I-O-W-A

After departing Germany but before leaving for Japan, we returned home to Iowa for about a month to spend time with family and friends. As usual, it was a great trip. We ate at many of our favorite restaurants on our trip home; however, our most frequented restaurant on this trip was actually a new place to us called Fong's Pizza, a creative infusion of Chinese food and pizza. Our favorite new discovery was Crab Rangoon Pizza...

We also spent some time at the Farmers Market in downtown Des Moines. In addition to selling produce and craft items, there are a lot of food vendors. Sometimes it can be a challenge to decide if you want breakfast or lunch or both, but I checked a few of my favorites off the list- dutch letters, kettle corn, and an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. Since Matt and I moved from Iowa 5 and 4 years ago, respectively, there has been a lot of work down to revitalize the downtown area, and it was great to be home during the summer months to explore some of those changes.

We celebrated the fourth of July in the U.S. for the first time in several years, and attended what has become an annual rib cook-off and pie competition at my aunt Pam and Andy's house. It was a rainy day and night (fireworks were postponed throughout the city), but it was still fun to take part in the Independence Day festivities. I was even lucky enough to be selected as a pie competition judge- 14 bite-sized samples of different pies only equates to a couple pieces of pie, right?

Cousins Elie, Ben, Hannah, and Katy

The following week, Matt had Lasik-like eye surgery (PRK or ASA) to correct his vision. The procedure went really well and after wearing glass or contacts since 5th grade,  it appears to have been worth the discomfort and 6-month regime of drops. This picture of Matt and Lena is one of the last with glasses! To be honest, I'm kind of going to miss those glasses, but I am so happy that my hubby can finally see clearly!

The next weekend, we traveled to Jefferson, Iowa for a cousins reunion on Matt's side of the family. It was a really nice opportunity for me to review how everyone fits together in the family tree, and was the first reunion that Matt and I have ever been in town for- another perk of visiting in the summer!  Here are the cousins and their spouses in attendance...

First Row: Mike and Teresa, John and Alice Mae, Shirley, Arlie, Liz and Jerry

Second Row: Harold and Diane, Jay,Vicki and Lyle

Front Row: David and Garrett

Back Rows: Brandy, Isaac, Ben, Jessica, Matt, Ashley, Valerie, Mackenzie, Cindy, Spencer, Nate, and Maggie

Fully realizing that this would be our last stateside trip home without a baby, we both took advantage of the opportunity to do a little bit of traveling. I spent a day in Iowa City with my mom and Liz while Kiley took her step 1 med school board exams and Matt took a road trip to Oklahoma with Mo to visit friends Chris and Jason.

We had a lot of fun playing, reading, and just spending time with our nephew and niece Magnus and Lena. They are growing up so incredibly fast. One morning, I stayed home with Lena while Matt went to swimming lessons with Jessica and Magnus. When Magnus is not channeling his best spider man impression, he is really into dressing up like a cowboy (think Woody from Toy Story). So, naturally, a cowboy hat and boots were mandatory attire for the pool. Matt captured some great moments from their morning...

Our final days in the states are always jam packed with quality time spent with family and friends and this trip was no exception. I had dinner with Kate, Sam, and Cassie at Alba's and Matt and I met Mo and Sonia for an impromptu lunch.

Before we moved to Germany, we had a German-themed farewell party complete with costumes and a serenading accordionist. This time around, we had a Japanese-themed farewell party without the costumes, but with all of the flare. We had all sorts of Japanese/Asian food (sushi, shrimp, pot stickers, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, udon noodles, soba noodles, "Kobe" burgers, salmon patties, fried rice, etc.) and a perfectly American ice cream sundae bar for dessert. The one exception to no costumes- a very special gift from my grandma- a kimono robe that my grandma brought back for her from his time in Asia during the Vietnam War.

We also said goodbye to our 13+ year old dog, Brandy, on this trip.

The next day, we enjoyed lunch with Matt's side of the family...

Aunt Cindy

 Carrie and Wayne

Aunt Sherry

Dean, Missy and Griffin

On our final night in town, we had dinner with our combined families- Fong's pizza for a third time!

 Great-grandpa-to be

And finally, a sweet video of Uncle Matt and Lena...

 

 We had a great trip home and are already looking forward to our next trip back to introduce everyone to our daughter!