Minnesota!

 Ashley got to take her first flight and boy was she excited to go to Minnesota!!  The rest of the family was too!  Sara and the kids were going for two weeks and Brian was just going for a quick weekend trip. 

Ashley did fabulous on her first flight and so did Trevor as usual.  We landed around 8:00pm to cold, rainy weather but that wasn't going to stop our fun.  Plus, we were a little bored with all of the heat and sun we have in AZ ;)  After landing we picked up an old favorite of ours - Punch Pizza and brought it to the hotel we were staying at and ate it poolside (along with some wine) with Grandma Pauline and Papa John who were also in MN to go to Lauren and Brooke's dance recital.  We stayed at a hotel since we got in so late and we had plans in the morning to meet some of our close friends at Lion's Park across from our old house.  Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate with our plans and after much hemming and hawing we decided to have everyone meet at Edinborough Park, an indoor park with lots of fun areas for the kids to play.  We enjoyed seeing Alex and his blue hair!, Sophia, Myles, Reagan, Anna, Charlie, Benny, Bridget and Mac along with their parents.

 Our time there went too quick but soon it was time to get to Jeff and Dawn's so that we could all hang out before they needed to leave for a gala (how fun!!).  The girls really enjoyed holding Ashley.

 They couldn't believe how big she is!

 Of course we had to get a pic of all of the girl cousins in all of their pink...

 ....before we added in some blue!

 We enjoyed a yummy bbq lunch and the kids had their own little table which works perfect.

 Ashley tried on Leah's birthday crown and hmmm...it seemed to fit just right.  And look pretty cute too!

We left their house around 6:30pm to head to Sara's parents house and within two blocks Trevor was out cold. 

On Sunday, Sara's parents hosted their annual Mother's Day celebration (just a little late since they were in Italy for the beginning part of May).  All of Nana Jeanne's siblings came along with Aunt Alice's family.  It was nice to see everyone and introduce them to Ashley.  We thought we'd get a cute family pic while we were there but nope, Trevor didn't want to get in.  Stinker.  That's okay, it's nice to have one with just Ashley we guess.  And no, we didn't purposely color coordinate.  We just tend to do that a lot. 

 Sunday was an okay weather day during the party so Sam and Trevor got to go outside and help their Daddy's build a car with Sara and Jim's old Omagles.  And have some ice cream of course.

Inside Nana got to hold her two big blue-eyed granddaughters!

 The cousins sure enjoyed seeing one another!

 On Monday Daddy had a very early morning flight (read, he left the house at 5am) and the weather was once again rainy so we stuck around home and played with all of Nana and Papa Steve's toys!!  Mommy remembers playing with this one at Grandma Kelly's house.  It's great because it helps Ashley practice her sitting!

 We purchased a mattress designed to fit into the pack and play that Nana and Papa Steve have at their house.  Once we moved it into the room Sara was sleeping in she did pretty good.  Definitely better the early nights of the trip and better for naps than at night.  What an angel.

 Trevor was such a good boy while Daddy was away.  Listening, not whining, helping with his sister and playing independently.  We think it's the Grandparents magic!  In any case, he was so in love with the monster truck that Myles and Reagan gave him at the park that we went to Target for him to get another one and have them race.  Pretty sure Trevor just wanted it because Sam had a Spiderman monster truck but whatever, he did play with them a lot during our time in MN.

 Even Superman goes super boomers.  Trevor was chasing his Omagle down the driveway and skidded along with it.  Ouch!  He's a super trooper though and didn't throw too much of a fit!  Was back on his hot wheels in no time.  Plus he had to put on a good front for his new 'girlfriend' Sam - Sara's parents' neighbor with whom he hung out last year.  After seeing her again he said 'she's pretty!' The best part is that she has a pretty personality too.  She may watch the kids on another trip to MN so Sara and her parents can go wine tasting together!

 On Tuesday Sam didn't have school or daycare so we headed to the Cities and met Annie and crew at the MN Zoo.  The boys had a lot of fun chasing each other to each exhibit.  Sometimes even stopping to look at the animals.

 The girls had fun too! 

While Nana Jeanne was feeding Elena, Annie and Sara took the kids to see Trevor's favorite exhibit...the fishies!

 Secretly, Sara wanted to see if Ashley was as big of a fan of the fishies like her brother was at this age.  Yep!!

