First MN Field Trip

Off to the farm we went little Dominic & I....

It was our first official field trip in Minnesota! We spent a few hours with Dominic's preschool class at Gale Woods Farm.

The question of the day..."Have you ever milked a cow before?"

Now Dominic can say YES!

Of course it wasn't a real cow, but it sure looks like it.

It was a beautiful farm, nothing like us "old" Arizonans had seen before! One complaint...they had really mad turkeys, I got nipped and then further intimidated by the big Tom and I couldn't help but wonder if he sensed that I don't eat Beef! I am sure it didn't help that Farmer Tim was telling us that they were looking just right for good Thanksgiving eats. After leaving the crazy birds, we roamed through the garden and sampled spinach, arugula, raspberries, sugar beet & green tomatoes...everything was yummy...although Dominic didn't quite agree...I think there was a "disgusting" in there! We then got to feed the sheep and headed inside to enjoy the chicken poop...oops...I mean coop. Pee Yew! We finished out the day making a wool puff necklace that Dominic is proudly displaying for all to see. I definitely love how much my little guy is loving Minnesota!

Pedal Faster!

On September 20th, our little family ventured out to Minnehaha Falls and rented a bike and toured the park for an hour. We really enjoyed the amazing weather and had a picnic, afterwards, to make it even more fun!

I couldn't help but laugh at our cuties once the bike helmets were on.... Gianni, of course, had to have one that matched brother's! We had to be patient and wait for the next bike to come in and I was sure that Dominic Jr. was going to spontaneously combust because we had to wait for a four person bike, not the six person bike that they had plenty of to taunt him with! But finally we did indeed get a bike and it was blue just like Jr. wanted! I don't think Gianni had an opinion, as long as he could climb all over it.

So, once we went through the 30 second "training course" we were off, with a hand drawn map of the perimeter of the park. Of course it was a very busy day at the Falls, which made the ride that much more fun...let's just say if we were counting points for taking out feet and people...we did well! But, don't you worry it was all worth it because we were making our "front seat drivers" very happy, because all they both kept shouting was "Pedal Faster!" I think they were also our saving graces from making some of those injured bystanders get really mad at us, they were just sooo cute! Gianni's smile can melt anyone's heart! Along the way there were also some close calls and of course, we got a little bit lost, but Dom and I were completely surprised, when we realized we needed to hurry back to return the bike. So, we returned the bike, ate our lunch and enjoyed watching our boys sword fight with large sticks they found under the trees.

I can handle this, oh yeah, I can handle this...

Getting into MN Life

In the weeks since our big drive to MN, we have been crazy busy getting boxes unpacked, adjusting to the different "state" of mind and also enjoying hosting GG, Uncle Pete, Aunt Barb and then my Dad and Shelia too! I think that we are really getting in to the Minnesota life...enjoy a video from our first beach outing, just 5 minutes from home...AAHH! Oh yeah...Jr wants a boat...and still has yet to go fishing...but we've got time (a few weeks at least ;)) Will be LOTS of fun next summer!

Road Trip--Day 5

August 7, 2008--500 Miles Travelled
8:30am Getting on the road to go to our new home! Wow! We are all getting VERY excited-not counting the fact that we are very done with being in our car! But I must admit the boys have been very good sports.
BTW-Nebraska is VERY serious about her Huskers...that doesn't surprise me because there is not much else out here... I hope Iowa has more to look at!
9:36am "The People of Iowa Welcome You, Fields of Opportunity"
11:20am We are in Des Moines and stop for gas & pee--I'm not feelin' Iowa! I have officially changed my child's poop diaper on the dirtiest bathroom floor I have EVER seen and that was the best of the bunch! OK--I definately judge them for not being part of 2008 by not having a baby changing table in 4 of the restrooms I looked in! I can't wait for Minnesota! WAIT! Iowa may have one thing going for it, it's got a "convenience" store called Kum-N-Go...Do with that what you want..I thought it was funny! OK, road life is getting to me!
3:30pm We are HOME! Minnesota Welcomes The D'Arpino Family! Here we go...

Road Trip--Day 3 & 4

August 5, 2008--No Driving Today
Get up late thank goodness! We finally get out & going!
9:45am going to spend the day visiting with the Tator Family.
8pm we return to the hotel and a sleeping baby is sleeping no more...guess it'll be a bit before we get to sleep.
10pm time for sleep--off to Lincoln, NE tomorrow...Sweet Dreams!

