Doug decided to be spontaneous last week and demanded we get away for the weekend. Since living here, we had yet to make the short trip over to “the cities.” Saturday we loaded up the van and made the rainy drive to Minnesota. Before we left, I discovered that some dear Oklahoma friends were at a work conference in Minneapolis! We met them for dinner and also met sweet, funny Henry for the first time.

The Wilsons!

After dinner, we made our first visit to Ikea. I was overwhelmed. The kids stayed up 3 hours past their normal bedtime enjoying the hotel pool. And since church is a pretty big deal to us, we woke them up bright and early to attend a worship service at Eagle Brook Church. The kids absolutely loved the children’s church there and I loved sitting with Doug on a Sunday morning.

After church, we headed to the Mall of America. I had visited once a long time ago, but for everyone else, it was their first visit.

We spent most of our time at Nickelodeon Universe.

the ride wasn’t moving yet

Daredevil Lucy even went on one of the roller coasters with Doug.

Lucy’s favorite store-much to her father’s chagrin.

note: new pack of Pokemon cards

Jack’s favorite store-much to his father’s delight.

After the mall, we went back to Ikea to pick up some new homeschool storage items and then headed home. We definitely enjoyed our first visit to Minnesota and the quality family time.