Busy Weekend with Uncle Don and Auntie Katie

Mike’s sister and her husband came for a visit before Katie had to attend some work meetings in Dallas.  They came in Thursday night late and Friday morning we were up and hitting the ground running.  Mike had to work so Friday morning the kids and I took them over to Fort Worth.When we got to the Stockyards we went into the petting farm area.  The kids were able to feed a bunch of different farm and exotic animals.  Then we went over to watch the long horns and the “cattle drive.”  When the cows were done Elin had a tiny meltdown complete with flopping over onto the sidewalk, crocodile tears and a very unhappy little girl.  The cows being all done was a little too much for her to handle!  Thankfully there were other things to distract her and after riding a few mechanical horses both she and Thomas were happy little “cowkids.”  We then grabbed lunch before heading back to the homestead.  Once home we regrouped, took a walk to the park and then met Mike for some Tex-Mex for dinner.  Saturday started off gloomy and a bit chilly, by Texas standards, so we decided an indoor activity would be best.  We headed to the George W. Bush Library and Museum to check it out.  The history in that place was from a presidency we adults big kids remember.  It was a nice library/museum and a few of the historic highlights for me was seeing some of the iron beams from the Twin Towers, the replicated Oval Office, the declassified paper that allowed the start of the war in Afghanistan and the Hurricane Katrina disaster. I am sure this is all because I can remember so vividly when all of these moments in history happened.  Walking into the 9/11 area was emotionally overwhelming.  The thousands of names of the lives that were lost on that day, the number of lives changed in an instant, and a country/world that would never be the same again, so humbling and overwhelming.  It took my breath away and had me blinking back tears as Mike and I tried to explain it in as simple of terms as possible to Thomas.  A day that a almost 4 year old, two thirty something year old, cannot even attempt to fully understand.  After moving through the 9/11 portion of the museum we waited in a long line to enter the replica of the Oval Office.  After seeing that we strolled through the rest of the museum before heading back home. Saturday night we went to Medieval Times and surprisingly all most of us had a pretty good time.  The kiddos loved it, Elin loved the horses and was clapping and cheering everytime they came out.  Thomas was quiet and watched intently wondering about the knights and if they were ok when they were fighting.  Both of my boys got swords to fight one another with once home.  The food was ok, there was a lot of it and Thomas was a little thrown off by what the server was calling the food.  As he delivered the potato, a dragon egg, the rib-a dragon toe, and the chicken-a falcon, T was like “can we eat this.”  He happily chowed down once I told him it was just pretending and being silly.  As corny as it was, it was a fun experience, and the best part our red knight won!  So at the end he presented a lucky girl in the audience something and when he was walking back to his horse he gave Thomas a “high five!” On Sunday we headed downtown.  We drove by Dealey Plaza so that Don and Katie could see where JFK was assassinated.  We then headed to Klyde Warren Park to explore the “city park” and have lunch at the food trucks.   The park was a little different than we expected but non the less it was a good way to spend a nice day outside.  Sunday night we made dinner at home and relaxed.  Don and Katie were off on Monday morning and it was back to work for Mike and I.  It was a busy, fun, weekend with company in town.

A Week in Minnesota

The kiddos and I flew into Minnesota on Thursday night.  After a great flight, thanks to their DVD players, a few books, and a snack we were off and running to meet Grandma Nancy.  Once we met her, we got our luggage and then loaded up the truck and were off to Uncle Troy and Auntie Molly’s house.  The kiddos were really excited to be in Minnesota, so was I.  After saying our hellos and getting settled we all went to bed.  Friday we got up got ourselves in order and then headed to the mall to get a few things.  Then it was back to Troy and Molly’s while the kiddos napped I had crafting afternoon, getting ready for Molly’s baby shower. 

