Minnesota, eh?

We headed back to Minnesota on Friday, June 8th for a multitude of activities going on there. Jason came especially for the fly-in breakfast that is held annually at the Buffalo Airport (the same place we got married). Patrick and Keri came to do as many things and see as many people as possible, including a grad party and two weddings. Jason came back to NC on Monday the 11th, and Keri & Patrick stayed in MN until Wednesday the 20th. It was a marvelous time, and here are the pictures to prove it....

Due to weather, our flight from Charlotte to Minneapolis was delayed over three hours. To keep our sanity and exhaust our child, Jason took Patrick on the moving walkways over and over. Patrick did well on the plane and slept almost the whole way!

On Saturday, Grandma Donna watched Patrick while we helped prep for the fly-in and went to church at Open Door. After church, we met the Ericksons with Patrick and all the Thoelkes (Tim, Sharie, Hannah, Seth & Naomi) at Lake Rebecca for a grill out.

Jason flew this Cessna 172 while giving rides at the fly-in. Here he is giving a ride to Tom, Kelly & Jeffy Hendrickson (Tom is the pastor that married us). It was Jeffy's first small airplane ride!

The 3 Stooges....Olivia, Cora, Patrick

Great Grandpa Ivan and Patrick made it into the newspaper!

Donna, Heather, Olivia, Cora, Keri & Patrick headed off to the MN Zoo after hanging out at the fly-in. The kids had so much fun getting to see all the animals and hanging out together. There may not have been a single moment when all three were clean, fed and happy all at the same time, but it was still a great afternoon!

All three kids admiring the beauty of the reef

You don't touch me, I won't touch you, and we'll get along just fine.

The best cousin picture we have so far is one where they're all in their own seats!

Jason flew back to NC and Patrick & Keri headed up to Esko, near Duluth, to stay at Grandpa Al and Grandma Lori's house. Patrick had a great time splashing in the trenches of water while we walked to and from their neighbor Judy's house.

Uncle Andrew (Keri's brother) just graduated from high school. We were there for his grad party, which was a blast. It was awesome to see so many friends and family members. Andrew is going to West Point Military Academy (NY) in early July, so this may be the last Uncle/Nephew picture for several months...

Hangin' out with Grandpa Al and two very close friends of the family, Steve & Jeff

Cousin Sam was enjoying being the "big kid" and enjoyed playing with "baby" Patrick.

Don't worry...it's just root beer! He couldn't figure out how it worked, anyway...

Patrick and Draco (Andrew's iguana) helped Andrew open his gifts and cards the next day

Visiting with Draco

Before Aunt Kathy's wedding at Great Grandma Barb & Great Grandpa Joe's house, Patrick went up to hug Grandma Donna. Olivia started getting upset, and we thought it was because she wanted to hug Grandma. Instead, she ran over to Patrick and gave him a big hug!! It was so sweet!

During the ceremony, Patrick and Olivia decided to get a little wild and run around. Here is Uncle Scott (Olivia's dad) bringing them both away from the shores of the lake.

Running up and down a hill is so much fun....just ask Livvy & Patrick. Everybody else in this picture (taken at Tim & Donna's) is enjoying the beautiful weather for the wedding reception. The next day we flew back to North Carolina to see Jason and get back work at JAARS. We really enjoyed ourselves and are looking forward to when we come back again in October.