Our Trip Up North

I'm finally writing a post on our trip to Minnesota.  This trip reminded me of some of the reasons I like the south so much and why I would never want to live so far up north, but it was nice to play around for a few days.

Emmy was so excited about the trip. She would mention it a few times a week starting about a month before the trip.  She loves to fly and was excited to play in the snow.  As a matter of fact, as soon as we got outside in MN from the airport, she went straight to playing in the snow.

 

When we got to my aunt and uncle's house, Shawn (uncle) wanted to play with Emmy in the snow for a bit.  She showed her how soft it was by launching himself into a pile.

 

Emmy was not impressed.  She just stared at him, so I decided to "help" her experience it a little.  BAD idea!  She did NOT like the coldness.  OOPS!

 

However, her fear did not last.  My aunt had purchased Emmy a snow suit (since there was no finding one of the these babies down south).  Emmy was apprehensive about putting on so much clothing at first, but after we got it on her she walked around the house saying, "Emmy look like a monster!"

 

We took her outside again and she actually enjoyed the snow...

Especially when I showed her that you can eat it!

After that, she didn't want to come inside and even conned my cousin, Mari Beth into playing in it after dark.  She had a blast.  I was thankful that my lapse in mommy judgement from the day before did not scar her from snow for life.

The next day, we went to Shawn's family's farm so I could take some photos of Mari Beth and her horse.  Emmy loved it there because there were baby goats, rabbits, horses, ponies, dogs, and pigs. 

 

She didn't want to let go of this bunny, Smores.

Taking photos in the snow was a new challenge, but I enjoyed it.  And the horses were great models!

The main reason we traveled to Minnesota, was to visit with my grandmother (mom's mom).  She helped raise me and I have such fond memories of her.  In 2006, she was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease which progressed pretty quickly and she soon had to have help almost constantly.  After a while, we all decided it would be best for her to live in a home with constant care.  Last month, she was put on hospice, so my mom and I made the trip to see her and have Emmy really meet her before the inevitable.

We call her "Boo" and even though she can barely talk barely walk, I still saw my Boo in her.  She and Emmy enjoyed each other and cuddled a lot.  It was the sweetest thing to see.  Knowing that she use to hold me the same way, and hearing my daughter call her Boo and say she loves her was heartwarming.

 

The trip was successful, until we were on our way to SC.  It took us 15 hours to travel from Minnesota to South Carolina.  It was brutal!  By the time we finally got on our last flight home, Emmy was elated.  She got pretty homesick without Daddy.  We didn't get off this flight until after 1am and Emmy was still awake without a nap from the day.  With every set back on our way home, I was pretty proud of my little traveler.  It helps that she is fascinated with flying.