Christmas and New Years 2002/2003
Minneapolis, Fraserwood and Thief River Falls
The flight to Minneapolis was great. We were delayed just a few minutes. My cousin Carol and Jeff picked me up at the airport, I donīt know what I would do without them. I got to choose supper so I picked steak. They knew of a fantastic place and now I know why I miss steak, it is the best. We had a few beers and I called it a night. We had a quiet morning and then we went out shopping in the afternoon. I bought a few things mainly for myself and then Jeff drove me to the bus depot. The bus ride was fine except for a 2 hour delay at the Canadian Border. I guess someone was trying to get into Canada that was not supposed to. We had to drive her back to Pembina and then we were finally able to enter Canada. I was lost with out a phone, and everyone was panicking as they were told that there was no buses arriving late.
December 24th after making my appearance at Tip Top for their holiday cheer, we had a nice quiet family evening. The kids were a little excited but were quite good. The hangikot, smoked lamb was excellent. Christmas Day, the kids opened the rest of their presents and a good time was had by all. The kids all left at around noon so a nap was in order. Then I went to Gimli to visit my Great Aunt Flo. We had a quiet evening with my sister in laws parents. Boxing Day I was thinking of checking out the sales but slept instead. My brother and his family came for a visit. On the 27th I made my rounds, I visited many people, friends and family and even managed some business. On my way back to Gimli I had a flat tire on my fatherīs truck. It has been awhile since I changed a tire and it was especially difficult on the truck. It was not too cold so I did it all myself.
On Sunday the family headed for the USA and 7 Clans Casino was the destination. It didnīt take long for us to get into the waterpark and we had a great time with the kids. Other than shopping and gambling a little we spent most of the time relaxing or in the waterpark. I was not really positive about spending time at a casino but I must admit it was a great time.
Needless to say we had liquor left over that we could not let go to waste so some of us started drinking early. Heck I donīt really remember crossing the border but I do remember the duty free store. Even though we were drinking we still found time to visit more family and friends on the way back to Fraserwood. I stopped drinking and I think I was a little hung over at midnight, what a different way to bring in the new year.
Well I didnīt stay long in Canada. After breakfast back to the USA for me. My brother Dean, his wife Wendy and I were on the road again. I was able to show them some of the sights along the way. We stayed at Carol and Jeffīs and had a nice time with them as usual. We did get into see the Viking display at the Science Center, it was a nice show but I was expecting a little more. Of course we checked out the Mall of America for a few hours as well. After looking around Minneapolis a little more Dean and Wendy drove me to the airport to catch my flight back to Iceland.
In all other that crossing the border a few too many times it was great to be home in Canada for Christmas.