Two for One...

I'm using this one post to recap both our trip to Minnesota AND my weekly pictures!

We made it! We're alive! Thank you for the positive thoughts and prayers! We flew to Minnesota and back to Philly safely and without too much trouble! We left on a Friday morning, so Jon was able to help me get my baggage carried and checked before leaving us at security. The flight itself was delayed, which annoyed me a little since I had perfectly timed out the flights to coincide with my children's happy times. Luckily is was only an hour delay, and both of them did pretty well. Kylie watched movies and Brooks took a nap. We arrived in Minneapolis to Jon's brother and sister-in-law! It was great to have them there to help me unload! We had lunch with Tony, Ingrid, Elias, and Espen, and then drove down to Stewie during the kids' afternoon naps. They both slept and I was finally able to enjoy a little peace and quiet...and a Diet Coke! :)

9/6/13

 Playing in the Philadelphia airport before leaving!

Exhausted and napping on the drive from Hudson to Stewie!

Once we arrived in Stewartville, we had a jam packed schedule to maintain! But I love being busy, so it was wonderful for me! We went to a Stewartville Tigers football game on Friday night. We got to sit in the crow's nest because my dad was the 2012 fan of the year! Kylie loved playing with her cousin, Emmit, and cheering on the football players. She yelled, "Good job, guys!" on nearly every play!

 Watching the Stewartville Tigers football game with Emmit!

Can you tell they are having fun!?!

Trying out her "big girl" bed.

This was her first time in an actual bed, and she did great!

Saturday was my friend, Marissa's, wedding! My sister went with me since Jon stayed back in Philly to work, and my mom watched my kids! I was so thankful to have the company of Mia and a little break from my sweet babes! Marissa's wedding was beautiful, and it was awesome to see most of the Pink Stars (Ruthie couldn't be there because she was in labor with her brand new baby boy, Henry!).

9/7/13

 Marissa and Jay saying, "I do."

Another Pink Star bites the dust!

L to R: Kristin, me, Marissa, Schro, Molly, and Amanda

We missed you, Ruth, but congratulations on your beautiful baby boy, Henry!

On Sunday, my Grandma King (aka Super Grandma), made a huge home-cooked meal for almost the entire King side of the family. It was basically a Thanksgiving Feast. I'm grateful that she did that and had a huge get together while we were home because we will definitely miss that this Thanksgiving! We also visited my Grandpa Don and Judy on Sunday for my Grandpa's 79th birthday! It was so fun to see him too! I think he loved seeing some of his great grandchildren on his b-day!

9/8/13

 Brooks trying on a baseball hat!

Miles and Brooks just being buddies!

They are a little under 2 months apart!

 Johnny, Rochelle, Emmit, and Kylie taking a gator ride!

Don't worry, they stopped for the picture...Emmit is NOT standing and riding! :)

On Monday, we went back out to the farm for another visit. We enjoyed another delicious meal and lots of gator rides! My friend, Molly, also came over for a visit! It's always so much fun to catch up with her. My Aunt Nancy came over for an evening visit as well! I always love hanging out with "my best friend." (Nancy once told my sister, that "her sister (meaning Mia) was her best friend." She was trying to say my mom was her best friend, but ever since then, I've been Nancy's best friend!)

 9/9/13

 Reading with Grandma Susan!

 Playing with Auntie Mia!

 It was SUPER hot!

Playing at the water table!

Brooks sporting a mohawk!

Jon said he looks just like a King in this picture!

Tuesday was a little less chaotic. We ran some errands in Rochester, got Kylie's hair cut, and had lunch with my friend, Anne! Anne is always a blast...She has so much energy! Then Tuesday night, my friend, Jess, was celebrating her 30th birthday with some girls at Chesters! I was so happy that her celebration coincided with my trip home, so I was able to join her! It was AWESOME! Sadly, I forgot to get pictures with both Anne and Jess! Boo!

 9/10/13

 Kylie getting her second ever haircut.

She was awesome!

 Watching garbage trucks out the window in her undies! :)

Wednesday, we had one last lunch and gator ride at the farm! It was also my parent's 37th wedding anniversary! Way to go, Mom and Dad...That's a long time! :) And then we headed back up to Hudson to spend a little (not enough) time with the Barlows! We played, ate, and chatted with Tony, Ingrid, Greg, Elias, Espen, Kriss, and Doug! We were spoiled with yet another delicious meal!

9/11/13

 There are some really cute spots for photos at the farm.

I just had to take a couple of my boy!

Enjoying one last gator ride with Grandpa Jimmie-John and Grandma Susan!

Thursday morning, we got up, got ready, and headed back to the airport. Kriss and Tony drove us so that Kriss could help us back into the airport. I really had too much stuff...I need to scale back next time...There is no way I could have done any of that completely by myself! I owe a huge thank you to my airport chauffeurs, Tony and Kriss! This flight was a little later, and bumped into the kids' afternoon naps a little bit. They were quite a bit fussier at the end of the flight. Kylie was throwing multiple temper tantrums, and Brooks was screaming...for about the last 30 minutes! I was in a full out sweat! But we survived, and I'm sure we'll do it again! We arrived in Philly right as Jon was finishing up in the OR so he was able to come and get us! Huge lifesaver!

9/12/13

Barlow cousins!

L to R: Espen, Kylie, Brooks, Elias!

Overall, it was an AWESOME trip! Can't wait to visit again!