A little mini-vaca to Minnesota!

The four of us piled into our van and headed to the Twin Cities for a little get-a-way. This fall was extremely busy for us and daddy was gone a lot (Africa and working on the farm), so we were excited to have some family fun.  And that is just what we did!  We stayed at the Grandstay (has a bedroom and living area which is absolutely necessary with young children so we don't have to go to bed at 8:00 with them!).  We did some swimming in the cold pool and the hot pool as Ev calls the hot tub, enjoyed cable (we don't have cable at home) and ate up the yummy (Mommy didn't have to make or clean up) breakfast.  We hit up Ikea (we scored some majorly cheap closet storage, some kitchen organization items, and some fun things for the kiddos-i.e. a huge footstool so Evan can help in the kitchen and a race car rug for the basement).  We met up with my cousin Emily and her fiance, and got all the wedding details-it is going to be absolutely beautiful and they are a fantastic couple.  Better yet, Ev and Alea are going to be in the wedding, so fun!  She gave us the idea to head to the downtown Macy's to Santaland which is staged on the 8th floor.  It was so cool and free!  A double bonus.  The kids loved seeing all the elves and especially enjoyed the rice krispie treat at the end.  Last, but not least, we went to Toddler Tuesday at Mall of America, which means Dora was there and it was only 12 dollars to ride about 8 rides.  Ev absolutely loves the all the rides and man, did Alea want to go on them, but still too little.  Next year!
We definitely didn't get the best sleep and we dealt with some wicked tantrums,  but it was all worth it.  Maybe we will make this an annual thing!  :)

Evan at Santa Land in the downtown Macy's

Alea loved looking at all the little fake elves! (she also bonked her head pretty hard on this ledge about 5 minutes prior, but she is tough!)

Evan loves the rides at MOA-on the balloon ride with daddy!

Alea would probably love the rides, but not big enough yet, she had fun walking around and looking at them though!

Evan and Alea would hold hands walking down the long hallway to our hotel room-precious!

How is my little girl already 1?

Alea turned 1 on November 12th and I feel like it was just yesterday when I found out I was pregnant (much to our surprise!).  What a year it has been, being blessed with a little girl, adjusting to having two little ones, and finishing her 1st year with a big celebration.  We had a b-day brunch with lots of family and friends in attendance.  She was little bit overwhelmed but it was so awesome to have so many people there for her special day.  Her favorite part of course was eating the yummy cake-she had absolutely no interest in her presents.  The funniest part of the day was when she wanted to wear two headbands my friend Erin made her, when all year, I couldn't get her to keep one cute headband on!  She's apparently aware of how she wants to style herself after turning 1!

Eating her yummy pumpkin cake!

Her two pretty headbands!

Anyways, here are some things she is up to now that she is 1:
-Has been walking since 11 months, loves to climb, be chased, wrestle with daddy
-Says da-da, momma, hi, door, dog, duck, ball, horse, and your favorite word is no!  She just started saying belly button too while you lift up your shirt and point to it.  So cute!
-She understands a lot of what we say, meaning she can go get something if we tell her to, point to correct body parts
-Has an outgoing personality and is always making funny faces.
-Always ready to laugh /smile
-Very strong-willed and will not back down. Screams when her brother takes something from her and holds onto it with all her little strength. Once, at story time, there was an older boy trying to take her train and she just screamed right at him, not at all afraid that he was twice her size!
-She loves when the school bus comes and runs to our living room window and presses her face against the glass until it leaves.
-She still loves music and is dancing now!  She either bobs up and down or takes one foot and stomps it to the beat.  It is hilarious!
-She is a picky eater which is so different from my son.  It is a struggle to get her to eat most veggies!  And she likes her fruit cut a certain way or she won't eat it!  (Girls...)
-She loves her juice/water mix and kind of holds her cup off to the side when she drinks from it-so goofy! 
-She loves eating out of her snack cup-maybe I should sneak some veggies in there! :)
-She will play, then come check in with me by giving me a hug and patting me on the back-I must do that to her without realizing it. 

-She loves when I let her down at the store to wander around-she walks around like she owns the place! 

-She is still fearless-climbing on everything, standing on top of things, heads up the stairs whenever she thinks I am not looking! I really have to keep close watch of her!
-She loves her daddy for roughhousing, but is still a momma's girl right now.
-She LOVES her big brother and follows him around everywhere, playing cars with him, giving him huggers and kissers and generally annoying him, but out of love!  :)