Every year, the first weekend of December, a group of us girls get together in Des Moines and shop til we drop! It's my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunts, my cousins and their daughters, and me. This is a tradition we started in 2003 and it continues today. The number of us that go has diminished some, which is sad, but we still have a blast. The hardest one not having join us anymore is my mom. It stinks that she is unable to come due to them living in Arkansas now...she is always with us in thought, conversation, and even text and phone though!!
We start on Friday, stay at Chase Suites (we get a 2-story suite, like our own apartment), and shop until Sunday afternoon. This is always the weekend that Kohl's kicks off it's late night hours so we are shopping until midnight both nights and up bright & early the next morning to hit 2 malls and lots of other stores in between. In addition to the shopping, we always do a gift exchange on Friday or Saturday night. It has always been "white elephant" so it's quite humerous and entertaining. Next year, however, we are taking a new approach and buying "new" gifts!
It is a fabulous time to spend with loved ones laughing, smiling, fellowshipping, and relaxing. It is a trip we all look forward to every year. We have settled down a lot since the start of this; we can all feel our age!!
Getting settled into our home for the weekend!
Aubri liked to open the door when people knocked!
Joan's ready for the weekend.
It doesn't take her long to find a pen and paper.
Aubri loves lemons! She thinks it's funny to make a sour face.
This was at the Brickhouse where we ate Friday night to kick off the weekend.
Prepare for a long weekend Aubri girl!
Miranda
Samantha (Sam) and myself.
Aubri drawing her number for the gift exchange.
Aubri enjoyed helping Aunt Sharon get the fire going.
Aubri is sharing quite a story with Stacey, who is way impressed with her! Aubri amazes this group of women!! She keeps us well entertained.
Here we go with the gifts...Aubri is right there to help!
Miranda gets a frame...
...and a new tank top.
Pretty!
Ummm...this sack was filled with an old wallet (with $2), socks, candle, etc.
Aubri got a sack of books and tapes!
Joan received a candle topper (or hat, if you wish)!
Ooohh...Sam got a basket with $5!!
These two were buddies for the weekend.
Time for a game of hide & seek!
Dresser drawer
Cupboards
Aubri kept calling Aunt Sharon the "other grandma". We think she thought Aunt Sharon was Grammy Baker. They do look a lot a like. Aubri enjoyed cuddling with her.
The gang!!
Aubri did awesome all weekend. Grandma Joanie bought her this Grinch Saturday night at Kohl's as she was quite the trooper staying out late with us! She loves him.
The Grinch got lots of kisses!!
Aubri enjoyed looking down at us from the loft above.
She was happy to get home to her Daddy!
It was another fun year of shopping!! Now I've got a lot of work to do to get all of the many gifts wrapped. I completed almost all of my shopping this weekend...25 people worth!
