Family Birthdays

Yesterday was Suzanna's 27th birthday ... and the 27th time that she has been with her parents on her birthday, even though she lives several states away! Let's see how long we can keep that going. (We already broke the streak with both Abigail and Hillary.)

We picked up coffee and headed to Bismarck, ND, in the morning. We shared appetizers and cocktails at the Ground Round before heading to Tilt Studio, a place in the Kirkwood Mall that is a giant arcade. We played video games, pinball, mini bowling, mini golf, go-karts, and laser tag and had a great time.

We had supper inside an igloo! We ate at the Paddle Trap in Mandan, ND, where we had reservations for "The Polar Trap," their wintertime outdoor dining experience: they set up clear vinyl igloos on their deck with tables, chairs, and space heaters inside. Then we went to Holiday Lights on Main, a Christmas light display in Dykshoorn Park in downtown Mandan. It was fun to explore the many giant light features and pose for pics ... but odd to see it all with so little snow on the ground.

Today we had lunch with Susan's dad, Roger; his girlfriend, JoAnn; and Susan's brother, Jerrett. Tomorrow is Roger's birthday, so this was an early birthday celebration and a chance for the girls to see more family before they leave ND. (We took Hillary to the airport this afternoon, and Suzanna and Zoey will drive back on Friday.) Tonight Suzanna, Susan, and I ate at India Clay Oven in Bismarck for our NYE supper and next will have a video-call with Abigail and Hillary to ring in the new year as a family.

(Click on any photo to enlarge it.)

Before going to the Ground Round, I hung out with Zoey while the ladies got pedicures at a place that pampers with massage chairs and cocktails ... how luxe!

The girls did best at the arcade games and mini bowling, but I kicked their butts at mini golf, go-kart racing, and laser tag!

It's so North Dakotan to subject ourselves to this frigidity just for the unusual dining experience. Behind us are a row of igloos on the deck overlooking the Missouri River.

One of many, many, many over-sized illuminated Christmas decorations in Dykshoorn Park. The below-freezing temps did not keep away the Mobergs ... or several other groups who wandered the displays, posed for photos, and warmed up beside the fire pits.