Road Trip!

The Bruce family set out for Minnesota a few weeks ago.  We opted to drive to Des Moines and stay the night instead of going the whole way, but we drove straight back and I think next time we'll go the whole distance, the kids did GREAT!!  We drove the four hours to Des Moines, checked into our hotel and headed out to see what was around.  We drove by a mall that looked like it had a HUGE sporting goods store, so of course, we had to stop there . . . and that's the only place we went in the mall.  The kids were hungry so we looked to see what was in the mall or around the area to eat & decided on Joe's Crab Shack, DJ had never eaten at one and I hadn't eaten there in at least 6 years, so off we went.  I think everyone liked it.  After, we drove around some more trying to find ice cream for the kids.  We found an Orange Leaf, it's self serve frozen yogurt and our first experience at one.  It was a big hit - and now we have a miniature version in Atchison!!

The minions as we head out of town

 In the morning it was off to Minneapolis.  We got checked into our hotel downtown (which was amazing).  When we checked in they had upgraded us to a king size bed with a pull out sofa in a corner room....the view was incredible!!  Our room was triangle shaped with two of the walls being pretty much all windows, one side being a view of downtown and the other side being a view of Target Field!

Making a tent to keep themselves busy

Under the tent

The kids in our room - I could NOT get a good picture

& in TRUE Gina fashion, this basket of goodies was waiting for us when we checked in!

After we got everything settled, we were off to Gina & Shane's.  We grilled and just hung out!  It was so nice to just be at their house and hang out with them . . . and meet baby Logan, who's not quite a baby anymore, but still, so happy I finally got to meet the little fella!!  We called it an early night and headed back to the hotel where we ordered room service.  The kids thought that was the coolest thing - I have to admit, it was pretty nice to just hang in our room and eat dinner together.

Friday morning we got up and went to the Mall of America, I mean, what's a trip to Minneapolis if you don't include the MOA ;)  We walked around the first floor of the mall, ate lunch and then DJ & the kids were off to the amusement park while Gina, Logan & I did some more shopping.  Gina had to leave for work, so I did a little more shopping then went to find DJ and the kids.  They were having a great time riding everything, but Boston was mad because he was an inch too short to ride all the "good rides".

Lego land

on one of the rides

After the mall we went back to the hotel to get ready for the Twins game.  We went down to The News Room to eat while Gina was working then walked to the stadium from there.  On our way the kids saw petty cabs all over the place and asked if we could take one, we were almost to the stadium so it didn't really make much sense to take one then, but told them we could take one back to The News Room after the game.  The seats and the game were GREAT.  The Twins won 11-0!

The view from our seats

Such a pretty stadium!

DJ & the kids on our petty cab ride back to The News Room

Our driver - he was a huffin' & a puffin'

We had dessert and talked with Gina for a while then walked back to our hotel.  In the morning it was time to check out and head over to Gina & Shane's to drop off all our stuff.  We spent the day at Gina's brother's house with their family.  Ben & Abby have a 4 year old girl and a 1 year old boy just a bit older than Logan. The "big" kids played in their playroom, swam, played on the swing set & bounce house, pretty sure they had a great time together.  The rest of us hung out chatting and catching up.  It was a great and relaxing day that was ended with a dance party by the kids.  They were hilarious!

Boston playing ladder-ball with the boys

That night it was date night with Gina and Shane!!  Gina had arranged for her normal babysitter to come over while we had a late dinner.  We went to a place called Butcher & The Boar where there were some interesting items on the menu, including head cheese (Google it) and boar heart.... we did NOT order those items!  We were all a little exhausted with the exception of Gina, so we headed back to the house and hit the sack.

We went back to The News Room for lunch before leaving town and to see Gina one last time.  I wish the weekend would have lasted a bit longer, but it was so great to see my ol' pal again!  It's been too long and hope it doesn't take as long to see them again!!

Love ya Beaner!!  (Shane & Logi too!)