Memorial Day Weekend 2011

This year over Memorial Day weekend, Nick ran his first 5K of the year and finished with a time of 27 minutes. Go Nick! When he got home from the race, we loaded up the car and headed to the Twin Cities. Our goal was to spend some quality time with the girls, and also with their aunts and uncles!

(Nick and Ellie at Como Zoo)

We had planned to go to the Minnesota Zoo on Saturday afternoon, however when we arrived at Amanda and Steve's place in Minnetonka, we decided that because of the impending rain and thunderstorms, and also because of the time, we would pick up Heather and John and head to Como Zoo in St. Paul instead. It turned out to be a good plan because just as soon as we arrived, the first sprinkles started and the majority of people left the zoo. We didn't mind getting a little wet; in fact, Ellie LOVED splashing in the puddles and even managed to sit down in the middle of one before we made it back to the car. Overall, the zoo was a success! That night, we had a good dinner made by Amanda and Steve and enjoyed our time with everyone together.

(Ellie riding the "zebra" at Como)

On Sunday, the weather was a bit cooler and still wet, and so we decided to let Ellie enjoy some time at the Mall of America (it had been years since Nick and I had been there, so it was nice to just walk around a bit anyway). There were three main highlights to that trip. First, were the rides that Nick and Ellie went on together. She was just tall enough to be able to ride both the Diego bus and the Log Flume! Nick sure was excited that he has a little thrill-seeker! 2 years old and already riding roller coasters! She had a great time, though it was hard to get pictures. Second, was the Boots doll that uncle Steve bought for her after she met the Dora character in Nickelodeon Universe. And the third highlight to the MOA experience: Ellie dropping down in a huge crowd of people and deciding that was the appropriate time to become a puppy! As we are weaving our way through a crowd of people on the first floor of the mall, Ellie gets bored, drops to her knees, and starts crawling through the crowd, panting like a dog, and letting out little "woofs" here and there. Looking back, I find it quite hilarious now. But at the time, I was finding it pretty nerve-racking to be pushing a stroller through the crowd, let alone trying to keep a leash on my 2-year old "puppy" and keep her from being trampled!

(Amanda and Steve at MOA)

(Nick and Ellie on the Log Flume)

(Ellie is exhausted from so much fun!)

(Victoria slept through the whole MOA experience.)

(Nick and Ellie on the Diego Bus ride)

(Nick and I on our date night)

Sunday night was quite a treat for Nick and I. Amanda and Steve had volunteered to take both girls for us so that Nick and I could go out on the town and enjoy our first date night since Victoria was born! We got dressed up for our dinner reservations at La Belle Vie, a VERY fancy French-Mediterranean restaurant in Minneapolis. It was certainly the most fancy place Nick and I had been to before, and the bill definitely showed that, but BOY! Was that food delicious! Following our 5-course+ menu, we went to the Guthrie Theater and saw God of Carnage - a comedic one-act play that focused on two sets of parents that meet to discuss a fight their boys had had, only to let their own imaturities come out during the meeting. It was a great night and we had a really good time! Sounds like the girls did well with their aunt and uncle, too, so we may have to try the date night thing again sometime!

(Mommy and Victoria - finally a decent picture!)

(Victoria and Ellie enjoying Uncle Steve's vibrating chair)

(Uncle John and Victoria - he loves his goddaughter!)

On Monday, we had a laid-back morning with Amanda and Steve, met Darren for lunch at a good organic cafe in Minneapolis, and enjoyed the afternoon with Heather and John. Ellie was able to get her first good nap of the whole weekend, and when she woke up, we walked with Heather and John over by Lake Calhoun for dinner. It was a beautiful, warm day and a great way to end a fun weekend. A very busy, but fun-filled weekend was had by us all!