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
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