On Tuesday the 19th Sara and the kids headed to Minnesota. We thought for sure their flight would be cancelled or delayed after waking up to this monsoon two hours before their flight. Ugh.
But nope it said ontime so off we went. We had a little bit of time before we boarded thanks to a short security line so we got some cookies and hung out. Diva's so cool she needs her sunglasses on to eat!
And before you knew it, it was time to board! And then just sit.....for what seemed like eternity. The pilot was great about giving updates like 'not sure we'll ever get out' 'this airplane line is awful' 'only one runway open for arrivals and departures' and then the worst was that the wind direction changed because of the storm so the aiport had to reverse meaning that the first airplane in line for the one runway that was open now had to start a parade around the airport to get to the otherside to take off and we all had to figure out how to follow and stay in order. So this was the line up of planes going around the airport. Double ugh!
And just when Sara posted on FB 'For the love of God can this plane just get off the ground' off we were!! Trevor did great. Stayed on his ipad watching movies and playing games. But Ashley needed to be entertained. One way of doing so...using the camera to watch herself make silly faces!
And then about an hour behind schedule we landed. Whew!! We headed to Mall of America to get some shoes for the kids and eat at Rainforest Cafe. The kids sure thought that was neato!
On the way back to Owatonna both kids fell asleep!
Our first night home was low key but the kids were raring to go on Wednesday. They couldn't wait to get outside and play since unless we are in the pool in Arizona we certainly are not outside playing.
Trevor has a memory of steel...he had a list of things he wanted to do including going to the library so we did! Trevor picked out 19 books...mainly Lego that he enjoyed looking through and having them read to him.
He picked tomatoes.
Quite the haul
And although he took a little bite, he was not a fan!
He checked out the plants that he planted back in May. They are almost as tall as him!
And he stayed busy for hours with those shoe laces again!!
We played ball!
We made cars out of boxes...
..as well as cars out of Omagles! Thankful for all of the toys that Nana and Papa Steve saved from Mommy's childhood!
Not sure who had the most fun!
And then it was done and Nana took them for a ride!
Pretty soon there was a little neighbor boy who came over when he saw Trevor in the driveway.
They hit it off!
After dinner we headed to Blast (another Trevor request) and we enjoyed ice cream. Sara also ran into an old high school friend of hers so it was fun to catch up with her!
When we got home we soaked up more time outside. Ahhhh....grass!!! Real grass!!!
One of the things we wanted to do while home was to purge some of Sara's childhood things that we still stored in boxes in the basement. At one time Sara was like a hoarder not wanting to get rid of anything but now she says out with the old and in with the new. Plus if you have a picture of something it's almost like still having it. So take a pic and move on. Bye old stuffed animals and dolls. Good memories but someone else will play with you (why does this sound like the movie Toy Story?)
Sara thought it was cute that while at home a letter came for her Grandma Kelly who passed away a few days before Trevor was born close to five years ago. Sara firmly believes it was no coincidence. From Heaven, Grandma Kelly wanted her to know that she's watching over us. Miss you Grandma K!
On Thursday Trevor's little friend popped over again and they played Legos and sidewalk chalk.
We baked in preparation for our Arrowwood trip. Best part of baking? Licking the bowl!
So then we went to Arrowwood (separate post) and upon driving back into the Cities we stopped by our old house to see how the trees were growing. The answer would be slowly!
We drove by our first house too before stopping at the store to get dinner for Jeff, Dawn and the girls. It was Lauren and Brooke's first day of school so we wanted to get over there right away to spend time with them. Lauren was very excited to see Ashley and the feeling was mutual!
We played kick ball and soccer and just had a lot of fun!
Uncle B grilled and Trevor found a new friend!
After dinner the kids put on a show for us!
And before we knew it, it was time for the girls to get to bed and for us to drive back. We were thankful for our time together, however short or long. And we really enjoyed spending special time with the girls. Can't wait to see them again in November!
On Tuesday we drove up to the great MN get together that we had been missing since moving. There is just nothing like the MN State Fair. And seeing the skyline as we drove by. Miss that beautiful view!
Uncle Jim had to work and Elena went to daycare but these two were just glad they were both in the same place at the same time!
First stop...giant slide!!
Not sure Ashley cracked a smile until she stopped at the end!
Second stop? Cookies! Cookies have eggs and eggs are breakfast food so why not?
Then onto cotton candy! Thank goodness this day only comes once a year...or every few years!
Ahhhh..the Saskatch is after B!
We met up with our friend Andrew and his kiddos Myles and Reagan!
Together we watched a magic show about farming.
Everyone loved Uncle Andrew!
Trevor insisted that Andrew hold his hand :)
And Ashley was all about the kisses!
After that we went our own way and the kids enjoyed a popsicle. They each had to eat from one end so it looked like they were kissing.
Then Miss Ashley took a snooze. A long snooze for being at the fair in a stroller!
While she was sleeping the in-laws took the kids on the Sky Ride!
They loved it!!
And then they watched the marching band while enjoying their ice cream cones!
And when it was time for Sam and Annie to catch their bus home the boys gave each other the most genuine hug ever. It was so precious!!
Before Brian had to catch his flight we had time for a few rides at Kiddieland. First up, Tilt a Whirl with Mommy!
Round and round. We loved it!
And he used the last of his tickets on bumper cars. First time driving by himself!
And after some major traffic we got Daddy to the airport. Don't think Trevor even realized what was happening but Ashley was wide awake and gave her Daddy a big kiss. See you on Friday Dada!
Daddy arrived back just in time to pick up our new doggie. This is Sherry his foster Mom. She is an absolute angel. Lucky to know such a sweet person.
And Daddy is so excited to have a doggie again!
On Wednesday Sara headed up to the Cities again...this time without the kids so that she could see her friend Erin and her new little guy Nicholas! He's so big now and such a cutie!!!
After a quick visit she headed to the State Fair again. This time it was girls night! Annie and Sara got to enjoy some fries and wine before Sara's cousins came!
The first order of business? Food!
And something new....deep fried cookie dough!
These gals just mean the world to Sara so it was good they could get together. They are just so easy to love and we have so much fun together! XOXO
And after some more wine it was concert time!
Tim McGraw!!! (Just like 4 years ago!!)
Singing along!!
Sistas!
What were the kids doing back with Nana and Papa Steve? Keeping busy that's for sure! Ashley loved the magnets!
Playing at the park!
And eating cookies (two, not one according to Trevor!)
On Thursday it was rainy, cold and gloomy (but felt so good!!) so it was a perfect purging day. Ashley stomped around in the winter boots we brought for her for our December trip. The girl is ready for some snow!
Purge we did. Nothing was safe, not even Sara's 6 boxes of napkins. Still can't believe Sara's parents saved all this stuff and hauled it from house to house!!!!
Ashley loved the little kitchen and baby area. She apparently thought she was one of the babies!
On Friday morning we met Jim for a quick breakfast. He had the day off to finish up the kitchen project so it was great to see him since we missed him at the fair.
Ashley loved doing shoulders in the middle of the restaurant!
And then it was time for the airport. Trevor got very sad after going through security but we reminded him that Nana and Papa Steve will be in AZ very soon!! Plus tears can dry up pretty quick when cookies come out :-)
The kids were excellent in the airport, holding hands everywhere!
And on the plane, Ashley fell asleep before take off!
She slept for about an hour and was an angel the other two. She did fabulous for her last flight as an 'infant in arms'.
And with that we got back in time to spend the entire Labor Day weekend as a family of five. Can't wait to see our doggie in our own home!!!! Thanks Nana and Papa Steve for another wonderful trip. We love you very very much!!!
