Minnesota!

Minnesota! It was our first home as a family and one of our favorite places to visit. We love going back to see many of our family and friends from all different phases of our lives! We had a fun and busy three week vacation. We spent a couple of those weeks in Stewartville and one week in Hudson. Here are A LOT of pictures from our days there...

Our favorite Stewie park: Lake Florence Park!

We spent a ton of time on the King Family Farm.

Brooks LOVES tractors, and asked Grandpa Jimmie-John for a ride every chance he got.

And Grandpa couldn't say no.

We had a visit from a police officer on National Night Out.

I'm hoping this is the only visit we ever have from a police officer.

We ate ice cream at the DQ!

My girl has a sweet tooth like her mama!

We drove up to the Cities to have a play date with some of my high school friends (aka Pink Stars).

This is a few of the next generation of Pink Stars.

L to R: Emma, Brooks, Kylie, Henley, and Hudson (Scout is in the door)

We took a trip up to the Mall of America with my cousin's daughter, Ayanna, to check out the Barbie Dream House.

It wa very pink.

Brooksie likes all motor vehicles regardless of color!

Some more time at the Farm with most of Super Grandma's great grandkids.

L to R: Emmit, Miles (with Debbie), Tommy, Kylie, and Brooks.

Ayanna hung out with us another day too.

More tractor rides!

And skid loader rides!

We had King family pictures taken.

This was the only picture I took while we were taking pictures because taking pictures of 4 toddlers/preschoolers is a lot like herding cats.

I am looking forward to seeing the results though!

Then we headed up to Hudson and Jon was even able to join us for a few days!

We went to a nearby county fair.

Brooks got to feed a horse.

Kylie was too afraid to feed the horse, but she did opt for a horse head picture....

...and a horse face painting.

It was free. :)

There were baby llamas,

and pony rides,

and balloon hats with the cousins!

L to R: Kylie, Brooks, Espen, Elias

Kylie and Espen doing morning yoga,

making straw rockets,

and playing marble works!

And finally a delicious dinner at Steve's Pizza Palace! YUM!

Then we headed back down to Stewie.

We met up with Anne and family at Thursday's on First.

L to R: Me, Brooks, Kylie, Graham, Anne, and Callahan

We spent more time at the Farm!

We had even more tractor rides!

My friend, Marissa, is expecting her first baby in October.

We were able to get most of the Pink Stars together for a shower!

L to R: Kristin (with Hudson), Schroeder, Ruthie, Marissa, Me (with Brooks), Molly

We missed Amanda!

Here are all of the Pink Star babes.

L to R: Kylie, Brooks, Henry, Emma, Hudson holding Henley (with two more on the way)

Pink Star Moms, Pink Stars, and Pink Star Babies

We decided to break the drive up into two chunks on the way back.

We stayed at an indoor water park in Chicago.

The kids had a blast!

There were also rides, arcade games, and a mini bowling alley at the hotel!