Back from vaca

I was going to wait to write until I got some pictures to post, but I think that may take too long. Longer than people would like to wait to hear from us.

We took a trip home to MO for a week and go back on Sunday, 4/20. It was very nice and relaxing. I think I thought of it as a last chance before I never get sleep again. We left on the 12th and had our wonderful friends from church take us to the airport at 4AM!! Like I said, wonderful!!! The flight was pretty uneventful. We had a stopover (we didn't have to switch planes) in Las Vegas so we moved seats to the two emergency seats. That was nice. Then, after they let all the hot air on the plane (it was 80 degrees already at 9am there!!) I started feeling really ill, kind of sick to my stomach and tired and warm. Then I started to feel like I was going to pass out! I was almost there when the flight attendant came by with ice water, just in time. I had already stripped off my light jacket, my hat and my shoes and cranked up the airflow. I was about 30 seconds away from getting up and lying down in the aisle. People would have thought I was crazy but I don't think I would have cared at that point!

After that I started to feel better. It was so weird, usually I'm freezing on planes. But we made it to KC where it was 35 degrees. A little disappointing seeing that we left 75 degree, sunny weather in WA!! Anyway, we went to lunch at a BBQ place (imagine that!) and then vegged out for the rest of the evening. Like I said, very nice!

Sunday I had my first baby shower. I was so nice! We had cake and fruit and talking, and a devotion time and then we all made a couple scrapbook pages. That was fun! Kami (my youngest sister in law) was a rookie and didn't leave any room for pictures on her pages so I guess I'll have to rearrange some things.

Monday the girls went to get pedicures. THAT was WONDERFUL seeing that I can't efficiently or safely reach my toes well enough to clip my nails anymore, let alone paint them. I tried to get Chuck to paint them with a clear coat a few weeks ago and he would have none of that! I think that was the best part of my whole vacation! Then Chuck and his dad and I went fishing that evening. I was really starting to wonder just how good they were at fishing because we spent about 90 minutes just sitting there making our way around the lake. But then they hit a hole and got enough fish for dinner the next night.

Tuesday we were informed that there was a new restaurant in town. It's called Five Guys. Let me just tell you, Chuck and I had experience with this place out on the east coast and it is phenomenal! Just burgers and fries (Five Guys burgers and fries). So we met my friend, Heather, there for lunch. Her wedding is the one I'm going to be in at the end of June. Anyway, then that night, Kristin, Kami and I went to dinner and the mall. We had a very nice time with each other.

Wednesday we drove to Columbia; Dana and I spent some time with each other while Chuck drove to John's place. He is always disappointed how little time he gets to spend with John and his parents so we made sure to get to Colubmia at a decent time in order to make more time than we usually do. Then we drove on to STL and went to Lions Choice on Grandma. It was awesome!!

Thursday was pretty low key, we didn't do much of anything, I went to see my friend Angie and her new baby while Chuck and Dad went fishing. Mom practically kicked them out of the house! Chuck wasn't feeling well so we both took a nap later on in the day after we had Sonic for lunch. Everyday we had something to eat that we don't have out on the West coast. It was SO nice!!

Friday we went to Cabella's and Babies'r'us. And then we went to Hardee's. We now have Carl's Junior out here (same thing, different name) but they don't have HOT HAM AND CHEESE SANDWHICHES!! What the heck, so we boycott the Carl's Junior out here! These people around here don't know what they are missing! Then we went to the baseball game. It rained ALL day and then by the time we got to our seats (it was cutting it close) all the rain stopped! It was a sign. Then the Cards beat the crap out of the Giants 11-1.

Saturday I woke up a bit annoyed, just with all the drama and excitment and stimulation that I'm not used to, I got annoyed really easily. It tends to happen. I am used to it just being me and Chuck and the dogs. We come home and it's 10 other people in my face all the time. It's GREAT to see family, it can just be overload sometimes, like a baby. Anyway, I escaped to Panera by myself to get some coffee and a muffin and read a book for a while. It's amazing how much it helped. Then that afternoon was the baby shower. It was so nice, seeing so many people come and support Chuck and I and celebrate the coming of Aaron. It was amazing!!!

Then Sunday we just went back to KC, grabbed some BBQ (of course) and headed up to the airport. We had plans to go to church that morning but the Stenders ended up surprising me and coming in for the shower. Not only were we up super late, but I wasnted to at least be able to say good bye to them.

All in all it was a great trip. It is always nice for me to come back "home" to where I live because I love to have a schedule and routine, but it of course is super nice to be around family, especially when so many changes are happening.

I promise to write more. I know it's almost been a month, but as you can see we have been super busy.