Before I get into our exciting road trip details, I have to tell you that you guys are ROCKSTARS already. When I started writing this blog, it was a way to communicate with you when you were older and it was also a way to share pictures and details about you with friend and family without loading up their mailboxes. However, the family is really reading it. You know you squirts have made it to the big time when your Aunt Sheila tells me that she has to be nice to me so I don't publish anything bad about her on the blog. That rocks - I get to talk to you and share details of our pregnancy with you when you are older and evil Aunt Sheila is nicer to me. :)
This weekend, you went on your first road trip. Brandi, her friend Jeff and I piled into the car and went up to Minnesota to see your "uncle" Brian play soccer. He had been playing for the Minnesota Thunder team for about a month. Great Gramma, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Sheila, Jeremy, Kylie, and Aunt Valerie went up there earlier in the day and Cory met us later. I must confess to you squirts that your mom knows nothing about soccer. I was up there for the family time and to visit with Brian and his girlfriend Erica. We were all hyped up with posters and everything to embarass Brian. He got to play almost the whole game. But, squirts, we missed the best part. I went to pay for a jersey that I won in an auction and while I was gone, Brian scored. You probably heard your mom cussing about that for 24 hours! But, check out what a star your cousin/uncle is - I hope both of you turn out that tall and thin and muscular!
Afterwards, we all went out to dinner and back to the hotel. In the morning, we all hung out and had breakfast. Brandi had a place that she HAD to eat at the she saw on TV. It sure was a tasty burger. I think you guys liked it too because I was hungry really quickly afterwards - I think you guys sucked it all out of me because it was probably the best burger you have had so far.
I tried to show you off to Gramma and Aunt Valerie but the batteries ran out before they got to hear very much. I would venture a guess that all of those up famiy members up there are so excited for you both! You even got your first two belly rubs - Erica said "Can I touch the babies?" and Aunt Valerie said "Hi Babies, it is Auntie Val." I don't know that they were touching you in the right spot - I think they just rubbed mom's fat but I bet you could feel the love in there! Everyone is counting the days until we find out what you squirts officially are - Xander and Jacob or Xander and Maggie. Kylie even agreed to put off her marriage proposal to Jeremy for 5 years when you would be old enough to be the ring bearer and maybe the flower girl. I am so excited because Cory and Lauren postponed their wedding until April. I will be able to dress you up in silly outfits and show you off to the whole family :)
I had an enlightening moment this weekend. I asked Brandi's friend what he thought about the family so far and he said "I think you guys are all very close." He was surprised at how often Brandi interracts with her whole family and how all of us are on her speed dial in her phone. I kind of laughed at that because I thought we were pretty dysfunctional. I hadn't really given it much thought over the years, I just thought everyone was nuts! haha. But, when I really thought about it, I think you squirts are pretty lucky to be joining us. I really don't hear about a lot of people that talk about their extended family. I don't know many people who go on trips with their extended families. I was walking into the restaurant and saw my gramma, uncle, two aunts, 3 cousins and 2 friends heading in for breakfast in a city that they visited just to see one of their own play soccer. They all drove 500 miles to see this former squirt kick a ball in a net (Oh, he was a squirt even though he is huge now!) I was a bit overwhelmed because not a lot of people have that - especially when they are older. It is easier to stay close when you are young but when you get older, it is harder to stay in touch. I think we have done a pretty good job in this arena and honestly, I can't wait for these people to spoil you rotten. Even though they are your cousins, I bet you will think they are more like Aunts and Uncles. They will love you up like there is no tomorrow. My aunts and uncles will become your aunts and uncles. Uncle Jeff will thump you in the head if you are out of line. Aunt Val and Aunt Kim will spoil you rotten and teach you how to shop and decorate. Aunt Sheila will take you to the pool and take you to Adventureland. If there is a girl, Brandi will teach you about cosmetics and purses. The Cvilikas boys will teach you how to play ping pong the Cvilikas way. Maybe Jeremy will teach you how to play various sports - baseball, bowling, dodge ball, etc. Cory will teach you how to have a big heart & how to drive a semi. Kylie shark will teach you how to have spirit. Erica will teach you how to play LaCrosse and how to be loving and caring to everyone you meet. Lauren will teach you all about Country Music and how to be a trucker's wife! Each one of them will be in your lives to teach you something and you are very lucky to have them.
I have to apologize squirts as I always plan to speak eloquently and humorously to you both while trying to teach you something. However, there is too much pressure on your old mom to write a good post. The public is demanding and it is sucking my creativity out of me. haha! I will see if I can do better in the next one.