Stryker Brigade News

We slept in today (boy, I needed that!). Scott was over at the Fisher House with his "girls" and Trevor was in his room down the hall. We somehow managed to get all of us over to the airport before Scott's brother, Dan, and his nephew, Kellan, arrived. Our being there was a surprise for them. We returned to the hotel after a very happy reunion.

Once back at the hotel, we ordered pizza for lunch and got caught up on things. Grandma was able to hug and kiss Kellan who demonstrated his drive blocking ability to our amusement. He's only 20 months old, but he's got good technique.

Later, we went to the indoor pool and got some swimming in. Scott enjoyed this activity immensely and seemed to be able to get around in the water pretty well. We threw a ball around for Kellan's amusement and then went into the jacuzzi before going back to the room.

I took a nap for about 45 minutes, then it was time to go out for the evening. Rick Voeller, an Air Force Master Sergeant, had offered us the use of his home when he heard we were coming to Minneapollis. We didn't need this generous offer, as it turned out, but he made a better one. He arranged a limousine for the evening! We went out the front door of the hotel to find a long white vehicle outside. Scott was expecting a shuttle bus and couldn't believe the limo was for him. We got inside and rode off in style to a nearby Wal Mart to get Kellan some diapers. (Insert redneck joke about here) After this chore was completed, we headed off to the Mall of America for our dinner reservation at the Rainforest Cafe.

We arrived at the only entrance now in use (some twits think the mall is a potential terrorist target so there's concrete barriers all over the place) and got out. Apparently, some taxi driver was unhappy about the limo being present and announced with his horn his desire to have his nose flattened. Others thought this desire comical and the horn honking stopped before his request could be honored.

Scott took advantage of the complimentary wheelchair (I think the swimming did him in a bit) and his brother pushed him to the restaurant. We had another great meal and Kellan watched the fish in the many tropical tanks in the place. After we ate, we walked/rolled around a bit then went to the Lego play area. Kellan stacked Quatro blocks as high as he could and then handed them up to grandma to place atop the stack when the stack got too high to do it himself. When all the blocks were placed, he pushed the stack over--CRASH--and giggled while he collected them for another go. (I used to do the same thing with wooden blocks in Kindergarten to the amusement of my classmates and consternation of the class on the floor below. As Zhivago's half-brother said, "It's a gift!")

As the stores were closing and it was getting late, we called for the limo and exited the mall. We asked our driver to just ride around while we opened presents (including a very nice hooded sweatshirt from Rick Voeller and his sons) and ate some birthday cupcakes. Eventually, we returned to the hotel and got out. Tiffany had to run inside with Alyson, but the rest of us posed for a photo or two at the limo. Our driver, Tommy of Total Luxury Limousine Service (www.totallimo.com 651-770-5668) refused a gratuity, showing that Rick Voeller had truly thought of everything.

We went to the room and watched about a third of the first DVD of the Star Wars Trilogy before everybody crashed for the night.

ST