You're the only Ten I See

Day Eleven
We had an early wake up call to head over to Des Moines International for our flight to Knoxville.  What was scheduled to be an easy-peasy day turned out to be longer than scheduled. To start, our flight out of Des Moines was delayed. First, for weight distribution issues {I don't believe we were the cause. We had normal amounts of luggage this time}. Then for refueling due to us potentially having to reroute to Dallas/Fort Worth because of weather in Houston. Thankfully we were able to land in Houston, but we had a tight connection. So Matt and I ran through the airport, only to discover our flight to Knoxville had been delayed. Houston had some fog that morning which lead to delays & cancellations.  The joys of the airport. We watched our flight time get later and later throughout the day. Eventually our plane arrived and we were Knoxville bound. Guess who was waiting for us at the airport?
Yep.  Bella.
We spent the evening catching up with family and the boxer in the Tennessee fall weather.


Day Twelve & Thirteen
Matt and I enjoyed sleeping in, with the Bella and eating breakfast cereal with milk. There was a lot of Bella time {you didn't see that coming though, did you?}, a trip to the mall, Target, Panera, sushi, and a marathon of Modern Family.



Bella was apparently jealous that the other girls got their pictures taken. This is what she does when she needs some attention.

The girls got to enjoy some Frosty Paws to celebrate our arrival.



Random: I also watched a lot of documentaries. I love me a good documentary. If you are an HBO subscriber, an ipad owner, and reside in the US, you need to check out the HBO GO app. Every movie, every episode of every season of every series HBO has ever aired is available at any time. It's amazing.

Day Fourteen
Since we won't be home for Christmas this year it will be a little bit different. It also became a whole lot more difficult for our families to find gifts for us... our climate is different, our stores are completely random, and our living situation is temporary. On top of that gifts have to be shipped internationally, which requires a lot of planning in advance. So my parents decided to give us a Christmas gift that we could enjoy a little early and scheduled us a full body massage. It was wonderful. After we were good and relaxed we prepared for our family photo session.





Day Fifteen
Remember when I mentioned that I had a story...
The photographer who took our family photos wanted us to be able to view them before we left, so she focused really hard and got them prepared for us to view the following day. My mother, Matt, and I headed to the studio for our viewing. But we didn't make it.
Why?


Once upon a time there was a Little Old Lady who drove a Buick.
That's why.
While driving past the Long John Silvers {dislike LJS. even more so now} the Little Old Lady who drove a Buick decided that she was ready to get home and enjoy her chicken planks. So as we drove by she pulled out and our cars made contact in a T-Bone fashion. Thank goodness everyone was okay, including the Little Old Lady who drove a Buick, who turned out to be quite elderly. I was sitting in the front passenger seat and Matt was behind me. I was unable to get out of the car as we were stuck together and my door ended up not functioning. Matt hopped out to make sure everyone was okay and the Little Old Lady who drove a Buick told him that, "Every time she left the house to get something to eat she wondered if today was going to be the day that she hit someone". {I think it's time for someone to turn in their car keys.} A sheriff drove by our accident and told us to stay put until the city came so they could file a report. Eventually a Knoxville Police Officer arrived. After making sure everyone was okay, he wanted to get us 'unstuck'. He asked the Little Old Lady who drove a Buick to reverse first, so we could pull forward. After having to instruct her to 'put your car in reverse mam', the Little Old Lady who drove a Buick reversed successfully. In fact, she reversed right into the police car parked behind her. Yep. The Little Old Lady who drove a Buick had two accidents that afternoon.





It was a crazy and sometimes scary afternoon. Our day completely changed from what we had originally planned. Instead of attending the Food & Wine Show we hit up a mechanic and Enterprise.
Our evening turned around when my grandparents from Minnestota joined us for our final weekend. After catching up, my grandmother shared some items she gathered after cleaning out a closet.

Each grandchild received one of her Irish Santa's from her personal collection. I adored my Shamrock Santa and thought about introducing him to Colombia. Instead I think he is safer in our storage unit with the rest of my Christmas decor {sigh}.

