Eiselt Family Ruckus

Last weekend was an Eiselt Family...
Reunion...
no, ruckus...
no, reunion....
well...BOTH!

We gathered in Minneapolis to spend time celebrating John's Grandma Marianna's 80th birthday! Tom and Julie Eiselt flew in from Charlotte, NC with their three great kids, Jack, Joe and Kate. Jeff and MAry Owen drove from Rochester with their three grown kids, Kristine, Mike, and Rebecca. Scott got in late on Friday from North Carolina, Jenny came home from St. Ben's, and we made the trip from Eau Claire! Wayne and Marianna came from Blue Earth, MN and even picked up Katharine, Marianna's sister on the way. What a group!

The weekend started off with dinner on Friday night and lots of ruckus! :) Stories, laughs, and nostalgia were enjoyed by all. With this group there is never a dull moment, and certainly never a quiet one!

On Saturday, we all went to Stillwater to take photos at InStudio. Taking photos at InStudio is not like any other portrait experience. Its fun, relaxed, and wacky. You walk into a white box and move and pose and they get great, natural shots. I think we had over 500 photos taken with all different combinations of families. It was so fun! Later we went to Bob and Deb's house in Stillwater for a nice lunch.

The main event was dinner and Underwater World at the Mall of America, in celebration of Marianna's birthday. It sure was fun! My favorite part was seeing Logan with all the cousins. He loved every minute of it and certainly LOVED all the attention. I think he feels a little bored now that its only Mom and Dad at home. Bummer, Logan. Sorry.

At Bob & Deb's house after pictures.

Daddy and Uncle Scott giving Logan some lunch before the rest of us dig in.

Havin' so much fun!

Who knew watching Logan eat could be so much fun!
Logan seriously had all the funniest expressions. He makes the most faces of any baby ever, I think. I don't even know how to move my face muscles the way he does! Its hilarious!

Hello!


Logan got lots of attention from the cousins! Joe got to hold Logan and see what a big boy he is!

Kate was such a good helper, playing with Logan and even reading him a story!

Kristine, Mike, Rebecca, and Jack enjoying lunch!

John being....well, John.

Kate and Joe playing with Logan

Jenny & Kate

Joe, John, Kate, Jenny

Auntie Jenny and Logan

Logan looooves his Uncle Scott! They hadn't seen each other since Christmas! Logan has grown up so much since then! Scott and Logan seem to have some sort of special bond because Logan just snuggles with him so much. I have two hypotheses for this:

1. Logan probably sometimes thinks its John, since they look so much alike

2. Logan is from the same mold as Scott. (i.e. CRAZY BABY! Scott was stubborn, determined, and wild as a baby, just like Logan is!). But wait a second...Logan is our FIRST born...oh no...what are we in for?!!!
Luckily, we don't have to wait too long to see Scott again! He will be home from North Carolina for Jenny's graduation in May. Yay!

We had a nice catered dinner following a trip to Underwater World...
Logan was enamored with the fishes!

Eatin' dinner in my pj's.

Logan got to stay up WAY past his bedtime, but he LOVED it! He had so many people to entertain him and play with him! It was great!

Happy 80th Birthday, Marianna!

Marianna opening her big bday card and thanking everyone for a great weekend together!

And this is some of the "ruckus" I was referring to...

Joe balancing spoons on his face, which led to a great display of an array of superhuman tricks!

Thanks to all the Eiselt clan for a great weekend! It was so fun to see everyone and spend time together! And, thanks for spoiling Logan...he loved it! Can't wait 'til next time!