To Grandmothers House We Go – Christmas in Northern Minnesota

Hey Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and/or holiday depending on what you celebrate! For Christmas this year my family went to northern Minnesota to visit my grandmother and a few aunts, uncles and cousins. Although it’s pretty much guaranteed to be freezing it’s always worth the trip. Greenbush, the town that my grandmother lives in is very small (about 800 people). Being there always makes me slow down from my normal city living and helps me appreciate the small things – especially spending times with loved ones I don’t see as often as I would like.

To get to Greenbush is quite the journey. First I have to fly into Minneapolis (which is actually a great airport) and then either take a plane to Fargo or Grand Forks and drive a few hours. Thankfully a new airline called “boutique air” just started making flights from Minneapolis to Thief River (only about 45 minutes from Greenbush). Flying boutique air is probably the closest I will ever get to flying private. The plane only seats 8 people and the pilot (who is also your flight attendant) casually said “I”ll be wearing noise cancelling headphones but if you get cold just tap me on the shoulder and let me know”. Haha weirdest experience of my life but it was one of the smoothest flights I’ve ever been on.

On my first day in Greenbush my cousins and I went shopping at the two little boutiques uptown. The best part (and probably the worst if you live there) is that everyone knows everyone. When we went into the stores we were greeted with warm welcomes, treats and full size coffees… um yes please!

My cousin Kayla was nice enough to host my sister and I for the weekend. She decorated her house so cute for Christmas and had serious kitchen goals!

We celebrated Christmas Eve at my grandmas house. She had the most adorable table setting with napkins folded like Christmas trees! It was kind of surreal sitting at the “kids” table where our youngest cousin is now 21.

For Christmas my grandma made all of the granddaughters a pillow out of one of my grandfathers shirts…lets just say all of the granddaughters were balling our eyes out. Miss him everyday!

Thank goodness Santa was able to find me in Greenbush the next morning!

On Christmas day we went to my aunt and uncles cabin. It was the perfect place to cozy up by the fire with the family and spend some quality time catching up (and taking photos of course :).. haha my family thinks I’m insane)

Driving back to my grandmothers we passed a few things I couldn’t help but take pictures of. First – we are literally so close to Canada that there are signs to get there and signs for when the border closes.

Second – you can’t go to northern Minnesota without taking some classic pictures by Marvin Windows and Polaris.

Last – it wouldn’t be a post about going to Greenbush without displaying the treats that I had zero self control around. My family loves to bake and I literally don’t have the ability to say no…. I gain at least 5 pounds every time I go there – but totally worth it.

 

Xoxo,