Living a Listful{l} Life: Tuesday Top 10: Home Sweet Home

No worries. This is NOT another post about the many homes we have lived in.

When I say "home" in this post...it is a bit more general, as in "Minnesota". Where I have lived 30 of my 33 years of life {Funny, I almost typed 32 of my 35 years. How can I age myself so easily, when I keep thinking that I am still 32?}

We {meaning J#2-J#4} are here in Minnesota for an extended visit. Even though we have only missed one winter here, I may have forgotten how cold it gets. And I may have said to J#1 that we could just head back to Scotland with him when he left...but I was totally kidding.

I do that sometimes. And how could I even say that? We are so unbelievably blessed and lucky to have this opportunity. I need to be thanking God {oh, and J#1 too, I guess} every day for the chance to get all of this quality time with family and friends.

I need to count our blessings. Which are unlimited. But, since this is just a blog post..and it is Tuesday...

Here are the top 10 things about being home in Minnesota {in no particular order}.

#1. Snow?

Yup. Snow. Just went out and got some snow pants and boots for J#3 yesterday. And can I just say...$24.99 for boots? For a 2 year old? Geez.

#2. Favorite restaurants...with friends, of course.

I wish I could get to the point where I was gusty enough to take photos inside of places. You should see the inside of this place. When I am there, I feel like I have been picked up and placed in New York City. Dreamy. And the big, fluffy snowflakes falling? Definitely added to the beauty of the evening.

#3. Movies...also with friends.

Source: breakingdawn-themovie.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Breaking Dawn, Part 1. Sigh. I know they had to end it somewhere, so there could be a part 2, but...well. I don't know. Don't know where else I would have wanted them to end it. But, I guess maybe I just didn't want it to end. {wink}

#4. Christmas cookies with who? Friends.

Ooops. I might have started eating one. Pretty sure it was broken. {wink}. Oh! And do you see my mustard, ketchup & relish cookie?

#5. Having a baking assistant.

...And a nice BIG kitchen to bake in for a change. But having the baking assistant (a.k.a. my mom) was awesome. Good company, she washed dishes and measured out the ingredients. I almost felt like I could be on a cooking show.

#6. Fun cousin moments.

J#3 went on to try and put his cousin B "to bed" several times. Complete with a good night kiss. Unfortunately, I was either too slow...or too quick, to get the money shot of the actual good night kiss. And we may have tried to stage it quite a few times. Guess I better get a quicker trigger finger!

#7. Caribou Coffee.

Nuff said.

#8. Living in a hotel.
Sort of seems like an oxymoron, right? Being "home" but in a hotel? But, it works pretty well for us, and provides routine for the kids. Plus: no cleaning, full breakfast provided and a pool. Need I say more?

#9. Getting to see my niece E show off her mad gymnastic skills.