Push It, Push It Real Good!

This vacation was all about pushing stuff around. We flew out Friday morning and landed in Minneapolis; mind you I was fantastic on the plane. On our way to the MN State Fair, we stopped off at Mike and Amy's to drop our stuff off. While there I was able to push the lawn chair around the patio while the dogs grew petrified of me. On to the fair, but a nap in the car was a must! In between eating our way through the fair, I was able to witness the birth of lambs and pigs at the CHS Miracle of Birth Center. I even saw a baby lamb attempt to take his first steps, kinda of like me. After the fair, we headed back to Mike and Amy's to freshen up for my first NFL game - Vikings vs. Cowboys! After climbing several stairs, I found row 19 and enjoyed the view of the purple people eaters from way above. I loved the fireworks and the cheerleaders of course. I was able to stay awake the whole time. Thinking we had the game in the bag, we left at the beginning of the fourth quarter as mommy was growing tired of climbing stairs. Unfortunately we tuned in on the drive home to hear that we "threw" the game away! It was a long day, but a fun one!

On Saturday, I awoke to puppies and milk (best combo yet)! After spending a little time chasing my new fond friends crazy, it was on to South Dakota.

I slept most of the way as I lost some sleep over the Vikings loss! We arrived in Sioux Falls around 12:00 after several detours in Minnesota leading us through podunk towns. We showed up at Grandma and Grandpa Kappenman's house and there awaiting me was a nice red ride courtesy of Grandpa Kappenman. I loved this car, and this car loved me. I could sit in it and push it backward, and then get out and push it forward. A little while later my cousin Anna showed up with her parents and we headed to lunch at Jimmy Johns. I didn't eat much though because I was sprouting a molar that was bugging me. After lunch we headed over to meet Oscar, Anna's dog. Oscar is a minature pincher that barks non-stop and jumps constantly; this made me laugh non-stop. We ended the day at the grandparentals with dinner, pushing the red car and playing with my cousins. I even took a bath in a big tub and played with a tin cup thanks to Grandma's antiques. I stayed the night at my cousins Bryce and Danny's house.

Sunday I awoke to my cousins and lots of toys. I really liked the firetruck that is similar to my powerwheels at home. There was plenty of room to ride it around in the basement. I even got to feed the four kitty's. Although a bit skidish, I followed them around calling kitty and gentle, hoping one would give in and let me pet them. Later that morning, we ended up visiting Great Grandpa Johnsrud at the rehab facility. He fell and broke his hip a few weeks back so he let me push him around in his wheelchair. The rest of the time I spent wandering the halls looking for someone to tell me how cute I was. We left there to get ready for Grandma and Grandpa's 40th Anniversary party. I was very exhausted and not really in the mood for the massive amounts of people that showed up. Plus, I had a really bad diaper rash that was irritating me as well as my right lower molar. Regardless, it was a beautiful afternoon/night to push Bryce around on a scooter. Oh and my grandparents had a great time too.

Monday brought sun, fun and the Zoo with all my cousins. The monkeys kept me entertained as the baby and teenager were wrestling with each other. Anna, Bryce and Danny fed the animals at the petting zoo and I rode my first carousel. I wasn't sure at first what to think of the carousel, but its pretty clear that i'm going to love rollar coasters!!

That afternoon we headed to Uncle Jeremy's BBQ where Anna swam and I pushed my stroller

around. After tuckering myself out, I allowed my mom to stroll me around and eventually I was the first to pass out.

After waking up, we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa Kappenman's where I found a new push toy, an antique wagon. I loved this wagon because I could push it around, and be pulled around. I spent a good hour entertaining myself between the wagon and the red car. Lots of pushing tuckered me out and I retired for the evening to my cousins.

Tuesday was all about shoes for pushing. I have finally outgrown my shoes that I purchased back in the Spring so we went shoe shopping. After a quick stop to see Grandma, and of course to push the red car around, I fell asleep in the car on the way to buy shoes so my parents drove around until I woke up. We then headed into Shoe Carnival and picked out some Nike's and brown shoes that are "oh so cute!" I now stomp and clap on command so this makes it fun to watch my little Nike's stomp up and down. We then headed to the mall and picked out two new pairs of jeans and purchased two new finger puppet books: Little Lion and Little Giraffe. I love the finger puppet books and have been on the lookout for them (who knew we would find them at Gap!) Aunt Barb met us for lunch at this local Italian place with homemade meatballs and pasta...it was yummy. The afternoon was then spent next door at Kidtopia which is a fantastic toy store. We will definitely be making another trip back at Christmas to play. We finished our shopping with Gelato from the Italian place and a nap back at Todd and Barb's waiting for Anna to get home from school and playing with Oscar in the meantime.

That night we went to dinner with mommy's family at Pizza Ranch and said our goodbyes to head back to Minneapolis. After a 3 1/2 hour drive I finally found myself asleep in my pack and play laying vertical at Mike and Amy's...such a good feeling!

This brings me to Wednesday and packing. We spent the morning playing with Chloe and Poco...or rather I chased them and they ran from me ;) We arrived at the airport and our gate was right next to another toy store. Why can't that happen everytime? I played until it was time to board the plane. Once we took off, I was fast asleep to only awake for the last hour being completely content to be entertained by a plastic cup. We arrived back in Philadelphia to rush hour traffic that took us 2 hours to get home. Living on the East Coast definitely has its drawbacks! I was never so happy to get home and see my kitty, bathtub, and bed!

Overall, my vacation was fantastic all around and I can't wait for Christmas time!