Shopping...Shopping...and more Shopping!

Lyla and I flew into Indiana last week for an amazing family weekend. The flight went well and Lyla slept the entire way...probably because she didn't sleep at all that night. Once we arrived Hol picked us up from the airport (bless her heart) and we headed to the Bezy house. Mar was eating in her high chair and Max was taking care of his business on the potty. Poor thing, when I walked in to surprise him he wanted to stand up and hug me but he had a messy booty so he couldn't really. Mar just giggled when she saw us and continued to the entire rest of the trip. Grandma Leela was thrilled to hold her little Lyla Bean. The rest of Thursday was spent playing with the kids, doing a little shopping ( I think I can't remember because we were back and forth so much) and anxiously waiting for Apey and Papa Doug. They rolled in after bed time but got to sneak a peak at the Bean while she was sleeping. That night Lyla started to fuss so instead of rocking her back to sleep I just pulled her up into bed with me and SHE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT WITHOUT WAKING UP ONCE! My family jokes that she behaves so well in the midwest because she wants to live there hehehe. Once we woke up and again had some cousin time, and did some more shopping. As I sit here and try and remember what we did each day seriously it all jumbles into a mess of memories. I blame my lack of sleep as to why my memory is being so shotty and also all the shopping we did kind of all runs together. Brooke and James got into town late Friday night and it was so good to see them. It's always a good time when Brooke is around...she is always cracking us up. Saturday we woke up early and hit the mall. Papa Doug stayed home and babysat the grandbabies with Jason we were able to get some good shopping in. We knew we only had a few hours because we wanted to be back for the Iowa game so we went at it hard. Funniest part of the day by far was when we were at the MAC counter and I smeared purple eye shadow on Ape's face without her realizing that I had something on my finger. We were cracking up so hard, even the girls working were dying. Poor Ape had no clue even though there were a million mirrors around. She was a good sport once she found out though. Seriously we had tears rolling down our cheeks from laughing so hard. Now here comes the highlight to our trip...KONA GRILL!! Yes the food was amazing but what was even more amazing was all of us sisters and my mom sitting at a table together enjoying an amazing meal without kids interrupting or cell phones going off. Seriously it had been years since just us five got to have a special meal together. I am so glad we opted for Kona instead of Jimmy Johns...thanks Hol for making the final decision and also girls for letting me try your sushi...I'm still craving the rolls, edamame, and Mom's salad! Too soon our meal was over and it was time to get home to watch the Hawkeyes. What an awesome yet sad game for all of us Hawkeye fans. I guess being with my family made the bad feelings go away. After the game we all headed out the door for some yummy Mexican. Lyla has been pretty good when we have gone out to eat but for some reason she wasn't feeling the Mexican so thanks to Auntie Holly and some rocking in her car seat, she survived. We also got to celebrate Brookies birthday together...this rarely happens so it was extra special! Once the kids were bathed and down for the night us sisters and my Mom went downstairs and had some fun chat time. Ugh I can't stress enough how much I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE these special times when it is just us. We always have so much fun talking about our past and giggling at how Mom can remember bad stories about our ex boyfriends that we have long forgotten. Sunday morning came too soon and I think we all woke up sad knowing everyone would be leaving (except Lyla and I). The last day is always the worst. Eventually it was getting late and everyone started to shove off. Goodbyes never ever get easier. Even now that I am in Texas (much closer than San Diego) it still destroys me to say goodbye. I've said it before and I'll say it again that I am so blessed to have such an awesome relationship with my family, which makes the goodbyes so hard. Luckily Lyla and I didn't fly out until Monday evening so once everyone left Hol and I went and got pedicures and came home, popped a bag of popcorn and watched TV. Sunday left us and Monday meant time for us to go see Daddy. Monday I absorbed every last second with my sister Hol and her two kids. They are so great with Lyla and Hol, I can't say enough how helpful she is with Lyla when I come into town...she has everything all laid out and ready for us every time. This makes traveling so much easier on me and Lyla and takes away so much stress! Thanks sis for all the help again! As I close this blog my heart still aches a little at the thought of us all being apart again. Enjoy your Thanksgiving together guys and I will see you all the day after Christmas! LOVE YOU!