August 6, 2008--542 Miles Travelled
9am fed and out the Holiday Inn Express Door. Gianni drying after spilling most of his apple juice down himself!
It's been a nice break from the car, but I must say my butt is already yelling---NOOO!
Oh well, only 2 days to go. I have to also say that I am a little excited to be over the hill of our 5 day excursion. I can't wait for the boys to see the house we picked for our little family!
8:53am Now entering Wyoming...Oh give me a home, where the buffalo roam....OOOO there's one or 100..at the Terry Buffalo Ranch. Too Cool! Jr says he wants to ride one. This is exciting, no one in the car has been to Wyoming before now!
9:34am Nebraska..."The Good Life, Home of Arbor Day". Wow, new state now and what a state sign!
9:50am Police lights #2--R. Jackson-this time Dom's taken to the cop truck with a service dog...UGH! Let's see...he's coming back...Warning #2! You know what they say about the third time...
On the road again...
Update--about half way there--Just stopped for gas & pees all around..except Nica--load up, get on the road--only to smell a toxic aroma from the back seat...Well, it gives us a chance to see Roscoe, NE. Which we feel is fitting since that is one of Dom's many nicknames, thanks to Les!
WooHoo, Lincoln, NE!

Road Trip--Day 2

August 4, 2008--532 Miles Travelled
Ring-Ring-6:30am and the wake-up calls begin--that's right--calls! 4 to be exact!
Up for lots of time during the night with Gianni, whose teeth are fighting to come out. But he disses Mom for the big shoulder of Dad to soothe him. Needless to say not much sleep again and we are up and organizing bags to get back on the road.
9am (NM time) we are on the road straight to Starbucks and then off to CO.
OOPS..forgot one adorable thing, since we didn't get much sleep last night, Dom asked Jr if he would drive, Jr said yes he would drive! Well after we pack up the car and go get some continental breakfast, we go to leave and Jr has the keys, he unlocks the car and walks right up to the driver door. When I told him to jump in his seat, he started crying and saying "No seat, Daddy told me to drive! I'm gonna drive!" He was very disappointed that he couldn't drive...So was Dad...
1:06pm Now entering Colorado-storm is a brewing...lightning and everything good about a storm without the rain. Watch for falling rock...will do!
4:30pm arrive Casa de Kleinman, Chuck E Cheese here we come. Great time catching up with Aly, Gabby & Noah, while boys stretch their legs!
9pm arrive Holiday Inn Express-cluster is an understatement, but get to room and boys in bed and Nica pees in the room of course....Good Night!

Our Road Trip--Day 1

So, I am finally sitting down to begin our blog! And, we will begin with my journal of our road trip to our new home....

August 3, 2008--504 Miles Travelled

Wake up at 3:15am, only to go back to sleep for 15 more minutes.

Out of the hotel at 4am, with much chaos--only to head back to the "old" house to unload extras that just won't fit...& grab the roof storage bag that we forgot.

4:44am-the time of the angels-we pull away from our little house waiting to take care of it's new tenants. But I know even though it's hard to do-it's the best thing for our family. Mental note..Thank you God for sending us our angels to guide us & reminding us by having me look at the clock.

5am pull up to Dad's and just like normal they don't hear me knock--UGH! Dom starts the task of figuring out the Stow & Go....

5:45am we begin the long trip--officially only 2 hours behind...but goodbyes were said and kisses given, so...here we go!

5:55am strap of Stow & Go starts beating the roof--WooHoo Albuquerque!

9:10am Dom's 1st ticket?... 84MPH according to Lt. JT Henson with AZ DPS-all we can do is giggle about the typical luck of it all! WooHoo Albuquerque! Survey says...only a warning & a buddy that got shot in the hand and arm in Iraq but just got sent back over (with no feeling in his arm)-so keep doing the good work out there in Minnesota--Thanks JT!!

9:27am Jackrabbit, AZ?? AND NO bathroom--we got a few pictures though. Jump back in and continue New Rules by Bill Maher on CD, giggles resume!

11am Now entering a construction zone--also called The Land of Enchantment? OH, this is New Mexico....oooo I see a teepee & a yellow horse & the casino ad says "You could win a Semi"...hum..I'll skip that one! "Look boys, we're in New Mexico!" Well, there wasn't much excitement from that...Dog seemed to be excited though! She's proving to be a very good traveller. AND, In 5 more miles we can buy Fireworks--GO New Mexico!

4:30pm we are here in our hotel safe & sound. One day down and 4 more to go. So far it feels like we are on vacation, when will it become a reality for me? I talked to my sister and it made me cry. I tried my Mom & it went to voicemail, bummer! Oh yeah, as I write this a fly bugs me and Gianni beats me with a bowl---aahh this the life--on the road that it! Until tomorrow....