Amy's Visit!!!!!

It's been a week of "FINALLYS" for us here in the twin cities...first Kim and Ashley FINALLY came back for a visit, and this week, Amy FINALLY came back for another stay.  She hasn't been here in about a year, so it was GREAT to spend time together again, and do a bunch of FUN STUFF in Minneapolis/St. Paul!

Amy arrived Sunday afternoon (a couple of hours after Kim and Ashley headed back to Des Moines), and we started off with Greek lasagna at my place.  We spent the evening "catching up", and had a GREAT time!

Monday, I had to work, so didn't get to spend time with "the gang" during the day, but, after finishing at school, went to South Minneapolis, and picked Amy up for an evening in Eagan.  We started with "chatting" at my place, then, when Duane got off work, headed to "Pardon My French" (a FABULOUS French restaurant on Cliff Avenue), walked around a nearby flower garden, and ended with episodes of "Drop Dead Diva", and "Glee" back at my place.  It's ALWAYS nice when Duane and I have Amy to ouselves for a little while....

 

                          

Tuesday, we got organized, and headed to Highland Park to shop.  We hit Patina, which has the COOLEST stuff!

The Nordhues and Amy before shopping in Highland Park

After a few hours in Highland Park, we dropped the girls at home, and headed to downtown Minneapolis to have lunch at Barrio, and REALLY cool Mexican restaurant on Nicollett Mall.  We were able to SQUEEZE into the outdoor patio area, and had a FABULOUS lunch!

After Barrio, we picked up the girls and headed to Kaposia (my school) for a tour, and so that I could film a promotional spot for the district.  I had NO IDEA what I was going to say (didn't prepare), so was a little "flounder-y", and nervous, so I sounded like one of the chipmunks ("Dale", maybe??!!), then we headed to ANOTHER Patina, because they were having their 50% off sale, which only happens two times each year...

After Patina, we headed home.  Dave made chicken tikka masala (a jar sauce from Whole Foods, and COMPLETELY amazing...!) with buttered naan, and mango lassi's.

Dave making mango lassi's!

the chicken tikka masala...YUM!!

We then headed to Sebastian Joes in Linden Hills for ice cream (after looking around at Creative Kidstuff, and Bibelot).

Wednesday, we headed to Stillwater for some shopping and "antiquing".  We took the trolley tour around Stillwater, which I'd never done, and had a GREAT TIME learning the history of Stillwater.  Here are some photos from the tour:

After the day in Stillwater, we headed home.  The Nordhues and Amy had carne asada on the grill, and I headed to Eagan to meet Duane.  We went to the Eagan Marketfest (our version of the Farmer's Market), for the "season opening".

Today, we met at the Mall of America, and toured UNDERWATER WORLD (now UNDERWATER ADVENTURE).  I haven't been there since I first moved here, about 10 years ago, so was THRILLED with the new remodel...VERY cool...VERY serene (when the "stroller moms" weren't passing through with their screaming children...)...VERY well done.  I LOVED the seahorses, and LOVED the jellyfish...and LOVED how well displayed all of the animals were.  If you are EVER at the mall...you MUST check it out!!!!

After the aquarium, we shopped for awhile, and walked through Nickelodeon Universe, which is a GOLD MINE of "photo ops", as evidenced below...

It was a FABULOUS few days with our dear friend/family member Amy, and I look forward to our next adventure together.  She is TRULY one of my FAVORITE people in the WORLD...!!!!!

Here's hoping YOU were able to spend time with friends/family recently too!