Friday night was dinner, chaos and the Olympics opening ceremony.  Grandpa Jim was flying in from Costa Rica and his flight was delayed which was a bummer.  Thomas tried his hardest to stay awake and go to the airport with Grandma, but right before it was time to leave he decided to stay and just go to bed.  He called Grandpa and left him a message and that was good enough.  On Saturday morning it was up and into wake Grandpa up.  We then had breakfast, got some more stuff done for the shower and then I was off to Lara’s bridal shower (Mike’s brother, Pat’s fiance).  The kiddos stayed with my parents and Uncle Troy and Auntie Molly.  Lara had a nice shower and got a lot of nice gifts.  When the shower was over we headed back to pack up the house and then it was off to a hotel for some swimming fun.  I am pretty sure Mike and I have half fish as children.  They could spend hours in a pool and are getting to be pretty good little swimmers!  Uncle Troy and Auntie Molly joined us and while the girls watched the guys took over in the pool.  We then had dinner and all of us were in bed early.The next morning we were up and in the pool early before heading back over to Troy and Molly’s house.  It was shower day for Baby Girl McConachie and I had a few final things to do in preparation.  Then we loaded the car up we headed over to Lindsay’s house and finished setting up before the other guests arrived.  Baby girl is already so loved and Molly got many wonderful gifts in her honor.  After the shower we went back to get our things at Troy and Molly’s and say our goodbyes there as we were headed to Mike’s parents house for the next few nights.  

Sunday night we had dinner at the Lashen’s and Uncle Don and Auntie’s Mo and Katie joined us.  On Monday morning we went over to an indoor play area in Woodbury where the kids were able to climb and run around for a few hours.  Kathy and I even got inside the play structure for some fun, seriously it was a blast and by the end I was tired too!  When then went back to the Laschen’s to rest and wait for Grandpa to get off work.  When Grandpa finished working we bundled up the kiddos and they got to go outside for some shoveling.  On Tuesday we went to Wild Rumpus bookstore and then had lunch over at Nana Banana’s house.  Then it was home for naps and resting before Grandpa got off of work.  On Wednesday we packed up and headed over to spend the day/night with the Erdalls.  Thomas and Elin had a blast playing with Ben and Hallie and Tiff and I were able to get some much needed catch up time.  For the last few years we have had only quick get togethers which always leave us feeling that it was too short a time together.  This time we were able to get the kiddos some great play time, dinner, and then our own time while the kiddos slept.  For dinner we were also joined by Nikki, Amelia and Addison.  

On Thursday morning the kiddos had breakfast and then it was off to school again for Ben and Hallie.  Thomas, Elin and I headed over for another play date at Nikki, Amelia and Addy’s house.  Then we picked up Nana Kathy and went back to get ready for our flight that night.  Elin and I snuck in a quick nap while Thomas and Nana watched a movie together.   Then it was dinner and off to the airport, we had a late flight scheduled.

At the airport our terminal was right across from the play space so the kiddos got to play while we waited.  It was perfect, after a short delay we boarded and we were ready to get going.  After a quick George for Elin she snuggled in and went to sleep.  Thomas wasn’t far behind her as they both were exhausted.  When we landed I was a little frazzled as I had a soundly sleeping boy and he was not waking up for anything, not even daddy.  The nice gentleman sitting next to me helped me carry some of our stuff and when we got to the area to get a cart, I realized I had left my purse on the plane.  So I went back upstairs hauling the kiddos and thankfully a cart the guy had bought for me.  They gave me my purse and I started the trek back to meet up with Mike.  My arms were exhausted by the time I got there and Thomas still hadn’t stirred.  Mike had the double stroller and we loaded the kiddos in and then it was time go get the bags and head to the car.  We were all excited to see Mike/Daddy and looking forward to a night in our own bed.    Another successful Minnesota trip in the books!

Uncle Troy and Auntie Molly Come to Visit

Troy and Molly got in on Friday morning and the kiddos and I picked them up from the airport and then headed home for some play timed  As luck would have it Elin had just started to feel crummy and right after we got home, I put her down for her nap, as she was miserable!  Friday we then went to the park and then headed out for dinner before.  On Saturday we made our way over to Fort Worth to see the stock yards and the long horn cattle drive.  Thomas was pretty pumped up about being a cowboy and his Auntie and Uncle got he and Elin some authentic gear.  We saw the cows and grabbed lunch before heading back to home base.  Once home Thomas was fully engrossed in being a cowboy.  He practiced his lasso skills and learned how to great a lady.  Check out the video! 

That night he also woke up about midnight, hysterically crying and delusional, he was upset he didn’t fall asleep with his hat on and he had decided he wanted to buy a real horse.  After we tried to rationalize with him for a few minutes we then resorted to him falling asleep with his hat on and telling him that we could talk about a horse….in the morning!  We spent the rest of the weekend close to home.  Going for walks, creating long horns out of cardboard and a bike and just getting some good play time in.  It ended up being a gorgeous weekend in the low 70s so it was also a nice break from the MN winter Troy and Molly have had thus far. 

