Neu Family Reunion: Day 6...Como Zoo and Mall of America

On our last day in Minnesota we went to the Como Zoo. Surprise, surprise, right? Cohen and I totally collect zoos. The Como Zoo is free and they offer giraffe feeding, so it seemed like a good choice. I've been to a couple free zoos and I will say this is one of the nicer ones. The giraffe feeding is a little ridiculous because they charge $5 for a leaf of lettuce (YES...ONE LEAF). You have like 10 seconds and then you walk off. You don't really get to enjoy it. The giraffe feeding at Animal Adventure park was 100 times better.

We then headed over to the Sparky Sea Lion Show. It was nothing like the show at the NYC Aquarium, but it was still entertaining. To tell you the truth the little tank was kind of sad looking. Also, the sun was beating down on us so we were like baking!

Clara, one of my nieces, really wanted to go see the butterfly exhibit. I'm not a fan of the one at the Bronx Zoo, so I wasn't all that excited about going, but I'm so glad we did! It was AMAZING. SO much better than the Bronx Zoo! Several of our family members had butterflies land on them, which was so much fun and entertaining to see how excited they got. Cohen wasn't so thrilled with the butterflies. He was afraid of them and really didn't want to stay long.

 

On our way out, we went to check out the sloth. He was a cool looking guy just chilling in the tree. Cohen was lucky to have some amazing cousins around that were willing to lift him up so he could get a better view.

We then headed over to the Mall of America. This was Cohen's first time there and he was so excited when he saw all the rides. He really really wanted to go on a roller coaster, but he was too short. It's so hard trying to explain to a 3-year-old that they can't go on a ride because they are too short.

We went and grabbed some lunch at Shake Shack with the fam and walked around the mall a little. After a quick Old Navy stop, Cohen, Jeff, and I went to try some rides.

Cohen got to go on three rides, which meant that Jeff and I took turns going on three rides because Cohen was too little to go on his own. I can't wait for Cohen to grow 2 inches (he's only 40 inches). I'm not sure which was his favorite. He loves all train rides, but they did have a little roller coaster that Cohen really enjoyed. We finished with the carousel since it's a classic and another favorite of Cohen's.

 

A surprise birthday party for Grandma Olsen!

The main reason Cohen and I made the trek to Washington was to go to my grandmas 85th birthday party. It was a surprise party so she had no idea all her family were traveling from all over to be there to celebrate with her. Her birthday actually isn't until August 31st, but we had it early to accommodate many different schedules and get as many of her grandkids there as possible. Grandma Olsen also recently moved out of her house which she has lived in for over 55 years and moved into an assisted living home. It was a great way to celebrate her birthday and have a little apartment warming party!

It was so fantastic to see my cousins again (many I haven't seen in years) and meet new members of the family. Cohen had a blast hanging with Jake (son of one of my cousins) and they kept themselves entertained throughout the festivities.

Washington Trip January 2017: Trip to Oregon Zoo with the fam

It wouldn't be a trip to visit my family without going to the Oregon Zoo! This time my cousins joined us, which made it even more fun!

First Oregon Zoo Trip
Second Oregon Zoo Trip
Third Oregon Zoo Trip

 

The Hap-Hap-Happiest Place on Earth

A couple of weekends ago my sister, two cousins, and I went to Disneyland. It was a nice break from work and life. I arrived on Thursday and had a nice little spa day all to myself. I spent several hours by the pool and then got a massage. It was heaven! I then order room service and watched a movie in my room. It was a very good day.

The cousins and Kari arrived the next day. We spent Friday and Saturday in the park. I love Disneyland. It was fun spending time with Kami, Jaime, and Kari. It was a great weekend.

Christmas in the Northwest

It's been a long day, but a good one!

Presents in the morning! Dad got a PlayStation 3 (He's such a big kid) and Kari got Rock Band. Mom got lots of stuff (precious moments Nativity Scene, dvd recorder, lots of books, and a lot of hair stuff). I got a backpacking tent and cooking utensils. Santa was very good to us this year!


We then headed down to Grandma and Grandpas for dinner with the family. Tiffany and Zack were there with their two-year-old daughter Emma. She's so cute and provided hours of entertainment. It was really nice having a kid around for Christmas! Note the hot Christmas vest! It's a new tradition to wear tacky chrismats attire to Christmas dinner. Good times!


We then ended back home to play with our new toys. We ended the evening with a nice little "Beetles" jam sessions. It was a good day with the family!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night!

(I like this picture because in most picture we have of Grandma she is looking away from the camera. Now we are all looking away but she isn't!)

I got to fly home on Christmas Eve to spend a week with my family. Kari picked me up at the airport and we went out to lunch at one of our favorite places. I told her before I came home that there were three things I wanted to do when I was home. They were to eat crab puffs, get a Papa Murphy’s pizza, and a Burgervillee cheese burger. I was able to achieve two of these goals the first day.

We spend Christmas Eve with my mom’s family. It was good to see everyone again. One of my cousins lives in New York too but we’ve never met up. We finally swapped phone numbers so we can get together for brunch. My favorite! This family tradition is always the same. Pizza, conversation, presents, and then we leave. Of course Peter and Uncle Scott keep us entertained with singing and jokes. I always laugh when I’m with the Olsen family. We then went home and opened up our pajamas. I’ve always loved the tradition on opening new pj’s on Christmas Eve.

Our Christmas morning was delayed a bit because Kari had to work. She got home at around 9. I was glad because I still had to wrap her present that morning. Dad was acting like the paparazzi again, taking annoying pictures while we opened presents. Oh dad! We then had an amazing breakfast and started getting ready for the Anderson family to come. Christmas day is always my favorite part of the holiday season, because we always have so much fun with this side of the family.

Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Susan and her family (my two favorite cousins and their husbands) and Janice and Cody Ward came to have Christmas dinner with us. Grandma walked through the door and then instantly started handing out presents. I love it! There is no waiting in this family. Grandma gave us some of her jewelry this year as our gift. It’s so beautiful.

We had a nice little addition to our Christmas party this year. Aunt Susan brought her dog Newman. Oliver didn’t like him too much, but he was fun to have around. He’s a nice little addition to our family. We always have a good time with the Andersons. I just wish I could see them more.

These next few days will be fun. I’ll be working from home and going and visiting friends and family. It’s the perfect way to spend the last few days of a rather exciting yet tiring year.