Well, we've been home from our trip to Ohio for a week now. The trip was amazing, exhausting and long-awaited. Joel, the kids and I drove up to Minneapolis on Wednesday night. I knew we were going to have a lot of luggage - what with the bouncer, boppy, pump, blankets, burp cloths, diapers, bottles, nipples, formula, toys for Josh, pull-ups, etc. However, you could have smuggled a small family in our luggage.

So I have to say that the most stressful part of the entire trip had to be getting through security. Seriously, I've had doctor's visits less invasive and getting Josh to take off his shoes and walk through the entire process was about as easy me getting him to eat brussel sprouts. When you add all of that to security people on a bit of a power trip this Mama was ready for a stiff drink after the entire ordeal.

First I have to say, exactly when did airlines stop allowing people with children to board first? Nothing adds more stress to any situation like a dozen business people in suits rolling their eyes behind you in line because you didn't get your stroller tagged before boarding.

So I was not quite sure how the kids were going to react to the flight. I had Lauren's bottle prepped and ready but I pretty much thought the take off and landing would be a crap shoot with Josh. Well, the flights wen't perfectly; there and back.



That is until we realized the airline lost Josh's carseat. Needless to say, he was not happy with us.


We got to feed fish and turtles.

And then funny looking ducks. Check out its mohawk!

We got to have a "Mommy, Lauren and Josh" sleepover EVERY night.


And Mommy learned a new appreciation for the magical appliance known as a dishwasher.


As a parent you get those moments when you realize your children are growing. I had one of those moments last Sunday.

This is Lauren when she was 3 days old:

This is Lauren when she was 4 weeks and 3 days old:


YIKES!!

Overall, we had such a nice time. Spending time with (Great)Grandma and (Great)Grandpa, Aunt Sue and Chuck, Dad and Thomas and of course Uncle Joel was long over due and well worth the stress. These picture make it worth it!