Our trip to Iowa

Last weekend we packed up the car and drove to Carrol, Iowa to see Kaitlin and Zane. We hadn't really followed the weather issues that we were heading into before we had left and we probably should have. The fog was really bad Friday night on the drive up there. It was also a two lane road with a speed limit of 55MPH. At one point Andy said that he was beginning to wonder if the town of Carrol existed. When we finally got to town, it was blackness. They had a bad ice storm a few days before and a lot of the town did not have electricity. The Taylor's had electricity, but did not have a working furnace or cable until Saturday afternoon. The plan was to go skiing and tubing on Saturday, but the lodge was closed due to the storm so we had to make our own fun. Lissy took pictures of Briley and Ellie and then we went to the movies to see Tooth Fairy. If you haven't seen this movie, I would probably not recommend it, but is was the only kid's movie that was playing and it got them out of the house. The guys stayed behind and helped Zane hang dry wall in their garage. That evening, the kids helped Papa make a snowman and then we played an intense game of Uno. After dinner, we went bowling and the kids loved it. Who knew how much fun bowling could be when you turn on the blacklights and hand out highlighters? The next morning we got up and had breakfast before coming back home. On our way back, we made a detour through Maryville. Andy and I had not been back in about four years. There were definitely some things that had changed and we said we are really going to make an effort to come back for a game next fall. Thank you Zane and Kaitlin for being great hosts! We loved your house and Carrol looks like it would be an adorable and quaint town if the weather was a little nicer. Amanda and Carson came into town on Monday. They were on their way to Kirksville and stayed with us Monday night. It was so nice to see them! We hadn't seen them in about three months and Briley was very excited to play with Carson. We went out to dinner and then went to our house to relax. Andy went into to work late on Tuesday so that Carson and Briley would have an opportunity to play a bit longer before they left for Kirksville. I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday and Briley of course came with me. I have seven more weeks to go and I am ready to meet this baby! After the appointment, we went to the birthing center at the hospital to get all of the pre-admission paperwork done. Briley got the opportunity to see where her baby sister/brother will be born. They said that Briley will be spoiled when she comes to visit us. They have a snack room and big sister stickers waiting for her. They also gave me a list of things to pack for the hospital and I really had to laugh when I saw "swim trunks for your partner". I told Andy that he didn't want to forget those because I am positive that he will want to get in the jacuzzi tub with me while I am in labor:) Could you imagine?