Girls Week

Last week I had the special treat (thanks to my husband's air miles) to fly up to Wisconsin and spend a few days with my Mom and sister. We've been planning this get together for quite some time knowing that it would fall about 4 weeks before THE wedding. So, despite very inconvenient travel arrangements on my part we spent some time together getting ready but most of all just enjoying each other....maybe we even had a little too much fun at times=)

After a 4 hour ride from the airport we arrived at Helaine's temporary 'home' at 3:45 am, we all headed straight to bed so that we could get up in 4 hours and head to Minnesota on another 5 hour ride. Thanks you, Phil, for your endless hours of driving while we slept=) The reason for our trip up to MN was so that we could be there for a joint shower for Helaine and Stephanie (the fiancee of one of Phil's cousins). It was really great and worth the trip for us to get to be a part of it with Helaine.

One of the brides-to-be~ The cake~

Bride and Mother of the Bride (in front of Helaine's gift table!)~

And here are the three of us with the mother of the groom, Diane DeMarte~

Phil's grandma, sweet Mrs. Kunnari, gave the devotional which was not only a good challenge for the brides, but for all of us there. Helaine is marrying into a family of many believers who have long loved and honored the Lord - PTL!

After having skipped supper the night before, and having only a yogurt for breakfast that morning we were all QUITE hungry and were the only one's to have seconds at the shower=) Oh well - I'm sure no one noticed!

Then came gift time where I had the honor of performing one of the 'matron-of-honor' duties and writing down all the details.
Helaine with a super cool present~

Later that evening we all gathered at the DeMarte's house, where Phil and Helaine will live, and enjoyed time with them and 3 out of 4 of Phil's grandparents. I'm so glad for Helaine's choice in Phil himself, and glad also for the godly home he comes from as well.

So, the shower was just the beginning of the next several fun filled days where we laughed and giggled as much as immature school girls, even getting scolded by the groom for talking to much in church, oopsy=) Our mother of course was the picture of decorum for the entire time and only showed some slight silliness when we saw a man who really should have been wearing a belt. But much was accomplished (sort of) and we are looking forward to our next time together when we'll celebrate the Rozelle/DeMarte wedding!!

PS - Further pictures and more detailed accounts of our 5 days together are being withheld to protect those involved (AKA - guilty). =)