 Tuesday evening we tried the rice cereal again.  It had been 8 days since she had it and boy was she ready!  She loved the stuff!

 The weather was always a bit chilly but that was okay.  Like we said, it was a nice break from the heat and it gave Ashley a chance to wear some of the gifts she received....like this adorable pink sweater!

 Ashley loves being a little sister!!  Such a happy gal!

 Practicing her model pose :)  Check out her hair too.  We think it is going to stand straight up like Trevor's!!

 We were in the car a lot this trip but the kids sure didn't seem to mind.  At one point Sara looked back and here they were holding hands.  Precious!

 Every evening around dinner time Ashley had her cereal.  After a few days of mixing breastmilk with the rice cereal we tried just using water and it was a hit!  If you didn't get the spoon in fast enough she wasn't shy about grabbing the spoon and leading it to her mouth!

 On Saturday Sara and the kids headed up to Leah's 3rd birthday party.  Dawn made her a princess cake and boy did it look good.  Almost too good to eat.  Almost...her cakes are delicious!!

 The kids played very well together, like usual.  The hit of the party was the big princess bouncy house that they rented.  The weather cooperated and a fun time was had by all.

 We even got a picture of all five kids smiling....a Grandma Pauline request!

 After her party we headed over to Jim and Annie's for the kids to play a little bit before going to Houlihan's for dinner.  Well, that was an experience and a good reminder why going out to eat with two 3+ year olds is not always a relaxing time!

On Sunday we headed back to the Cities for our Goddaughter Elena's Baptism.  Elena wore Ashley's Baptismal gowns and added tights and shoes because it was so cold.  Part of her gift from us was a special Christening headband and personalized bracelet that she can use on her wedding day as a garter and a wrap around her bouquet.  She looked so pretty!  No she didn't wear the bib during the service!

 Although we are Catholic, it was refreshing to hear the Pastor during the homily ask the congregation to look around for families with small children.  Everyone did.  She then asked people to tell those parents with small children 'good job' - she went on to say how it isn't easy bringing small children to service but faith is important in families and going to church together is important.  She went on to say that a quiet church is a dying church.  That message resonated well. 

Elena did great during her Baptism.  Didn't cry when the water was being poured over her head and when the Pastor was holding her up to the congregation and announcing her, Elena flashed the biggest smile for all to see.  Her timing was perfect.  Sam did good too.  He was fascinated with the Baptismal fountain and what started as just dipping his fingers in quickly became playing with his whole hands.  Once again Sara was amazed at the Pastor's reaction.  Instead of making a big 'no no' deal about it, she said 'It's okay, it's Baptismal water.' That was then his pass to roll up his sleeves and really play.  It all worked out! (And amazingly Trevor knew not to even attempt to play.  Well, maybe one quick finger touch to the fountain but that was it).

Here is the Roslansky side minus Brian :(

 Here are three of Elena's sponsors - just missing Brian and Nicci and Mike.  Love the reflection in the water!

 A picture of brother and sister.  Actually looks like they like each other.  He he!  Of course they do!

 And all of Elena's family in attendance!  Speaking of attendees with small children :)

 On Memorial Day Monday the weather was once again cold and gloomy so we headed to Lakefield where Sara's parents grew up.  Sara's Uncle Don was in town too so we all headed to Spirit Lake, IA to enjoy the Godfather's buffet where Sara and Brian used to take her Grandma Kelly.  Yum!!  Afterward we headed to one of Uncle Don's farmlands and he gave us a ride in his Ranger.  

Trevor thought the ride all around his property was the coolest thing ever.  We were one with nature!  Guess what is on Trevor's Christmas list now? 

After that we headed to the cemetery where Sara's grandparents are all buried.  Ashley slept through 'meeting' Grandma Kelly.

  Same with Grandma Roslansky.  Trevor wondered if we should wake her up for this important event!  It was a long car ride (two hours each way) but it was worth every second to be able to capture these pictures and share memories!

On Tuesday we spent some time cleaning.  We meaning Trevor ;)

 And we spent some time outside.  Sam, the neighbor came over and played quite a while with Trevor.  Even bringing him over to her house to get some trucks!  Ashley really liked watching from a stroller!

 Trevor loved pushing Ashley around in the stroller and Ashley loved it too.  These two are going to be inseparable.  Well, we hope it continues anyway!

