Minnesota 2013 | Part One

The last few days we have been in Minnesota.  I was born there and we moved away when I was nine. We never went back.  If you are doing the math, we have been gone for fifteen long years.  While there are some things that I remember, I was shocked at how much I don't remember.  Granted, a lot has changed in the last fifteen years, but still...  I remembered almost nothing about Minnesota.  I remembered my house, the the school playground (that was just down the street from my house.)  But that is about all.  It was like exploring something new with the faintest deja vu.  Prior to the trip, I was concerned about how I would react to coming back to a place that was 'perfect'.  Nothing could ever harm me there.  It was safe and I never knew heartache during my time there.  That is what makes childhood so precious.  Thankfully, this trip was not all about reliving the past and the good days because this trip was so so good.

We left on Saturday around 10am.  The drive went a little faster than we expected and mom and I went to Mall of America to have dinner with a friend.  

^^ Mom and Mary, my God Mother.

^^ Me and Jenna.

 On Sunday, we traveled to Minneapolis.  Our plans got ruined because there was a huge parade and they closed off all the big roads we needed to get to some of the places we wanted to see. It was very frustrating. 

^^ Mom in front of St. Anthony Falls. 

For lunch we stopped by one of our favorite restaurants, LeeAnn Chin.  The style is much more fast food like now, but it is still oh so good!  Since Abby came on the trip with us we found a nice park to have lunch in.  

^^ Abby likes LeeAnn Chin too! 

After lunch we drove by our old house and my old school/park.  This part of the school that I'm standing in front of is all brand new.

^^ They have the best park.  I spent so many hours playing at this playground.  And, of course, I had to play this time too! 

^^ We have a very similar photo to this one when I'm about 5.

After the park, we went back to the hotel.  Mom and I went back to Mall of America to ride a few rides.  When I was little, if I wasn't at the park, I was at the amusement park at the mall.

^^ This was the ONLY horse I would ride on the merry go round.  Seriously, I would cry if someone else got to the horse first....

After the rides, we met my god parents at dinner.  It was so good to see them and to catch up!