Week 50: Meeting the Castlebergs (aka Trip #2)

On Friday July 6, we were back at the airport for our 2nd trip this month - this time the trip was to the booming metropolis of Arpin, Wisconsin, to visit Kelli's Castleberg relatives who get together every year (or now every 2 years) around the 4th of July.  We've been on the "attend every 2 years" plan and generally try to also add some days to visit Kent's relatives in Minnesota.  Due to how the 4th of July fell in the week this year and all the other trips we have this month, we could only schedule a long weekend up north this year.  I was very excited to take Erik to Wisconsin and show him off to my family.  We flew into Milwaukee (a first for us), where we met my parents, Nana & Pops, at the airport and then drove the 3+ hours deep into central Wisconsin.
 
Erik was a super trooper again during the airplane ride; we splurged and paid for the last-minute upgrades to business class on AirTran (it was less than $100/person).  It was lovely for both Kent & I to have large, cushy seats where we could move Erik around without bumping into the 3rd passenger that you have to sit with in coach.  I wish we could fly first class all the time!!  Erik slept most of the trip, which meant that Kent and I could relas and catnap as well.  Truly Lovely.  When we got off the airport in Milwaukee, one of the gift shops had a stand of cheeseheads; I had to get a picture of Erik!  Poor Kent, Viking fan that he is, suffered through it.  Of course, I immediately posted the below picture to Facebook!!

First Cheesehead Experience in the Madison Airport

Even though it was only for a weekend, we had a great time in Wisconsin.  My mother's parents used to have a dairy farm there with a separate house across one of the fields from the barn.  While I was growing up, we would spend nearly every Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as some time in the summer, in Arpin visiting family.  Mom is one of 12 Castleberg siblings and those 12 made over 40 first cousins for me to hang out with!  This year was a fair turn-out with relatives coming in from Tennessee, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, California and, of course, Wisconsin!

I had asked my Dad to do a short baby dedication for Erik on Sabbath while we were with family.  Since the baby dedication that we had here in Florida earlier this year in March was so rushed & hurried, no family members could attend.  I also had wanted Erik to have a more personal & specific service, so Dad was kind enough to put something together and Aunt Margaret was kind enough to agree to let us have the service.  Dad wrote a very nice little homily about family that incorporated our special Scripture texts for Erik, Ephesians 3:16-19.  Dad then also read a poem that he had written for Erik and then had framed (poems are actually Dad's specialty-he writes one for most big family events)!

I've included some snapshots from the weekend.

Erik with Cousin Tara

Whenever the Castlebergs get together, we have to take a picture of any of the 12 siblings and their spouses - the In-Laws and Out-Laws! Below are Kerri, Mark, Barb, Bud, Lois, Donna, Clarence, Phillis, Duane, Marty, Margaret, Michael and Shirley. 

The In-Laws and the "Out-Laws"

During Erik's Dedication

The below photo was taken on Sabbath just before or just after Erik's dedication.  Kent is hold him up by the back of his jumper, I think.  This is my new favorite photo of Erik.  Thank you, Wendy, for taking it and then sharing it!!

My Favorite Photo (taken by Cousin Wendy Morauske)