The kiddos (us too) loved having their Uncle and Auntie here.  Every night Elin now sings “Night night uncle troy and moweee woves shoe” (night night uncle troy and molly loves you).  Thanks for coming down you two and for the fun memories!

New Year’s Eve and Day

Tuesday about noon we loaded up and headed back down to Woodbury for our last leg of our Minnesnowta road trip.  When we got to Grandpa and Grandma Laschen’s house the kiddos got to open their presents.  Pretty sure Thomas’ favorite was his astronaut dress up costume and Elin’s was a small baby she named “Baby Mitch.”  After some playtime with the toys, Mike and I got the kids ready for bed as Thomas hadn’t napped and Elin took a very short one on the drive down.  They were both exhausted and there was no way they were going to make it to celebrate with us.  Mike and I then got to join his parents and their friends John and Meaghan for a crab/lobster dinner.  The food was yummy and company was great.  The kids missed out, but oh well.  Mike and I didn’t make it to midnight either!

Wednesday morning, Mike and my brother braved the freezing cold and participated in the Lifetime Fitness Commitment Day 5k.  The kids and I were set to go watch but with the windchill dipping down into the –20s we knew it wasn’t safe for us.  New Years Day the Laschen’s hosted a New Year’s Day party.  Kathy’s side of the family came over and helped us ring in the New Year.  Mike and I had decided that we were going to “fake” the ball dropping and at 7 p.m. we turned on the playback and toasted in 2014!  The kids loved it and Thomas ran around toasting everyone and drinking his sprite.   A lot of the adults agreed that that was the most fun they had had ringing in the New Year in a long time! Cheers to everyone and here’s to a happy and healthy 2014!  I know our family is excited about what is to come!

Time in Cloquet

On Thursday after we unpacked the cars and had dinner we then settled in for the McConachie/Laschen Christmas present opening. On Friday morning, Mike, Elin, and I headed over to the pool to get some exercise.  Then the guys were off to try their hand at pheasant hunting with Griffin Puppy.  When they came home, Thomas was all in for helping Grandpa get the pheasant ready for dinner and learning about hunting.  All I could think was and so it begins, it wasn’t until Grandpa promised him he could shoot a real gun that then he was totally hooked.  He got to shoot a BB gun with Grandpa’s help.  I had to see if I could still aim and I will just say don’t mess with me or my family because I still have a good shot!  Only kidding slightly.  On Saturday morning it was time for Troy, Molly and Griffin to head back home.  After breakfast and some pictures they took off.  We had a great couple of days and I can’t wait for our upcoming get togethers when their little girl arrives sometime in April!   We spent the next few days trying to sneak outside when it wasn’t so awfully cold and trying to occupy our time when we were inside.  We had some 4 wheeling/sledding fun, Mike and I snuck over to Pine Valley for some cross county skiing. Then we had a couple more swimming days and that sure was a life saver!   Our friends Katie and Charlie came over for a quick play date and Thomas and Charlie were too cute for words in their matching super hero outfits! These are just a couple of random pictures from hanging around the house.  Grandma and Elin practicing tongue clicks during and after bath time and the kiddos doctoring a very good sport with band aids.  The kids were giggling so hard as they continued to put more and more band aids on him and “fix him up. ‘ It was a great time Up North we got a lot of chilliaxin’ in. 

Christmas Festivities with the Laschen Side

We started off our Christmas celebration by visiting Mike’s Nana Banana.  The kiddos helped her open her Christmas presents and we had a good visit with her. On the drive from Nana’s house to Auntie Katie and Uncle Don’s house the kiddos fell asleep.  They were both completely exhausted.  We brought them in laid them down and then Mike and I got some much needed down time with his siblings.When they woke up we packed everything up and headed over to the bowling alley to meet the rest of the family.  I can’t remember who won on the girls or guys sides, but it wasn’t Mike or I.  Let’s just say the two of us have things we are much better at than bowling!  The kiddos had their own lane with bumpers and they had a blast sending balls down the lanes.  After we finished bowling it was time to head back to Katie and Don’s house for dinner, gift opening and a round of family trivia.  The kiddos made out like bandits again getting many thoughtful gifts.  Thomas’ favorite was his ninja turtle book and mask and Elin didn’t really have a favorite.   A great day/night and a perfect start to our Christmas celebrations!