Em Takes MN

Last week I got to take the kids to visit their Grandma and Grandpa McClure in VA. Em came to assist me on our flights. Luckily, or someone undoubtedly would have gotten lost in the airport (Joe) or ripped out their hair in frustration (me), as the journey there was not the smoothest. But it was worth it! I love going home to the place I grew up with the people I grew up with. And best part was: introducing Handsome Henry in the flesh. He was charmed by both his grandparents, as well as aunts, uncle, a cousin, a great-grandma and great aunt.

So obviously I have a billion-hundred (as Joe would say) pictures to share. Onward!

Boom Island park picnic and evening stroll
Em got in Sunday afternoon so we had to make the most of the rest of the evening. We packed a picnic (fried chicken, grapes, cheetos, and powdered donuts - Dad would have been proud!) and headed out to one of our favorite picnic spots: Boom Island Park. It has a nice playground and riverside walk as well as a fantastic view of Minneapolis. We also got to see...drumroll...a little red caboose! We stood on an overpass and watched it go under, Riley and Joe cheering and singing, "Little red ca-BOOSE!" at the top of their lungs. We also got to collect some gravel...Joe filled his pockets so heavily that his pants unsnapped and started to fall down! That squirrely boy, he just loves to collect things. Especially rocks. Future geologist perhaps?

Como Zoo and Conservatory
Monday we went to the zoo. It was, well a zoo! Hot and muggy to boot but we soldiered on!

Em made some real headway with baby Henry.

Lake Como
After our VA visit, before Em had to go back, we took her to walk around lake Como, stopping at the restaurant on the shore for beniets (sopapillas).
Nevermind how the double stroller broke and we had to leave it there, or how Joe lost his beloved "Moosie" and I had to run halfway around the lake (NOT in running clothes either...) only to find it later, in the car by the carseat. Or that my GPS was wigging out and led us NOT to the airport, and then TO the airport but I was too confused and, long story short, Em missed her flight and had to fly back the next morning...Yeah, that day actually was kind of a bummer. But the lake was beautiful! The company was lovely. And the beniets get two thumbs up!

Thanks for coming Em! It was so fun to show you our neck of the woods. Come any time! Or else! :)