Calley Family Reunion in Minnesota

This was the 3rd Calley family reunion I attended and I enjoyed it just as much as the others. We drove the 14 hours to Prior Lake where we met up with almost all the family (Dave and his family were unable to attend and were truly missed. Jordan who is serving a full time mission in Mexico was also missed). Then we all drove to Two Harbors where we enjoyed three days near Lake Superior. I couldn't believe how big Lake Superior was; it looked more like an ocean than a lake. The water was freezing, but that didn't keep most of the boys (old and young) from running into it. When you get the Calley brothers together there is never a dull moment. All they need is a ball, a rock, or a freezing lake and WA-LAH, they will be entertained for hours.


During our three days near Lake Superior we swam, canoed, roasted marshmallows over a fire, crashed a wedding, raced down an alpine slide, took a short detour to see a 'huge' lighthouse (Jon called it a light bulb), played the Calley annual softball game, ate tons of food, played games, hardly slept, and laughed.

After three days of nonstop fun we continued our adventure to downtown Minneapolis where we stayed at the Marriott and caught up on some much needed sleep. Several of us got up early and ran the Firecracker (some did 2 miles while others did a 10K). Steve and I got a private tour of Target Headquarters. I was amazed at how big it was. Target takes over three skyscrapers. It was fun to get to see the ins and outs of it. Thanks Alvin for the 10 cent tour!!! Then we all went to Target Field where we cheered on the Twins who conquered the Rays. We finished the day enjoying fireworks and getting our last minute Minnesota souvenirs (bug bites).


Here are a few highlights from our trip:

• Grandma getting hit by the ball during the Softball game

• Everyone's new and totally 'workable' inventions

• Steve clogging the toilet at the hotel...no surprise there.

• The surprise that Steve was the ONLY ONE who did clog the toilet.

• Being the only ones in Mall of America (we didn't know it would close early... it made it the cheapest trip to the mall ever!)
  

• Danny using a gallon ice cream container as a softball mitt

• Walking through a wedding in our casual camp clothes. Everyone was dressed up and enjoying the beautiful reception and we just waltzed right on through. Don't we have class?

• Eating watermelon for every meal and Josh's spaghetti dinner that kept on giving.
  

• Searching for hitchhiker leeches that might have attached during our hike and swimming up the waterfall.


• Grandma and Grandpa going down the alpine slide

• Jon's unique sense of 'fashion'

• Passing little miss Ellie around. I don't think she was ever not being held; no one can say she isn't loved.

• 16 of us going golfing with only 4 sets of golf clubs

• The dramatic temperature change. Only driving 4 miles and the temperature would drop or rise 20 degrees. It was crazy.

• Bug bites...need I say more?

• Getting slap happy during our late night card games.
  

• Darren's ability to get the family organized and motivated!

• Heather's unchallenged Perpetual Commotion victory title
  

• Stacey and Alvin's dead car battery (can't be a complete trip without at least one car problem)

• The boys and brothers running into freezing Lake Superior and screaming (did I mention they were right next to an outdoor wedding)

• Jon falling into the lake and ruining his iPhone while trying to save a baby fish. (I don't even know what happened to the fish?)