R and R

We enjoyed a short getaway to the Twin Cities last week, celebrating the end of Frankenpastor, the end of Unit 3, spring break, and successful poult placement.  We hoped to leave Wednesday and connect with the Jones family (my sister) and the Coats family (Pete's sister).  The Jones family, however, planned to spend the days here in Willmar while my parents are in town.  Fortunately, I had forgotten the Lenten service on Wednesday evening, which we had to help lead.  So the Jones family came to us on Wednesday, the two oldest boys spent the night with Andrew and Philip, and we all met for a Perkins "crazy breakfast" with the grandparents on Thursday morning before departure.

We booked a mini-suite with two queen beds and a sleeper sofa at Springhill Suites in Eden Prairie, but when we arrived the clerk informed us that they didn't have any suites with two queens - just one king.  That wouldn't work for the five of us, but good old American "the customer is always right" capitalism kicked in and she booked us a two-queen suite at the neighboring Towne Place Suites, also owned by Marriott, for the same exceedingly reasonable rate.  I wasn't too excited about this move, because the new place did not have a pool and we would have to cross the parking lot to use the pool of the old place.  However, when we viewed our upgraded suite, any complaints were silenced.  Two bedrooms with doors, each with a queen bed, closet, dresser and TV; a couch, chair, and table and chairs; and a full kitchen including dishwasher and oven greeted us.  Wow!   We twice crossed the parking lot without incident and used the bathroom in the pool area to change in order to use the pool and hot tub. Fortune smiled on us.  Thanks, Lord!

We watched TV, which we never do at home, because cable had HGTV as a network, and the Family network had "Harry Potter" movies on.  I truly enjoy seeing people's options for purchasing and renovating homes.  The end results are always so gorgeous!  We also purchased an in-room movie, "October Baby," which we had heard good and bad things about.  For what it was - a low-budget film - we thought it was very well done.  It started slow and improved as it went along.  A great message of forgiveness and grace sealed the "thumbs up" rating from us.

The Water Park at the Mall of America provided good fun on Friday.  Body and tube slides occupied my time, and the kids thrilled to body boarding in the "Surf's On" attraction.  The kids also got to play racquetball at the Southdale Y, which they love, and I did a little shopping while Pete worked out.  We also spent two blocks of time catching up and eating with the Coats family, and took Rahila to Sky Zone to jump on the trampolines.  Unfortunately, Sarah sprained her ankle halfway through that adventure.  Why can't she get through a softball season without incident?  Last year it was an appendectomy and she's suffered some shoulder problems also.

All in all, though, it was a relaxing and enjoyable getaway.  The kids enjoyed each other's company, we fed on delicious eats, and everyone felt rested and cheerful when we arrived home late Saturday night.