Road Rules

We have been on the road for six days now. We just got home a few hours ago. The last week has been exhausting, but it has been fun. It all started last Thursday... 

 I met with my friend Brooke and her sweet little Mason at a near by shopping area to pick up a few pieces to Emma's outfit for a wedding the following day. Shopping with friends always sounds like a great idea, until you arrive and your toddlers who have seemingly plotted a surprise attack, reek havoc with full force during what should be a delightful shopping-break lunch. The hostess seated us in the center of a large room with ceilings high enough to achieve a triple echo. They must have taken the surrounding audience as their cue to begin the show. By the end, as a teenager and mother cried out in laughter, Brooke and I cried out in horror as Mason pulled the place mat from under his plate sending rice across the surrounding tables. As I picked away the small grains from our hair, wiped away the salsa that was dripping down the side of the table, tried silencing our screaming tots while trying to scoop my ever-so-graceful girl off the floor mid-tantrum, my pregnant friend crawled under the table to pick up crayons, chips, and the rest of the food that didn't make it to our growling tummy's. We left a large tip and sincere promise to never dine with these angels in tow. Upon exiting the doors to the place we will never show our faces to again, we bellowed out in laughter just in the realization that we survived a double tantrum in a Mexican restaurant, and we did not (technically) shed tears. That is reason to celebrate! We must remember, that these children are designed with high energy to play... Not for fine dining or lunch dates. Lesson learned. 

Friday, Brett and I loaded up the luggage, kid, and dog for the six hour car ride to Oklahoma City for my little cousins wedding. We made a detour through Bartlesville to leave the dog with the grandparents. Grandpa Dan and Emma took a little picnic break!

Road rule #1: you may be required to jump from a moving car to use the bathroom to ensure constant movement for sleeping baby.  

The wedding was perfect. A dreamy picnic themed reception with a bicycle meant for two as the backdrop to the lovely couple who were center stage. A sweet pair, who find their true joy in Jesus and each other, I have no doubt that we will be seeing great things from them!

It's always fun to reunite with family. Emma ran and ran and rolled around the foyer after the long ride strapped to her seat. She ran so much, that any pictures revealed nothing but a blur of legs and curls. Then she showed her mad skills on the dance floor (if we are considering the entire building the dance floor). We spent the night with Aunt Gail and her sweet family, and were able to squeeze in some quality time the next morning.  Emma loved them!  I can't wait to get a hold of Aunt Gail's pictures of Emma with Chelsea and Melissa!

We made a stop by the NICU to visit another sweet cousins four pound baby cowboy-in-training. It's amazing to me how much fight these little miracle babies have in them. My cousin Ashley is certainly a strong woman who has passed her mighty gene down the line. 

Upon leaving the hospital Saturday afternoon, we made the three hour drive back to B-ville where we loaded up on sleep and quality time with grandma and grandpa before finishing the trip home Sunday morning. 

Road rule #2: go ahead and throw out that road trip music list that you use to spend so much time on. It's all about The Wheels on the Bus in the CD changer and Yo Gabba Gabba blaring from the DVD in the back. Over and over and over again. I love that my husband knows all the words and dance moves. I never thought I would be having so much fun with this stuff!

Monday morning, as Brett loaded up to go to Milwaukee with his company, Emma and I headed off to Lincoln, Kansas with Dallas.  

Road rule #3: travel induced gastric upset is a horrifying adverse effect caused by high mileage, that can prey on even the least suspected family members. (Our four legged canine kid growled at the car as we ran past for the third time making a run for the proper evacuation spot.) 

We arrived at dads house in time for lunch, and then spent the remainder of the afternoon at the park and walking around main street. 

Tuesday, we drove up to Concordia and then had a birthday dinner for my dad at the steakhouse in Ellsworth. It is the steakhouse because it is the only steakhouse. We got back to the house and grandpa Erick and Emma quickly went back to playing and making blanket forts. They had so much fun together!  Of course, our little Emma is always having fun!

Today, Emma was able to sink her twelve little teeth into the most delish burger that I grew up loving: the Cozy Burger. A coin-sized piece of cow on a greased slider bun loaded with onions. She really liked it!

I don't know how much sense this little post will make to me in the morning.  I am certainly tired! I had a sleepless night last night after I enjoyed a few too many cups of coffee with dad yesterday. And, I have been missing my husband terribly. I can count on three fingers the number of times we have been a part more than a day in the last five years. 

My baby girl has so much personality. I have loved being on the road with her and exploring across the state with her. It is fun taking her to the places I enjoyed as a child and watching her face as she experiences my childhood memories with me! 

Road Rule #4:  upon return to your home after being separated for two days, be prepared for the sweetest smiles and giggles as little arms greet daddy.

I have so many more pictures that I would like to share with my family who read this, and to keep with my other memories, but I'm too tired to upload my camera pictures right now.  I will be back later this week for an entire picture post!  Don't look so excited ;)