Mall of America Holiday Trip, Year 7

This annual trip up to the Mall of America is one of my favorite holiday traditions with Bailey.  We always begin our trip with Dunkin Donuts before heading up north.  It had been quite a few years since Bailey had created a Build-A-Bear, but decided this year she would at the kiosk outside of Rainforest Cafe.  The dancing and sillyness prior to placing her heart inside of her newest creation was the same as it has always been.  She was a good sport and played along.  Sam the Moose is now the newest member of her Build-A-Bear family.  As always we spent the day shopping and eating our way around the mega-mall.  Bailey was so thrilled to find some Dangerous Woman merch at Urban Outfitters.  Minneapolis was going to host the Super Bowl so there was a display of oversized NFL helmets.  It was pretty cool to see.  We had fun taking our pictures by our favorite teams, as well as not-so-favorite teams.

Following a full day of shopping, it was time to head to our hotel room, veg out and watch Dick Clark's New Years Eve special.  One of the performers this year was BTS, Bailey's favorite K-Pop group.  She was totally fangirling during their entire performance and dancing right along with their Mic Drop performance.  This kind of joy cannot be wrapped in a package.  It was so much fun to watch her so happy!

On the second day of our trip, we decided to check out Ikea.  We'd always wanted to go inside since people raved about Ikea and it's right next to the mall.  To put it simply, we were pretty disappointed.  After about 15 minutes of looking at household items, we were ready to leave the store.  Little did we know that you had to walk through the entire store.  After walking and walking, we thought we'd never see an exit.  By the time we left I felt like we should get tee shirts that said, 'We got stuck in Ikea and thought we'd never get out'.  For those folks who think Ikea is all that, I say 'To each their own'.  Like many trips Bailey and I take together, this will be be one of those memories where we can say 'Remember when we got stuck in Ikea....'.  Aside from this, our trip was once again pretty awesome.     

Christmas Memories

Flashback to December 2017

Christmas 2017 was filled with our holiday traditions--Getting a Christmas tree at Wapsie Pines, strolling downtown Cedar Falls during Holiday Hoopla and pictures in front of the tree on Christmas Eve followed by the church service.  I've always been a fan of traditions on this holiday since it brings back wonderful memories tracing back to when I was young.  The Christmas spirit lives on.

This was our 2nd year celebrating our Seegers Family Christmas at Maple Lanes in Waterloo.  This bowling alley has a fun feature where you can take your picture and have it displayed on cartoon characters which are shown on the monitors above your lanes.  The characters re-enact a silly cartoon scene, depending on how you bowl.  It's pretty hilarious.  The day was filled with laughter and love.  The end of our time together was spent exchanging and opening presents.  Hope captured Bailey opening her present from their family.  Her reaction below is priceless and brings me so much joy every time I watch it. 

Rest In Peace, Grandpa

Flashback to November 2017

On November 2, 2017, my Grandpa Seegers was called to his heavenly home.  Memories of our time together at Wings Park a couple months before came flooding back to me.  My aunt Holly had taken the initiative to organize a family picnic in the park.  Leaving the park that day, my heart was full of gratitude for the laughter throughout the day and love for my family.  Little did I know that this would be the first and last time that our family would gather together like this.  Although I didn't see grandpa often, when I did, his face would always light up which showed me how much he loved me.  The visitation and funeral was an overwhelming showing of family, friends and community and showed me how much our family is loved.  Again, my heart was full.  The Grandpa arrangement on the casket was a perfect display of my grandpa's love for the harvest and farming.   The picture of a farm displayed on top of his casket at the cemetery was also a beautiful way to show how much he loved the farm life.  Rest in Peace, Grandpa.

Why So Serious!?!

Flashback to October 31, 2017

Bailey's Halloween costume this year was a follow-up to last year's Harley Quinn-inspired costume.  Her creativity and cos play-inspired costumes are such a fun way to celebrate this holiday.  Our neighborhood had a fair number of children stop by for candy.  After passing out candy, we found our way to IHop again this year for yummy pancakes and delicious hot chocolate.  How we spend Halloween together has changed over the years, but the time together is just as special as it's always been.

Game On: UNI vs. Iowa State Tailgate

Flashback to August 2017

Tailgating before the UNI vs. Iowa State football game has been another great way to spend time with family.  For our first tailgate in 2013, I gave Dad a House Divided flag for his birthday.  It has become a great way to show our family support for both teams, while also creating fun photo opps.  Prior to heading off to the game, we snap a couple pictures to show that even though we will be routing for opposing teams, our house is united and we love this time together.  The Cyclones get bragging rights after this years game, but it was a fun time spent with family.

Summer 2017

Summer 2017 Highlights

Flashback to Summer 2017

The Summer of 2017 was a pretty relaxed one.  After having so much fun in Minneapolis a couple months earlier, we ventured back up to our favorite hot spot, the Mall of America.  We hit our favorite stores, but also experienced some new attractions including Fly Over America and taking our picture with Spongebob in Nickelodean Universe.  On our drive up to Minneapolis, we stopped by Cabin Coffee in Albert Lea, Minnesota to check out the coffee shop my cousin Sarah and her husband Josh had opened.  Unfortunately they were not there, but we enjoyed some tasty drinks and now make this a regular stop on our trips up north.

A big highlight for the summer was Bailey receiving her intermediate driver's license.  Driving with an employee of the DMV reminded me of when I had to drive for my school permit.  It's nerve-wracking, but she did it.  The Jeep Liberty is now her car and she's enjoying the independence of driving herself around Cedar Falls.  Her first venture out on her own was a trip to Starbucks while I was in Kansas City with friends.  It was an interesting short trip which may have involved turning onto the wrong lane on a side road.

Like summers past, we found time for a couple movies including the next installment of the Pirates of the Carribean franchise and Captain Underpants.  A new member of the family joined the Wood household, Hercules.  He is the sweetest dog and a great addition to the family.

Reflecting on these summer highlights is a great reminder to take time, slow down and enjoy life.