We made a pit-stop for a picnic lunch with Uncle Tyler in Ankeny.
He was visiting the area for a music festival and brought us lunch and helped to chase LEM around the playground while we actually got to eat lunch.
He also blessed us with a portable DVD player.
This took our road trip to another level.
Lauren doesn't get a lot of screen time at home, but traveling is a different ball game.
I speak the language of survival when traveling.
Portable DVD players, Elmo, Mickey Mouse Club House, & 101 Dalmatians are now part of my vernacular.
We left Mitchell, SD on Friday morning and reached Knoxville on Saturday afternoon.
It was a long trip and Lauren did fabulously, but it did seem longer than last years rendezvous.
We spent the rest of the weekend at the lake boating, blowing bubbles, swimming, and relaxing.
Our weekend came to a close with a dinner to celebrate Papa for Father's Day.
The rest of our week was filled with parks, pools, blocks, walks, tea parties, zoo visits, dining at our favorite Knoxville establishments and lots of time with Grandma, Papa, Haddie, and Ruby.
At the zoo we got to see a mama gorilla and her one month old baby gorilla.
Sweetest thing ever.
In the midst of this busy week, Lauren started acting a little off and had a runny nose she couldn't kick.
I took her in and we walked out with a double ear infection {for the first time} and a couple of prescriptions.
Another part of our busy week:
Grandma & Papa are moving.
Or moved.
The day we flew out.
We did our best to help pack when we could and watched them work magic as they managed to pull it all together and get it done.
And now we get to look forward to visiting a brand new house with a BIG backyard that Lauren got a glimpse of.
I haven't flown solo with Lauren since last fall when she still fit in a Baby Bjorn and nursing was my magic trick.
But that double ear infection had this mama pretty nervous, actually probably the most nervous I've been flying with LEM.
Despite the doctor assuring me we would be good to fly, I couldn't shake visions of eardrums bursting and a screaming toddler on a full airplane.
But I'm happy to report that there were no issues. Lauren has another successful flight under her belt and even got a sucker during take-off and another one at landing out of the deal.
It was another fun, adventurous, and memorable summer getaway tracking many miles through many states to see many faces of people we love.
And that's what summer road trips are all about.
The miles.
The warm busy days filled with smiling faces.
Yes, all that.
And in the end making it home to your own bed.
No comments :
Post a Comment