Minnesota Trip *warning lots of pictures*

The kids and I snuck home for a week in October to spend time with our families.  It was our first trip, just me and the kids, on the plane.  I was pretty nervous about flying alone with them, but aside from Thomas refusing to use the airplane’s bathroom the trip was great as usual.  I can’t take all the credit, Buzz and Woody along with the Madagascar animals, kept him occupied for most of the time. 
First up was celebrating Mo's 25th birthday at the Laschen's house.  Bampa and Nana Laschen picked us up from the airport and helped us get to their house.  That was followed by an afternoon playing outside in the leaves.  Then the rest of the family arrived and we had a fantastic dinner (Since this post is going up so late, we have made this steak since and it is so yummy!)  Monday, Kathy took the kiddos and I shopping to a few stores before we headed back to the house to play and see Grandpa before he had to fly out for work.  Thomas loves being at Grandpa and Grandma’s house.  Not only does he get to play with all his “other” toys, he can boss 3 things around, Elin and the puppa's, Mickey and Meg.
Tuesday morning we got our stuff packed up and about noon we were picked up by my dad to head to Cloquet.  After a quick stop at home to check out the new concrete for the garage, we went to see Grandma Nancy at school conferences.  Then it was off to a girls volleyball game and watched for a little bit before Thomas told us it was too loud for him.  Or was it that he wanted to go home to see his toys and Grandpa?

Wednesday was a little calm before the storm.  The kids and I slept in while Grandpa and Grandma had to be at work. Wednesday night my friends, Katie and Lindsay, and their kiddos came by for our "we are in town" visit.  Then my Grandma and Aunt came to town with my second cousins Averi (8) and Noah (almost 5). It was a lot of fun to watch Thomas and Elin play with their "big cousins.”  Thomas wanted to be exactly like Noah. It was non stop from the minute they got there until they headed back to ND on Friday.   After a long drive for the kiddos they had energy to burn so they went outside with glow sticks to run.  I don’t think we got them to bed until 11?

Thursday morning we got up and were greeted by some rain.  After breakfast we headed out to a pumpkin patch to a corn maze. The farm had a load of animals, horses, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, and cows. I absolutely fell in love with a full grown blind horse that was at the farm, I seriously could have spent all day with her.  It did nothing but confirm for me that I want a farm and  more children, hopefully both will happen in time.  Then it was off to lunch at the warming house for soup and ice cream before heading back to play outside and nap. Thursday night the kids played and played and played outside with Grandpa in the dirt pile.  The were filty when they came in and they all had baths/showers after that. 

Friday morning we again had rain so we went to the schools gym to let the kids run before they had to leave back to ND.   Then we all napped, the kids both took 3.5 hour naps.  Friday night the girls ran into do some quick shopping and Thomas and Grandpa worked on the garage.

Saturday we headed back to the cities to spend some time with Troy and Molly and meet their new puppy Griffin. We also snuck in a quick swimming date with Tiffany, Ben and Hallie. Grandpa enjoyed swimming too. Elin watched but though she was missing out so she also got to go in.

Sunday was more time at Molly and Troy's house. Thomas played in the yard with Griffin and Grandma Nancy while us girls had a Norwex cleaning party. I'm so jealous of their huge yard and beautiful trees!!! It was a gorgeous day and both my Littles had fun playing in the leaves.
Sunday night it was back to Grandpa and Nana Laschen's house for dinner and some time with Mo, Katie and Don. Monday morning came early and Kathy helped get us packed and fed before we headed back to Seattle to a very eager Daddy, Stella and kitties. Watching Thomas drop his backpack and run arms open to his daddy was priceless.  The trip back was also uneventful, in fact both kids slept 2 of the 3.5 hours back.  In typical Laschen travel fashion, the car ride home was much more trying.  We made a quick pit stop for dinner and I treated myself to a beer!  In the picture below on the top left who looks happier, Mike or Thomas?
Again such a fun trip with so many memories (and pictures). Our family is so bless to have parents, grandparents and siblings with abundant love for us and our children. It has been one of mine and Mike's greatest joys to watch our kids make memories with the people that love them so much. I swear Thomas would go to Minnesota daily if it was possible! Every time he sees an airplane he thinks it is going to Dama and Bampa's houses and asks if he can go too.