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A weekend getaway with family is always a thankful respite. Baylor University played Iowa State University in Iowa where my two youngest nieces attend school. It was bitterly cold, windy & my team didn’t win, but the memories we made are priceless.
My sister picked my mom and me up at the Omaha airport Friday noon and we quickly got on the road to Iowa with me fast asleep in the backseat. Thankful for a much needed nap! I woke just in time for dinner and fun with my nieces. Yummy pulled pork at the famous Hickery Park in a warm cozy booth hearing about college classes, internships, roommates & professors got us caught up on the important things.
Saturday started with 9 degrees and wind. We layered up, and then layered up again. Many cups of hot coffee & tea readied us for tailgating….outside in the now warmer 11 degrees. We braced ourselves against the wind, locking arms and found our friends. The walking tacos were like a frozen TV dinner but the friendships and hot cocoa warming. Just not warm enough. We searched out additional hand warmers scoring the last pair in Ames.
Back at the stadium, we hunkered down against the cold. A family divided but still family, we watched the game cheering our teams and celebrating our opponent’s achievements. You might find yourself on the opposite side from the ones you love, but because you love them, you still want to cheer for them. We made it through the start of the fourth quarter before our frozen toes cried “Uncle!”. Steaming plates of Chinese food at the nieces’ favorite place thawed us out over dinner.
Not wanting to miss a single minute of time with one another, we found a bowling alley and our competitive natures. We continued to cheer each other on, coaching along the way to ensure we all succeeded. Lauren won. I feel another trip to the bowling alley over Christmas….I still have plenty of time to practice.
Sunday morning we fed those college girls one more time before heading to my sister’s new, beautiful home in Lincoln. We had a wonderful steak dinner, toured Lincoln, toured Scheel’s & rode their indoor ferris wheel, shopped, designed closets, redesigned her kitchen & just talked about life into the late hours of the night. It was comforting, relaxing & wonderful to just sit, visiting with my family. A short weekend, but I am so very thankful I made time for in my busy schedule.
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