She also found my great grandmother's swimsuit from the 20's. I die. Seriously. Technically it was for my mother, who has it in a shadowbox for the perfect display. I am thinking someday I can negotiate taking possession of the Jantzen swimsuit.

Day Sixteen





After lunch & a boat ride, we headed back. The boys headed home to catch the football game.

The girls headed to Hobby Lobby. Sarah stocked up on 'hobbies' for her Colombian lifestyle. Including embroidery, cross stitch, and crochet. I am excited about all my new hobbies. And yes, I am sure that I am only turning 29.
We also found a little Christmas prop for the girls...




Day Seventeen
Pumpkin Carving Day/Halloween





On top of a Halloween themed day, we also brought in a bit of Thanksgiving.
Since we won't be home for Thanksgiving, Colombia doesn't celebrate it, and I can't find a turkey here, we made Thanksgiving happen on our terms.

Unbaked apple pie. My mother makes an insane apple pie. Promise. Ask Matt. This one was on another level. The best. And no, I cannot recreate this pie. Yet. It's on my list of things to master before age 30.

The boys watched football. Just like a real thanksgiving.




Day Seventeen
Matt and I ran a number of errands which included buying another suitcase. No joke. And soaked in our last moments of America and the people we love. We soaked in a lot of this gal.


Day Eighteen brought goodbye's, some tears, and travel. We had such an amazing holiday in the USA and are so thankful to everyone, friends and family, who took time out of their busy American lives to spend some quality time with us Colombians. xo

Sunday

I know I need to finish our Americana blog posts, but I've been quite distracted by this:


The new Steve Jobs book.
Can't keep my nose out of it. It is a wonderfully honest look at this brilliant man {with many character flaws} and how he changed our world. He surely changed mine. I can't imagine life without my ipad and what did we do before itunes. Speaking of ipad, this is the first non e-book I've read in nearly a year. Steve and I are 60 pages away from saying goodbye. And as much as I can't get enough of the book, I don't want it to end. I love reading a book that you can't manage to put down. Or one that speaks to you in a special way. When you have both, it's readers heaven.

Matt and I may have continued our tradition of pumpkin carving, but we did not have any Halloween candy to hand out nor did we dress in any fun costumes. This could have been due to the law that was enforced this weekend. Apparently, today was the day to vote for the new mayor of Cartagena and in order to ensure that people of sound mind were voting, they eliminated the purchase of alcohol from 6:00 pm Friday evening to 6:00 am Monday morning. That's right. Liquor stores: Closed. Restaurants: Can't serve any alcohol. Bars: Closed. Grocery Stores: All alcohol was taped off. Last night, Matt and I went and picked up a pizza to bring home so we could enjoy some cervesa. While walking the streets, I have never heard Cartagena so quiet... It created kind of a spooky feel for Halloween.

Sunday's have definitely become the day that most closely represents our previous life. We eat a yummy breakfast/brunch, Matt watches football, and Sarah lounges {I spent time with Steve}. Today was rainy and overcast, even creating a sense of fall. So, I tried a new recipe that seemed fall like.

Corn & Zucchini Queso Chowder
Yum.
It was a pretty perfect Sunday. But, it would have been more perfect if she was here.

4-2

Matt and I managed to keep with our tradition of a little friendly Halloween competition. Although Colombia is all about Halloween, they don't participate in pumpkin carving. So, we took advantage of the American soil and carved pumpkins a little early.

Drum roll please.

Pumpkin A


Pumpkin B


Can you guess who the winner is?
Uh-huh.
This guy.


I don't want to be a sore loser, but I feel like I must share what happened to my pumpkin. I chose to clean and carve my pumpkin outdoors on a beautiful Tennessee afternoon. Then my pumpkin sat outside on this beautiful Tennessee afternoon waiting for night to fall so we could light a candle and let the competition begin. This beautiful Tennessee afternoon did a number on my pumpkin. It basically melted it. I came outside and my pumpkin had sunk in and the bats had completely detached. I had to do some surgical maneuvers with toothpicks and pins to bring it back to competition form.

