Our Trip to Arizona

I was so happy to find out that our plane was only half full on the way home. This meant we had an extra seat for Ellie. Actually we had the last 10 rows of the airplane completely to ourselves. Not only that, but we had some terrific tail winds that helped cut an entire hour off the flight. It was a fabulous flight.

It sure beat the flight out there where we were on the plane for almost 5 hours!! We were on the plane for an entire hour before it even began to move. This is not fun for a mom with two kiddos on her own. Ellie was a total monkey and Zoe was screaming crying in pain. Her ears were really bothering her. When we finally landed it was very bumpy, and what I can only assume was the co-pilot got on the speaker and started making farting noises. So odd! He then said, "I can tell you what I thought of that landing.... It stinks." Then he continued to make more noises. It was a very late flight and we didn't get to bed until 3:30 MN time. Ouch!

I love going to all the outdoor malls in AZ. The girls enjoy the play areas.

Kare Dog at a local park.

The girls got some new Valentine's outfits from Grandma to wear home.

Ellie and Grandpa resting after a long day.

Zoë and I decided to get pampered a bit on our vacation. We both loved every bit of it. Zoe even got "diamonds" on her toe nails!!

Auntie Annie called while Zoe was reading the latest issue of Us Magazine. She found pictures of Shrek and Miley.

Zoë was begging us all week to see the dessert.

Those of you who know Ellie, know she loves coffee. At home we are always trying to keep it away from her. Grandma said she's just a good little Norwegian and she filled her cup. She was in heaven. She also learned that she likes tea too. Thank goodness it was all decaf!

More, more, more!!

Grandma, Zoe, Ellie and I went out to Organ Stop Pizza one night for pizza and ice cream. This was a great place to take the girls. There is a man playing the organ on a rotating stage that comes up out of the middle of the floor. The pipes fill the entire room. There are lights and puppets galore. Very entertaining for the little ones.

The girls enjoyed many rides on the golf cart. This was one of Ellie's favorite things to do with Grandpa. I think they even stopped at a few cocktail hours during their trips around the neighborhood.

While we were in AZ, we celebrated Chuck's birthday. The girls had fun helping Grandpa open presents. I think Ellie was singing "Happy Birthday" all week.

Zoë loved making orange juice and lemonade with Grandma.

Ellie just loved picking oranges. As you can see, these were all hers. "My onges!"

Thank you so much, Chuck and Karen. We had such a wonderful trip. We can't wait to visit again next year!

Happy Half Birthday, Zoë!

Wednesday was Zoë's half birthday. This might not be a big deal for most people, but when you have a summer birthday it means you get to celebrate at school. We decided to continue the celebration by taking Zoë out for her favorite meal, Rainbow Sprinkle Pancakes at Perkins.

Bath Time

Last weekend Ellie and I had a sleepover at my parents' house with Anne and Lily. Steve was at the ice house, and Zoë was at a sleepover at Auntie Barb's. The girls had a lot of fun taking a bath together in Grandma's big tub. This was Lily's first time in that little chair. She had a lot of fun splashing and kicking.

Ellie going in for the hug with Nick

Zoë found a treasure in the snow.

My little dare devil, Ellie loves to go down all by herself.

Zoë and Sam ready to go down together on the saucer

Can you tell the camera got a little wet? Today was such a gorgeous day. We just had to get out and play in the snow for a while. It has been such a cold winter that it is hard to get outside. On the days when the sun comes out and it hits 20 we try to do a little sledding. Both girls LOVE it. It's so much fun to watch them fly down the big hills. Mom enjoys it too.

Core 4 January Outing

I'm so lucky to still be so close with three of my best buds from high school. We try to go out once a month. It's always great getting to chat and catch up with eachother's lives. There's a funny story with this picture. I asked a guy if he would mind taking a picture, and he assumed I wanted to take his picture. So he grabbed his wife and started to pose. She had to point out that we wanted him to take a picture of us. We had to hold our laughter until he walked away.

Plenty of Playdates

Zoë, Nicole, Nick, Sam, and Noah enjoying some McD's on a Toddler Tuesday at the MOA

Zoë and Ellie with Brooke and Carter at the Burnsville Center Play Area

Zoë and her buddy Sam at the MOA

Sam, Zoë, Mia, and Ellie at Edinborough Park

Nick and Ellie at the MOA

One of our favorite things to do during the day is to hang out with all of our buddies. This winter we have been spending a lot of time at the new play area at the Burnsville Center. Zoë and her buds are always quick to make new friends and start a game of tag or wrestling. Ellie (My Climber) is always on top of something yelling, "Look at me, Mommy!"