Minnesota Showers

25 July - 30 July (week 22-23: eggplant)

It's raining, it's pouring…(since becoming pregnant I've started snoring.)

Devin and I made a quick trip to Minnesota this summer.  When we originally decided upon a trip to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, I envisioned spending my time doing nothing but floating in a tube on a lake.  My dream came true, but only briefly for two reasons: the weather was not awesome and, as always, we were busy!  Three baby showers were thrown in our honor over our 5 day trip!  Each included family and friends, and were a fantastic way to see everyone!

One.
The first was planned and executed by Brandon, Nikki and Stan on Friday, July 26th.  This party took place at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park and was attended by the majority of the Christiansen side as well as a few honorary members of the family, i.e. Stan's friends.  It was wonderful to see everyone, including the 3 newest members of the family: Opal (Emily & Josh), Crosby (Brandon & Nikki) and Addy (Anne & Justin.)

We hung out in a private room off the main restaurant, eating pizza and cake, opening presents and catching up with everyone.  It was nice, simple and relaxing - just the way we'd wanted it.

I have no pictures from that evening, but I promise it happened!  Also to be believed, although no one saw it, was the giant stork balloon that Stan brought.  It blew/flew away before we got there...


Two.
The second shower, on Saturday, July 27th, was for the ladies and hosted by my aunts, Patty and Kathy at Patty's house in St. Cloud.  It was a fantastic gathering of some of the most important people in my life and I felt the love.

We spent our time in conversation about pregnancy, birth, parenthood, the deliciousness of my aunt Beth's queso dip, and the awesome cake that Kathy's friend made.  Seriously, it was amazing!  But not really a surprise - we never hurt for outstanding food when my aunts are involved.

Laura asked Devin to answer a few questions about my pregnancy and she read his answers at the shower…

___________________________________________________________

Devo,
Here are the questions for you to answer.  Don't tell Emo :)

What smells turned Emily's stomach in pregnancy?

No logical triggers (or easy fixes...to my dismay).  Just 4+ months of nonsensical vomiting.  Pretty cool.

Did she avoid certain foods in any part of pregnancy?

Water (yes, that with which without, there would be no life), Salad

What foods did she crave?

Egg rolls, Peaches

Would she says she’s carrying low or high?

Low.

Who will be more nervous when labor has started?

Me.  She's Dwayne Johnson (the rock).

Did dad gain weight in pregnancy too? 

I am bloated and distended.  Yes, check, I am fat.

Who will be stricter with the baby?

We'll see-saw it, in our typical Jekyll and Hyde style.  Get ready to be confused, baby.

Who gets to pick the baby’s name?

Yeti.  Pretty sure it's going to be 'beach'.  The decision will be consensual.

How long will labor last?

Too long.  Her poor lady parts.   # guess: 6 hours.

Who was right about the sex of the baby?

Em-o

What will Emily's first post-baby meal be?

Sushi, chased by a stein of Gnarly Wine (beer).

Who will enforce the rules of the house?

Me, duh.  Have you seen how strong I am?

What is one word you would use to describe about how you are feeling about this upcoming experience of being a parent?

Surreal.

Thanks!
Laura

___________________________________________________________________

Our reaction to his answers.

Meanwhile.
Devin, Adam, Christian, Brandon, Pete, Cha, and Bubba spent the day at the Iten's cabin on a lake near St. Cloud.  Judging by the pictures, they fished and maybe enjoyed a beer or two...

Christian caught the only fish they kept.

Oh, and Ringo was there too!

Three.
The last gathering was a Sunday brunch that lasted until after dinner!  Of course it did - it was at Palmer's house with the girls: Jess, Jess, Stace, and our amazing mothers.  We just talked and talked and talked; I don't think anyone planned on staying as late as we did, but it was so nice to spend the day together.

We had a lovely breakfast, followed by hours of chatting outside in the sunshine, then some time on the lake, followed by surprise egg roll making courtesy of Jeanne Wittrock (YUM.), and gifts.  It was all so wonderful…

I always thought it would be so much fun to go through pregnancy with a friend, and I am, but of course I live 2,000 miles away from her.  Our due dates are one month apart, November 24th and December 25th.  Jess has been an amazing support throughout my pregnancy; answering questions, offering advice, talking me off the ledge - being as supportive as she can from so far away.  I love you Jess and I miss you… 

Perfect.

