Trip to Des Moines

When we were given the opportunity to attend Med School graduation this summer, it was never a question of "if" we would attend, but "how".  In the end, it required two separate road trips and a slight re-routing of vacations (My MIL flew in from Provo.  Did you know there are flights out of Provo now?  Indeed, and I hear they are very popular).  For me, it would be 28+ hours in the car with my children. Totally worth it.

And everyone was so excited to return to Des Moines!  So excited, in fact, that Big Sis set her alarm for 4am on the morning of our departure.  I hadn't slept much anyway, and after the adrenaline rush of a cheap alarm in a quiet house, I wasn't going to nod off again.  Away we went at 5:30.  I intended to break up the drive into 2 days, but after crossing Ohio, Indiana, and most of Illinois, I figured I would tough it out & make it all the way to Des Moines by rush hour.  

My reward the next morning was breakfast at La Mie. And then I had breakfast there every day we were in Des Moines.  I'm sure I gained 5 lbs. from the delicious bacon-spinach omelets.  It was worth every ounce.  

We followed up breakfast with a trip to Costco!  Oh Costco, I miss you so much.  Your Organic Strawberry Spread is beyond compare. 

After a difficult few weeks in our new, still-filled-with-boxes house, topped off with 14 hours in the car, the kids earned new dress-up outfits (thank goodness for Halloween product available in mid-August).   Big J especially loves his new muscles. 

OF COURSE we had to hit up the Iowa State Fair while we were in town.  Seriously - La Mie every day & the chance to go to the Fair?  It was like the Universe conspired to bring together the Best of Des Moines just to bring me joy.  If I'd been able to see the dear friends who just moved away from IA a few weeks prior, it would have been an ideal trip.  Close enough, right? 

100 Years of the Butter Cow!

After much begging, Big Sis got to choose ONE ride to go on.  Then, after I fainted from the realization that it was going to be $10 for both of us to ride together, we boarded the Ferris Wheel for a fantastic view of the Des Moines metro area.  

4 days in Des Moines, and I loved every minute of it.  Good Food, Good Fun, and Graduation?  

Good Times, indeed.  

  

Weekend Getaway

A few days after graduation, this handsome devil swept me away for a weekend vacation.  

We took a quick cruise out of Miami, down to Nassau, and back.  

It was 2 days and 3 nights of kid-free bliss. 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my kids.  But I think every marriage can benefit from time away.  There's just something about eating dinner without having to ask for the 14th time that your companion SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE.

Miami, as the ship left port.

We left on Friday afternoon, and avoided any travel delays resulting from Hurricane Irene. 

The only impact was that there was damage on the "private island" we were supposed to visit on Saturday.  As a result, we left the port & just hung out on the ocean that evening.  It got a little bumpy so we had a very quiet night at sea. Saturday became a day at sea which meant sleeping in, a late breakfast, pool time, nap time, and lots of reading.  It was blissful. 

                                      

The Harbor at Nassau.  Look at the water!

Paradise Island - Atlantis

What cruise would be complete without towel animals?  

The elephant was cute....

 The mouse.... a little creepy.  

Our vacation ended all too soon. A day of flying home brought us back to reality.  But then I had Jeni's Ice Cream for dinner, so it all ended well!

Even though it was barely 4 days away, it was a much-needed opportunity to celebrate his accomplishment, recharge our batteries, and remember what it was like to be a married couple (and not just Mom & Dad).  I wish we could do this every year.  

What?

Who am I?

Where am I?

Old age must be rattling my cage because here I am, about to leave for a 2.5 week trip, and I am feeling calm & collected. Yes, there is still laundry to be done. Yes, my kitchen floor is a disaster. Yes, the yard looks like the local birch, oak, and beech trees all had a giant collective sneeze directly onto our lawn. Yes, I still have to pack for all 3 of us. But I don't feel frantic at all.

I feel happy. And excited. And a little laissez-faire.

So we no longer have a portable DVD player, and I am little worried about how to keep the kids from screaming for 4+ hours on the plane. I suppose that's why crayons & coloring books are the eternal entertainment standby.

So I won't be home to start my Christmas crafts. Here's a little secret.... other towns have fabric stores too.

So Big Sis will miss 2 weeks of school. It's KINDERGARTEN for Pete's sake. If there is one grade level where I think I can keep up with the work, this is it. I may not have this luxury when she moves into first grade and starts learning quantum mechanics.

So our little family won't be all together for Thanksgiving. Big Daddy doesn't even like turkey!

I think my new attitude is one part unemployment (with a renewed appreciation for time with my family & what REALLY matters), one part desperate need for a vacation, and one part desire for a change of scenery before the bitter cold of winter.

Bon Voyage - we'll be back December 2.