Mom had to escape the madness...alone.

Mary Blanchard
Carnegie
602-515-2736

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Marley lovefest!

Mary Blanchard
Carnegie
602-515-2736

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MARLEY!!! and Jasmine, too.

It's been a little over two months since we've see our little curly rescue, Marley.  I have been looking forward to seeing him and wondered how the kids would react when they saw him...  He was very excited to see us and we fell in love with him all over again.  Ollie made sure Jasmine wasn't too neglected while the rest of us loved on Marley...

A fun, easy day...

Yesterday we had a relaxing morning...Ollie got to go to the store with grandma, Barrett played.with "grandma's" toys, and I got to do a little sewing.  In the afternoon, Aunt Karen came down with Jasmine and Marley - a reunion we have all been looking forward too - more on that later.  We went to the Cannon Pool - which would have been more fun had Ollie not taken a big spill.  She scrapped both knees and palms of her hands - the chlorine was not her friend.  The kids, thankfully, have fallen under the powerful spell of the "Mensing nap".  I had a fun early evening out with my dance teachers while Grandpa, Grandma, and Aunt Karen entertained the kids...

"I love you too much, Mom"

Grandma took Barrett to the Library last night while Ollie was in the bath.  She was a little sad, so we ate cookies out on the front step and waited for their return.

Road Trip!! LARK Toys, Kellogg, MN

Today we piled in the car and headed to Kellogg, MN for a tour of LARK Toys.  An hour and a half drive, the views were scenic and the kids behaved well enough.  Rolling hills, green fields, cows, and a few peaks at the mighty Mississippi River, a beautiful drive.  One of the largest independent specialty toy stores in the country, LARK Toys is most known for their handmade heirloom wooden toys.





We rode the hand-carved Carousel - it was fast and played fun music.  Grandpa thinks maybe the Merry-Go-Round at the Cannon Valley Fair will be a let down.  We shall see...  Believe it or not, I managed to spend $9.00 at the toy store...two rides and two lollipops.  I did, however, get a few good Christmas and December Birthday present ideas. 

When the "Empty Tummy Countdown to Meltdown" started, we jumped back in the car and headed to the nearest McDonalds.  Kudos for them knowing kids don't like apple skins - their apple dippers come completely peeled!  Once their tummies were full, all as was simpatico for the remainder of the trip back to CF.

    

Plasmacar.com - Dad, I want one of these!!

Barrett's Juice Boxes Arrive a Little Too Late

Matthew Blanchard - Sent from my mobile device.

Turkey Vultures

Finally in Cannon Falls, we were greeted by the turkey vultures.

Grandpa and Grandma picked us up

We in 'Sota?

After being on the plane for 3 hours, Ollie was excited to be in "Sota".

Are we up?

Are we up, mom? Thanks to clear skies and the handy map on the back of the cocktail napkin, mom and Barrett could keep track of where we were. The movie, CARS, kept us occupied in between our map checking task.

HOT Back in Phoenix

I hope the weather is better in Minnesota!

Matthew Blanchard - Sent from my mobile device.

Barrett and Ollie are on their way to Minnesota!

With his backpack on and trusty juice box at his side Barrett marches confidently towards the Southwest Airlines baggage check in lines. Minnesota...here I come!