Destination: Minneapolis!

My mom, Ellie, Maja, and I were all in attendance last weekend for our girl's adventure up north to the great state of Minnesota.  While there, we spent time with my Grandpa and were on a mission to help with closet organization and such in his apartment.

We had some really sweet moments along the way and set up our own little routine of living while there.

Early in the morning, we would "sneak" up the "secret stairway" that led us right from our Scandinavian Guest Suite (Mezzanine Level) to my Grandpa's apartment (2nd Floor).  We didn't want anyone to see us enter these stairs because they were SO secret (and conveniently so much faster than taking the elevator).  There, we would eat cereal and start our morning.

We played games most mornings until Grandpa woke up (we tended to wake up much earlier than the rest of the world would choose to do...especially on a weekend).  My mom invented a game of playing "doggie, doggie, where's your bone" with a pink pipe cleaner bent into the shape of a bone.  We would take turns hiding it around the apartment and BARKed if the guesser got close and MEOWed if the guesser got too far away.  Maja looked on happily.

We aimed to have one outing every day.  Here we all are on our way to ...(drumroll, please)...IKEA!  Love it!  We ate a filling, delicious lunch while channeling our motherland of Sverige (Sweden).

And, of course, there was work to be done.  One of my most favorite moments was when we plopped Maja into her "GGpa's" lap and she sat contentedly there for the good part of an hour or so while us ladies flitted and Grandpa yay'ed or nay'ed as needed.  She looked so cozy and happy in the arms of her GGpa.

And of course, after dinner/meals, there was a little time for play and fellowship.  Here is GGpa with his two great-granddaughters.  How special to all be able to get together!

We love you, Elder/Grandpa/G/GGpa!  Thanks for the lovely, special time with you!