Minnesota Love

We made it back from our trek up to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In short, the trip went really well. It was less a "vacation" and more a "journey" into what it's like to travel as a family of 3 and not a couple of 2 (semi-redundant).

Mia handled the flights really well. Thankfully NWA/Delta still offers a nonstop between TPA & MSP so in only 3 hrs we were at our destination. She did manage to poo her pants during the final descent into Tampa on our return flight (you know - the time when you are sequestered to your seat with the seatbelt light on and cannot move?) so we had to wait until we deboarded the plane to change her diaper AND her outfit.

Being back in MN was surreal. This was the second time I've visited since my parents moved in Dec '07. Despite what many may think, it's not automatically cold in MN this time of year, in fact, it was considered "hot" even in my book on a couple of occasions. However, the two nights we stayed at a friend's house, we slept without the AC on and even got chilly in the middle of the night. I forgot that was possible.

As for Mia in Minnesota...we were so busy even though we got up there a few days early that getting a regular dosage of naps was seemingly impossible. I underestimated the effect of this but soon realized she was looking for sleep, which is sometimes hard to get in an unfamiliar place. She seems right back to normal though now that we are home.

And as for the wedding, it went very smoothly. Both the bride and groom (my brother) were very calm and at peace the day of. It was a really special event for the whole family and I'm glad we all got to participate. Greg handled Mia all day Friday almost entirely by himself and did a bang-up job. He showed up for family pictures early with Mia who was dressed and even had the bow I laid out for her in her hair. Of course, family pictures got moved back until after the ceremony but what can you do.
I managed to be the whitest girl in the ceremony. I dyed my hair a bit darker the week before we left and was hoping I'd get some color on my skin beforehand, either via a spray tan (gasp!), some actual sun, or e'en self-tanner, which I hadn't fiddled with in years. None of those things happened. So, I worked the goth/Anne Hathaway/white porcelain look. Just call me a poster child for the Victorian years. Of course I remind myself, no one really cares what the bridesmaids look like, it's the bride for whom we're all the rage. And she looked smashingly beautiful.

And, always one to please, here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment:


Sleeping on a jetplane




Rehearsal Dinner







Prepping in full effect







The Ceremony






Harley Get-Away

I somehow did not manage to actually get a picture of Nate & Jenna together on their wedding day, and the only other picture I have of them from this trip has some serious red-eye (and is totally candid) so...we must all wait until their real wedding pictures arrive for you to see what they really looked like!