 4 words and then showed more interest in looking around and checking things out! :) It's 4 more words than the last time his class sang....so we're making progress! :)

It was an especially early morning as it was Day Light Savings and we had a work event for Luke the night before--so we didn't get much sleep (and we were at church early to get a good seat to be able to see Bishop sing).

 After church we celebrated at The Egg and I. Bishop loves seeing Bethany there--Luke and I both used to work with Bethany and now she works at The Egg and I on the weekends. Both kids love to ride the horse while we're there!

Playing with their Mike and Ikes

 We've had quite the winter--and as of March 9th we've still had plenty of snow on the ground! Bishop and Luke got out to enjoy it!

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A few updates on the kids:

• Nora calls the Library the Libirdie!  
• Nora woke up this morning and out of nowhere started singing....."Mikkel Donald Had a Farm" (for McDonald's--Bishop calls it Mikkel Donalds)
• Bishop has been such a good listener lately.....he's a little sweetheart
• Nora is definitely "2" and I forgot how hard "2" is! ;)
• Nora still prefers her daddy and Bishop prefers his mommy. So far it's all worked out! :)
• The kids have been fighting more lately--they still care for each other and Nora will often say......"You ok, bud?", but they also will take things from each other and get on each others nerves
• Nora repeats everything.....I have to count to 5 for her a lot to get her to do things (especially getting her in her carseat) and the other day she wanted me to do something and she said "OK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6....)-I had to laugh!

I try to enjoy as many situations as possible, as I know time goes so fast! 

My Grandpa's Funeral

My Grandpa's funeral was held on Thursday, March 20th at LeSueur River Lutheran Church--the church he was baptized in, married in, walked his daughter down the aisle in, and laid to rest in.  The farm he worked so hard on was right next door to the church that meant so much to him and his family.   It was the most beautiful and perfect service! There was a great turn out of family and friends to honor him and celebrate his life and I know it would have made him smile (and maybe even tear up a bit).

We held a visitation in the church from 10-11am and the service started at 11am--with a military service following outside. My dad said a few words about my Grandpa and did an outstanding job--he painted a perfect picture of my Grandpa and what he was like.

The kids did great--they had a lot of energy and they ran around quite a bit before and after the service, but they were all very well behaved during the service. 

Tears were shed as we listened to the beautiful music sung by Jim Hoffman (On Eagles Wings and the Lords Prayer) as well as through Pastor Brian's sermon, which was very personal and heartfelt.

The sun was shining on us all that day. My mom did such a wonderful job of setting up the service...picking out the pictures, flowers and attending to all the details. She has handled everything with such poise. She was such a wonderful daughter to her father--and she took such good care of him, especially in his final year. I couldn't ask for a better role model to look after!

Papa and Bishop

Baby Jack and Nana reading books before the funeral

The great grandkids each got to take home a flower from the "great Grandfather" plant

My Grandpa served in the Navy and was proud to serve his country!

It was a beautiful day and a beautiful service! Our family is very grateful to all who contributed to such a wonderful celebration of my Grandfather!

Grandpa Arnie

On Thursday March 13th, my Grandpa passed away at his place at Countryside in Owatonna. He was 90 years old. He absolutely loved seeing his great grandkids and his eyes lit up every time he saw them. He suffered quite a bit in his last year and while it is sad to not have him here and we miss him like crazy it is a blessing that he isn't suffering anymore. He passed away with my mom holding his hand and it went very quickly, which was a relief for everyone.

Luke and I were in Punta Cana at the time, which was difficult for me. I am still sad that I didn't get a chance to see him one last time.....to see his beautiful smile, to hear his little chuckle and to say "I love you and good bye".  I have so many good memories of my Grandpa. He took Shelly and I fishing many times when we were little....he'd fish and we'd eat our treats in our tackle boxes! At the very end he'd let us drag our pop cans in the water as he drove the boat.....and we'd try REALLY hard not to drop our cans because he didn't like that very much! ;)

My grandpa and grandma were very faithful fans to Shelly and my basketball games. We could always count on seeing them in the stands!

He took such good care of my Grandma for as long as he could and he missed her dearly when she moved into a memory care facility.

My last time visiting my Grandpa-2/15/14

Easter 2013

One of my favorites of my Grandpa!

Thanksgiving 2013

Grandpa and Bishop

Grandpa and Nora

I was able to visit my Grandpa in January and he told me stories of when he was in the Navy, working on the farm and his life in general. He lived a good life. He had some hard times, but he had a good life and he was always good for a good tease!

I love you, Grandpa and I miss you so much! Thanks for everything you did for my mom and our family!

Children's Museum

On Sunday after church we met the Bormann's at the Children's Museum. There was a dinosaur exhibit that we wanted to get to and Rock the Cradle was on Sunday so we were hoping the crowds wouldn't be quite as big!

The Retzer's joined us at church and then came to the Children's Museum too, so that was fun! The kids all had fun together!!

Nora, Bishop and Madelyn-ready to PLAY!

 It was hard for me to get many pictures, especially of my own kids since they have a hard time standing still!!

Cousins playing in the water together!

We ran into a few friends while we were there--it seems everyone with kids is trying to get out and burn some energy while it's been so cold out!

Ryan and Jack! I got to see him walk for the first time! Go JACK! :)

Playing Postman

The sweetest little mail carrier!

My sweet, sweet niece, Madelyn! I love her so much!

It was a great time! We were hoping it would tire the kids out--especially Nora.....but it must have had the opposite effect on her as she didn't nap on Sunday! Sunday evening was a tough one--we were very appreciative of the early bedtimes though!

Basketball and Bowling

Bishop had his first week of Basketball on Saturday. The first two weeks are being played at Valley View Middle School in Edina. It was a little nostalgic going to his first practice/game because I played in the gym he was playing in.....and it brought back so many good memories! I just love being in a gym and seeing him play basketball was so fun!

The league he is in is for 4-5 year olds and he appeared to be the youngest/least experienced. His shot actually looked pretty good, but he definitely needs to practice his dribbling. They practiced for the first 30 minutes and then played a game for 30 minutes. They don't keep score and the rules are pretty loose--they just want the kids to experience basketball and have a good time!

He seemed to really enjoy it for the first 45 minutes and then he was done. He basically just walked off the court--the coach looked at me and asked "does he want a sub?" I guess so! :)

While practicing they worked on their bounce passes, running, dribbling and shooting. Luke is volunteering to help with the coaching, so that's fun!

The Terrapins!

When he sat on the bench he ate some snacks! We'll only let that fly while he's young! :)

After basketball we stopped to pick up some new shoes for Nora and then we went to Town Hall Lanes for lunch and bowling! On a side note--Nora was wearing a size 7 1/2 shoe when we went in.....and left with a 9 1/2!!! She is tall for her age, but I didn't realize her feet had grown so much! Bishop is in a 12 1/2, and 9 1/2 doesn't seem THAT far behind him considering the age difference.  I'm so glad we took her in--I feel bad that her feet were smushed in the 7 1/2s! 

This was the first time the kids had bowled and like most things....it was fun for the first 6-7 frames and then they lost interest!

Nora even got to bowl!

 Basketball is 7 weeks long and our goal is to make sure he's excited to go back every week! :)