What a way to end the year!!
As is our tradition, the girls and I headed up to Minneapolis to
spend time with Dean/Rachel and kids after Christmas.
Grammy and Boppa came along too, and we had a great time.
We love staying at Dean and Rachel's. They are wonderful
hosts and great family. They always make us feel comfortable
and loved. We love eating with them, and playing with them,
and relaxing with them.
This year was really neat because all the cousins are getting old
enough to really enjoy each other. It is so special to watch
them grow up together and love spending time with each other.
I am so very grateful to my wonderful brother for these memories!
One of our favorite places is the Mall of America, and our visit
to the American Girl Doll store. This year was extra special
with Avery's new doll, Clarice.
She was very excited to pick out a "mismatched" outfit.
(it took us a bit of time, and the help of the catalog, for
Avery to explain what she actually wanted was 'matching'
outfits. So, she and Clarice now have beautiful matching
dresses and headbands, or 'mismatched' outfits!)
Our favorite spot at the MoA is the amusement park.
We love all the rides, especially the roller coasters and
log ride. We spent several hours enjoying them all.
And then, as evening was upon us, and we were almost
ready to head home, the Rousehouse tooth curse struck again!
The girls and I were on a roller coaster, and it was a fast,
jerky one. As we neared the end, it took a sharp turn/stop and
Avery slammed her mouth on the bar. Blood was everywhere!
As you may know, mouth wounds are bleeders!
Not only that, but the one front tooth she still has
(she had the other pulled a few months ago after chipping it)
was knocked loose.
So, here I am, carrying a screaming, bleeding child while
Ella is crying because Avery is crying. And what do the
teenage ride attendants say to me as I'm screaming for help?
"Maam, you need to exit the ride area."
Are you kidding me!?!
Now, I won't relive the horrible experience we had getting any help or first aid,
but I will say, it was awful!
My mom and I finally managed to get the most basic of
first aid, and after listening to the pathetic request of the manager to assure him
he had "done due diligence", we got Aves calmed down.
We were heading out of the amusement area (I certainly had enough)
and we pass one of the girls favorite rides.
Avery looks up, swollen and bloody, and says
"Can we ride that one more time?"
Yes, my brave baby, yes we can!
We spent another 30 minutes riding rides, and even rode
a different roller coaster! Oh my wonderful baby!
A few weeks later and the tooth is still there! It has tightened
back up and appears to be okay.
Now, I'm not holding my breath, as I'm 0/2 with teeth.
Both Claire and Avery have knocked teeth that later became
infected and had to be pulled. But, for now, I'm counting my lucky
stars and hoping this time will be different!
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| Clarice and her new ear piercings ~ |
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| Cousins Sophie and Arwyn at the AG store |
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| Uncle Dean took the girls sledding in their neighborhood. The girls thought the cardboard box was the best sled! |
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| Until they fell off~ |
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| Uncle Dean and Arwyn |
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| Aunt Rachel knitted the cutest hats for the girls! They all love wearing them. |
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| Claire and I had so much fun together. She is getting so big and is really a great person to hang out with. I am so grateful for her old soul and loving personality! |
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| Aves and Claire rode rides with me a little extra while Ella enjoyed some shopping time with Grammy. That girl loves to shop! |
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| The girls and I enjoying the rides! |
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| Finally, all 3 girls ready to ride! |
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| We all love the roller coasters! We rode this one over and over and over... |
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| Buggie was quite swollen the next day. She really hit her mouth hard! |
We have so much for which to be grateful.
Our family, our great opportunities, our teeth.
Thank you God for all the gifts in our life.
