Parents Weekend and Wedding

Julia and Benjamin hosted a friends potluck dinner during the week. She featured the recent pork loin and squash we had when we visited. Then they went to Nashville for Matt's wedding (a dear friend from the Ohio State University). They had a good time. Julia got back to St. Paul on Sunday and flew out Sunday night to Houston for boat survival training.

Kathryn came home for her fall break and we were treated to some delicious brisket (and kabocha squash!). It was so good; a very close second to spending time with the whole family. 

I ran into Elizabeth; she had just come from rowing practice and Wawa and I was on my way to work. 

We spent Saturday with the Saunders for Georgetown University's parents' weekend. First was the women's rowing breakfast and then the BBQ. We love Elizabeth, Carrie, and Mark so much. They are so kind to include us every year. Meanwhile, Lisa and Tony were in Boulder for Ethan's parent weekend! There is nothing like spending time with your kids. 

OSU Parents Weekend

Schmidt's Jumbo Cream Puff

We had such a sweet weekend with our daughter. It was so good to squeeze her tight, meet her friends (great bunch of nerds!), and just hang out together. We ate...and ate...and ate.

Stephanie and Matt (from Tennessee) came with us to Schmidt's Restaurant and Sausage Haus Friday night. Located in the quaint neighborhood of German Village, the restaurant is in an historic brick livery stable--since 1886. We waited about an hour and 20 minutes--it was worth it! The world famous Bahama Mama sausage and bratwurst, oh my. I personally inhaled four different kinds of sauerkraut--all so delicious.  The kids tried their jumbo vanilla cream puff for dessert--definitely jumbo. Schmidt's has been featured on the Food Network and Travel Channel's Man v Food. The place was packed and the live accordion entertainment was fantastic.

Saturday, we went to Brio's for a late brunch and shopped at the Easton Center, major inside/outside mall. Picked up goodies at Cheryl's and Cinnabon. Julia and I had fun shopping and buying and shopping and buying. For dinner, we went hog wild with The Thurman Cafe. Steven and I shared the Thurmanator: bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, 12-ounce burger, bacon, cheddar, another 12 ounce burger, sautéed mushrooms and onions, ham, mozzarella and American cheese, top bun, served with fries and a pickle spear. Julia got the more modest Garden Burger: (its real meat, not vegetarian) burger heaped with sautéed green peppers, onions, mushrooms, and smothered with Swiss cheese, over lettuce, tomato, and mayo, served with chips. We also ordered 24 whole, jumbo wings--buffalo sauce and Cajun. Too good.  

    Hardest part was saying good-bye. :( Soon into our trip home, Julia e-mailed us that her phone was kaput. She was able to get it repaired on Monday...and get her bike unlocked (lost bike lock key) on Tuesday. It is all good. Back to work and back to school. So proud of the life she has built for herself at OSU. Oh, and as for the OSU Parents Weekend--we didn't actually participate in any OSU events, lol. But, we love the campus and everyone is super nice wherever you go. Go Bucks!