Goodbye VV

Our run with our good ole Valhalla Voyager (that we almost skipped our honeymoon to buy) has come to an end.  It hasn't been used all that much from any of the partners...so it was time to put it up for sale.  Luckily it sold pretty quickly.  Can't promise the new owner will take it to every game but it will live on!   Thanks for 10 years of memories VV!

ABC Kids Expo

On Saturday we attended our neighbor Maci's 3rd birthday party.  It's so nice having kids Trevor's age nearby.  They are all such good friends!

 

About an hour into the party Sara headed to the airport.  It was finally trade show time!  After a quick flight we checked into our hotel and made our way to the trade show floor (a big thank you to the guy who took pity on us and let us ride in his golf cart thing!).  We set up the car seat that we brought with and a few other touches but felt very lucky that we hired out the rest.  A lot of other booths were still being assembled.  We are pretty happy with how it turned out!

Elvis was in the hotel lobby so of course he called for a selfie!  We should have loaded him up with car seat coolers.

That night we were feeling like Mexican food and found a highly rated one.  As it turns out it was right next to a strip club.  LOL! 

 The food and drinks were so yummy though!

 

We were smart though and got back to the hotel around 8pm to make sure we were rested for the first day of the show!  Looking good!

In order to attract potential buyers we held a drawing for diamond earrings! 

Day one was pretty slow, but it was a Sunday and the first week of football but it was great practice meeting with other exhibitors and Buyers!  The show was 9-6 every day and on Sunday night they had a reception for everyone.  Free food and drinks...of course we were going but kept it low key.  Day two:

Ali Landry was there promoting her new app so with a little nudging Julie tracked her down and asked if we could have a pic with her.  Sara quickly followed with our car seat cooler.  She loved the product and wanted to take one!

Monday night called for football!  The Cardinals were playing so we headed to the new SLS hotel and watched part of the game.  Julie tried out a frozen beer...not so good!

While watching football back at the room we did facial masks....our skin never felt better afterward!

We continued having a great show on Tuesday so we decided to try out a local Foot Lounge place...Sara was skeptical but trusts Julie so we went.

At least they know a lot about feet!

The wait was long so we went next door to a billard hall.  And to quote Julie 'if you see knives, run....'  What? 

It might have looked a bit sketch on the outside but inside was just fine.  So we had a few drinks before going back for our massage...

You are fully clothed and you sit on a plush recliner with your feet in warm water.  Best massage ever.  Seriously!!  And $38!!!

After that we planned to do sushi but neither of us felt like that so we went back to the yummy Mexican place.  Cheers!

We had kind of a late night that night but we were in Vegas.  Wednesday was the last day of the trade show and it was pretty slow except for talking to Buy Buy Baby!!!  Fingers and toes crossed that we can partner with them to get the only Car Seat Cooler with COOLTECH into their stores!

Doggie is home!

So Toby (yes, the name is final) came home while Sara was away at the trade show (more to come on that).  Yay!!  Although poor Daddy probably had his hands full with two kids and a puppy but nothing he couldn't handle!

First though are some pictures that his foster Mommy sent of his time away.  You could tell he started feeling better with the eye cream and breathing treatments.

 As well from the love he got from the little girl where he was staying.

 And then Daddy to the rescue!

 Bet it felt good to be home!  (Trevor is so helpful, he puts his fingers out to get the attention of whomever isn't looking at the camera...in this case Toby)

And things fell right into place like he never left...

Daddy had a cuddle buddy back!

Ashley is all about the doggie.  Seriously.  She follows him everywhere, gives hugs and just has the biggest smile.  She insists on hand feeding him every morsel of food!

Toby even goes to work with Daddy most every day.  Where's Toby?

Sacked out on his bed on top of Brian's desk.  Brian says Toby needs to be right by him.  LOL

And it's becoming funny how Daddy falls asleep on the couch with Toby nearby that Mommy is sure to snap photos to remember :)

Toby is so little compared to other doggies at Brian's work!

