One week ago we were living it up in the Hawkeye State! :) We had such a nice visit back "home" (yes, Iowa still feels more like home than Michigan does....) We got to see so many great friends, ate at some of our favorite places, and were reminded just how much we miss that place! And Hope was thoroughly loved on by many people who have been dying to meet her!
We started our journey on Wednesday about noon. We picked up lunch and hit the road, ending for the day in LeClaire, IA (just over the Mississippi River). We had driven 4 1/2 hours and Hope was about done with her car seat, so it was the perfect place to stop and get a hotel. J and Daddy even got some pool time in (and Hope did too, since it was like 110 degrees in that pool room and she was sweating like crazy!).
For dinner Wednesday evening, Adam got in touch with his good friends, Matt and Lorayne, who live in Clinton. Matt was the best man at our wedding! :) We ended up going over to their house for pizza (ranch) and J had a blast playing with their kids and running around outside! We had such a great time!
We finished our drive to the Des Moines area on Thursday morning, after a stop at the I-80 truck stop ("The Worlds Greatest Truckstop" as J calls it!). We got to Des Moines about lunch time and just had to stop for lunch at one of our favorite places- Bandit Burrito! Oh the chips and queso- so good!
We were able to check into our hotel early, so J and daddy hit the pool while Hope and mommy hit Target because we discovered the air mattress we brought for J to sleep on had a hole in it. Oops.
That evening we got together with our good friends/former Bible Study group! I can't even say how great it was to see everyone and introduce them to Hope. These people have been through a lot with us, and we've all started our families and been through the early parenting years together. We love these people! And J was so happy to see his friends again!
Friday morning we hit one of our favorite coffee places, Friedrich's (sorry, Starbucks, I still love you. But Adam likes this place better).
Later in the morning we headed up to Boone so I could visit my school (yep, it's still "my school"!). And there were MANY people there who were excited to meet Hope. She was held by lots of people and I think it's pretty safe to say that everyone loved her. :) It was fun seeing tons of my former students- they were happy to meet Hope, too! And there were even yummy cookies in the lounge made by one of the wonderful parents!! Thanks again, Kandi!
It was so nice being back at United- I really do miss that place. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, and I really did not appreciate what I had there. I MAY have even done my share of complaining from time to time. But it was a great place to teach, and I at least know that no matter what I will always be part of the United family.
We grabbed lunch at another favorite place (is it bad that this trip centered a lot around food??? You just don't find these places in MI!) Casey's for pizza slices (and cheesy potato bites!).
Then it was time for this babe to hit the pool!
And daddy and J, too.
Friday evening we went over to "Shell's house" for dinner. Michelle is our former daycare provider and she and her family have become such wonderful friends! J was SO SO happy to see his best buddy Grady again. Those 2 played and laughed and joked just like they used to. I know that has been one of the hardest thing for J- being away from his best friend!
We had such a nice time! And J was so sad to say good-bye to best buddy again. :(
Saturday morning after breakfast we stopped by one of our favorite Ankeny parks. J had a great time playing, and Hope had her first swing ride!
We also stopped by and saw another of J's former daycare buddies. I love how they can just play together and pick up like no time has passed!
Lunch on Saturday was Smokey D's! There are officially 0 good bbq places in west Michigan, so we (Adam) REALLY miss this place!
And we were able to meet up with Adam's cousin, Kristin, who also was J's favorite babysitter!
After lunch, the weather was just so beautiful- we decided to go check out the High Trestle Trail Bridge. We found the closest place to the bridge to park (no stroller along= I didn't want to walk super far). We still had about .5 miles to walk to get to the bridge, so with Hope strapped to my front, I'd say it was still a pretty good work out. She's getting heavy!!
The bridge is so cool! I'd like to go back sometime when it is lit up at night and also in the summer or fall when the trees are more colorful than brown.
A better shot of the whole bridge:
Saturday evening we hung out and grilled with our good friends, the Paulsens and Scholtens. J had fun playing with his friends again!
And Hope met a new friend! We may or may not have prearranged their marriage.
It was so nice hanging out with friends and it just felt like "the good old days" and at the end of the night we should have been heading back to our house in Ankeny! Crazy.
Sunday morning we were up early to pack up and begin the journey back to Michigan.
Have I said how great of a trip it was?!?!?! It was wonderful, and unfortunately only made me miss Iowa more!! I'm pretty sure we are all Hawkeyes through and through no matter where we may happen to live. :) Can't wait to go back!!!
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