After an 8.5 hour drive in the dark and very few places to stop we finally made it to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Checked into our hotel just after midnight but it was worth the wait. This was the first time we have stayed in a big city and had a room on the 16th floor. It was a great view to fall asleep with.
Of course we ended up sleeping in a bit but up in time for Kentrell to surprise the boys. You can't tell that we haven't seen him in a couple months.
Some things never change.
Some things never change.
I have never been to Minnesota so of course we headed to Mall of America. I'm not a big shopper nor a person who cares for crowds but it is one of those places you have to go to just to say you have been...especially when you are in town for less than 48 hours and to cold to do much site seeing.
The boys really wanted to go on a ride but couldn't agree on anything but the obstacle course which wasn't open yet. We had missed breakfast so we had an early lunch at Rainforest Cafe. The boys really didn't want to eat there, they wanted Subway, but after going in they changed their minds. The animals helped keep them occupied. The food was ok noting to be excited to go back for but the experience was worth it.
On to get some "fan" gear for the game.
We should have hit the shops before lunch because it was packed...like lines circling the store several times to checkout busy. So I kept the boys busy...
They wanted to take a picture with the mannequin while waiting. Daddy is finished heading our way and one of Kentrell's teammates is in the background.
As we were leaving we noticed the obstacle course was finally open. Here is the thing...one of my boys is very cautious about everything and the other is an adrenaline junkie...not only that BUT I could not be on the same obstacle as the hesitant one while I was REQUIRED to be no more than an arms length away from the adventurer.
My oldest had to be helped across on this one, then he decided he had enough, if I had went first I think he would have been fine. He wants to try it again. The younger one wanted to go to the top (3 stories up) and do some crazy ones but I wasn't feeling it. Mainly because both of us walking together made the cables shake so much and I was more worried about making him slip...ok maybe me too.
We made it back to get our tickets and start walking to the game. Yes, you heard that right we decided to walk about 20 minutes in December in Minnesota! It really wasn't bad on the way because we used the skywalks up until the last 3 or 4 blocks because we needed to get food and all places were closed along the walkways. The boys got their wish and had Subway for dinner, except they didn't have the makings for a pizza sub. I was a bit disappointed, that is my go to sandwich there.
We arrived safely and found our seats without to much confusion. Along with almost 67,000 other people.
From our seats we could feel the fire from the dragon as the players ran out.
There he is! I don't know if we truly paid attention to any of the game except when Kentrell was on the field...
One of the rare times I like a photo of just me... ok any picture of me.
After the game, they lost to the Dallas Cowboys, we went to the players' lounge to wait for the team to change and be released. It was kinda cool being down there and learning more about the other players...well their families.
We walked back to the hotel. Not going to lie it was cold. The skywalks were closed so we had to walk on the sidewalks. It wasn't bad, actually shorter but the wind was brutal. The boys kept it together until about a block away when the younger could hardly feel his hands. Although they fell fast to sleep once we got back.
The next morning we packed up and I took the boys for a quick swim before checking out. We had the pool to ourselves...well except the gym is a wall of windows that look in on the pool so we felt like we were on display.
We spent the rest of the day with Kentrell mainly at the arcade in Mall of America and just chilling at his house before heading back home. It may have been a quick trip but can't say we will forget it.
On to get some "fan" gear for the game.
We should have hit the shops before lunch because it was packed...like lines circling the store several times to checkout busy. So I kept the boys busy...
They wanted to take a picture with the mannequin while waiting. Daddy is finished heading our way and one of Kentrell's teammates is in the background.
As we were leaving we noticed the obstacle course was finally open. Here is the thing...one of my boys is very cautious about everything and the other is an adrenaline junkie...not only that BUT I could not be on the same obstacle as the hesitant one while I was REQUIRED to be no more than an arms length away from the adventurer.
My oldest had to be helped across on this one, then he decided he had enough, if I had went first I think he would have been fine. He wants to try it again. The younger one wanted to go to the top (3 stories up) and do some crazy ones but I wasn't feeling it. Mainly because both of us walking together made the cables shake so much and I was more worried about making him slip...ok maybe me too.
We made it back to get our tickets and start walking to the game. Yes, you heard that right we decided to walk about 20 minutes in December in Minnesota! It really wasn't bad on the way because we used the skywalks up until the last 3 or 4 blocks because we needed to get food and all places were closed along the walkways. The boys got their wish and had Subway for dinner, except they didn't have the makings for a pizza sub. I was a bit disappointed, that is my go to sandwich there.
We arrived in plenty of time so the boys killed time fighting Pokemon...later the youngest fell asleep in the middle of the game. Not sure how he is able to do that but it is not the first time.
One of the rare times I like a photo of just me... ok any picture of me.
After the game, they lost to the Dallas Cowboys, we went to the players' lounge to wait for the team to change and be released. It was kinda cool being down there and learning more about the other players...well their families.
The next morning we packed up and I took the boys for a quick swim before checking out. We had the pool to ourselves...well except the gym is a wall of windows that look in on the pool so we felt like we were on display.
We spent the rest of the day with Kentrell mainly at the arcade in Mall of America and just chilling at his house before heading back home. It may have been a quick trip but can't say we will forget it.
