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.