The Chandlers: Home Sweet Home

The Cowboys were off this weekend so we made plans to travel to Iowa to visit my family. It has been since August since I had seen any of my family so a trip back home was long overdue. Lyla was a champ on the plane and slept for all but the last 30 minutes. I am convinced she wanted to see Iowa so I propped her up next to the window and explained what a cornfield was and talked all about Iowa. Iowa never looked so beautiful. Funny how as a child I wasn't the biggest fan of my little state, and now I nearly get choked up when gazing out my little airplane window. We arrived Thursday evening and met my mom at the airport. She was thrilled to see us and especially to get her hands on Lyla. Once we got our bags we drove the hour to Oelwein. My mom sat in the back with Lyla and helped her fall asleep. When we got home my dad practically ran out to see us and low and behold about a minute later April came running out. This was a treat for me because I wasn't expecting her until Friday. She was a sweetie and drove home for the night and drove back late late that evening just so she could get some extra time with us. After some play time, bath time and a big bottle we all went to bed. Friday we had a nice day of relaxing at my parents house. April came back into town after work and we all just enjoyed being together. It was so nice having so many hands to help with Lyla. I felt like I was on vacation from being a mom because everyone was so eager to help. Saturday my dad and I drove down to Iowa City (a little after 6 am) to pick up my little brother who's car died so he couldn't get home. The drive was so much fun. I left Lyla at home with her Daddy and my Daddy and I had one of our famous "hawkeye talks" on the drive to Iowa City. When I was younger my dad and I would drive to Iowa City to watch the Hawkeyes play and talk Iowa sports the entire hour and a half drive up. It was so nice getting that special alone time with my dad. Of course we had to make one pit stop on the way to Drew's apartment...Kinnick stadium! We hopped out of the car just long enough to pat Nile's helmet, take a picture and then we were off. I of course think this was the reason the Hawkeyes won this weekend. After we got Drew we headed home and had another nice chat with Drew Boy. Saturday was game day at the Bulman house and wow what a great game. Mom made homemade pizza and we all stuffed our bellies with nervous excitement at the thought of our beloved Hawkeyes picking up win #7. Sure enough the Hawks pulled through and stole a W from Camp Randell. After the game my mom, April and I did a little shopping at Hallmark and Kmart. It was nice to get out of the house and have some mother daughter twin time. When we got home we started on supper...beef stroganoff and apple crisp for dessert. It was a little chaotic getting it all day on time but we did it. After dinner April's boyfriend Isiah came over and finally got to meet Scott. We had fun sitting around giggling like we always do. Sunday we woke up a little sad knowing it was our last day in Oelwein but Brooke and James swung through on their way home from visiting Jame's family in Wisconsin so that of course changed the mood. Brooke is too funny and had us all giggling for the afternoon. My favorite part of the day was Brooke, Ape, Drew, my mom and I sitting around the table laughing at anything and everything. Brooke and James have trained really hard for a FULL marathon out in Washington D.C. this coming Sunday. They leave on Wednesday I believe. We are all so proud of them. I think it's so awesome that they do these things...such an awesome sister and brother in law I have. Good luck guys! SO SO PROUD OF YOU!! Well Sunday came and left all too quickly so it was time for us to start packing up. We had such an awesome awesome weekend. Yes it went way too quickly. Lord willing someday we won't have to fly to go home. After three years of teary goodbyes it still hasn't gotten any easier. If anything now that Lyla is in the picture it has just made things harder with one more person to miss. I am so grateful that I have such an awesome relationship with my family that we all miss each other so much. I can't wait to go home next. Mom and Dad thanks for having us. We miss you so much! LOVE YOU!