North Dakota

Aaron's cousin in North Dakota got married on April 29 and we decided to make a quick trip north to attend the wedding. It's an 8 1/2 hour drive and we love being able to attend family events and see everyone at one time. Spencer and Mary Beth now live in ND so it was extra fun knowing that we'd be able to see them as well. We love being with all the extended Volk family! I found these bottle suckers and it kept the girls entertained on the drive. Electronics kept the boys entertained. 

Eli was devastated that we'd be driving home on his actually birthday - April 30 and we promised him he'd have a blast with so much family. We planned a little party on the Friday evening before the wedding and he was all smiles. Mary Beth made a cake he loved and he was showered with love and presents. 

Is my first baby really 10?!? It seems impossible. It seems even more impossible that we now have less time with him at home than we've currently had with him - I feel like his 18th birthday will be here in a flash. Slow down time! I love my first baby so much and I'm forever grateful for the memories I have of having him as a new baby and all the memories leading up to now. 

Uncle David and Aunt Mary live walking distance to the grocery store we so were happy to walk to get donuts on Saturday morning. There was lots of cousin time and memories made - one of the many reasons we love being with family. 

The girls squeezed in a quick nap before the wedding. 

The wedding was short and simple and then a dinner and dance followed. I love teaching moments with our kids because they definitely had a few questions about the wedding and Aaron and I were able to talk to them about how some people get married in different places and we talked about what weddings are like inside our temples and how families are sealed to each other for eternity. 

Dinner was delicious and the dance that followed was a blast. It was extremely loud. The kids were ready to leave and I wanted to keep dancing the night away. The boys did mention that the alcohol consumption was making them feel uncomfortable and yet again, we were able to say that it's always okay to leave at any moment when you're in a social setting. 

Sunday morning came bright and early and we attended church in the Fargo Second Ward at 8:30 a.m. We found the fount where Aaron was baptized by his dad when he was 8. How special! 

We then drove home and arrived home by 6:30 p.m. Eli said it was a great birthday and we all came home feeling grateful that we live in KC and we're able to drive to see so much family. It really is a blessing!