We had a great time traveling up north, visiting many friends and family along the way. We had two weeks off from work, put more than 3,000 miles on the car and drove through six different states. We felt extremely blessed by all the people who arranged their holiday schedules in such a way so that we could see them, even if for a short amount of time. We shared many meals, drinks, laughs, competitive games, and conversations with those we hold dear to our hearts. All that being said, we also were very glad to come home to Austin, Texas and get out of the car. Marlow was a great traveler and brought smiles to lots of faces.
After working hard and fast on my last day of work, I drove home quickly, took a shower, and we packed up the car. We drove to Chris's parents' house in
Colleyville, Texas and spent the night. That evening we had a short Christmas celebration, opening gifts, stockings, and eating cookies. Early the next morning we hit the road and drove to
Evansville, Indiana, home of my big brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Amanda. They have an adorable home and hosted us for a night before we left early again the next day. After a 4-hour trip up to
Anderson, Indiana, we arrived at my parents' house and where I grew up. Full of memories and cold weather, my week in Anderson was filled with visits with high school friends, cooking Christmas dinner, seeing "Marley and Me" in the theater, playing board games with family, eating mom's delicious pies, singing at the Christmas Eve service at my parents' church, and a fun annual date with my husband on Christmas Eve morning. It is our tradition to go out for coffee and donuts each year. Our week went by fast, but it also allowed us to slow down enough and enjoy our vacation.
Our next stint was to
West Lafayette, Indiana, where we visited Purdue's campus for the afternoon. Marlow left a present on the lawn of the memorial mall, we walked all around our old tromping grounds, and visited the Liechtys, Tennenhouses, and enjoyed a lunch of 4 different crepes from
Greyhouse Coffee & Supply. After a short stop for coffee at the location of our first date, we hit the road once again and made our way up to
Western Springs, Illinois, home of Aunt Marcia. She fed us well, lended us her pass for the Chicago Art Institute, and Marlow had a fun time playing with her cocker spaniel, Libby. We took a train into the city one day and walked all around downtown, mostly on the Magnificent Mile. We found a wonderful, little Italian coffee/pastry shop next to the John Hancock building and stopped in for refreshment. Bundling ourselves up as best as we could, we ventured onward and battled the cold. It truly is the Windy City for good reason. We spent another evening dowtown with cousins and enjoyed dinner, talking about life, careers, and oohing and ahhing over our newest second cousin, Grant Oliver.
From Western Springs, we drove just 45 minutes southwest to Aunt Di's house in
Naperville, Illinois. We really enjoyed our time with the Murphys and were reminded of what life is like around teenagers. Buddy, their Beagle-mix became friends with Marlow, too. We left Marlow at their house one day and visited Chris's grandpa and grandma. We played 3 hours worth of Rummy with them and an ate out-of-the-can meal at a nursing home. We took the train again into the city and spent New Year's Eve downtown, eating authentic deep dish pizza at Gino's East. We convinced each other to spend the money on a cab back to Union Station. It was a blistery cold night. We felt old going home so early, but were glad to have feeling in our toes again. On the way back, we picked up a bottle of wine and ingredients to make flourless chocolate cake. We had lots of fun playing cards with Paul and Di, drinking champagne, watching the ball drop, and giving/receiving our New Year's kisses. It was a great way to begin the year.
Sleeping in the next day and being couch potatoes, we finally found the energy to pack ourselves into the car once again and drive to
Kankakee, Illinois. Upon arrival Grandma Allison prepared and served us a feast, including that oh-so-yummy sweet corn from the Midwest to which none can compare. Apple pie, too. Our bellies were full and happy. Chris did a few fix-it jobs for her and I was of no help since I started getting a cold about this time. She sent us off with apples, ginger cookies, and Kleenex for me. We drove a few hours east and stopped by Purdue once again to see the Burkholders for lunch and a short visit. How their kids have grown! They are beautiful children and fun to be around. We treasure our friendship with Todd and Lacy.
Onto
Louisville, Kentucky! Us and 7 other Campus House 'Has Beens' spent the night at Cori's house. She recently got engaged, so it was a fun night spending quality time with her and her fiancé, Matt. They are getting married April 11th! Matt and Cori cooked us dinner and provided us with board game entertainment that night. Chris and I played 'Ticket to Ride' for the first time and he dominated, of course. That guy is unnaturally lucky! The evening ended on a very encouraging note as we all went around and answered the questions of what our highs and lows were, reflecting on the year of 2008. This really helped squeeze out as much depth and quality time in the short hours we had together. Scattered all over the country, it was so great to reconnect and see college friends again.
Yesterday we rose at 5:30am, dropped by Norm's Bakery in Louisville for caffeine and sugar, and hit the road back to Texas. It was a long and horrible drive, especially since my not feeling well from my cold was multiplied with my everlasting battle of car sickness. Chris and I took turns climbing into the backseat and cuddling with Marlow for naptimes. We set the cruise control to an efficient speed and pressed on until we arrive back in Colleyville, Texas, home of Chris's parents. Walking inside, I felt like I had been beaten and run over more than just riding in the car, so to say the least, we were glad to have a break from the road. They had dinner waiting for us; amaazing smoked brisket, fingerling potatoes with Gruyere, sage, and bacon, salad, and alas..more Christmas cookies. Josh and Laura, my sister-in-law and her husband, drove out from Dallas to eat with us. We enjoyed everyone's company even though we were fatigued from our journey.
Today we slept in, ate breakfast, and took our time getting ready before packing up once again and reluctantly getting back into the car. A 3-hour drive never felt so long. We almost felt like crying out of joy when we finally parked in our garage.
It is good to be home. Pictures of our adventures can be seen
here.
