Minnesota

A few days after we got back from our trip around the world we had to go to Minnesota for one night to have dinner with Al's boss and some other coworkers.  I felt so bad about leaving our kids again, but they were excited to hang out at Diane's for a night.  We spent the morning at the Mall of America and wandered around aimlessly, rode one of the roller coasters, shared a Ghirardelli chocolate shake, and met up for lunch with a couple people.   We stayed downtown at a Marriott right across from Target Headquarters so that was an obvious trip to Target!!  The city is unique because ever building is connected by a sky walk which is great so you don't have to freeze to death by walking everywhere.

We went to dinner at a fancy steakhouse that night and ate and ate and ate.  It was fun to meet all of the people Al works with and sees more than me (not really, but it feels like that sometimes).

Cole and Alex having fun at Diane's.  Alex picked out his favorite toy the doll and Cole's was the sword.

I'm always nervous about how they will sleep for other people, but she said they slept through the night, hooray!!

On Friday night we took them to Chuckee Cheese, had pizza, and let them play.

They were hilarious on these bumper cars, especially Cole who just pushed the lever up and down and didn't really go anywhere.

On Saturday we drug Al to Cinderella and had lots of popcorn together.

My little sleeping Cole who still loves to take naps, but it's getting harder and harder for him to fall asleep at night.  I don't know which is worse giving up the nap or a late bedtime.

A much needed park day that ended in Cole falling 5 minutes after we got there and jamming his thumb so bad his entire hand was bruised and swollen.  He wouldn't stop crying so I had to make Alex leave which he was obviously not happy about.  When we got home I told Cole he could watch a movie and have popcorn if he stopped crying.  He then shoved not 1 but 3 popcorn kernels up one of his nostrils.  Thank goodness Al was home and saved us all and his nose, phew.