Yesterday we were very sad to see Nana and Pops go :( ....but, we had a great time while they were here. And this time it will only be a month until we get to see them again, so it was a little easier to say goodbye. It had been 3 months since my parents had seen Parker last, besides videos and video chat, so he was like a different little boy to them. We managed to do quite a few sight-seeing things and we also left some time to just veg!
Last Wednesday after Parker and I picked them up from the airport, we made a quick razzo through the Mall of America...to say they did it. Nana and Pops bought Parker his first Lego set in Lego Land! He might have enjoyed the box more than the Legos but that's okay :)
Thursday I showed them around town and in the evening we went to a Fall Festival in Waseca at the U of M Research Center. It was pretty chilly that night!
Friday we headed to the Indian Island Winery for some wine tasting and dinner. They had campfires set up outside and thank goodness they did because it was cold! It was fun to snuggle up by the fire though and it was a beautiful view.
Saturday we had a full day! We woke up and headed downtown to the Farmer's Market. We got lots of fresh veggies, homemade cheese, and yummy breakfast. Again it was fairly cold and many of the vendors/locals were packing up and going home...made us feel better...we weren't the only weenies :) We headed back to the house, picked up Parker and Patrick, and headed out for Red Wing, MN. It has been on our list of places to go...it is located on the Mississippi River and the border of Wisconsin. It is home of the Red Wing Boot Company and since it is along the river, it has rolling hills with a beautiful view. We were hoping the trees would have started changing, but unfortunately they need a few more weeks.
On the way home we stopped at the Cannon Falls Winery. We actually didn't sample their wine, but we took a limo out to their vineyards and got a little tour of the grounds. The U of M has actually cultivated a few types of grapes that will withstand the freezing weather here. Texas grapes wouldn't survive :) And then we finally stopped at an apple orchard!! It was awesome...fresh picked apples, so crisp! I didn't realize how small apple trees are...I always pictured the apple trees on the Wizard of Oz, you know the ones that swat Dorothy :) I'm pretty sure that was my first time to see an apple tree and they were all so full. The apple man let us pick a few directly from the trees and then he let us sample all of the different varieties. We came home with a bag of apples and some fresh honey. The Honeycrisp apple is actually Minnesota's state fruit!
Sunday we went to Mass and then relaxed inside...the weather was cold and wet. Only two weeks until our next visitors come...Aimee, Kari, and Skinny! Can't wait! And only a month until Parker and I head to Texas for some Aggie Football and Czhilispiel.
Lots more pictures on the Smilebox!!!
Fabulous photos! I want copies of some of them. We had a great time and have many happy memories. Thanks for being such a great host and hostess.
ReplyDeleteAWWW....I didn't want the pictures to end!! I can't can't wait to see you guys in October :) Parker looks like the happiest baby. He is always smiling :)
ReplyDeleteUntil we make him sleep :)
ReplyDelete