MN

We flew to MN Dec 23. We arrived there to a little snow coming down but none on the ground and no more while we were there. We hung out at my cousin's house for a few hours and then went out to dinner at Old Chicago with my sister, her husband and the kids, Joel and Katy and my parents. 12 of us. It took a while to get the food but it was fun to all be together. The next morning we went to the Como Park Zoo. I was fascinated with the polar bears. One came right up to the window scaring me to death. Myla slept the whole time and Mattingly, Ella and Edie had fun getting in and out of the rental stroller and our stroller. Then it was off to the Dischinger Christmas. We ate and played and chatted. Lost Mattingly for a few terrifying minutes and then it was time for the kids to open presents and the adults to do white elephant. We ended up with some camping accessory things in which Mark put in my cousin's stocking and I got a fleece blanket and a Charlie Brown Christmas which we already have. It will be regifted next year! =) We made a stop to McDonald's for some dinner and then it was back to my cousin's to sleep. Christmas morning we opened stockings together and then headed to my brother's for breakfast; donuts and coffee. We decided to go to church and then the kids went to the park and ate and opened their gifts. The adults then ate and opened our presents while the kids watched a movie. The craziest and most unexpected was an ipad given to each couple. My sister went crazy screaming and crying so I cried and didn't even know what it was! Mark was totally into setting it up. Now we are awaiting wi-fi. Which we will be getting Sunday. So that will be a fun new thing to play with and nice to have while Mark hogs the computer doing work. After presents we went to the hotel to swim and back to my cousins to relax. The next morning we got up to do a little shopping. No deals this year. Lunch at my brother's and we were off to visit my grandma. Then we went to Green Mill to eat with my cousin and her husband. I spent a while packing and then it was bedtime again. The next morning we relaxed before we headed to the airport around noon to head back home. As always the trip was crazy busy but fun. Hopefully we'll be back soon to see my cousin's baby who is due to come the end of March.