To Iowa and back

Well it finally happened. I have been BUGGING Nick, for about what? 12 years to go back to Iowa and visit his family. We finally went. Now to most people, a vacation to Iowa doesn't really sound that exciting, but you have to understand something... Everything about the Schrunk family revolves around Iowa. Both of Nick's parents were born and bred (one happily and one not so much) in Iowa. Nick was born in Iowa, and major events in their life happened in Iowa. I heard the stories and met some of the cast members, but most of the family still lives and will remain in Iowa. I wanted to see with my own eyes everyone and everything. You have too. Stories are great, but you need to see it for yourself.

Wow, and see it I did. We were gone from Tuesday to Tuesday and on the road for a lot of it. We were staying with Marilyn's best friend Sharron in Dubuque and most of the places we were going to were 30-45 minutes away. I swear even though we went to most of the same towns (Colesburg, Guttenberg & Earlville) Rogberry found a new way to go (my head was spinning, where's the 405?) so I couldn't get my bearings! Although I had no idea which direction we were headed, I got to see some awesome scenery. Eastern Iowa is really beautiful with the rolling hills and TREES, lots of trees! I had no idea that there were than many green things sticking up out of the ground in Iowa. I was anticipating flat land with lots of corn fields and red barns, which there were plenty of by-the-way. Fall is my most favorite time of year and it was nice to actually experience it.

Now, I saved the best part for last... the family. Geez, just thinking of everybody makes me want to cry. Talk about good people. Everybody was so nice and friendly, I immediately felt like one of the family (someone even said I was a true Iowa girl, a label I wear w/ pride!) They welcomed us into their homes, allowed my kids trample through their picturesque crick, gave us the shirts of their backs, let us ride their ATVs and horses, got the grand tour through golf carts and boats. We lived it up by drinking lots of Busch light and eating a ton of red meat and experiencing pie made from scratch... as a result my pants are tight, but it was worth it. We were in heaven. Although it was a whirl-wind, it was hands-down the best vacation ever... I miss IOWA!!!

To view more Iowa photos go to: http://picasaweb.google.com/mschrunk/IowaTrip

The time has finally come...

both my kids are in school. Three times a week for 2.5 hours, my house is quiet (that is if the dogs aren't fighting and bothering the cats). It is a very strange feeling, one that I'm not quite sure if I'll get use to...

Marley has just entered 1st grade and she is such a big girl now. This summer was a big turning point. She seems to have grown up right before my eyes. It's bitter sweet. I'm happy for her because I remember the feeling of wanting nothing more in the world than to be older than what I was... but then it breaks my heart because she's not my baby anymore. Not that she ever was; she is, was and always will be daddy's girl, but I squeeze myself in her picture where ever I can. She fights me, but it makes the success that much sweeter.

My little boy Tyler is finally a preschooler. He is now in the same league as his big sissy, which of course is everything to a 3 year old. His first day was really hard for me. I was quite misty and even though he is entering his third week, it's still tough. This one was always connected to my hip and I feel a part of me is missing. I know he's old enough to go, but he still feels too young to go. Fortunately it's only for 2ish hours and everything resumes to normal... "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy"