Boy, that was a hell of a holiday. The "takeaway," as they say, was that everyone had a lot of fun and ate very well. Things didn't start well: Julia first asked when we be done with the five-hour drive to Moorhead only four miles after we left our house in Northfield. She asked six times in two miles toward the end of the trip. Those backseat DVD players are looking better and better. As is pediatric Ambien: a little napping would have been nice for everyone.
But during the many hours they were awake, Julia and Genevieve had a great time, and so did their parents. The girls loved playing at their Nonna and Boppa's house, especially with their big-girl older cousins. Julia did a great job helping make the Thanksgiving feast - which continued through three meals. Julia taught herself to ride a cool old trike without holding onto the handlebars. Vivi gamely tried to say just about any word we threw at her, including "animal," always flashing a little grin after humoring us. And overall the house was full of cheer and happiness.
On the day after Thanksgiving, though, I found out that my grandmother, who's been declining for a long time, finally died. She'd led a long and very full life. On Tuesday, I'll be heading up to the Upper Peninsula for the first time in years to attend the funeral.