G.G. and Grandpa Make a Fall Visit

My parents were finally able to make it back up for a visit.

This time we'd take them on more than a few adventures.

Wait, weren't they just here a few months ago. I guess it's all relative.

If you mean 6 months ago, yes.

After dropping Meadow off at school we walked over to Our Kitchen for breakfast. They only have counter seating so the high chairs are the clip on kind.

I had a job in the morning, so missed breakfast and was hungry when I got back.

After Scott returned we took my dad for another walk to get some beers. My mom decided to take a nap instead.

We walked over to Tap Society. I was hungry and everyone else wanted a drink.

There's one employee that helps you check in and then you get a card that allows you to pour beers from the tap wall. They also have reasonably priced burgers.

It's nice for when you want to try a beer, but don't want a full glass.

We took a long detour, walked by the fancy houses and then to Meadow's school to pick her up. 

For dinner we had Roman-style ribs. Think minimal seasoning braised in cabbage. They were good.

Whenever my dad finds shows on Minneapolis he writes down the places they go to. His "Minneapolis Bucket List" this time included Sebastian Joe's. I can't believe we've never taken them here yet.

I'm still not sure we haven't taken him to the other location. I guess we took my dad there multiple times.

Theo's like, "Fine, I'll just eat my hand while you enjoy your super premium ice cream."

The next day I planned a day trip. Whenever they visit we stay around the Twin Cities area. I thought it would be fun to take them to some new areas of the state.

Off to the Driftless-Mississippi River Road we went.

Theo didn't quite make it to our first destination.

She means we had to stop since he was hungry.

We stopped on the northern reaches of Lake Pepin where the water was high and waves were crashing on the dock.

Maiden Rock is one of many perfect little towns along Wisconsin's Highway 35.

This little river towns are so quant. My dad made the joke that they came all the way to Minnesota just to drive to Wisconsin.

My mom and I grew up reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books. I thought she would enjoy seeing her Wisconsin home.

We started at the museum in downtown Pepin.

The museum only had one item belonging to Laura. This blue quilt.

I think most of her belongings are down in Missouri.

The other side of the museum had a kids area. Meadow loved driving the pretend steamboat.

Meadow then picked out hats for all of us. Theo looks pretty cute in a bonnet.

We played and played some more.

Theo is slowly getting better at sitting on his own so even he got to play.

Then we had to go to school. Luckily Meadow was our teacher.

She taught us all her lessons from the first few weeks of kindergarten.

We then drove over to Laura Ingalls homesite for a quick stop.

We'd been here a  few years back with a much smaller Meadow.

My mom and I want to plan a road trip with Meadow to see Laura's other homes.

Meadow wasn't into getting her photo taken.

Next we went to Nelson's Creamery for lunch and ice cream.

Local cheese and good sandwhiches. We always like going here on our trips.

The ice cream line was a bit long.

We had always thought they made their own cheeses and ice cream. It turns out they just locally source the cheeses and meats. The ice cream is just Kemps. How disappointing. 

Our next adventure brought us to Lark Toys.

G.G. pointed out the much closer spot. Brooke does this too.

Dad's not sure about Meadow's driving.

Meadow liked that this mirror made her have baby hands.

We had to ride the carousal of course. For some reason Meadow picked a stationary seat.

Maybe she wanted a better view of all the other moving ones

Theo!

Theo!

Theo!

I turned the corner and saw Theo on this scooter. It was the cutest thing ever.

Meadow got this Restaurant Play set. She's loves playing pretend restaurant and wants to be a "cafe worker" when she grows up.

Thanks G.G. and Grandpa Mike.

We still had some time to pass before getting dinner. We stopped in Wabasha for the SeptOberfest.

The North Shore is great, but have you can't discount the Driftless.

Along the river was a popup play area.

We had kids too far apart, eh?

Theo will catch up to Meadow.

Meadow kept putting on shows for us on the stage.

She sure loves the songs she learns at school.

It was hard to peel her away from here.

The whole reason for this day trip was to go to a pizza farm. I had been wanting to go to one all summer. We were going to go last weekend when we decided to hold off for when my parents were here. We chose the Nelson Stone Barn.

Meadow and Mr. Mike played some yard games while we waited from some 'za.

This place was busier than I thought it would be. On our drive over my dad asked how we found this place because it was literally in the middle of nowhere. You drive through winding roads and a few farms and then it pops up out of nowhere.

I never thought we'd find a thinner crust than your typical-Wisconsin style thin crust.

More pizza, Theo?

We were still hungry after our first so we ordered another.

We actually preferred the olive oil-based pizza, but both were good.

It was neat place. We'll definitely add it our summer traditions.

We were all worn out from the previous day and slept in until 9:30.

Eventually I made blueberry pancakes.

Meadow was super excited to play with her new restaurant set. 

We couldn't get the Packers game on the TV, so I streamed it out on my iMac.

Theo stayed with us and watched the game, which turned out to not be great for the Packers.

While the guys watched the game us girls went to the Container Store. I knew my mom would love this place.

I picked up this knife holder. Right now we just shove our knives into a drawer.

They were there for a very long time.

It was a beautiful day so we walked over to the Rose Garden. I guess it was sunny.

The roses bloomed really late this year.

Meadow did some senior portraits by the lake.

She really likes to pose suddenly.

We decided it was easier to eat here than to make something at this point. I have no idea what Meadow is doing here.

We had lupper at Bread and Pickle.

Then we rushed over to ride the trolley.

I took my parents here 12 years ago.

Wow, I dated a cute gal.

Theo was loving the trolley.

I don't think I've ever rode this.

If only we still had these.

With the advent of electric buses I don't think we'll ever see streetcars in Minneapolis, unless you count the Green Line, which is really a souped-up streetcar.

Then we promised Meadow she could play at the playground.

I'm a good dad like that. Brooke really hates going to playgrounds.

I get bored sitting around while she plays.

I love the old bathroom next to the playground..

We walked back with ice cream in tow through the bird sanctuary. I never really see birds here.

We let Meadow stay up late to play games.

On a a school night!

Come back again soon Grandpa and Gigi.

It's always fun when they visit!