Trip to Minneapolis

This past week Matt had an interview in Minneapolis and we decided to make it a fun family trip.  As soon as we checked into our hotel we headed right for the Mall of America.  It was only 15 minutes from our hotel but little did we know that a football game had just ended and we were right by the stadium so it took a bit longer (an hour) but it was worth it.  I especially loved the American Girl store.  I always wanted one! I remember going through the magazines and dreaming (:  The Lego store was also awesome!  They had huge sculptures made entirely of Lego, which was pretty incredible.  On Sunday we went to the university institute for church which was a little awkward because it was a singles ward.  Then we headed to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.  It was a very cool museum!  Then we went to Potbelly sandwiches for lunch.  On Monday Matt had his interview so Ellie and I went back to the mall for the afternoon and we went to Annie's Parlor for dinner.  Before we drove home on Tuesday we stopped off at Minnehaha park.  It was beautiful, even if it was the wrong time of year.

MALL OF AMERICA

Matt thought they were creepy.

 
Amazing Lego sculptures.

Ellie looking up at the giant robot.

The robot in the background is made up of 2.8 million Legos, weighs around 6 tons, and is 2 1/2 stories tall!

Ellie got a piglet from the Disney store.  I'm not sure if it was more for Ellie or for Matt (: He loves Winnie the Pooh everything!

MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS

This is an amazing and huge museum, I highly recommend it.  Just don't do the following things:

1- Put your kid on your shoulders

2 - Have a water bottle

3 - Take pictures

We were spoken to so many times I thought we were going to get kicked out!

Matt liked this painting the best, I wonder why : D I would be insulted by the artist if I was her.  She even has a 5 o'clock shadow!

Ellie passed out after the museum.

Going to Potbelly's for lunch.

After Dinner at Annie's Parlor.

MINNEHAHA PARK

I couldn't stop singing "Minna, minna, ha, ha, minna, minna, ha, ha, we love you." to the tune of Chitty chitty bang bang.  I was driving Matt crazy.....ha, ha.

It was gorgeous!  I can only imagine how pretty it would be in the summer.

The Omaha Zoo and Farmstead in Kansas City

Matt has been super busy this past month with interviewing for Orthodontic residency so when he had a free day I jumped at the chance to hang out with him and go to the zoo by our house.  I love our zoo because the exhibits are so cool and I love how close the animals are, so Ellie can really see them.  We've also been driving down to Kansas City a ton lately because the flights are so much cheaper from there. I'm talking like 100 to 200 dollars less, bizarre right?  Leslie and Jon have been so sweet in letting Ellie and I crash at there place while Matt is away.  We have really enjoyed spending more time with them!  Ellie is totally adored so that makes it fun : D  

Henry Doorly Zoo

Watching the monkey's

Watching the ???? whatever that is.

Watching the penguins. They are SO FAST, like little torpedoes!

Watching the Otters. My favorite, they are like cats but cooler cause they like the water, or am I the only one who thinks that?

The aquarium is AMAZING!

 Deanna Rose Farmstead

I love this place!  It is so fun and has the cutest atmosphere.  If you are ever in the Kansas City area with kids I highly recommend it!  And the best part is.....it's free!  (You can tell we're poor students.)  It was a rainy weekend but we were lucky and it wasn't raining while we were there.  My darling cousin Lauren just moved to KC a few months ago and was able to come with us.   

Feeding the goats is my favorite part. 

Matt has always wanted to grab a bull by it's horns... AKA: a small baby goat

I thought this pony was so pretty with it's blonde hair.

Ellie and Danny making faces at each other.

Playing at Leslie's.

Poor Hobbes.

I thought the following pics were funny because they show how Hobbes has no escape from Ellie.  She seriously loves Hobbes so much.  Her first word besides Mama and Dada was Hobbies if that tells you anything.  She loves to pull his tail and lay her head on his belly and he is so patient with her.  I think he secretly likes the attention (:

She found his hide out under the end table.

A visit from Julie & Zaidee

Julie and Zaidee were able to come for a short visit this past week.  It was so much fun having them both!  On Wednesday we walked around Old Market and went antiquing.  I never go shopping by myself (hence my wardrobe : D ) so it was nice to get out and look around.  The next day we went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch, we fed the animals, walked in a corn maze, watched pig races, ate delicious kettle corn, and of course picked out pumpkins (: I LOVE FALL! On Friday we went to breakfast with the girls at Farmhouse Cafe.  Afterwards we went to the mall, then the zoo, and that evening we made caramel apples and pumpkin hot chocolate, yum!!!

Antiquing.

Shopping in Old Market.

Wedding cake from Wheatfields. It is divine!

See that cute clip in Ellie's hair. It's actually a vintage clip-on earring that we bought from the antique shop and clipped in her hair.  I loved it!  Of course, Ellie took it out and lost it within 10 minutes.

I'm not gonna lie...I was afraid the camel would spit on me.

Watching the pig races.

Yes... that is kettle corn stuck in my teeth.

I love this face! So funny and cute!

Ellie is making a Matt face :-D

My pumpkin!

My other pumpkin!

Holding hands at the zoo.

Caramel Apples / Caramel

(do not double)

1 C. butter

2 1/4 C. brown sugar

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 C. corn syrup

1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. chopped walnuts (optional)

In 3 qt. heavy saucepan melt butter over low heat.  Add brown sugar, condensed milk, and corn syrup.  Mix well, cook and stir over medium high heat until mixture boils.  Clip candy thermometer to pan.  Reduce heat to medium.  Continue boiling at a moderately steady rate, stirring frequently until firm ball stage (248 F).  Turn off heat and add vanilla.

*For caramel apples cook to around 234 F (about 10 to 15 minutes)

While caramel is cooking (remember to stir frequently) wash apples with hot water and a little vinegar to remove wax.  Dry apples and put in stick.  Place dipped apples on wax or parchment paper that has been buttered or sprayed with Pam.  Makes 10-12 apples.

For regular caramels line 8x8 pan with tin foil, extending over the edges.  Butter the foil.  Sprinkle walnuts over the bottom of the pan and pour caramel over.

My favorite is caramel, white chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and sliced almonds. YUM!