The day after school got out, Mommy and the kids headed to MN so that we could attend the Kelly family get together the next day and spend some time with Nana and Papa Steve. We have an unwritten rule started by Nana that we try to not let more than 2 months go by without seeing one another. Started when we moved to Arizona and continues now with us in Arkansas! Of course the first thing that came out within an hour of arriving was Sara's old snack shop from when she was little.
On Sunday the troops arrived!
The Kelly siblings!
Kelly siblings plus significant others!
Cousins!!!
Cousins, Annie and the littles!
Mommy's MN tribe - pretty much sisters!!!
That night we kept Sam and Elena so the kids could have a sleepover and so that we could head to Owatonna's Memorial Day parade the next day!
We brought them back to Eden Prairie later that day and had a BBQ at Jim and Annie's before heading back to Nana and Papa's for a fun week!
Reading all the library books!
Yellow Mushroom pizza - YUM!
It was super important for Mommy to visit Aunt Alice (Grandma Kelly's sister) in Winona so one day we road-tripped. It was SO good to see her. The kids brought her little trinkets from their McDonalds happy meals and she was happy to see us, asking all about things. Trevor even sang her some patriotic songs for the Memorial Day holiday. Precious time that our souls all needed. We got to see Scott and Carmen too. And thank goodness we went. Less than a week later she joined her husband Uncle Elmer and Grandma Kelly up in Heaven. She held on until both of her boys (Scott and Roger) were with her. So many memories of Aunt Alice - loved her honesty, love of sweets and family and her smile. We will miss you Aunt Alice, until we are reunited in Heaven. XOXO
After visiting Aunt Alice we headed to a lookout point to see the town Mommy was born in!
Mommy's birthplace!
Then it was back to Owatonna for more fun!
Blast ice cream of course!
Then on Thursday we went up to the Cities to meet Grandma Pauline and Papa John who were in town to help Jeff and Dawn and family move into their new house.
After that we headed to the MN Zoo. Annie took the day off of work (!!) and we thought we were spending the day with Nana, Annie and Elena but nope!! When we got to the zoo Sam popped out from behind a rock and surprised us! Annie let him skip school (!!) to see us!!! And what a fun day we had! We miss the MN Zoo! Year 3 for the BFF shirts!!!!
Ashley taught Elena her signature pose! Cuties!
When we got back to Owatonna we stopped at the Blast for one last Dole Whip! The next day we had to head home to get Ashley back for her dance recital! Thanks Nana and Papa for hosting us, all the yummy meals, treats and activities. Love y'all!!!
