More Pictures from our February Fun in MN!

You know you're in Minnesota when...

Check out this sweet hunting coffee mug!

Chels and Claire are baking

We made chocolate chip scones, yum!

Look at this little cutie, with flour on her nose

 

Lila wearing Mommy's sunglasses

 

We went to Claire's dance practice one night, she did great!

 

Very energetic! There were about 10 little girls in her class, they were all very cute and did a great job.  I was surprised at how well they knew the choreography and were able to keep up with the instructor.  Her age group is 4-6 I believe, it was so fun to watch them!

Look at how cute she is in her tutu

 

We had a lot of fun

Claire modeling her dance costume for us. Notice Auntie Chelsea's sweet daisy headband in the background!

 

So cute!

 

Here's another dance costume

 

Here's Lila in a "princess dress", she wanted to dress up, too!

Lila and Ashley, hanging out at Mom's house

 

Claire discovered Auntie Chelsea playing the Nintendo DS, she's hooked!

Cutie Delilah in her sparkly hat, so funny! I want one

One morning the girls decided to have a "mommy belly" for their baby

They are so cute!  We had so much fun playing with you guys all week. Come visit us in Seattle!

 

Can't wait until our next trip! 

 

 

PS: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet little sissy, Ashley, who turns the big 28 today!  We love you!!! Weren't we so cute?

 

Mall of America Adventure

So what is there to do in Minnesota in the winter, you ask? Well, besides all the exciting outdoor activities, you could also visit Minnesota's other sport--huge indoor malls!

 

Chels and I, Ashley and Blake, and Dad took the girls to Mall of America in Bloomington for the day.  We first visited Sea Life, the aquarium that has an underwater-esque feel because for part of it, you are walking through a glass tunnel with the water and fish swimming above you. 

 

 

Claire and I checking out the jellyfish

Claire and Lila looking at the jellyfish

Lila wonders "what's in there?"

Claire is excited to see all the fish!

Here we are "underwater" in the aquarium

Can't remember if this was a stingray, or a shark. Either way, Lila didn't seem scared, she was interested!

Lila is moving so quickly, she's a blur! Must be excited!

I think this is when the shark was swimming overhead, scary!

Daddy Blake and his girls checking out the fish on the surface through this portal

Riding the escalator is so fun! Who needs to go on rides at the indoor amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe?  Well, I guess we do! 

 

 

After the aquarium, my brother Luke, sister-in-law Amy, and nephew Gavin came to meet us after work.  Bonnie and Ben were also able to come. We spent some time at Lego Land, then took the kids on some rides before we had dinner.  We had so much fun!

Here's Papa Tractor with the granddaughters at the Disney Store, playing in castle

Clarabelle can't wait for her cousin Gavin to arrive so they can go on some rides!

Claire and Chels playing Legos at Lego Land

Chels, Gavin, and Claire

I think Chels likes the Legos just as much as the kiddos!

Lila and Blake playing with Legos

 

Cousins Claire and Gavin, excited to go on some rides at Nickelodeon Universe!

 

Gavin on the carousel

Auntie Chels and Claire, with Auntie Candace and Lila on the carousel, too!

 

Cousins, waiting excitedly for the ride to begin!

Dora the explorer, we love her!

Claire, Auntie Bonnie, and Gavin in Dora and Diego's school bus.  Bonnie was the only one skinny enough to fit on the bus with the kiddos!

 

After we had gone on enough rides, we went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner

They have an "authentic" rainforest soundtrack playing, it was quite loud! We were hearing monkeys, birds, rain, thunder, and even a dolphin all throughout dinner. Very amusing!

Ash and Blake with two tired little ones

 

 

 

We had a really great time!  Glad everyone was able to make it for Vig family fun day!

 

Introducing Chelsea to the Frozen Tundra: Minnesota in February!

Chelsea and I went home to Minnesota to visit the Vigs for a week in mid-February.  I was working the week prior in Chicago, and then flew to Minneapolis and Chels met me there. She had never been to Minnesota in the winter before, so we had big plans for her!  We planned to go snowmobiling, take her ice fishing, play outside in the snow with the nieces, etc. We were able to do most of these outdoor activities, however: a blizzard the first weekend we arrived prevented us from travelling to northern Minnesota to visit the family up there. This is also where Dad's ice houses are, so we were unable to go ice fishing...  Next time!
Here we are in our borrowed snowmobiling suits from Blake & Ash, ready to play out in the snow!

Chels' first time on a snowmobile!  Our three and a half year old niece Clarabelle is the experienced one here!



Me and Delilah on the snowmobile. I forget how bright the sun is, glaring off the white snow.  I can't see a thing!



Dad, aka "Papa Tractor", was able to come down to visit us mid-week, following the blizzard. Here he is taking his granddaughters for a ride on the snowmobile, so fun!


Sissy and I, so fashionable in our snow gear

Chels getting a little crazy on the snowmobile

Hold on, Ashley!

 

Grandpa and his girls

Claire playing in her house, aka McDonald's drive-thru

Delilah wants a cheeseburger!

Playing on the tire swing

 

Playing on the swing set

Auntie Chelsea shoveling snow on the slide, to make it slippery, weeeee!


Here comes Lila!  Can't tell if she likes it or not, she really zoomed down the slide!

Ashley coming down the slide, while I hurl snow at her, ha ha ha

Clarabelle's turn!

 

Claire is so smart and fashionable in her sunglasses, and cute to boot!

Lila got a little sleepy from all the fun. Asleep in the swing.

 

 

After playing outside, we made individual pizzas for lunch.  Claire was a great helper.

She wanted to put lots of olives on every one's pizzas, because she loves them so much!

 Say cheese!

Chels, Claire, and Dad

Auntie Chelsea and Clarabelle

 

 

Stay tuned, more pictures of our winter Minnesota adventure to come!