Celebration...

This past weekend was one of the best weekends ever! It has been over 10 years since all four of my siblings (myself included) have all been together at the same time. My sisters flew in from Washington D.C., and Tucson, AZ., and my brother and his wife drove down from Sioux City, IA. What was the big celebration, you ask? My Grandma Jean turned 90, Saturday April, 23. My brother also happens to share a birthday with our Grandma, so we got to celebrate him as well. Friday afternoon, my sisters arrived at my house to spend a little quality time with myself and my kids. It was MUCH needed! Friday evening, we all headed to Red Cloud to meet up with my parents, brother and sister-in-law, Jess. My siblings had found the Red Cloud B and B. It was amazing. Once we all arrived in Red Cloud, we said our hello's, got our hugs and proceeded to go inside the B and B for the tour. It was gorgeous! We all said we would happily move in there! We took our tour, learned some great history, and heard stories all about the lady of the house. I highly recommend staying there!!! The remodeling job they did was fantastic. All the tiled floors are heated. There is marble, subway tiles, a HUGE jetted tub, apron front sink, sub zero fridge, gorgeous original woodwork. Need I go on... We all headed to The Palace for dinner (my kids included). Thank goodness for a nice laid back place to eat, as my son can't sit still, and he was crawling all over the floor pretending to be a sprayer. After dinner we went back to the B and B. They give you a tour, and the key to the house, show you where your breakfast is (scones and a tray of fresh fruit) and the house is all yours for the night (in our case). We all sat and visited for a while. My sister Marla and I sat outside on one of the three porches to watch my kids run and play. Once they got tired and worn out, my parents took them home for the night. It was down to the five of us (myself, two sisters, brother and sister-in-law). We sat down in the living room to visit for a while, and give my brother birthday presents. We then moved into the dining room where we played a card game, drank some wine and laughed until we cried for hours. It was the best! Saturday morning, we headed into Edgar. My extended family had planned and set up a birthday party/open house for my Grandma. We got to see tons of cousins and their children. It was so nice getting to catch up with so many people, and for a happy event at that! It's amazing what happens when kids grow up and start having children of their own. Before you know it, years have gone by without you being able to see most of them. My family is quite spread out. We all got to sit and visit and eat a wonderful meal as a large extended family. My Grandma, her brother, his wife, and a couple of children, grandchildren, and I believe a couple great-grandchildren were in attendance. So were my Grandma's children and almost all of their children, and grandchildren. Just with our extended family alone, we had around 62 in attendance. Numerous others came to wish her a happy birthday during the open house portion of the party. My Grandma is not only who I am named after, she is truly an amazing woman. Af the ripe young age of 90, she is still going strong. She is kind, loving and a caregiver by nature. What a blessing she has gotten 90 years in She has lived quite a life, seen so many things and changes. She grows stronger in her faith all the time. She is to be looked upon as an amazing example, I hope we get to throw her a 100 year birthday party also! I want to again wish you a Happy 90th Birthday Grandma Jean! Love you bunches! By Sunday morning, everyone had gone home, all was quiet again. My kids and I had a lazy pajama day. I love my people, they are all amazing, my heart hurts when they are away. Love you all SO much!!!