Grand Forks!

The day after Brandon and Shelby left, we headed to Grand Forks. I am once again very behind on updating the blog... immediately after our visit to Grand Forks, our world was rocked, and it has sent me into a hiding hole. But it is time to come out, and to get back on track with all these beautiful pictures I have! So, allow me to catch you up.

Jon took three days off of work to be able to do the drive out there with us, which was awesome! I had been planning to go out there to meet Norah and help Shayna out for a few days, but the big question was what to do with Quinnlyn. She couldn't come with me, because then I wouldn't be much help to Shayna. But if she stayed behind, what would we do with her while Jon worked? I told my mom again at that point that she needed to move and get her butt out here! We need her! Jon then came up with the plan to take one of his weeks of holidays from camp and take the three days off to come with. He really wanted to meet Norah also and see Ben and Shayna, so this was perfect! I talked to Ben's parents and they said Jon and Q could stay with them, no problem! So I stayed with Shayna and Ben at their house, and Jon stayed down the road at the Jepsen's. It was awesome!!

This girl did the full day of road tripping SO well!!! We left early to get on the ferry, and then it was a seven hour drive once we got off the ferry, and she was such a champ! She happily ate her snacks and watched movies all day long. I was SO grateful for her car DVD player from Brandon and Shelby! It was the best for this road trip. 

Booster Juice stop!

I don't have much to write, because the pictures will speak for themselves! Norah is amazing, and I love her so much. It was so good to see them all, to cook for them, and just be around. I got so many baby snuggles, and so much time to talk with my best friend. It felt normal and so good and my heart was so full!

Quinny LOVED "baby Norah" SO much! Seriously. All she wanted was to hold her, and touch her and smell her. It was totally heart melting. She wasn't even jealous of me holding Norah, she was just mad because she wanted to hold her herself haha. She would get so excited overtime she came in the door, running right over to the baby, ready to help. She is such a mother hen, and I love that about my sweet girl. And Norah was such a trooper, being chill and letting Q hold her in uncomfortable positions haha.

Shayna was still healing from the c-section and just overall in the "new mom" haze that we all go through, but she wanted to get out, so we ventured down the road to get a coffee. I brought her my Baby Ergo so she could wear Norah, and she loved it! I was so happy to pass on my favorite baby item! Q is a huge toddler and I still love to wear/carry her in the Tula. Norah did great on the outing! 

She is such a great mama already. Her instincts are so good, and she is incredibly nurturing. It makes me so proud to see my very best friend so content. Also, in this picture, Norah is wearing the adorable knitted sweater that Q wore home from the hospital! (that hung to her knees because she was so miniature haha!). Shayna was so excited that I brought it and it looked ADORABLE on Norah!

Also one of Q's sleepers... this picture is the best. Poor kid is losing her marbles and we are taking pictures of her! Don't worry, I scooped her up immediately after taking the picture haha!

Quinny loved that she got have a few days of sleepovers with just Daddy! Lucky girl

Ben and Shayna have friends who own a ranch, and it is the most gorgeous place! Q saw the snow and says "What's that mama?" And Shayna shook her head at me and scolded me and told me that I need to take her off the island more often haha!!

Outside of being with our closest friends, it was a fantastic week to just have time together. Jon has been SO crazy busy, with summer just running right into the fall and not much time to breathe, that having a few days together with NO work was such a gift. We needed it. Also, aren't they amazing?! He is so handsome and she is gorgeous. I love them.

Family picture!!!!! Love love love love these three!!!

She got to ride a horse and she was THRILLED about it. She was giggling and so happy and really sad when we had to leave. It was so sweet!

Best friends with our daughters who are already best friends :) One in the Baby Ergo on the front, one in the Toddler Tula on the back. Love it!!!

This picture is the best. LOOK AT THAT FACE!!! She was SOO mad because we were walking away from the horses. Oh man, I laughed so hard. She is such a character, so full of life and intensity.

In a better mood once hot chocolate was promised to her!

Playing in the ball pit at the Jepsen's house!

Family Road Trip!

Quinny dancing with Unlce Ben! He is so good to her. This turned into a Dad dancing party - Ben got Norah and Jon had Q and they were dancing all over the living room. So cute!

Time to go home. Shayna cried when we hugged, I held it together to say good-bye and then I cried in the car. It is heart breaking overtime we need to say goodbye. It's just so hard! She's the person who I never had a guard up around, who knows me without me saying a thing, and who always has my back, 100% of the time, no matter what. I miss her. But our time together was so life-giving, so awesome. It was such a joy to meet the newest member of our little family! Norah is amazing. I cannot wait to watch her beautiful life unfold.

On the ferry on the way home - I love that he wears her Frozen backpack, no hesitation, no shame. What a great Daddy he is!!!!!

Shayna sent this and told me that Norah misses us already. I cried some more and yet was so thankful for technology so that I can still be a part of her life!  I am so glad that we were able to go there.