Minnesota Vist

We are back from Minnesota. We had a great time with my family and wish we could have stayed longer.
Lilly and I got there on the 18th and got to spend some time with grandma, grandpa, great-grandma, and uncle John and Dave. Lilly also got to meet her cousin Sovay, who is Keith (my cousin) and Melissa's daughter.
I think Lilly's favorite time was in the morning when grandpa would come and get her for their morning walk to see the dancing Christmas ornaments my dad collects. Lilly would just stare at them..then try to eat them. She is definitely going to be grandpa's little girl!
Grandma just kept spoiling her granddaughter, buying her everything to make her stay comfortable. She got to babysit one night so Mike and I could have dinner with my dad.
She also loved her great grandma! Usually it takes her a little while to warm up to new faces, but she went to my grandma immediately. She even tried to give her kisses; although, she doesn't really know how to yet, so she just opens her whole mouth and pulls my grandma's face to her.
My cousin Sandy also got to meet Lilly and we think that is where Lilly gets her red hair from.. we joked that I must have had her baby, since she has the exact color hair.
Uncle John was a big help for me, especially since Mike couldn't come out until the 26th. John is always there to lend a helping hand, unless he is cutting it off that is (long story).
I also got to see Lady, our golden retriever, out there. She is not scared of Lilly anymore and apparently is loving it out in Minnesota. She loves it outside and never wants to come in...even though its freezing outside! I think we made a good decision on giving her to my parents, she seems very happy.
Mike, Mel, and Alyssa got there on the 26th. We were a little worried that Mike wouldn't make it because there just happened to be a big snow storm the day he was leaving Denver! But he made it and got into Duluth around 3 am.
I got to introduce Mike to Alison, a very good friend I went to high school with. I got to meet her husband and 3 adorable kids for the 1st time myself (she had twins when I was pregnant with Lilly and also has a 2 year old little boy). I told her she gives me strength! Whenever I have a hard time with my ONE, I tell myself, "Alison is doing it and she has 3!" Spending time with her made me realize how much I miss her and wish we lived closer to each other.. good friends are hard to find and she is definitely one of them!
We also got to go to a birthday party for Sovay and Alyssa while we were out there. Sovay got to eat one of Mel's homemade cupcakes and looked like she enjoyed it. I cant wait till Lilly gets to do that on her 1st birthday too.. but then again, I don't want her to grow up.
And one of the big reasons for the visit was for Lilly's baptism. Lilly did really good.. she only fussed a little towards the end of mass. She looked so pretty in her dress and bonnet we got for her big day. Mikes Meme and Pepe also gave her a gold chain to wear for the baptism and surprisingly she wore it without even trying to play with it.
Overall, it was a great visit and we cant wait to do it again. I'm excited for Lilly see where her mom grew up and play in the same yard I did when I was little, when we go visit grandpa and grandma. I am so grateful for my family and everything they did while we were there.. I only wish we were closer to them to see Lilly more. But, we will just come and visit as much as we can!