Mini-Soda!

 For spring break we didn't get to go to the beach, but we did get some nice weather.  We headed to Minnesota (also pronounced mini-soda by Caroline) to visit Uncle Chris, Aunt Jill, Kaitrin and Juliana and Tia Lindsey.  Daddy had to stay home and work, so we went with Grandma and Aunt Kara.  The ride there was long, but we stopped in Chicago and stayed at Nana and Papa's to break it up.  It was fun to see them for a little while at least. 

Our first day there was spent playing outside in gorgeous weather.  Caroline and her cousin Kaitrin rode in the burley, rode bikes (this was Caroline's first time on a non-tricycle) and played at the park. Caroline was super brave climbing on things at the park - but she did great!

 The next day we braved the children's museum.  They have a great museum there and the kids all had a great time.  Caroline quickly found a princess cape and wore it around as long as she could.

 Caroline and Kaitrin cooking up some good food in the restaurant.

Jack hanging out with Aunt Kara.  He just started standing while holding on to things and now refuses to sit.  Stubborn kid!

 Our last day there we went to the zoo.  Again, Mini-soda did not disappoint.  The weather was a little colder than what we had been hoping for, but we were thankful for no rain.

Jack ready to take on any animal he finds.

 Caroline couldn't go to the zoo without her bird that she got in her happy meal the day before.

Caroline took this nice picture of me so I wouldn't feel left out.  Do we have a future photographer in the making?  Her grandma would like to think so :)

 One of the first things we saw was this bunny.  Caroline was very excited to pet it.  She's quite the animal lover. 

 Jack just hung out with Tia Lindsey who joined us for the day.  They were good buds!

We then found ourselves by the sharks and dolphins and a great water exhibit.  Caroline loved being almost splashed by the rushing water.

The other really cool thing that we saw was this tiger.  He came right up to the glass and walked back and forth.  I really wish that I had taken a video of Jack as we pushed him up to the glass.  His feet were kicking a mile a minute and then he saw the tiger, his feet stopped and his head just followed him back and forth for a few minutes.  His eyes never leaving the tiger.  

 This was me trying to lean the camera in front of Jack to see what his face looked like as he watched the tiger.  I think he was a little distracted by my picture taking.  "Get that thing out of my face Ma"

I didn't take a ton of pictures since we had Grandma with us, and she usually had us covered, but we had a great time in Mini-soda seeing family and friends!  It was a long drive, but totally worth it.  The kids are troopers in the car.  We drove through the night on the way home and that seems like the way to go.  I was wiped when we finally made it home, but the kids slept almost the whole ride which made for an easy drive.  We were glad to get home and see Daddy.  Where shall we go next?