The boys and I just returned from a week long visit to MN. It always feels so rushed when we visit for holidays, I thought it would be nice to visit during a non-holiday. Little did I know, we were just as rushed and busy, but it was fun.
Last Friday we visited Oma at work, then Great Uncle Gregg at work, and then had lunch with my friend Erica. We were lucky enough to meet her new little girl Stella, and Dylan got to play with Lola. This was the best picture I was able to get of the two of them. They were all wound up and bouncing up and down!
Saturday, Oma and I took the boys to an apple orchard in White Bear Lake. It was a pretty drive, although the weather was a bit blustery, so we didn't spend any time outside there. We brought home a lot of apples and cider. The orchard had a little viewing platform above the area where they sort apples. Dylan really enjoyed watching the apples go by on the conveyor belt.
Sunday morning, my Grandpa and Grandma Wennerstrom, and Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle Rich all came over for coffee. It was so nice to see all of them, and I think they enjoyed seeing the boys too. Rich and Nancy brought some great books for the boys, and Grandma and Grandpa brought a bunch of fall colored balloons that both boys loved to chase around.
Sunday afternoon we went to my dad's for dinner. He and Vava had some great surprises for the boys. Dylan got Cranky the Crane (a friend of Thomas the Train), and Brody received a fun musical alligator. It's hard to say what Brody's reaction was to his toy, but Dylan was so excited to have Cranky. He even wanted to take Cranky to bed with him that night!
I'm not quite sure how this happened, as Dylan barely let Cranky out of his sight, but Brody managed to get his little hands (and mouth!) on Cranky for a moment.
Brody's opportunity probably came when Dylan was outside filling up the squirrel/bird feeders with Papa Gordy. It must have made an impact on him, because even today he is talking about peanuts and the birds.
On Monday morning, Oma and I took the boys on the light rail train to downtown Minneapolis. We went to see the annual holiday show at what used to be Dayton's, then Marshall Field's and what is now Macy's. This is the 46th annual holiday show, and I'm glad that whatever the name on the building, the show has gone on.
This is the first time Brody has been all bundled up without being covered in a car seat. What a sweet little face that was hiding between the layers of hat and jacket!
The display itself was very magical. The theme this year is A Day in the life of an Elf at Santa land.
Getting a picture of both boys smiling is very difficult these days. Oh well, at least I'm smiling! That's the elf bake shop in the background.
And the boys watching everything very closely...
As we were leaving the display, a news reporter approached and asked me to give some commentary about the display. You can watch the 3 minute segment here:
http://twincitieslive.com/article/stories/s658874.shtml?cat=10698
Afterwards, we went downstairs and had lunch in the Marketplace. It was called that when I worked there, and I have no idea what they call it now, so forever I shall call it Marketplace!
Dylan had some sushi, or "squishy" as he calls it.
We arrived home today about 3:30 p.m. It was a long day of driving, but we had a very nice time in Minnesota, and we are looking forward to going back for Christmas. Dylan asked every day if he could make a snowball, and although it flurried almost the entire time we were there, the accumulation didn't take place until this morning! Maybe next time...
