At the end of October, Rob had to go on a 3-week long business trip, and I definitely did not feel like staying home alone. So we arranged (with the help of honorary Auntie Marianne) to get me and the girls up to Minnesota for a long visit to see my parents!
This picture was taken approximately 45 seconds after we walked into the house...
The flight up was a pretty large mini-miracle. We were flying with 2 dogs (Marianne was adopting them from a family down here) and 2 babies and all of the associated gear. I had been dreading and praying about this leg of the trip for weeks, but it was the smoothest airplane ride we've been on yet. No lines, empty plane, dogs didn't make a peep, babies fell asleep (!!!), and our bags were waiting for us when we got off the plane in MN. Seriously, I couldn't even BELIEVE how painless it was. Just goes to show that God is in the details--He even hears the prayers of a stressed-out, "what-did-I-get-myself-into??" mother of twins.
The weather wasn't quite what we were used to...
I don't know that we'll ever need these coats again...
But Mom ended up equipping us all with the proper gear and we didn't let the "cold" (a high of 45 degrees is downright chilly to us Houstonians!) stop us from getting out and about.
But they were definitely a necessity at the time!
We had a blast spending time with my mom, dad, brother, and his girlfriend/fiancee Megan. Erik and Megan were living in MN for the fall semester, taking online classes, working, and getting ENGAGED!
At a corn maze, where Pig-Racing was the definite highlight
Then, mid-trip, Rob surprised us when his business-trip ended early and flew up just in time for Halloween.
I love this picture!
At first the girls didn't quite get the concept that all of the neighbors were giving away candy, but after a few samples of what was going into her bag, Lily quickly figured out she wanted ANYTHING that was wrapped in brightly-colored plastic!
Lily-the-Zebra asking for MORE CANDY
Savannah, who had just come down with whatever bug Lily had just gotten over, wasn't interested in leaving Dad's arms--even to get candy.
Savannah the sickly (still cute) elephant
Even though I'm sure future Halloweens will be much more exciting for the kids, I'm so glad Rob got to be there for this one!
Showing them how it's done.
By the end of 3 weeks I'm sure my mom was ready to have her entire house not looking like a tornado had just hit, but I can't help but think she will also miss seeing this incredible cuteness every day!
Lily going through her 15-month old repertoire:
Savannah sending her Dad a little video-message (please excuse the bumpy camera and my ridiculous baby voice):
And I just have to end with one more picture, because it's so stinkin' cute...
We almost bought a house. The process went like this: We put in an offer, negotiations happened, an agreement was reached, sellers backed out. Repeat 3 or 4 times. We walk away and decide just to keep renting Rob's parent's home. (AND WE'RE SO HAPPY WE DIDN'T BUY THAT HOUSE NOW!!!)
With the weight of being almost-home owners off our our shoulders, we felt footloose and fancy free. We spent some extra time in MN, visited Rob's family in Kansas, and Rob got a few extras for his camera to play with before he started back up at the firm.
And for Rob's ACTUAL big day, we had chocolate chip banana pancakes (arranged into an artistic portrait of the birthday boy) and then went to see Joy, Darrell, and Co. in Austin.
Birthday Pancakes on the "You Are Special" plate.
Chocolate Birthday Cookie a la Joy. 30 candles...I was worried we'd set the house on fire!
Before we left Austin we got to cheer Joy and Darrel on during their 3rd Annual Triathlon.
Darrell rocking the purple swim cap
Joy is feeling good
Ready to ride
Still smiling even though it was BLAZING hot out on the road
Finished!
Rob is such a wonderful, hardworking, handsome, fun man. He is a great father--every night when he gets home from work the girls start squealing and RACE to climb into his arms. He is a great husband--he supports me and loves me unconditionally. And he is my best friend who can always make me laugh. I'm SO GLAD we get to spend all of our crazy lives together!
2. Cornhog: the winner of the title "Largest Boar." Age: 2 years old. Weight: 1200lbs.
I kept hearing this line from Charlotte's Web in my head, "That is SOME pig."
3. The 4H Animals parading down the road. The idea of 4H kind of boggles
my mind; growing up I never knew ANYONE who raised giant horses, cows,
pigs, chickens, goats, rabbits, sheep, etc etc. I still can't believe
kids actually do this...
Savannah LOVED the animals. Lily, not so much.
4. This cow's udder. I had recently finished nursing the twins and I felt deep empathy for this poor gal.
So...did anyone out there actually participate in 4H? Or know a significant population of kids who did??
For our final hurrah of the summer (and yes, I realize it's almost Halloween), we spent 2 weeks with my family in Chanhassen, MN.
And I have to say, it was one of the best vacations I've had in a really really long time. Who knew Minnesota was such a crazy fun place to live (at least during the summer)?
The Schneibers (and Megan, the almost-Schneiber)
The entire Schneiber clan was assembled in Mom and Dad's house (sans Jacqueline in Sweden); complete with new brother-in-law Russ and Dr. Katie, Erik and his very awesome girlfriend Megan, Grandma Emma from Las Vegas, and Grandparents Ada and Bob from California.
The whole crew--minus babies who had a meltdown and went to bed
Then, Mom managed to order up absolutely perfect weather. We basically had 2 weeks straight of warm, perfectly sunny days, with just one Sunday of misty rain.
Seriously--PERFECT weather
The multitude of family, the beautiful weather, and the Minnesotans love of everything outdoors (at least during the summer), meant that there was a ton to do and plenty of people to do it with (as well as plenty of willing babysitters).
Double shoulder rides!
We went on beautiful bike rides
MN has miles and miles of AWESOME bike paths
The girls loved the sweet bike stroller we borrowed
We went boating on the lake
On the boat
It's a rough life, obviously
Captain Lily
Savannah knows that boating is serious business
We ate delicious food
Waiting for our food at Tinfish
Grandma makes waiting VERY exciting
Most of the family
Wahoo! We love Minnesota!
We played golf (Rob even took lessons--it was a MN miracle!!)
I have no pictures of golf--so here is Megan and Erik waterskiing
We played sand volleyball
Again, no pictures of volleyball--so this is a burger place we went to that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives
We went swimming
Swimming in the chilly lake--Savannah couldn't get enough of it!
Lily did not want to leave the towel b/c she hated the sand
And at the end of every full day we slept really, really well.
And we spent a LOT of time with DAD!!!!
And it's probably obvious by now, but we are DEFINITELY planning a return trip to the most funnest place around, the Chanhassen Resort and Spa. (But we'll probably wait until next summer!) :)
