Minnesota, family and fun!!!

Okay, so I'll be honest... you'll find little miss Ella Grace in most of these pictures. I can't help it - she is just too adorable! We had such a great time back in MN although it was a short trip (and although I got sick on the last day- feeling better now, just sound like a teenage boy going through puberty). Enjoy the pictures and we can't wait to come back later this summer! Minnesota is fun May through September!!! : )


....SOOOO our flight to Minnesota was probably one of the worst we have ever been on. We booked our flight so late (because prices were so high) and we didn't get to sit next to each other. In fact, we both got middle seats and boy did I have a weirdo on one side of me! I was trying to sleep on the plane, but everytime I would try and resituate myself, the old sweaty guy next to me would nudge me (I had my headphones on) and say, "Can't sleep can ya!? Just can't get comfortable can ya???" So, I gave up on the sleep thing. Then, for the last half hour of our flight, we had some intense turbulence and as if I wasn't anxious and nauseous already, my annoying sweaty friend kept telling me how his Pepsi was coming back up and he was re-tasting it again on every bump! Needless to say, we couldn't have been more happy to land in Minnesota. Meg, Joe and Ella picked us up at the airport and brought us back to their place for our first night of fun!

HI MEGGGGGGGGG!!!!!

Apparently I didn't flip this picture.... it's getting late, trust me! Ella was excited to show us all of her toys when we got back to their place. It was fun to get to see her a little bit before bedtime!




So, prepare for this next round of pictures.... we had a fun day with Ella (she is almost 2!!) all to ourselves- it was SO great and we loved every seconcd of it. Of course she was an angel for us, so we kept questioning Meg and Joe as to why they call her a "pistol" (haha)
Powdered doughnuts for breakfast! I don't know who got messier... Ella or Uncle Erik!

We are a little sad here because Mom and Dad left her alone with Crazy Aunt Kyra and Uncle Erik.... but suckers make everything better!

"POTTY POTTY" -Ella

So Aunt "Kyla" takes her potty and tells her that is enough toilet paper to "wipe" ...but then Uncle Erik comes into the picture and apparently he's more fun:

Uncle Erik and Ella tee-peed the bathroom.

This is what you get when you cross a toddler who hates wearing clothes and an Aunt and Uncle with an amazing sense of style. Work it, Elle-Belle!

STROLLER RACES!

Ella picking out a toy at Target..... although she rode the horsey (on the bottom shelf) and we roared like the tiger (second shelf), she chose a little puppy as her friend... one that doesn't steal her treats like her two puppies at home do!

PARK TIME! "Ick (Erik).... swing!"

TUNNELS! She was way faster than me- I kept getting stuck.

She called the slides "weeeees" and we couldn't get enough of them!

Such a big girl!

WEEEEEEEEEE!

Happiest little girl ever!

What do you get when you mix nap time with wound-up Ella? Naked Ella running around in her high heels!

Meg got off of work early and we all went to the Zoo!

Elle-Belle what are you looking at?

...THE BEARS!!!

The bears were playing and really active- it was cool!

Lookin at the lions and tigers

Happy to be at the zoo and having fun : )

That night we had a wonderful time- my family came up to Meg/Joe's place and we had a little grilling party. Many fun times were had and of course Ella stole the show! Next stop: WASECA!

Hi Isaac and Sophie! Our ring boy and ring girl twins sure got big!

My buddy

Erik's buddy

Mom and Grandma Dee at El Molino! Tasty little margaritas... things get "silly" there after a few of those : ) Thanks for coming to see us, Minne!

Hi Tooberdoooooooobs!

We had a great rest of the night and Saturday morning was nice too- we attempted a walk around Clear Lake but it was FRIGID (yes I'm a wimp) and we were chilled to the bone. What a wonderful time of catching up with the fam! Can't wait to see Ma and Pa again in June! Next stop: OWATONNA!

Why not- let's stop at the Shriners parade! So entertaining!

Random guy took our picture- it was windy and chilly so we hugged tightly!

It's not a Shriner parade with out a bunch of crazy cars/boats/planes/etc driving around like maniacs!

This one was my favorite- the helicopters. These guys were good! I think they should have had helmets on though.... I would have worn one for sure.

Grandma Trudy got Ella a new tea set to go along with her kitchen and table. She loved it!

WHAT A LITTLE PRINCESS!

'They won't let me go upstairs' -Ella

(Yes we had to put chairs, etc on the stair entrance because someone gets a little too brave on the stairs sometimes)

Ella likes to give VERY intense kisses! She means them! : )

Uncle "Ick" and little "princess" Ella playing in and splashing the water that Ella poured onto her table. Such a good influence you are, Erik!

Sibling love - enjoying the nice evening!

Ella does a chicken dance/run that is SO entertaining! I wish I could have gotten it on video- but this is the best I got. What a hoot!

BIG hug and kiss for Uncle Erik

Family walk!

Sydney (dog in front who is supposed to be approx. 8lbs and is 28lbs) really needed it

I found a friend on our walk! A baby snapper... good find, Aunt Kyla!

" I push" -Ella

Love you honey!

CUUUUUUUTE! The Severson/Johnson clan.

Erik and Mama Trudy

Early morning color time with Ella

Time to go home. We got to the airport in plenty of time... since we had already eaten, Erik decided that motorcycle video games were our best option!

Back home we went... much better flight on the way home- no turbulence, we got to sit together and I was zonked out on cold meds. : )

Love and hugs to all!