So that brings us to the score.
Matt: 4
Sarah: 2

Seriously. I was really hoping to tie it up this year.
This competition isn't going to be so friendly if we see 14-2.
Better luck next year.

Happy Halloween!

Ioway

{Ioway. When Matt and I lived in Lake Charles, Louisiana I still carried an Iowa license. One night, entering a bar, the bouncer looked at my ID and said, 'Ioway, huh?'. Yep}
 
Day One - Three
Our first weekend in Iowa included sleeping in, enjoying coffee and fall colors, a trip to Target & Panera {heaven} and an International Food Festival with the Ostlunds. Unfortunately, I did a pretty poor job of picture taking at these social events. Probably because I was busy being in the moment and sampling Bacon Candied Ice Cream.

Sunday we headed East {???} to get family pictures taken care of and to celebrate Graham Cracker's big birthday.

Marcie did the cakes herself. Impressive and so sweet!

Day Four

The Schetzsle's had us over for dinner and I enjoyed catching up with incredible friends, while dining on some great food and wine. Unfortunately, I won't be back for Katie's baby shower, but I was able to give Mama Schetz and Baby S their gift a bit early.

I could not be more excited for this bambino to arrive. Kate is absolutely gorgeous, inside & out and has been an amazing friend for years. She is entering motherhood with such grace, which is not surprising and the little peanut that enters this world in January is beyond blessed to call her mom.

Matt and I were delighted to spend the evening with friends, but I would be lying if I said that we weren't in love with having some pups around {aka: Big Sisters}.

Day Five

I had the pleasure of joining Betty at the National Tour Debut of La Cage Aux Folles. Ever seen the Birdcage? Think of that, on Broadway. I LOVED it. Drag Queens and Music. Sold. On top of all that, Charlie got us some amazing tickets, up close and absolute center. I had no idea a man could rock legs like that before this experience.

Day Six

After lunch with Scott at Matt's top pick, Buffalo Wild Wings, I had an appointment to see my friend, hair stylist, and new mama, Tiffany. Her mom Shawn was kind enough to come to the salon and bring her baby boy Trevyn. 

Seriously. Between Trevyn, Graham, and the cutest baby bump Kate is sporting I came down with a case of the baby fever... Can you blame me?

Tiff can work magic and transformed my long locks into a cute, fun bob. Loves it. I feel like a grown-up... which is probably what an almost 29 year old should feel like.

And so far, from what I can tell this hairstyle has helped with my  Colombian white ceramic floor issues.

Day Seven

We hit the road {something we don't get to do too often} and headed over to the High Trestle Trail Bridge, to check out the beautiful fall landscape.

After working up an appetite, we headed to Hickory Park: An Ames Tradition. I need to mention the insane amount of eating out we did with the McQuinn's. They supported us in seeking out each craving our Colombian hearts desired. Thank You!

After eating at one of our top restaurants in the old stomping grounds, we decided to peruse through the campus of our alma mater. 

Including the house Matt and his roomies used to occupy. In all honesty, I am shocked it is still standing.

After the trip down memory lane, we headed over to Shelley's house to spend the afternoon with her family.

Matt requested that this picture be posted on the blog.

Along with Claire telling me that, "I needed more practice playing catch."

Catch and Tree Climbing. The things you will do for an adorable face.

Day Eight - Ten

Our last weekend was family & friend/football focused. Saturday night we had a crew and a private room to watch the Iowa game and more football with friends on Sunday.

Both Matt's sisters, Marcie & Shelley,  came over with their kiddos for the weekend. We enjoyed some togetherness over smoked meat, Cakebread wine {i die for some Cakebread... It's probably a good thing I can't get it here. I would be a different kind of ama de casa...if you know what I mean} and Jade Garden.

We had an amazing time our first 10 days of vacay. It's hard to be so far away from so many people we love and care about, but the time and effort made by friends and family to see us is so special and very much appreciated.

Day Eleven

Got up early to head to Des Moines International {i love that} for a flight out to Knoxville...