Up North "vacation"

Our travels up north started on Thursday after lunch.  We made a pit-stop at my brother's house and Makena got to have a playdate with her 3 cousins from my side of the family. We stopped because I had to drop off my nephew's birthday present.  I can't believe he's 9 already.  I didn't get any older though, right? Anyway, they all played inside/outside/ate ice cream basically had fun. Around 4 we continued our journey to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  We arrived shortly after 5.  We made really good time! I fed Makena right away and then Grandpa made meatloaf for the two of us.  Grandma wasn't home yet.

Friday:
Well this was a BIG day for Makena.  She's still talking about it and it's Monday right now.  That's an eternity in toddler life! We spent the morning playing around and then cousin Braden came!  Uncle Brian and I took the kids on a hike in the woods. Makena was incredibly slow and refused to hold hands or be carried.  Luckily Uncle Brian was understanding and was using the time to scour the woods for wildlife. We didn't see anything besides birds. About 30 deer ticks and 2 hours later we were back. Grandpa suggested the kids help him go down to the lake and feed the ducks since they were still in outside garb.  I happily agreed to pass off the whining 2 year old.  As I was watching them from the couch in the house I calmly said to my MIL and SIL "Makena just fell in the lake".  I then started to giggle as I went to the window for a closer look and to see what door Grandpa was bringing her to. She was crying so hard and water was dripping off of her. After stripping her down and giving her a warm bath she was ready for more indoor adventures. She topped off the night with chocolate ice cream and stayed up late until 10:30.  Actually she ended up sleeping in bed with me.  That never happens. She did sleep really well once she fell asleep!

Saturday:
We went shopping with MIL and SIL.  It was fun. We had a wonderful lunch at pizza ranch. yum yum. That afternoon the kids got their Easter presents from Grandma. Matthew got an awesome new baby chair and Makena got new Barbies. One of them came with a horse too.  She loves them. She dances with them all the time, so cute. She also got to dye eggs AGAIN this week!

Sunday:
Bring on Easter!  Makena happily put on her dress and called herself beautiful and everything wonderful! She found her basket filled with piggy paint, books, dry erase crayons and book to use those on, and lots on nummy candy. She had a great time finding eggs with her cousins and first cousins once removed.  They were having so much fun. Makena didn't get to take a nap until late and that led to yet another late night in my room.

I LOVE my babies!

Playing with her leapfrog pen and books

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" 

Monday:
Today we spent almost the whole day outside.  Walking, exploring, playing, and chasing. Not much else  went on today. She even went to bed without much of a fight.