The North Dakota Leg Part 1

Late Saturday morning, we left Rochester and drove to Minneapolis to pick up Aunt Megan and drive the rest of the way to Grand Forks. William had about the worst timed (and smelling) poopy diaper ever. Nice. We got to Grand Forks in time for some "chips, dips & dippors" as William calls them at Paradiso. We also got some good visit time in with the great grandparents before it was time to put William to bed.

Sunday morning, we were off to the reunion in Karlstad, MN.

What? You've never heard of Karlstad, MN? How about Halma? Or Lake Bronson? You need to get out more! Karlstad, MN is in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay northern Minnesota. Very close to the border of both North Dakota and Canada.

We had a nice lunch and visits with Great Grandma Nona's family before attempting a nap at Judy (an awesome relative of mine, exact relation is unknown by me) in the afternoon. The nap was a no go and I was concerned about the rest of the afternoon. Just fine - he made it through until just about his normal bedtime.

Here are a LOT of family pictures. I'll try and get the names right - please e mail me if I get someone wrong. I was only able to half listen to the introductions as I was chasing around a little toddler tornado.

Look at all these kids!
There is a bad joke here to be made about Scott and his buns....
Blowing bubbles with Grandpa. William loves to blow bubbles. Only he isn't really able to blow them himself. He takes the bubble wand and puts it IN his mouth - then gets mad about the lack of bubbles produced. It's a good idea to make sure the bubbles are non-toxic before you start :) If he's trying to help you blow bubbles, you need to be careful as the bubble wand may also end up in your mouth as he tries to help you.
I think this is Taryn's (sp?) family: Jessica, Evan, Taryn, Tom, Kayla, Becca
Perry Oien's extended family
Jandy's fiance?, Jandy, Paulette, Tom and Ryan
Jared, Susan, Jasie, Jerry
Perry Oien family: Paulette, Avis, Perry, Susan
Great Grandma Nona and her brother Perry
The Wennerstens (Nona's family): Kim, Nona, Budd, Kevin, Kaye
Nona Wennersten extended family: William, Kevin, Kim, Megan, Kelly, Nona, Kyle, Amber, Kevin, Kaye and Budd down in front
Craig Oien family: ?, Avery, Liz, Corey, Shannon, Regan, Caden , Judy, Craig
Leatrice Spilde extended family: (Back) Jessica, Kayla, ? Liz, Avery, Corey, Caden, Shannon, Regan, Judy, Rebecca, Tom
Front: Stuart, Taryn, Evan, Craig
Wennersten Grand kids play games
William and Avery check each other out. Funny story: someone told Avery to kiss William. So, like a good listener, she leaned in to kiss him. He wasn't having any of it - he pushed her away and said "No!". I was laughing and patting myself on the back when he leaned in and kissed her. I guess it just has to be on his terms.
Baby Regan just turned 1 - isn't she cute?
All the Oien Grandkids in age order: (L-R) Kaye, *pretend you don't see William sneaking in*, Taryn, Kevin, Kim, Susan, Stuart, Paulette, Craig
Craig and Judy with their grandkids: Regan, Avery, and CadenJessica, Evan, Judy, Kayla and Rebecca in front
Taryn and Kaye (Kaye sure is an Amazon here, isn't she! What, you never noticed how tall she is?)
Susan and Paulette - I confess to not knowing who is who
Stuart, Taryn, Craig

Another funny story: We were taking pictures of Jay and Leatrice's kids when William stood back and really studied what was going on. Then he turned around and backed himself against the wall and started saying "cheeeeeeeeeeeeeese!" Very, very very cute (and v. proud mama!) He is doing a LOT of mimicing these days!