Abby and I took a weekend trip to Minnesota at the end of October to be there for my sister-in-law's baby shower. It was a nice long weekend. While we were waiting for our plane to Minnesota Abby made friends with the pilot of our flight and he asked that she stop at the cockpit on our way to the seats. They let Abby sit in the pilot's seat and gave her a giant hershey's bar.
Once on the ground, Abby had a very difficult time getting her ears to pop. She enjoyed catching up with her Bobo, Sally and Gabby the cat.
Our first full day in Minnesota was busy - one little girl was up well before the sun due to ear pain.
She got right to work making cookies for her Uncle Jon who had a transplant earlier in the month.
Jon was home recovering from surgery, Abby was a little freaked out by Jon's cast so she didn't get too close. We did get a nice group shot of the siblings though.
After we visited with Jon we headed over to the Mall of America, Abby requested we eat at the Rainforest Cafe. She loves the animated animals and she actually ate most of her lunch.
Bobo treated Abby to a couple rides at the amusement park and Abby visited the "Hello, Kitty" store for the first time. She was in love with the whole place.
That night Bobo, Abby and I went to a local pumpkin patch in Lake Elmo, they had a petting farm and pumpkins galore.
Back at Bobo's place the three of us went to work carving pumpkins.
Friday morning we were up early to drive to Gram's house in Wisconsin... this isn't her house but the fairies house in her front yard.
Grams and Terry had pumpkins to paint and us girls were busy painting many of them.
Gram's gave Abby an early birthday present, a cabbage patch doll. Abby loves Callie Pearl.
Sally was put to work in the kitchen doing her best Julia Child, thankfully she didn't ruin lunch.
My Aunt Heather and her girls, Alanis and Shelby came by for a visit as well. Abby was excited to show them all the work she was able to do on Sally's old dollhouse.
The girls.
We drove from Prairie Farms to Zimmerman to see more family Friday night, Abby was exhausted but refused to nap. She did get a lot of cuddles from Callie Pearl though.
Abby was so happy to see her pal Claire, these two are peas in a pod.
From their love of sweets to their fancy dresses - these two love each other very much.
My Aunt Shannon set up a table for the kids to decorate sugar cookies, Claire, Owen and Abby had a great time making treats for all of us.
Didn't they do a great job!
Abby had brought a bunch of handy me downs for Claire and it made for a very entertaining time watching the two of them try on dresses and comment on all the clothes.
Abby was also very excited to see Great-Grandma Pat & Great-Grandpa Jim they are very amused with her antics.
She was asleep before we were a mile from their house.
When we got back to Bobo's that night Bobo had carved yet another pumpkin for Abby, but she was too tired to see it.
The next day was the baby shower (the reason for the trip) Abby was excited for more time with Claire and another cousin Clara. Lots of girls who love crafts just as much as Abby.
By this point in the trip Abby was beginning to get worn out, no naps lots of travel and lots of strangers, most pictures from this point out ended like this.
The mama-to-be, Aunt Anna!
An attempt at a 4 generation shot, you can see how well Abby is holding up.
Sisters! Gosh I look so tall in this photo! haha
We left straight from the shower to the airport, doesn't Abby look like a business woman? Thank goodness for a quick flight home and a solid night sleep for one little four year old.
