I-O-W-A

Back to Iowa in July as part of another cross-country adventure. We took to the air this time.

It was a little chilly but Ellie still had fun playing in the little pool my mom set up.

{Grandpa Mac is so cute with Ellie}

When I was a kid the best place in the world was City Park, they had tons of playgrounds, the Iowa River ran through, an outdoor pool with a super-tall diving board, and a little amusement park. We did it all, rode the train and the marry-go-round, played on the slides, chased the ducks, had a blast.

Ellie wasn't sure about the merry-go-round at first, but in the end she didn't want to get off.

New Year's Day

This year we spent New Year's at a sports bar watching the Iowa Hawkeyes beat up on whomever they were playing. It doesn't matter.

The local chapter of the alumni association always collects at this particular sports pub to watch Iowa games, it's a lot of fun usually. We had a good time, but it was too crowded to sit with the rest of the fans so we had to sit out on the heated porch. It wasn't quite the same not being surrounded by rabid cheering. So, we stuck it out through half-time and then went back to Aunt S's to "watch" the rest. I think we all fell asleep.

Go Hawks!

Turned on some football for background noise yesterday and was very surprised to see our favorite team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, being broadcast out here!!! That never happens. We were very excited to get to watch them, and man what a game! So we quick put on our Hawkeye gear and popped some popcorn and planted ourselves in front of the tv for the afternoon.

{touchdown!}

I can't believe the Hawks actually pulled out a win against #3 ranked Penn State. We're still all in a tizzy over it. Hawkeyes Rule!

Day 6 - Goodbyes

Quiet time with Grandma.

A few hugs from Aunt and Uncle.

A last goodbye from the train.

Day 5 - Family

The second of the Open Houses, this one was a joint celebration - meeting Ellie and my aunts making it through their 50th year. Ellie got a bunch of new adorable outfits and some new toys to play with. It's a good thing we left some room in our bags for extra stuff just in case!

It was especially fun to see one of my cousins all grown up and hearing about what she's doing now. I remember when she was Ellie's age, doesn't seem that long ago.

I just like this picture.

Day 4 - Famiy and Friends

Today was a day of getting to know family and spending time with old friends. Ellie's grandparents have been out to visit us several times, but this is the first time we've been able to visit them. She's enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa Mac and getting tours of the garden with Grandma.

This was also the first time meeting her Uncle Jeremy and (future) Aunt Mary, and she's delighted with both.

We also got a chance to catch up with two of my oldest friends and their families (4 girls between us) for a little while. A delightful evening spent with their beautiful girls and seeing what's in store for us.

Day 3 - Home

The weather here is so nice, very cool in the mornings and evenings, hot but not too humid in the afternoons. We had a day to just enjoy being back. Ellie got a sink bath to wash off the train goo.

Then we walked downtown and visited a few of the things that haven't changed and a few of the things that have. Seems like the area is starting to settle into a nice balance between bars and shops finally.

We stopped by Van Allen Hall and saw the tree planted to remember the victims of the 1991 shootings. It shows how deeply this event marked our little town, flowers still being left almost 17 years later.

Not much evidence of the floods up in this area, but down by the river there's still sandbags, a lot of silt and litter, and giant machines running non-stop to dry out the buildings.

Stopped by George's gyro stand, yum, then to Iowa Book and Supply to pick up some Hawkeye gear for the future fan.

Then to the Java House for a cup of coffee. The Java House wasn't here during either of our "glory days" but I wish it was. It's a great place to hang out, one of the best of the "new."

Then it was time for the first of two Open Houses my mom arranged so we didn't have to travel all over God's green state of Iowa to see everyone, a pure stroke of genius. People just stopped by when they had a chance, grabbed the baby, gabbed, ate, drank. A great mix of my old high school friends and my parents' friends. The best part was, because my 15 year (gasp) class reunion was a couple weeks before, a connection with an old friend was made and she was able to stop by for a little bit to catch up. It was so great to see her.

Ellie did great being past around, but eventually even the best of us need a little break.

Day 2 - The California Zephyr

Woke up in the midwest.

I forget how green the crops are, and how blue the sky is. After a nice breakfast we went back to the viewing car and watched downtown Chicago approach.

Had a few hours to kill in Union Station in Chicago before getting on the California Zephyr for the next leg of our trip. Mostly just camped out in the beautiful main lobby. Ellie napped, yay.

We just rode coach this time, and it was very comfortable (once we got all our junk situated, babies require a lot of stuff). Nearing the Iowa border we got a good view of some of the flooding. The water was literally right up to the tracks in some areas. If it wasn't for the submerged barns, houses, silos, and irrigation equipment in the middle you might have thought it was a very pretty lake.

Crossed the Mississippi into Iowa and arrived in Mount Pleasant only about 40 minutes late.

Pete downloaded the track from the GPS so we could see how far we've come so far. Cool.