Boone

I should have known that a week trip to Iowa wouldn't be long enough.  I felt like I hardly got to spend enough time with anyone.  Tristan and I said goodbye to the Davis side of the family and drove over to Boone to see my Grandma, aunts and cousins there.  Grandma is almost 84, and had to cancel a LOT of activities so she could be home when I got there.  I felt bad!!! She keeps herself so busy and I love it.   Tristan was a champ the whole time in Iowa, we had quite a few days where we spent a lot of time in the car and he never complained.  Of course, when we got to Boone I noticed his gums were SUPER swollen and red... and then he started whining more than normal.  Poor kid.

 

I felt so lucky.  Everyone heard I was coming and came out to say hi!  I love my family.  Seriously.  We just sat around outside and laughed and chatted and laughed some more.  I was pretty bummed when everyone had to leave, but I am so glad they came.

Tristan was just as spoiled as he could be and adored being the center of attention.  He needs to go visit more often. 

Jody is a fantastic hair dresser and comes and curls Grandma's hair for her. Every time I am here visiting I think of that quote from General Conference a few years back where one of the speakers commented that he loves his sons, but his daughters are going to be the ones who take care of him.  Something along those lines.  I just think how lucky we are to have a Grandma like mine, and she is so lucky to have the daughters she does.  They really look out for her and take care of her.

Tristan and I only got to spend one night at Grandma's before we had to fly out the next day.  It was too short a trip.  Grandma and I were trying to figure out where we wanted to go for lunch and couldn't decide.  We drove all over town until we finally settled on HyVee.  I love their cafe there.  We were so stuffed when we left-it was such a treat.

I wanted to go around downtown a little before we left.  We stopped at a few hang outs of my Grandma's and snapped a few pictures.  I love, love, love Iowa.  I miss spending my summers here.  We used to get her old tandem bike out of the garage and take turns riding down town to the Dutch bakery for a treat.

Tristan was being so cute.  We took a picture of all of us in front of this painted wall and then Tristan kept running back to get more pictures.  He kills me.

When we got back from lunch we only had a few minutes before we had to leave for the airport. Tristan was having the time of his life playing at Grandma's house and he didn't want to leave.  I think he liked being told how cute he was.  

Grandma obliged him and played with him while I packed the car.  He'd open the gate and run through, then close them, then pretend he was leaving, then come back through and say hello.  It was super cute to watch them play together.  And then it was time to leave.  I honestly hated having to go and wished I could stay longer.  I love being with my Grandma. 

My flight was at 5 and it was roughly a 2 hour drive to the airport.  We pulled in with about 45 minutes til the flight left.  I dropped the car off, unloaded and checked my bags and then we hurried through security and got to the gate as the last few people were boarding.  That is a typical flight for me.  I hate, hate, hate waiting around in airports.  Of course, missing a flight sucks worse but somehow I've always seem to manage to make it with seconds to spare.  Tristan was a champ on the flight to Dallas.  And the lay over there wasn't so bad.  The flight from Dallas to Lubbock was the dread though.  He hadn't had a good nap and it was late... so he was irritable.   He cried for a few minutes, and wore me out while I tried to keep him entertained.  I was so glad to see Jeff at the airport and dump him in his arms.  I have to say though, the kid does a good job traveling.  I would take him anywhere.   ... and that... in very short, was my trip to Iowa.  Jeff and I are going back in May for sure.