Off to Minnesota!

It was my niece's 7th birthday and a long holiday weekend so we jumped aboard a plane and flew to balmy Minnesota to celebrate!

Look at my big boy and his little backpack boarding the plane by himself!
Strangely enough, on the list of things that he absolutely excels at, flying is one of them.
Go figure.
In fact, he did so well during the flight, I took a nap!
 

Isaac was invited into the cockpit to fly the plane!
There were A LOT of buttons and knobs for my boy to fiddle with...which he proceeded to do.
I begged the captain to quadruple check EVERYTHING before we took off.
Lord only knows to what planet the autopilot had been reset too!

How cute is that??

 

 

One of the things on our To Do list while in Minnesota was to meet up with one of the sweet babies adopted through the Bamboo Project. Little Emi "just happens" to have a big sister in my BFF's 2nd grade classroom (what are the chances?!). Little Emi is home forever with one of the best families ever. (Seriously awesome people!) We have LOVED walking along side them during their adoption journey and am so moved with how God brings His people together on this side of Heaven.

Chinese chromosomes unite!

Then it was time for my sweet niece's family birthday party. What a pleasure it is to watch her grow (& be parented) into the young lady God has created her to be.

The annual cake made & decorated by her mama

Isaac helping with photos.

BFFs!
When her husband was asked if it was OK to go out with his buddies on Valentine's Day without his wife, he very truthfully (and with no bitterness!) said, "It's good, she'll be snuggled up with Des on the couch anyway crying at some movie."
Poor Scott. He knows us so well. :)
And for the record...it wasn't some movie. It was the series finale of Parenthood and "crying" doesn't even begin to describe the gut-wrenching emotional meltdown of that night!
 

 

 

Cousins!

 

Our crazy crew.

We are back home now (in much warmer weather!). Quick trips like these remind me that I am thankful for: life long friendships; cousins that are learning to be in relationship together (gentle touching and soft words are hard when you are 3 and 4 years old); for the miracle of flight; a preschooler that is an incredible flyer; long underwear; adoption families; supportive husbands-in-law; and ordinary everyday conversations IN THE SAME ROOM as my BFF.