February & April Minnesota Trips

[Seems a little bit silly to be blogging about something so long ago but I already had the first part of the post nearly done and then decided to just lump two posts together so I'm just gonna roll with it...]

We planned a trip up to Minnesota for mid February since it had been awhile since we had visited and we had a new family member to introduce!

All of my kids were excellent travelers.  I've learned a few tricks over the years and that is a) travel during nap time and b) snacks, snacks and more snacks.

Ma is an expert garage sale and swap site shopper and has collected tons of fun toys, puzzles and books for the kids to enjoy when we visit.

I do believe Tiegan has a soft spot for her Papa and the feeling seems to be mutual.

We were excited to spend some time with Grandma Carey while we visited.  I love watching my kids with her.  

Tiegan is her 14th great grandchild!

Tiegan was just starting to smile during this visit but we had to work pretty hard to work them out of her!

We took the girls one afternoon to the IKEA and the Mall with it ALL because we had promised Lainey a trip to Lego Land.  Surprisingly, she didn't remember the existence of the Disney store (thank goodness) and we had a fun time.

We are just entering the Lego love years but I have a feeling we will all enjoy them as time goes on.  It is so fun to watch their minds explore and create such intricate things.

Working on her new set when we got back to my parents.

The ride home was another adventure but we made it safe and sound.

A couple months later we ventured north again, this time to go to my cousin Kelsey's bridal shower.

We typically pit stop at a McDonalds for bathroom breaks, feeding the baby and smoothies.

Once we arrive, the first question is usually, "Can we go to the park?"  My parents live in a townhouse association with a really nice park next to it and the kids love walking down there.

She's always happy to be along for the ride!  Such a joyful little go with the flow baby.

My parents make it easy for us to visit, even with 3 kids.  It's a tight squeeze, but there's beds/cribs/pack and plays for everyone and my kids typically sleep pretty well there!

Papa makes the BEST breakfasts!

My cousin Kelsey's shower was so fun and it was great to see some extended family and introduce them to Tiegan.  Lainey absolutely adored following around my cousins big girls.  They were so sweet to her and included her all day.

Abigail and Isabel (top R and L) were our flower girls in our wedding 5 years ago.  They are growing up to be lovely young ladies!

Had to round out the day with one more park trip!

I wish my parents (and Jed's too) lived closer but it sure is fun to make a big trip out of visiting them for the weekend!  Love my little travelers!

Labor Day weekend

We got to spend an extra long long weekend in Minnesota for Labor Day the past several days.  We wanted to take one more trip before I get way too uncomfortable for a road trip and before baby boy comes and do a few things as a family of 3!  We ate lots of delicious meals and enjoyed lots of relaxing down time too.  It's always a great time to visit my parents - they take care of us so well!

We hit Como Park Zoo which I would HIGHLY recommend!  1) It's (technically) FREE! (There is a suggested donation at the entrance)  2)  It has a lot of the "good" zoo animals that kids like to see like giraffes, zebras, seals and polar bears!  3) It's not huge and you can see almost everything in about 2 hours or less!

Lainey is getting to a SUPER fun age for zoo trips.  She loves animals and she pointed at everything, called it a "dog" and shouted out lots of "OOOHs!"  It was so adorable!

Look at that polar bear!  That is her favorite animal in her Little People Zoo toy she got for her birthday.

See?!?  "Oooooh!"

Gotta love a little group photo op!

Doing LOTS of walking these days!

  Lainey's favorite item of the weekend was this little rocking chair at my mom and dad's.  My parents recently cleaned out the attic and found all kinds of treasures! 

She has the funniest expressions.

 Little stinker wouldn't touch the sweet corn on the cob but enjoyed it on her tray!

My parents live in a neighborhood of townhouses with an awesome playground down the street!  Lainey tolerated the swings on this particular night. 

 She's always loved books but just in the past week she's really be interested in actually listening to you read the book to her rather than just flipping through the pages.  She's also started backing her little tush up to sit in your lap which is just about the sweetest thing ever.

Seriously?!  That face!

 Another gem my parents found in their attic were some baby blankets from when my sister and I were born.  We laid them all out and Lainey had the best time crawling and walking back and forth on her blanket path.  It was so cute!

Blessed to take one last trip as a family of 3 and to spend it with my parents.   Loved that Jed could take a day off too so our weekend was extra long.  Lainey enjoyed Grandma and Grandpa's attention and adoration just as much as they enjoyed giving it to her!  Great long weekend!

Keeps Getting Better!

Lainey's week just keeps getting better!

Yesterday, she got her first taste of blueberries in her mesh feeder.  Not just any blueberries, but frozen blueberries straight from her Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's blueberry patch in Wisconsin!  They were a serious hit.  I'm not sure Lainey has ever enjoyed a food so much, nor has she ever gotten so incredibly messy!

 Then today after lunch, we spotted a big brown truck -- the UPS truck!  They dropped off a little package for Miss Lainey from Grandma and Grandpa Johnson!

 Some new toys and new snacks!  Yeah!

After nap time, we enjoyed some of her new baby cookies on the porch!  What a great day!