 One of the big things that Trevor really enjoyed was playing with Sara's old legos.  Well according to the box Sara was crossed off and Jim's name was there but then Jim was crossed off and Sara was there.  Ah, memories!  Trevor was big into making shooting ships. 

 On Wednesday Nana and Papa Steve watched the kids so that Sara could go to the stylist she's been going to since she was 14.  We decided to go back to Sara's natural hair color.  Turned out pretty cute!  Just what Sara wanted!

 Besides eating cereal, we also focused on having Ashley take a bottle.  Well that was easy.  She had no problem so a date night is in Brian and Sara's future back in AZ!!

 Ashley seriously couldn't get enough of the car toy.  Looks like Dada better start saving his money to buy his little princess a car!

 On Wednesday evening we tackled making cut out cookies since it was something we hadn't done before but he sure likes pretending with playdough.  It was a hit!  He really liked making gingerbread man cut outs!  Probably because they were the biggest!

 And he really liked putting sprinkles on before the cookies went in the oven. They were pretty tasty!

 What did Ashley do?  She was perfectly content chewing on old toys and rattles that Sara remembers from when she was little!

 On Thursday, Sara's cousins Katie and Anne along with Katie's son Max came down to visit.  It meant a lot to Sara that they did that!  It was nice seeing them again after the 'Mother's Day' celebration.  Trevor enjoyed showing Max all around and sharing his cookies and ice cream!

 It was while we were eating lunch that Brian called to give an update on Randle.  Brian said that on Wednesday evening after he got home from work that Randle wasn't himself and then had a pretty restless night so he brought him into the vet on Thursday morning.  This picture screams 'Mommy I don't feel good' which made Sara sad that she couldn't be there to take care of him.  Sara kind of wondered though if Randle was just missing his family.  We were gone for close to two weeks at this point.  

Well after the vet ran some tests we learned that Randle's kidney disease has worsened.  His creatine level was 13 and the vet had never seen over an 11 before.  Ugh.  We decided to run an IV all day to see if that could help flush out the toxins so that he would be more comfortable and hopefully hang on until Sara and kids came back the next day.  Please say prayers for Randle!!!

Well of course on Friday morning, the day we were leaving the sun comes out!!  So we soaked it up with lots of driveway time until we needed to leave for the airport around 11am. 

 And of course we took one quick pic of the kids and their MN grandparents.  Sara purposely dressed the kids in the same outfits that they had on when Brian last saw them in MN so it was like no time had really passed between seeing them again!

 On the way to the airport Sara noticed that Ashley had her first tooth slit - bottom right.  The crater is there just waiting for the little tooth to poke up!  So that may explain why fussy pants was up constantly at night!  Every 1-3 hours.  Even with her comfy mattress.  We thought it might have been an ear infection but nope.  Teething.  Next time we'll try Tylenol :)

We met Uncle Jim and family at the airport because they were flying to AZ for vacation at the same time we were!  Different airlines but approximately the same time.  That was nice but it caused us to get to the airport a bit earlier than we normally would.  Not a problem for these travelers though.  After going through security and saying 'see you soon' to Jim, Annie, Sam and Elena we got some fries and had a little picnic on the floor. 

 After that it was nap time for Ashley so Sara wore her in the bjorn and we walked around.  She slept, Trevor watched the airplanes and before you knew it, it was our time to board!  We boarded last since we didn't have anything to put overhead and that worked out good.  Why board early just to sit there?  We had a 3+ hour flight to sit. 

We had window and aisle seats but the guy in the middle gladly changed to the aisle when he saw us.  With us boarding last he was probably thinking he had the row to himself, but nope it was a full plane.  The kids did great on the flight.  We played, watched the ipad, read books, rocked Ashley to sleep and then we landed!  We didn't talk much to the guy next to us until the end when he admitted he was a bit nervous upon seeing us but couldn't believe how good the kids were.  Sara said 'yeah, they did pretty good.'  He said 'pretty good?  No they did very good!' :)

When we got past security in AZ we saw Daddy and Randle there to greet us.  Wow did we feel special but the best part was seeing Randle get all excited and spin in circles until we all petted him.  He was glad his family was back together again and so were we!  We had a fabulous trip and were thankful that Nana Jeanne and Papa Steve let us stay so long so that we could have many special memories.  But, with Randle's condition it did feel good to get back home!  Xoxo