Fun Times!

The rest of our time in Minnesota we spent hanging out with family, seeing some friends, eating a couple of meals out (very interesting with two toddlers!), and doing some shopping. Paul and I were a bit crazy and went to the outlet mall in Albertville in the middle of a snowstorm. The drive there and back was a bit scary, and we both fell on the ice in the parking lot, but there was hardly anyone else there and we got great bargains!

It was so fun to watch Gemma and Freya together. It was pretty much, 'monkey see, monkey do' the entire time! They played and chased, and Gemma wanted to give Freya hugs and kisses all of the time. Freya was a little hesitant! They were so cute together, yet it was difficult to get photos, as they rarely sit still!

Here's a photo recap of the rest of our trip:



Freya trying on some heels at DSW!




Reading with Grandma




Gemma attempting to give Freya a hug




Matching shirts- they say 'Grandma's Little Helper'




Enjoying pancakes at IHOP!




One morning, Mom and I took the girls to an indoor play place at the Hopkins Pavillion. They loved it! Here's Gemma and Grandma with the slide.




Bouncy castle!




Building with blocks




Later that evening, the girls watched some kids playing in the snow outside.




Our visit to Santa at the Ridgedale mall. Gemma has hat hair and wasn't too happy to sit with Santa. Freya did great!



This was after our visit to Santa. The mall was pretty quiet, so they loved running around after the visit!



Gemma liked Auntie Margo's Christmas tree!


Me and Freya


Playing on the bed


Freya with one of her Christmas gifts from us- a leotard for when she starts gymnastics in January!


Gemma getting a lift on the suitcase



Another meal out- this was something else! Gemma ended up eating mostly applesauce, and Freya ate mostly ketchup and pickles!


Watching an app on the iPad with Paul


Kisses for auntie!


Gemma and Grandpa

The time went WAY too quickly, and on Saturday, December 7th, we headed back to Dublin. Gemma did really well with the travelling. She drifted off to sleep while watching a video on the iPad while we were sitting on the plane in Chicago waiting for a crew to take us to the gate. She slept around 40 minutes. We then got a snack and headed to the international terminal. Once we got through security again, we let Gemma run around and play for awhile. We had dinner, then got Gemma into her pj's for the flight. We departed Chicago around 7:30pm local time, and Gemma fell asleep shortly after takeoff. She slept 5 hours of the 6 hour and 15 minute flight (we had good tail winds, so made great time). We arrived back in Dublin, got through immigration and baggage claim, then headed to the car. We were back in our place a little after 9am local time, but it felt like 3am to us. After some breakfast for Gemma we all went down for a nap!



Helping in the Minneapolis airport


Gemma got a 'Junior TSA Agent' badge in Minneapolis


Asleep on the plane at the gate in Chicago


Eating pizza in the Chicago airport


A little more playtime before getting on the flight to Dublin


Fast asleep!


Back in Dublin, waiting for Daddy to get the car

We had such a wonderful time, and thank you to everyone who hosted us and travelled to see us. We can't wait to come back to Minnesota soon!
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