The rest of the MN vacation story - simplified

So - here's the rest of the MN vacation... (pics to follow once I get the camera battery that I left on mom's kitchen counter)

Trip to Fergus Falls was a blast - great to see Donna and Stan again. Andrew had fun running around at a farm implement dealership.

Packing to go to Mpls and then home took an entire day - yes, an ENTIRE day. We thought we'd leave around noonish... we got on the road at 5:15. Stopped at Subway for drive-through dinner, then at Ann's for a quick goodbye which then included Jolinda, Allison, Kya, Kallie, Owen, Emma and later a wave to Angie!

Got into Mpls (Joel and Erika's place) much later than expected -- big bummer.

Got up and entertained Markus and Luther in addition to my two whilst Mom and Joel went to take care of the flat tire on mom's van. The place (Tires Plus in Maple Grove, MN) tried to con mom with the "your front brakes are 90% gone and really need to be done before you go very much farther" but since she'd had the car into the shop back home just a day ago, she called them and they confirmed that she is NOT in danger of death due to lack of brakes and that she was being scammed. the nerve of some people!

Friday went to Fairbault to see the Burkhartzmeyer clan. WHAT fun to see Dave and Shirley, their three girls and their hubbies and the 10 grandkids. Andrew was in his glory with so many kids to play with - it was hard to pull him away to get back to Mpls and get to bed that night.

Saturday was supposed to be the Como Zoo but that fell through so Jodi and the kids and I went to the MOA (that's Mall of America to those not in the know) and had a BLAST at the Park at MOA (formerly Camp Snoopy) Andrew rode all the rides his heart desired and then we gave away 25 tickets at least. There was a Halloween themed evening planned but we didn't know about it in advance or we'd have bought a different ticket package - so there was no trick or treating for Andrew in the Park after Dark -- but he had a great time anyway... Auntie Jodi took him to Ridemakerz (www.ridemakerz.com) where he designed his own race car and had a BLAST.

Sunday was the Como Zoo where we saw a new baby giraffe! That was followed by dinner at ChuckECheeses - Andrew again was in heaven over the pizza, kids and general running around like a mad man. You'd think his mother never takes him out to such places... oh, wait - we don't! LOL

Monday we drove out to Joel's house where we made home made icecream (you know... where mommy turns for awhile and then Uncle Joel comes in and cranks til his arms are shaking!) Yummy ice cream for lunch!

We had to leave there by 12:30 to get back to Jodi's to get our bags and head to the airport - the flight was fairly uneventful except for the fact that Andrew held one ear for awhile exclaiming that he had to keep his hand over his ear because it was bleeding and he had to keep the blood in. Poor kiddo!

Daddy met us at the airport and it was so much fun to see Andrew's face when he saw Daddy - and Elizabeth too was all smiles for the big man in her life!

and now we're home... and back in the swing of things... oh joy!