A 50s Era Map Guides Us on a Twin Cities Day Trip in the Fiala's Giant SUV

Another week and another house full of crazy Fiala kids. One day June asked if he could have a half-sandwich/half-bagel. We obliged.

The three amigos seem to split their time between eating, TV, crying and...

...constructing various things with cardboard bricks.

Who knew this would be the best toy ever.

They've also been helping me with Breakfast.

The kids were really excited to help Scott make breakfast.

They all had to wear aprons.

They really like each other despite making one another cry every 30 minutes.

June was the designated helper.

Check out our new countertops that Scott and Tyler installed earlier this week. We are slowly getting rid of all the yellow in this kitchen.

Olive and Meadow watched from the peanut gallery.

I later found Olive in our room humming and reading an old London map.

Slowly I made enough waffles for the whole crew.

The last few weeks in a nutshell.

While going through some old files I found a map of the Twin Cities from pre-I-94 that I bought at an antique store. I noticed while looking at the map that there were suggested driving routes to see the cities. I joked we should test drive Tyler and Emma's new SUV on one of the suggested routes. That quickly became a great idea.

While we moved all the carseats to the Expedition the kids played.

Meadow also got new glasses this week. Unfortunately the only colors to choose from with this new brand was pink or blue. 

The ladies were ready.

It's been awhile since we all got to ride together.

Then we drove around Minneapolis and then St. Paul. For some reason I didn't take a picture of said drive until we had looped around St. Paul and ended up on West 7th.

Tyler had wanted to eat at Mickey's, but the place was packed.

The kids were excited about going out to eat.

We stopped by the Shamrock instead.

The hour wait quickly had us changing our minds.

We then settled on the other Mickey's Diner. Except only Olive wanted to eat there.

We had just eaten at 50's Grill, Famous Dave's sounded better to me.

Famous Dave's it was.

We picked the family platter. It was the perfect feast for our daytrip around the cities.

This was my first time eating at this place.

We're not much for chains.

These kids.

Meadow is sure going to be sad when these two leave.

Before we could call it a night we walked back through the parking lot to get malts at the other Mickeys.

Everyone sat at the counter.

I opted out of the milkshake.

The night before I went out with Emma and her friend Amber to share in giant platter of ice cream for our birthday month. 

This was way too much ice cream. This would have been perfect with four or more people. There were a couple of times where I actually thought I might throw up. Anyway, a milkshake did not sound good to me today.

Anyways, the rest of us were set for a good milkshake.

Meadow had my half.

Yum.

While our ride had gone rather well, after dinner the Fiala kids were grumps. We couldn't get home soon enough.

After we got home I went straight to bed with a migraine.

Another Fiala Weekend

With the Fiala's still here, June has been a handy helper.

We made kasierschmarrn...of course.

Olive had been asking Scott to make emperors trifle all week.

  When we were all done Meadow decided it was a good idea to lick the remaining powdered sugar.

Meadow has been loving having friends to play with all the time. June and her thought it would be fun to tie a balloon together between them.

Emma wasn't so sure.

The weather was supposed to be warmer and I figured the kids could use some fresh air. I took them outside while I worked on fixing Meadow's bike seat.

Tyler and I drove to Rogers so he could test drive a giant SUV to pull their future trailer.

This weekend was Marina's birthday party. Since we couldn't make it, Brittany sent us Meadow's party favors. She got a Wonder Woman cape, mask, a bracelet, tattoos and a balloon.  Thanks Brittany.

When my bike was ready the mama's and kids went on a little bike ride.

Meadow isn't as ambitious as June. She rode with me instead.

The kids didn't want to go home yet so we headed to the playground.

We all had fun at the playground.

A little bit after we arrived Meadow's friend Eleanor showed up!

The kids have pretty much taken over the house.

We made a deal that each family would trade off making dinner and doing dishes. Tonight was our night. Pho.

I still can't figure out how to get my stock to be as good as Pho Tau Bay.

Of course Meadow just ate everything separate.

June once again helped me when I made some Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Cookies.

In honor of St Patrick's Day yesterday.

Meanwhile, I started a cough tincture.

After the other kids went to bed, Meadow was finally brave enough to try on her cape.

She also wanted a tattoo. She always wants it in the same place. I told her she could put it anywhere and she chose her leg.

Her legs are still super bruised from roller skating and probably from all the playing recently.

The kids were really excited for some cookies, but they'd have to wait until morning.

These were delicious.