Universal Studios Trip!

This was a couple days before we left on our trip, the kids were helping me do laundry while trying on their  life jackets.  Josh got home in time to take a picture.

Tuesday, March 19th (Happy Birthday, Holli!): We stayed in a hotel in Minneapolis the first night.  Madison was SOOO hyper!  Michael was just excited to get to watch cartoons.

Wednesday, March 20th: This is a new tradition, the kids have been riding on the luggage because it's the only way we have enough hands to carry everything else!  

Play place in the Minneapolis airport

Madi LOVED the air coming out of the vents!

This is how we walk through the airport.  We have to get creative by putting carseats inside of strollers and buckling the kids in, as shown in this picture.  Since Josh was able to carry 2 suitcases, 2 carry-ons, 2 carseats, a stroller, and Michael strapped in, I only had to push Madison in the other stroller and have my carry-on.  We are getting so good at this!

These pics are of our hotel--Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios.  Fancy fancy--complete with  beautiful shutters that open up into the bathroom!  Don't know what that feature is for. 

View from our window.... the harbor with boats and the ferry that takes us from our hotel to Universal Studios.  If you look closely you can see the rollercoasters poking up from behind those trees behind the harbor.

They gave the kids each a toy at check-in.  Very cool.

Yay!  We got mom from the airport on Wednesday night.  As we drove to get her, Madison said "Gamma Allwed."  That's the first time she's differentiated between grandma's (or grandpa, for that matter).  I thought it was so cute.
Delayed flight, but we still got her in time to have a fun dinner at Outback Steakhouse.  

Thursday, March 21st: Josh went to the conference in the mornings Thursday through Sunday while me, mom and the kids went to the park and then we'd meet up around noon.
Here's Madison in her cute new outfit (accessorized with her cute bunny bow that Kristi made her for Christmas!)

Taking the ferry to the park

Thursday night we hung out in the hot tub while mom swam some laps!   Here's the kids getting cleaned up afterwards.

Friday, March 22nd:  Day 2 at the park!  Spent time with Curious George and Barney.  Lost Michael for 10 minutes at a large playplace.  He and I were both crying... this is like the 4th time this has happened with him.  Terrifies me every time!

Saturday, March 23rd: Started the day swimming and then me, Josh and Michael went to the park while mom stayed and watched a movie while Madison napped.

Mom sporting her cute new suit and tan!

We couldn't all go on the boatride where you get wet because Michael was too short, so he requested that I go alone... so I did.  It was fun!  Michael took this picture of me.

Josh had SOOO much fun squirting the people in the boats with water.  He sat here forever and didn't want to leave.  What does that say about him?  :)

My belly kind of takes over this picture completely.... don't know what I was thinking.  But here we all are in the lobby of the hotel!  Went to dinner at Flippers Pizza.  LOVED it.

Sunday, March 24th: Me, mom and kids went to breakfast while Josh was at his conference, then took a little walk through a national park.

Biggest pine cones we've ever seen!

After this there was tornado weather that terrified us all!  Looked like videos I've seen on the news, but never in person!  Debris all over the road, tons of traffic lights not working.  Crazy rain and wind.  Was exciting!  After many delays and close calls, we all made it home safe on Sunday night.


The whole trip was a blast!