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• Plastic eggs, while not as pretty or as arty, are best for toddlers who like to crash them together in their excitement of finding them.
• Eating plastic grass in the basket is more fun than looking for eggs
• Bouncing on the trampoline is more fun than looking for eggs
• Crashing eggs together and throwing them is more fun than putting them in the basket.
• Peeling the shell off one egg and squishing it in your hand is more fun than looking for new eggs.
• Looking for four eggs is fun... looking for nine eggs is not.

We had a great little visit with the Johnson families up in Minnesota. Though a bit short, it was a blessing to have some expenses covered with David's work already keeping him there, and it was a perfect chance for Alex to see everyone again, and meet some Johnsons for the very first time. He didn't even seem too bothered by the time change. We were up only a few minutes earlier that usual each morning (Friday we even all overslept!), and took a fabulous hotel breakfast- complete with Belgian waffles (yummm!) with Papa each day as a family before we turned him over to his training for work. Alexander took his morning naps quite nicely in the pack-and-play, and we headed over to Grandpa J's a little after 11. Before long, he was reacquainted with Grandpa J in his favorite yellow vest, and got to meet some of Grandpa's favorite critters around the house. He stole some hugs from Grandma Jan and Wednesday enjoyed some very special butterscotch pudding and heart-waffle treats for lunch.

Later Wednesday, Serena and Jan surprised Haley by picking her up at school and we had great fun both afternoons chatting and playing a couple games while Alexander napped. Alexander got to meet his cousin Haley and the two hit it off right away. They played piano, and read stories, played toys, took some fun pictures (that unfortunately our computer decided to randomly delete!!), and had a grand time. She had even made Alexander an adorable, very soft little monkey blanket. We decided that we would definitely have to go with a monkey theme at his birthday party coming up...

Wednesday night Papa joined us as we headed down to spend some time with Serena's brother David and Karen and Lauren, Megan, and Cody. Alexander had fun with all the new toys, fun cousins and stairs to climb. He ate supper with Cody (who is three) at his big boy table and for a little while wanted to do just what he was doing. We had yummy pizza and chatted a bit before Papa had to go home to do his homework and Alexander was winding down after a busy day.

Thursday afternoon, Jan and Serena tried to trek Alexander over to the Mall of America, but he seemed overwhelmed by everything and after a little meltdown, came back to the house for a nap. He seemed much more contented to play in familiar surroundings with a certain happy cousin, and later Uncle Mike stopped by for a very first meeting. We went out for some yummy eats at Houlihans with Mike, Holly, and Haley. He was a bit more shy with all the new family in the evening after a long day, but still had fun playing peek-a-boo in the atrium balloons.

Friday morning Jan came by with Lauren and Megan and we had a girls (+ baby) luncheon at Applebees and had some picture time back in the hotel before our final packing-ups and farewells. Overall we were so impressed with Alexander's flexibility and easiness to bed in a strange place. He loved his freedom in the hotel room and peeking over his crib to see Mama and Papa nearby in the mornings. By Friday, he was ready to return a bit to routine, but was fantastic even throughout the cancelled / rebooked / delayed / change of plane / late night flight home.

It was really good to see everyone even with such a whirlwind of a visit. It's hard to raconte all the tales and smiles of watching Alexander fit right in with his family who is even so far away. From thoughtful little gifts from Jan and Grandpa J. (The picture changing book was great on the plane!), to custard treats, dinners out, and even help rebooking a cancelled flight home, we thank you for all your kindness and hospitality!!! I don't know when we'll get to make the trek again, but certainly look forward to summer visits in Michigan, and hugs sent across the miles. Indeed how blessed we are with such a family as this!

Last week Alexander and Mama embarked upon a very special excursion to Minneapolis to visit Grandpa and Grandma J, and the Johnson family. David had left for the twin cities on Monday for training for work and Baby and I would be coming out to meet him on Tuesday night after Nana picked me up from work. My tummy had been tied in knots for days traveling alone with a busy baby, and I was just wondering how Alexander would behave on the flights and throughout the trip- away from schedules, familiar places, faces, beds, and routine. But God is amazingly AWESOME!

Security was the most stressful part of the trip. Loading up all of mama & baby's gear (stroller, purse, shoes, coats, diaper/activity bag) onto the conveyor and carrying little one through the gate. But we had some kind helpers and soon we re-adjusted, found our gate, baby ate supper and explored the row of empty seats we found, gazed outside at the big planes and busy little cars driving around, changed diaper, googled and flirted with everyone around (that was Alexander not mama;) ) and packed back up for boarding. I was hoping Alexander had disposed of most of his wiggles and was ready to sit (haha!!) for an hour and a half.

The first leg of the flight to Cincinnati (yes, the ticket was cheaper with a stop-over), We were
happy to find that we had the pair of seats to ourselves with extra room in front and beside us. We left the ground late due to crazy Detroit weather and de-icing measures, but during all of the waiting, Alexander busily examined the safety brochure, shopped the sky mall, and wondered in all curiosity at the plastic cards and a two cent stamp he found in Mama's wallet. After a cracker snack from the stewardess, he slept the entire take-off, flight, and landing in Ohio. However, we were terribly late, and Mama was worried about missing the connection to Minneapolis (the already boarding connection gate was a good hike and then a 15 minute tram ride away) but praise the Lord, the pilot for the MSP flight was on board our flight! We followed the pilots to the right gate and boarded just in time for Alexander to take his bedtime milk and sleep through the entire flight to Minneapolis.

Watching Alexander, my little "busy bundle" gently playing on my lap, and then snuggling in, quietly watching me, smiling, chatting softly, and falling asleep without any fighting or even fussing was such an answer to prayer. I felt in those moments a sense of the peace that truly passes all understanding. He must have had angels singing lullabies to him. So I sang them back in my heart as I watched this sleeping wonder on his very first journey through the heavens...

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?