After leaving him at home a few times and him getting loose from his area and having an accident we started familiarizing Toby with Randle's old kennel.  And it worked!  He goes in his kennel without issue!  And when we get home he is just laying there looking at us. 

Not sure he could be a better dog...doesn't bark (even at the doorbell), shed, is good with the kids, is house trained, kennel trained and sleeps all night.  We are lucky!

First day of Pre-K Round 2!

Trevor missed his first day of pre-k because we were in Minnesota (that's what happens when you book your trip months before looking at the following year's school calendar).  This kid though knows what to do because he is in pre-k for what feels like his umpteenth year!  He was very excited to see his friends at La Casa!

 Ashley is very into saying 'cheese' and getting her photo taken so she had to be in big brother's pictures!

 Cars were parked where we normally take our beginning of year and end of year pics but that's okay.  This worked too!

 And Mommy tried to get one more of her big 4.75 year old.  Of course Ashley had to be in it and of course Trevor was like 'come on Mom...you are embarrassing me!'

Toby

Robbie, Tatum, Toby...not really sure we know what his name is yet.  As our friend Erin said he'll probably have to go to a psychologist because of multiple personality disorder LOL.  He's fitting in with our family just fine though.  He went to work with Brian Wednesday through Friday and fit right in...

He settled in at home too.  Favorite spot is anywhere where we are!  Funny story about his first morning home was that Brian got up at 5am to use the restroom because of the time difference and Toby lifted his head off of his bed and was like 'you aren't serious...it is not time to get up.'  Guess he can sleep like his Daddy!

Case in point...lazy bum sleeping in Daddy's office.

He is like Randle....loves the couch and just being by people.  Trevor is glad to have a doggie around too!

Ashley pretty much just likes to antagonize Toby but he puts up with it.  She lights up just looking at him.

Before we forget, we named him Tatum because we live off of Tatum and if we ever move it would be a nice reminder of AZ.  But when Brian brought him into work his co-workers said he didn't look like a Tatum and that Tatum wasn't masculine enough so the name hunt continued.  Way too many to name.  Some that Sara is remembering right now are Homer, Chip, Chewie, Wookie, Brewster, and RJ and probably 100 more that went back and forth while Brian was in AZ and Sara was in MN.  Currently it stands as Toby because we like going to Toby Keith's bar and grill and one is going to open soon a mile down the road. 

 However, it became apparent that Toby wasn't doing too well.  He stopped eating and drinking so we took him into the vet on Labor Day and he was there all day getting fluids through an IV, two shots of antibiotics and blood work done (his white blood cells were a little low). 

 They wanted him to come back Tuesday for more fluids and to check how he was doing (they threw out that he may have distemper...whatever you do, don't read about it!!).   But we brought him home and it was good to have our family of five together.

He still didn't seem right though so we called his foster Mom Sherry though who was very concerned about him.  She came to see him Monday night and after talking with the Rescue Group owner, they wanted to take him back to get well.  They were pretty sure it wasn't distemper but more like pneumonia because he was sick (kennel cough) then got better then got sick.  They have a breathing treatment machine that they can use that they felt would work.

So we will miss him until he can come home...they thought in about a week!  XOXO Toby/Tatum/Robbie/Chip  feel better soon!

First Diamondbacks Game!

We ventured out to our first Diamondbacks game and had a really good time!

Although, goof ball here tripped and skinned his knee after getting out of the car and we're sure that hurt him a lot all game :-(

Mommy isn't so good at taking group selfies but his smile was too cute in this one not to post!

The kids made out like bandits with the food...corn dog, pretzel, popcorn, cotton candy.  Our kids can eat :)

We did get there a little late but they made it through the whole game!  The two hour time difference from MN wasn't an issue.  They adjust just fine.  Oh and no, the Diamondbacks didn't win.  Maybe next time!

Minnesota!!!!

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!!!