Ellie in commercials?!

We just got back from Sam's club where we did some large item shopping! Wow, I'm tired.  Ellie is in her bed having alone time and I am downstairs taking a break from putting things away.  UGH!

While we were at Sam's Ellie waved and said, "HI!" to everyone she passed!  This isn't exactly a new thing.  Since she learned to say "hi" at about 8 mths, she's been saying to everyone and everything!  The funny part is when we were done, I decided it would be a good thing to sit and have a HUGE pretzel for 94 cents. :)  Ellie and I sat next to a couple with a 5 yr old and a 5mth old.  Ellie said, "hi" and waved to them over a dozen times.  They thought she was hilarious!  The little 5 yr old was playing and making faces at Ellie and Ellie was responding in her charismatic way.  When I walked away to get my pretzel, she said, "hi" to a lady in line and then pointed to me across the way and said, "momma."  WOW! This child is social!  Anyway, the lady of the couple we were sitting next to was so amazed by Ellie's sociability at 16mths that she actually stated that Ellie should do commercials! haha...can you imagine?  

A successful trip!

Well we made it! With Ellie in the backseat, we successfully drove to and from the twin cities without a hitch! Ellie did fantastic! Thank-you Ellie for not being a total spazz for 10 hours! :)

We spent the first two nights (Monday night and Tuesday night) in Eden Prairie with Joey's Uncle Scott, Aunt Karen and cousins David and Sarah.  It was great to see them! Ellie especially enjoyed visiting with them as they gave her lots of attention! :) 

 They have a cat that Ellie loved too! Since all animals are doggies to Ellie, this cat began as "Doggie, woof woof."  Everyone continued to correct her, "Ellie it's a cat, meow meow."  Finally by the end of the two days it was a "doggie, meow meow."  We tried!

We played several games while we were there:

Here's a group shot:

Then we made our way up closer to the cities where we spent the last three nights with Joey's old roommate Aaron, his wife Erica and their 4 1/2 mth old Miriam.  Ellie LOVED the little baby! :) 

When we first arrived on Wednesday morning we headed over to where Matt and Nora Honson are staying (at Nora's parents' place) for brunch.  Nora made us a yummy brunch and we all hung out, played music and played Wii! :) Both Matt and Nora are doing wonderfully!  Matt is recovering so well! He is truly a walking miracle as friends put it.  We were so glad to see them both and to see them doing so well! It's hard to believe it's only been two months!

Here's Matt teaching Ellie piano:

This is baby Miriam and I:

A group shot:

And a Miriam and Ellie photo shoot:

Miriam is such a good baby! She let Ellie poke and prod at her all day long! She's so sweet! Ellie called her "mimi."  

On Thursday we saw Lisa Sweatt (no pics!!) for breakfast! She's getting married in September and we are SO excited for her!

Then for lunch we went out to Hong Kong Noodle on the U of M campus and had yummy Chinese food! We had been talking with Matt and Nora about Chinese food and the comparisons between their experience and Joey's so much that it made us all want some! :) It was very good, and of course there was a bubble tea shop right across the street, so we went and got some tea after lunch!

After lunch Joey went to the Como Park Conservatory with Aaron, Erica, Miriam, Matt and Nora while Ellie and I headed towards Bethel to meet up with the Toters!  

There was a really cool hand dryer in the bathroom at the mall that Ellie got a kick out of:

Then for dinner Thursday night I got to see some college friends/roommates!  Erica, Julia, Jackie and Matthew all met us at the "Old Chicago" in uptown! So fun! :) It was so great to see them!

This is some hang out time with Miriam and Ellie:

Friday morning we went out to eat with David and Michelle Louis (again no pics).  It was wonderful seeing them too! They had just spent some time in Hong Kong and Singapore so we got to hear all about it!  Then the rest of Friday we spent with my family at Bethel where we toured the new building! It's a new dining center and market area.  It's amazing and something I would have really appreciated! :( At least my sister gets to experience it for three more years! :)

And finally Saturday morning we headed home.  Here's a look into the ride home:

We just loved our trip to MN! It was quite busy for us so we were extremely tired by the end, but it was so much fun!  Thanks to everyone who took time to see us and hang out with us, even those unmentioned (due to lack of pictures!).  Thanks especially to the Scott Torgersons and The Aaron Robertsons for letting us stay at your homes!