This summer we jumped in the motorhome and headed back to both the upper and lower Midwest for a month to visit family and friends. It has been almost two years since we left. Of course, it was not just a spur of the moment trip, the entire visit was planned around visiting our new granddaughter, Sophia. We had been planning this trip based on her planned “arrival” date. However, she decided she wanted to meet us early. So, our initial introduction was in June. But we already had this trip planned to see her and we naturally wanted to see her again. Our first stop however was back to Iowa to visit more family and friends.
We spent the first few days of our trip “moochdocking” at our niece’s house back in Fontanelle. Craig got a couple of rounds of golf in; we had fresh sweetcorn, garden BLTs, and we did a “whole-lotta-playin’”. Our grandniece is six and our new grandniece is five months. There are lots of fun things to do with two little girls. Rumor has it, both Jennifer and Craig even bounced on the trampoline.
Jennifer managed a couple of visits with her aunts and local friends. A trip with her sister to Council Bluffs for the day to see her best friend from our Air Force days, and their Aunt Melva and Uncle Wayne. “A good time was had by all” as our local paper used to say!
Jennifer also managed a trip down to see her Aunt Gloria and her cousin Cindy and husband Ross. Yummy food and a new adult beverage to add to the list. If you want the name of the drink you’ll have to ask as we won’t print it here. Again, so good to catch up!
When we lived here, we, along with Jennifer’s sister Julie and husband Chuck, and mutual friends of ours, Roger and Tammy Jensen, had what could be called a supper club. About once or twice a month, especially in the winter, one of us would pick a restaurant fairly nearby for a road trip. One of the criteria was the chosen restaurant must be new to the group. It was a fun tradition we really miss. We managed to recreate it one night by visiting Central Standard in Waukee. A great night spent with good friends. And of course, since we were already in the Des Moines area, a trip to Baskin Robbins was on the list of things to do!
Craig’s brother, Paul and his family lives in the eastern part of Iowa outside Cedar Rapids. We were able to meet up with them in Des Moines for supper and a much needed catch up with him, his wife Chris, and their daughter, Kyleigh. It was fun to hear about Kyleigh’s dance major at the University of Iowa, but missed seeing our other niece, Kaelyn as she was busy “adulting” and had to work. We really enjoyed catching up and we’re figuring out how we can see them more often.
All in all, it was great to be back in IA to see family and friends. A wonderful visit with memories for a lifetime.
Next up KC and the real reason for the trip to the Midwest!
Jenny
Ooooh a new word: Moochdocking. Thanks for that.