Iowa Bound

This Labor Day we spent much of our long weekend in the car--23 hours to be exact-- enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Midwest (i.e. corn) as we made our way to Waterloo, Iowa for a high school friend's wedding. If you haven't been to Iowa, it looks exactly as you pictured it.

Thursday night we drove Leg 1 of the trip to South Bend because my parents were kind enough to miss the wedding and watch the girls for us. We got them settled in and left mid-day Friday for Leg 2. It was an enjoyable drive and relaxing without the girls! We even got to listen to (and hear) the Cubs game- and in hidsight wished we had planned our trip for a stop at Wrigley Field along the way.

We arrived in Iowa in time to grab some dinner and meet up with friends following the rehearsal. Waterloo was a charming little town and very convenient as our hotel and the bars/restaurants were all along the one main street (conveniently named "Main Street") As always, it was great to see everyone and catch up in between songs from the very loud band (I know this is making me sound like an old lady!)

The weather was great and it was a beautiful wedding. My pictures in the church didn't turn out well, so you will get the abridged version- walking down the aisle and then exiting the church married.

As you can see, we had a good time. I edited my photo selection down to just a few in the interest of protecting those with political aspirations.

Meanwhile . . .










. . . back at my parent's house it was very busy. When we left Dad had just blown up a mini "bounce house" that the neighbors had loaned them. The neighbors have their active grandson jump in it for 30 minutes every night to get him tired out. My parents thought they would kick off the weekend with this technique!

After lunch they went to the pool and kept very busy there. I noticed that Grandma and Poppy didn't take as many pictures as usual, so the girls must have kept them on their toes.

The girls kept very busy with Grandma's many teaching supplies. And you will notice that they went back to the bounce house, which was then followed by some wrestling in the kitchen as Grandma made dinner. They finished off their big day with a trip to Dairy Queen and a golf cart ride.

Saturday was more bounce house and another trip to the pool. Katie did some errands with Dad and Mom kept busy with Caroline who was a "mean-iac" (maniac, but pronounced Katie's way). Thankfully, Aunt Sharon came over for dinner and provided some "middle relief" for Mom and Dad. By all accounts the highlight of the weekend was Caroline's antics with her ice cream cone that night. She thoroughly enjoyed entertaining with her silly faces as everyone laughed and laughed and Poppy took pictures.

The girls must have been tired out because Katie had a personal-best sleep in until 9:21 a.m. When we called to tell them that we were on our way home, everyone was very enthusiastic. And when we finally arrived just before dinner time, I don't know if Katie and Caroline or Mom and Dad were happier to have us home!

A big thank you to Mom and Dad for watching the girls this weekend. Monday night I asked Caroline if she wanted to go back and she said "yeah. 'morrow"

And to the high school gang, it was great to see you all! We're looking forward to the next one already!

A quick sidebar before I sign off, Caroline had her two-year old check-up last week and is doing very well. She is 80th percentile for weight and 90th for height. They were impressed with how verbal she has become and enjoyed her funny personality as she asked to have her temperature taken again and kept putting her hand in her armpit pretending to do it herself. And she told the doctor "Bye. See you 'morrow"