It all started on Interstate-80 last Friday afternoon. Dad, myself, and 5 of the 6 kids took off around noon for our adventure across the great state of Iowa. (well, it didn't start on I-80 but I-80 holds a lot of memories for me, so my trip down memory lane began then:) ).I think we made the 330 mile adventure across the state in about 5.15 hours - not bad at all considering we had 5 kids in the car. They did awesome - we never stopped other than to go thru the McDonald's drive thru! We arrived in Williamsburg and the kids barely gave themselves time to digest the pizza they gobbled up - and off to the pool they went. Thank goodness we had Uncle Dan and Aunt Jenna there or we couldn't have done it! The kids had a blast swimming and swimming and swimming!
Saturday was the big Iowa vs Penn State game. We all originally had great intentions of going until two major factors got in the way - #1 - the fact that it was November in Iowa and # 2 - the reality that it was 20 degrees out that day and 25 mph winds. What was supposed to be a fun family outing quickly turned into a day of misery for Dan and Ryan. Stacy, Steph and Jenna made it as far as tailgating but quickly ended up at the bar:) I stayed back with Dad and the kids - as I, even in the beginning, had no true intentions of going b/c of the above stated facts! NOT a cold weather fan! Lucky for Dan and Ryan - they got to see a great game which made it all worth it. Iowa won - 24-23. Go Hawks!
While everyone was at the game, Dad and I took a trip around Iowa City while the kids napped. We braved driving down past the stadium during game start time. Wow, was that ever interesting. The street that I used to travel to school/work every day had become a mosh pit of completely inebriated people. I mean, that had to be right? It was 20 degrees and windy outside! Some were so inebriated they had t-shirts on and didn't even look like they were cold. Others were so far gone they walked right up to our car and punched the side-view mirror in. And of course, there is always those super smart ones who just walk right in front of a moving car and hope you stop. Was I really ever 21?! We then traveled past the dorm I used to live in - and the college campus I was supposed to attend classes at! Then down past the Coralville Lake which was where I always took the little kids I nannied for to. We ended at the mall so the kids could eat and hit the arcade.
We swam again and ate birthday cupcakes to celebrate Grandpa's birthday! Sunday we swam, played at Jakob's Great-Grandma Florence's and then went to see Jenna and Dan's apartment which happens to be right across from where I used to live -same street address and everything! I hadn't been to Iowa City in about 8 years so it was a fun little adventure for me and lots of fun to see where Jenna and Dan live right now. Jenna gave us a tour of her school and we took off for a fun 6 1/2 hour drive back home in the dark. Again, the kids did great. I got to drive the backroads I used to travel so often back and forth from school - and all of my good friends' schools as well. It was really fun - and a lot of reminiscing! We even drove through about 6 of the towns I used to play high school sports at - since we live in such a rural area, many places were close to 2 hours away. It was fun to travel through again and relive those glory days!
Much fun was had by all. We arrived back to Grandpa and Grandma's at about 11:30 - the kids now wide awake of course. Grandpa had to truck to Aberdeen when we got back, Konnor was going to join him - so I gathered up Konnor's stuff, and at about 12:30am Hunter, Quinn and I got to see them off! Nothing like the good ol' days. I remember watching my dad leave at all hours - we would all stand at the front door and wave....at least, that is, if we weren't RIDING with him. We used to ride along all the time. There's nothing like hearing my Dad's truck hook up to his trailer and take off up the hill. In fact, when I moved out of our last house into my current one, Steph and I were packing up one last load, it was dark - and someone up the street was also moving with one of those big Mayflower moving trucks. It was loaded and came down the street into the cul-de-sac and we both sat outside like little 2 year olds in awe of the sound of a semi - coming down the street- and then taking off again. It really is like music to our ears. It still is - if Dad leaves in the early morning hours here, we hear it regardless while "sleeping" downstairs. Same goes with the tractor - you could always tell time without a clock downstairs here.
Here are a few pictures of our trip over the weekend. Enjoy!
Oh, how I remember the misery of being all bundled up, hot, and uncomfortable! Only we never sat in carseats - which probably make it even worse.
Playing at Ryan's Grandma Florence's - she lives 2 minutes from the hotel we stayed at
The boys loved me for getting them out of the car, in the freezing cold weather, to take pictures at the stadium
Kinnick Stadium and its new makeover! Much different than when I was there years ago!
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