Our trip to South America

That's right...we went to South America for Hunter's spring break! And let me tell you-it was amazing!

Ok, just kidding. We didn't actually go there. In January, Hunter's cousin went to Walt Disney World. Hunter didn't understand why he couldn't go with. Devastated. Tears. Ok, more like sobs. But, we told him that we would make it up to him. If their spring breaks lined up, we would go to Mall of America and go on the rides and to Rainforest Cafe for lunch.

The next day at church, Hunter ran over to his great-aunt and was so excited to tell her the big news-"My mom is taking me to South America!" She looked shocked! I think she thought that I was taking Hunter on the next church mission trip to Ecuador. We then clarified that we were going to Mall of America...not South America. However, Hunter kept referring to it as South America and the name kind of stuck.

Last week, we ventured down the cities. We went down on Tuesday afternoon, spent time with Heidi, Jason, and Henry and on Wednesday we got ready to go to South America...I mean, Mall of America.

Hunter was so excited. He even told me he would wake up at 7 o'clock so we could make it there in time. This is coming from a little boy who usually likes to sleep in until 8:00-9:00.
We arrived at the mall around 9:30-9:45 AM and got front row parking. It pays to get there early! The mall and the rides didn't open til 10, but thankfully Lego land had the Legos out and the boys got busy building. 10 o'clock rolled around and we bought our wristbands and hit the rides! Hunter told us he wanted to go on all the scary rides-the scarier the better. I didn't believe him. I thought he was hyping himself up. But I was wrong.

Brody having fun at Lego Land!

We rode rides until a little after 11, heading over to the Rainforest Cafe, had a great lunch and then Hunter hit up the rides again.

Melissa and Hunter at Rainforest Cafe...it kind of looks like South America, right?

We tried a couple of rides with Brody, but he was not a fan. Poor kid. The things we try to make him do. At 5 o'clock...yes, we were there all day!...we decided it was best to hit the road and head home. After a day at MOA, Hunter's biggest accomplishments were riding one of the big roller coasters and the log chute not once...not twice....but three times! It was his favorite ride!

Brody's first ride-he was terrified!

Brody's last ride before we left....still terrified.

Hunter liked the carousel. He even tried to hold Brody's hand.

We had a great time there with great people and hope one day to make it back to South America. ;)

Why do we live here??!!

Oh my gosh is it ever cold out there! The kind of cold where it is almost hard to breathe outside. Yesterday when I took Hunter to school, I put on the full winter armor on both of the boys-jackets, snowpants, boots, hat, mittens. Do you know how long that takes when you're doing it by yourself and your 18 month old has learned to bite off one mitten as you're putting on the other? As of right now, 10:30 AM it is -12 but feels like -32. BRRR! I don't even want to know how cold it was at the crack of dawn. This winter, with all the snow and now the frigid temperatures I have been frequently asking myself, why do we live here?
I mean, we used to live less than 10 blocks from the Gulf of Mexico! Warm temperatures this time of year. Nice tan. Go to the beach (one of my childhood dreams was to live near the ocean. Who knew that would become a reality). Go to the pool. We could even go for a walk this time of year outside. Can you tell I'm missing TX right about now?
But, then I remember how hard it was being so far away from all of our loved ones. Our support system. Our family and friends. The people who mean the most to us. And it is very clear to me as to why we live here. And really, if I were to become a resident of TX, I think I would miss the seasons. I can't imagine a winter without snow. I can't imagine looking at palm trees vs. the beautiful fall colors. There is so much that I would miss. This is home.
So, even with all the complaining I may do about the weather, I am really happy that we live where we do.