First Trip to Minnesota

My sister in law, Audrey, has lived in Minnesota for about 8 years now, separated by a few years after she married her husband, Hans, when she lived in California, and we have never made a trip to see her in her hometown. Shameful, I know, but such is life when finances are tight and kids are small. So that made this year even more special because Jeff's entire side of the family made a trip to Minnesota to see Audrey, Hans and their new little guy Lucas, or Luke for short. Seeing my other new nephew, Andrew, or Drew, was just icing on the cake! Let me start off with a hilarious picture of all of us in ONE BIG chair...this chair is outside of Hans' parent's house and is decorative. Hans' father, Jeff, thought it would be fun to take a picture with everyone sitting on it, and sure enough it was fun all piling on one chair, and it is funny to see us all together.

The trip had many firsts for our family...Rachel Lee's first time on a plane and boat, Hannah's first time catching a fish, Jeff, Hannah, and Kate's first time on jet skis, Jeff, Hannah and Kate's first time on a water trampoline, my first time changing a really messy baby boy diaper (wow...there's a lot down there!), seeing Hans' and Audrey's first baby boy, seeing Nate's first sibling (no pressure for more, but it's a "first") and Kate's first few hours a four year old. It also had a few last times...Kate's last time on a jet ski (she claims, although in high school she may be singing a different tune), Rachel Lee's last time in a pack n play (she is just. so. tall!) , Hannah's last time fishing (apparently it's not exciting enough and the mystic is gone), and Kate's last few hours as a three year old. It will also be the last time I travel with kids under the age of 5. Phew! So although this was our first trip to Minnesota, we are hoping that this will not be our last.

We were blessed to have some extra hands when Roger and Cindy arrived. Cindy was such a help entertaining the older girls on the flight there and back!

Cindy with baby Luke, 3 weeks old.

Roger with baby Drew, 8 weeks old. Kate loved that both boys would hold her finger. She would just sit there and hold them...she is such a nurturing and loving cousin (and sister of course...she keeps asking for another baby brother or sister...YIKES!).

After our first day when we used the jet skis, the water cushion, the kayaks and played with our crazy uncles I was bathing the girls and asked what they wanted to do the following day. Hannah said jet ski again, and Kate said she wanted to hold her cousins some more. When we got home I asked what their favorite part was and Hannah said jet skis and water cushion tied for her favorite, and Kate said holding my cousins and playing down below in the boat tied for her favorite. Hannah then said, "I loved those parts too!" and Kate said, "Me too."

Hannah has started really posing for the camera these days which make for some really fun pictures...her she in saluting in all different kids of situations. Love. that. girl!

Dad and his girls...awww...

The fish that Hannah caught. We released the little sun fish so he could live to shine another day.

Uncle Roger...loved by all nieces and nephews, usually all at the same time.

Kayak fun...

...Jeff on water skis for the first time...

...the trampoline, jet skis and other fun water moments!

We were also able to celebrate Roger's birthday together. That man is getting old!

And we took the older kids on a walk and for some fun park time. Nate is such a sweetie!

We also celebrated Kate's birthday together, but I plan to do a separate post for my big four year old. Great activities. Great people. Great times. Precious memories.

Kate's Cooking Party

When I asked Kate what she wanted to do for her birthday she said she wanted a mustard sandwich. This girls is so silly! After pressing some more she said she wanted a frying pan so she could bang people...yes, she's watched Tangled a few too many times. But, asking for a frying pan gave me the idea of having a cooking party, a party which totally fits my cup-Kate's personality since she always wants to cook with me. So we decided to make chocolate cakes in a mug, ice cream in baggies, and then decorate the chocolate cakes. We also made Snow Cones and played in a kiddie pool and sprinklers in the back yard.

After the party Jeff commented on how fun the party was. We have been to a TON of birthday parties for kids of various ages, and he said that by far this one was the most fun. Kids played, adults laughed and we all ate well. What more could a kid want for her fourth birthday party?

San Diego Staycation, Part 2: Legoland

We had two wonderful days at Legoland as part of our family staycation. The girls loved the rides and the water play and we were even able to find a few things that Rachel Lee enjoyed doing...and then we did it over and over and over! I literally spent 45 minutes riding a plane ride that went around in a oval with Rachel lee and every time the ride ended she signed more, more, more. As a special bonus we have a free return ticket for sometime in October, so the fun just. keeps. going!!

The water in the water play area was recirculated water, which to a germaphobe like myself, is disgusting. After playing in the water area on the second day I smelled terrible. As I went on a ride with Kate and was pulling away I complained to Jeff taht the recirculated water made me stink. He asked what the water smelled like and I said, "You'll have to smell me later." After the ride he smelled me and agreed that I stank because a bird had pooed on me! I had been walking around all day with

Legoland also provides an educational area where you can build and race some cars. Hannah built a car and so did I and each and every time we raced she won and my car fell apart. Even with minor adjustments on my car she still beat me!