Valentine's Day weekend

We all had a good weekend "up north". Friday, Andy got off of work early and we headed to Virginia. We spent several hours there, while our van received the "Northland Package" to protect the interior and exterior. The girls hung out with us at Nana and Papa's house. We met the new puppy, Zoe. By coincidence, our friends from Crane Lake, Katy and Josh, and their new baby Mike happened to stop by that same day. We have not seen them in several months so that was a nice coincidence. And of course it was great to meet their new little baby! Big sister Lily was in school, so we missed her but hopefully we will see her this summer.

Once our van was done, we were ready to get on the road to Cook. The girls had fun with Grandma and Grandpa, who got to babysit Saturday evening while Andy and I went out for Valentine's Day. We headed to Melgeorge's on Elephant Lake, where we had a very good dinner with Chelsea, Paul and Jennifer. After dinner we hung out at the cabin Chelsea and Paul had for the night and had a couple of drinks and chatted with them and others. Then it was time for Paul's band, Mellowdrama, to play at Melgeorge's so we headed back. It was a good time and we had a lot of fun. At 11:30 we had to say goodbye, as I told my parents we would be home by or around midnight. We headed out and arrived back to find the girl's fast asleep.

On Sunday we left mid-morning and stopped by the hospital in Virginia so that Grammy K could show the girls off to her co-workers in the ICU. After much oohing and aahing by all of the ICU employees, we stopped by Great-Grandma Bonnie's room in the Nursing Home. She was amazing at how fast Brianna has grown and how smart Kaitlyn is! After making our way out of the building (along the way, being stopped several times for little old ladies and others to admire the girls) we were on our way home.

The cutest thing ever, and a first, happened on our way home. Andy and I were minding our own business when we suddenly hear laughing from behind us. Turns out, Kaitlyn was laughing at Brianna, who would laugh back at Kaitlyn - in turn making Kaitlyn laugh again. They did this for a few minutes and it was so great to see them interacting directly like that. Brianna sure does love her big sister!!

When we got home, we had a quick lunch and then it was naptime for Kaitlyn. Following naptime, we went to Target and stocked up on...well, lots of stuff. It was almost a 2 hour shopping trip, during which both girls were very well behaved. We got home later than expected, so from there on out it was supper time, bath time, and bed time. It was a long, busy weekend but a good one. Now we look forward to Kaitlyn's birthday on Tuesday, the waterpark on Friday, and her party on Saturday. We will finally meet cousin Piper - added bonus! And I know Kaitlyn will love seeing her cousin Taylor, because it is all she talks about when Andy or I are on the computer. "See Taylor? See Taylor? See Taylor?" She will repeat it until we show her pictures of Taylor.

What would our life be without our girls?!