Illinois

We made it back and had a blast on vacation. I enjoyed getting to know the rest of Travis' family and the dry cold in Illinois. Curling my hair in the morning didn't seem futile when it was still curly late that night! Oh how I miss that.
The trip was relaxing. It was nice not to have the few days we were there jam packed with activities so we could just enjoy it. The first full day we were there we went to Carbondale (sp), where his little sister goes to college and went out to lunch at a fun lodge. We ate family style with fried chicken, potatoes, chicken and dumplings, gravy, corn, beans, biscuits, coleslaw and my new favorite... apple butter. It was all delicious and of course I ate way too much. Thankfully we walked to the top of, well, to be honest, I don't know what it was. Something with a lot of stairs, where we took pictures.
It was fun to go to a family ward again on Sunday. Singles wards just aren't the same or as homey. Sunday night Travis took me for a drive around his old college stomping grounds. Putting the pieces together never gets old. I like putting a mental picture to the stories I hear.
Monday morning was spent shopping with the parents and the afternoon was passed playing card games. There is a place called Fitz's that we went to in St. Louis that is a pop bottling company that has a restaurant in it. You can see the bottling equipment and when they are actually using it, watch the process while you eat. It was scrumptious and I introduced a few of Travis and Sarah's friends to fried pickles.
I didn't want to come back to work on Tuesday, but after a trip to White Castle, we got on the plane anyway. The country scenery is missed though. I am definitely a country girl at heart.
One of the highlights of the trip happened on Monday and didn't even happen in Illinois. My new nephew was born! Poor Travis that had to put up with me using his iPhone to check my brother's blog every 20 minutes to see pictures. He is an adorable baby!