"the DC"... as my dad calls it.

actually he doesn't call it that at all, but apparently

he got a tweet from my great aunt vicki who DOES call it "the DC".

a tweet...

anyways! 

the Dolan Classic is an amazing tradition that my dad's family has had

for the past 42 years. it's kind of amazing if you think about it. 

the family started with my great grandparents who, through struggle and hard times,

raised 13 amazing individuals. out of them came 72 (i think that's the correct number!)

including my dad. and from there we continue to multiply... like good irish catholics :)

during the last full weekend in july, we dolans migrate from where ever

we are in the world to the southwest quadrant of minnesota to spend a weekend

golfing, drinking, and catching up with our beloved extended family.

for us, it starts with the drive through the minnesota river valley:

past a few farms:

   

and down a country road or two:

after that, it's a blur of hugs and laughter and singing

and more laughter... possibly a beer or two... and more hugs.

every year, since i was able to go, we've stayed at the same motel.

it used to be called the cozy grove- not the wilder inn,

 but i guess it's one of the places that will always be the cozy grove, always.

guaranteed top 5 weekend every year. this time included a little

tongue lashing from the hells angels. as if i'm scared of some pansies on bikes.

ok... i may have shit my pants... twice.

next year i plan on being a pro photographer and coming back

with something other than iphone pics.

speaking of... i'm seeing a trend in the filter i've been choosing.

time for a change, tricia. time for a change. 

the dolan classic.

kevan and i spent a few days in southwestern mn over the weekend.

it's a guaranteed top 5 weekend of every year. 

i'm late for work! more on this later :)

this is the man.

in murren sept. 2011

this is the man who taught me how to be a great competitor, 

but always show grace and sportsmanship on the field.

the man who showed me that sometimes humor is the world's best medicine.

who gives the world's best hugs.

this is the man who taught me how hard work always and sacrifice in the now,

can bring amazing accomplishments and experiences to the future.

the man who can make best friends out of a room of strangers.

who showed me what it's like to be a true and honest person and

to put the best for the group above the best for the individual.

this is the man who gave me life in more ways than one.

the man who taught me the difference between right and wrong.

who showed me how to live and make the most out of everything thrown your way.

this is the man whose birthday is today.

happy birthday, oh wonderful father of mine!

may the adventure continue for many many years to come.

what a weekend.

oh my word, what a weekend.

the scanlan clan headed up north to spend a long weekend

on the lake celebrating our queen matriarch's 80th birthday.

there was swimming in the frigid lake, building people in the sand, campfires,

songs, riddles, karaoke, scanlan olympics, broken ankles and toes, boat rides, and 

oh so much more. to live this weekend over and over would be a dream :)

now, a photo dump:

without them, there would be no us.

this little bea is the first of the fourth.

emily, mary, and con.

boo boo in the sand.

patrick creating life.

watching old home movies.

the originals. 

last night campfire. yes. i was roasting 8 mallows.

drive home.

Family.

"So, you have two cousins. I have 27 first cousins. Just 27 first cousins alone! And my whole family is big and loud. And everybody is in each other's lives and business. All the time! Like, you never just have a minute alone, just to think, 'Cause we're always together, just eating, eating, eating!"

~Toula 

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (not to be confused with my big fat gypsy wedding) was on TV

this morning and when this part came on and Toula tells this to Ian, i couldn't help laughing.

it was like i was looking at Kevan and i. he has a close immediate family and an extended family

that i've never met. and then there's me. 13 cousins on my dads side, 21 on my moms. and this weekend,

we'll be up north with my mom's family- laughing, gasping, joking, drinking, singing (lots of singing)- and 

it's all just such a foreign thing for him.

granted, we've been together 4 years and this is by far not his first ride at the scanlan rodeo, but

sometimes i just wonder what's going through his head. everyone in my family is so...

passionate. we talk big, sing big, love big. not saying that it's not the most wonderful experience

in the world to be with them and everyone should be totally jealous that they're not in our family

(cause you should be), but it can be slightly overwhelming. even for an insider. 

i know that he really truly loves my whole family and he would tell me if it was too much for him

and i guess what the real point of this post is... is that i am just so lucky.

so lucky to have a man in my life that can be so patient with me and my craziness and
everything i put him through and always puts me and my family first.

 my big, loud, irish family. 

National Pancake Day.

we love pancakes around these parts.

typically blueberry, sometimes from a box, always delicious.

we love pancakes.

and as yesterday was National Pancake Day, naturally

we had pancakes.

i used this recipe and they were actually pretty good,

which is saying a lot because we are a picky bunch.

especially when it comes to pancakes.

 the night started with bacon in the oven... mmmmmmm.

400 degrees for 20-ish minutes. turns out perfect every. single. time.

then came pancakes on the stove. some with blueberries and some plain.

followed by the sad face when the girl learned this was our brinner (breakfast for dinner... i'm clever)

not hers.

but of course someone snuck some into her bowl.

so the night was good for all.

NPD is good for me!

Europe part 2

our second day was spent traversing the city of Lausanne.

  from Old Town to the shores of Lake Geneva- it was spectacular. 

if you look real close at the picture of Kevan standing in the chapel doorway,

you'll see the "official" chapel door holder... and by "official" i mean beggar.

it took forever for me to get a picture without him standing in the background,

smiling and waving at me...

we realized after we got back that this was the only picture of the 4 of us... 

lookin' sexy as he washes his sins away... hopefully he didn't bring home typhoid

The next morning we headed around the lake...

through the country side:

and up into the Alps:

let's see how long it takes part 3 to be posted ;)

in less than a month.

i'll be here:

then here:

then here:

and lastly:

i honestly can't thank my most amazing parents enough for the trip of a lifetime.

i feel so incredibly blessed to be given the opportunity to experience such beauty,

especially with my wonderful family.



ps... 10 points to whoever guess where we're going :)

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The Classic

A little background here:

My Grandpa Louis was the oldest of 13 siblings who gre up on a farm in MN.

My Dad was the youngest of 8 siblings on a farm in the same area.

My Dad has a total of 72 first cousins... On one side.... yeah.

For the past 41 years, that family has gathered together on the last full weekend in July for a get-together/golf tournament/family runion catchall and if you take into consideration all of the 6 generations in attendence and the age limit you have to reach before you can come- there's roughly 150 family members at the 9-hole golf course.

i can honestly say that it is something that i look forward to each year.

there's something special about my dad's family. i'm not sure how to put a name to it.

it's more of a feeling.

i know... sap sap mush mush.

but really, every single person that attends the Classic is funny, generous, outgoing, caring, hilllllllarious, etc. etc. etc. etc.

i could go on forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever...
you get the point.

anywhos... this year was no exception. we headed down on friday afternoon.

you can see the Milroy watertower waaaaaaaay in the background <3

we hugged and visited and drank and laughed the whole time.

it is always so much fun to catch up with everyone.

next year we're going down on Thursday... fo sho.

Manamals

      

Winnie the destroyer/codependent Golden. Puck the ass cat.

These are my children

and

i lurv them both.