Happy Friday, friends! Last week Jason had to travel to Minnesota for business and he got the okay to bring the girls and I along. He worked Tuesday and Wednesday, then took the rest of the week off so we could enjoy some family fun in the area! Here's a recap of a wonderful getaway...
*Loves listed in chronological order
One // Girls Game Night
Jason had a business outing on Tuesday evening, so the girls and I enjoyed a girls game night in our hotel room. It just happened to be set up perfectly for it too! Our room had a pretty large desk on wheels which we put between the beds where we played while munching on Nutella puppy chow. We had such a great time! I don't know when I've laughed harder! Sweet time with my girls always does my heart good!
Two // Pool Party!
Once Jason's business in the area wrapped up we checked in to a hotel across the street from Mall of America for the rest of the week. We got a poolside room which was so nice, allowing the girls to come and go from the pool area directly from our room. Much of Wednesday afternoon they had the pool and hot tub to themselves. So fun! Meanwhile, I enjoyed reading in the warm atmosphere in a t-shirt and sandals (a huge change from being bundled up all winter). At this point in the trip I was in full out vacation mode!
We thought this pool looked an awful lot like Mickey! We find Disney magic everywhere we go! :)
The palm tree right outside our room may have been fake, but it still gave me all the tropical feels. I'll take whatever I can get at the tail end of this cold Midwestern winter!
Three // Mall of America Shopping
Shopping is a big part of the fun when visiting Mall of America, naturally! Here were some of our favorite shops...
Jason turned into Lindt ahead of me. Does that man know the way to my heart or what? It was even has idea to choose an assortment pound of truffles. He's the sweetest!
It was so much fun to try a variety of new-to-us flavors. I think hazelnut was my favorite!
The girls' favorite shop was easily Tomodachi! It was overflowing with so many of their favorite things - BTS merch, Rilakumma, Pusheen, and oh so much kawaii cuteness!
Last, but certainly not least in the favorites category, the Disney Store! (If you know me/us at all this is a given. ;)) Since we don't have a Disney Store in our area, just visiting one feels like a taste of the Disney World (aka: our home away from home)!
Four // Nickelodeon Universe
Thursday we got the girls day passes for the amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe. They enjoyed riding all the thrill rides in the morning, we met up for a delicious lunch and a little break back at the hotel that afternoon, then they rode some more in the dark that night. During their evening thrill riding Jason and I strolled hand in hand throughout the mall. It was a sweet time together as a couple popping into some nearly empty shops.
Five // Minnehaha Falls
One of Jason's bosses that lives in the area recommended we visit Minnehaha Falls. I'm so glad that he did! It was about a 15 minute drive from our hotel and it was such a breathtaking sight!
The water was still flowing behind those frozen falls. We could see it flowing down below and underneath an adorable bridge. I'll be sharing a video on my Instagram account today. Pop by to see it in action there!
It was such a great getaway! Thanks so much for stopping by today to hear about the highlights! Wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead!
What a great getaway! The poolside room sounds awesome, as long as it wasn't loud at night! I have been to the Mall of America once, but didn't have a lot of time to spend there. I bet it would be fun to go back. The Lindt store looks amazing!!! We have a Disney store here, I'll meet you there next time you're in KC! That waterfall looks so cool all frozen. Glad you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like an amazing getaway! I love when we get to accompany my husband on work trips but it doesn't happen often enough for me. I love checking out new places.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you got in a mall getaway during the winter. I do feel bad that you had to come to Minnesota when it has been so cold. I live about 15 minutes away from the Mall of America so I am trying to place which hotel you stayed at ... because I always get questions about good places to stay when in the area BUT as I rarely stay at hotels here I am not very good at giving recommendations. Do you mind sharing where you stayed? Also, have you ever done a recap on Sanaa at Disney World?
ReplyDeleteWe stayed at the Best Western Plus across the street near the southwest corner of the mall. (I’ll admit that I had to ask my husband how to describe exactly where it's located as I’m a bit directionally challenged - lol!) Here’s a link to the hotel’s website: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-bloomington/best-western-plus-bloomington-hotel/propertyCode.24132.html We’d stayed there on a previous trip and loved that it was a quick walk to the skywalk into the mall. This trip it was a little too cold to walk there so we drove to the parking lot, but in warmer months the walk is simple to get there and back which we loved. They also offer a decent complimentary breakfast. The room rates are reasonable and both times we’ve stayed there we found it to be clean and comfortable. From our experiences, I’d recommend it. :)
DeleteAnimal Kingdom Lodge is our Disney Vacation Club home resort, but somehow we’ve never dined at Sanaa! We need to remedy that soon! Whenever we do I’ll be sure to share thoughts on it here. ;)
Thanks so much for stopping by! It was great to hear from you! Enjoy your weekend!
What a fun recap! I love that you were able to enjoy some summer activities from the comfort of the indoors! Somehow those little pleasures really help you to endure the Midwest winters, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThis sounded so fun. Can you believe I’ve never been to the Mall of America? Those Falls has me so intrigued, I’m so glad you got to see them. My heart is so happy you girlies got to go along, such a sweet and special treat! Hope you had the BEST weekend my darling friend!
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