The two pregnant women wanted to go tubing!  Don't worry, it was more like a slow cruise around the lake, but it felt so good to be on the water!  Thank you SueP for humoring us!

The BEST egg rolls…ever!  Thank you Jeanne!

We had such a fantastic trip home.  It was great to be able to see so many people in such a short amount of time.  The love and support that Devin and I have streaming from Minnesota is simply awesome and we truly appreciate it.  Thank you to everyone for the fabulous gifts, the words of wisdom and encouragement, and for making such a great effort to treat us so generously.

Love, Emily & Devin 

Christmas in Minnesota

I am currently breaking one of my cardinal rules: No Christmas music until December 1st.  However, I need to get back into the spirit of last Christmas to write this post, so I'm dealing with it.  (It's more "holiday" than "Christmas" music - no Mariah Carey or anything...)  ;)

***Christmas 2012 - Minnesota***

I had Christmas off last year, so Yeti, Devin and I flew to Minnesota for the holiday.  The last time we'd been in Minnesota for Christmas was in 2009!  As always with trips home, we were busy.  But it was a wonderful busy, filled with delicious food, colorful lights, and our most favorite people.  We celebrated with each of our five families - Weitz, Christiansen, McIntyre, Lenox, and Wagner.  I have to admit that I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked, but for memories' sake, here are some...  

Christmas Eve is usually split between the Lenox and McIntyre sides of the family.  We spent the afternoon at Kelli and Christian's house in Minneapolis, eating, drinking, opening gifts, and talking about how awesome fantasy books are.  (Ok, maybe Christian and I are the only ones who talk about books.)  Below is the only decent picture I took at their house - I don't know what I was doing, but getting pictures was not on my radar at the time.  This is Nickolas, Devin's cousin Angie's little boy.  He didn't love the camera... but he did a wonderful job of picking up wrapping paper.

Christmas Eve...ahhh...evening?, we drove up to St. Cloud to celebrate with the McIntyre family, which is always at my grandma's house.  Everyone was there and before our Minneapolis cousins had to head home we captured the whole group.  

As it turns out, the more wine I drink, the more pictures I take!  ;)  As a result, I have quite a few fun pictures from later that night...

Prom 2012? 

Christmas day has traditionally been split between the Weitz and Christiansen sides.  We started with the Weitz clan at Mom and Dad's house in the afternoon - I have zero pictures to prove this - and then drove to Minneapolis to celebrate with the Christiansens.  Everyone was in attendance, and we were able to get a family picture taken there as well.  Said picture was not shot with my camera so I improvised.  (I'll have to track down that picture at some point.)

*I just found this picture in a random folder and had to add it to this post. (12/1713)

One of the best gifts Devin and I received last year was the game Cards Against Humanity from Kelli and Christian.  It's hilariously awful and should only be played with people you are comfortable with offending.  ;)  Honestly, I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard.  One night, as a bunch of the Weitzes sat around Mom and Dad's kitchen table playing the game, Patty, Beth, Matt, Bubba, Laura, and Adam came over to join and also inform us that Matt had just asked Beth to marry him!!  Our celebratory champagne only added to the ridiculousness of the game...

There was a little down time.  A picture of Jill, soaking up the sun, which refuses to shine during Juneau winters.

And one afternoon, after looking everywhere for Dad, I found him in his closet.

We joined the Wager family in Minneapolis a few days after Christmas to celebrate grandma Ruth's 90th birthday by way of a surprise party.  Ruth believed she was just going out for dinner with her eldest daughter, Jill, but instead happened upon a room of family and friends.  It was a lovely party and so much fun, as always, to hang out with this side of the family.

Trouble. 

And then the holiday was over and I needed to get back home to work New Years.  We had such a wonderful time with our families and friends and I'm going to miss that very much this year.  So much that I'm suddenly having second thoughts about staying in California for the holidays...

...maybe not.  ;)  How about everyone come out here instead?