Below is a weekend wrap up that included plenty of roadtrip time, basketball games and deer hunting. A fabulously family fun weekend.
Just before Hunter’s Saturday basketball games, we had a quick lunch that included my mom, the kids and our friend Patti at our long-standing family hang out restaurant, Mexican Village in Grand Forks. Classy decor is not the highlight of the restaurant. The food isn’t stand out either. So it must be the decades of memories we have from there along with always great conversation and laughs over baskets of chips and bowls of hot sauce that draw us back there time and time again.
As Hunter said when we pulled into the parking lot, “Remember Mom? Mama Jane and you went here right after I was born.” He said it so matter of factly as if he remembered that day. Yes indeed. After being holed up in a hospital for four days following my c-section with Hunter I was one hungry and anxious young mother. Hunter was dressed in his “going home” outfit, a checkered red and white bag wtih little ants printed on it and a matching hat. He was just days old but it was a beautiful August day so before heading back to the farm, we took him on his first visit to the Mexican Village. And he has loved it every since.
This weekend, Hunter played with his basketball with his former classmates from Park Christian School. We love our life on the prairie every day but the one thing we miss is Hunter’s former school, classmates and their families. Hunter playing with these boys is a great connection for him and also fun for the parents to stay in touch.
The above picture is especially amusing to me–Hunter’s teammate with protective eyewear on and Hunter wearing a mouthguard. They were ready to play.
Hunter had quite a cheering section and loved getting back into playing with the “Lightning”. They won their first game and then got beat in the remaining two games. But it was still a great first tournament for the boys with plenty of upcoming tournaments to come.
Uncle Joe came over from UND where he is a sophomore and went to both Friday night and Saturday games. Friday night Nathan, Hunter and I took Joe and three of his buddies out for appetizers after the game. I was a proud big sister. Lil’ Joe is growing up and on his own, doing well with his classes and we were impressed with what great friends he had. As Hunter sat there with the big college boys I was reminded that in seven years he will be in college. Time goes by so quickly. I was about Hunter’s age when my youngest brother was born. So I was not only a proud big sister with Joe this weekend but I was also the OLD big sister.
We have learned it is always good to keep a Tootsie Pop in your pocket if you want to keep Busy Bits still for a few moments and prevent her from running onto the basketball court…again.
And this sweet little sister is a patient basketball fan. She was superb cheering on big brother. Anika is happy to travel and quite a trooper!
The late harvest at the farm slowed the usual deer hunting excitement. It was opening deer hunting on Friday. Nathan went out Saturday morning and got his deer within a couple hours. I missed out on even walking this weekend due to the basketball games. It was the best weather we ever remember for opening weekend. I have trudged through snow up to my hips through sloughs to chase up deer in years past and this weekend we did not even need to wear jackets. Highs in the 60’s in November on the prairie is a gift! We finally are getting the fall weather that we never had in October. And my dad, brother Robbie and crew finished combining beans which was their weekend highlight.
Together we all attended our local church at the farm on Sunday morning. Our little church will celebrate its 125th anniversary next June. Hunter did a practice round for his upcoming piano festival when he played for the offertory. He will be practicing daily this weekend and ready for his Saturday morning festival competition.
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