[i wont bore you with pictures of everything, but this was my FAV 4th of july tops & dresses]I returned back home about 1pm to pack up and hit the road for quick overnight roadtrip to Galva, IL population 2,559. Why Galva, IL... it's home to where our newest Schlomka truck was completed. Three months ago Larry and Grandpa Schlomka drove to Galva and back with our new 2015 Kenworth. Between then and now a tank was built, painted and assembled on to the truck.
After a couple months of checking in on progress being made, via a live shop webcam- the truck was finally done!
It was decided that Larry, Aaron, Avrie, Grandpa and I would all pile into Aaron new pickup that seats 5 and hit the road. We left town around 3:30pm making a couple of pit stops, but only in the usual spots that Gpa knows best for dinner & ice cream. We stopped overnight in DeWitt, IA [population 5,285] just after 10pm. We settled in, Avrie jumped on the bed for about 20 minutes and after being cooped up in the truck for the last 6 hours she was NOT ready to just lay down and go to sleep. We caught the end of the Wild game and turned the tv off a little after midnight- Avrie was still chatting away...
[avrie and great-grandpa schlomka 'papa hank']After a short night of sleep, Saturday morning, we were all up at 6am to get back on the road. We were about an hour and a half away from Galva. On the way we had to stop by "church" for breakfast, aka Sherry's Cafe. This cute little spot was the best stop we made for a tasty breakfast. After breakfast we pulled into the parking lot of LMT and there she was, BIG, BLUE and PURDY!!!
While the guys walked, talked, inspected, toured and paid- Avrie and I played amongst the dandelions and sunshine.
We took a few pictures, Avrie cooperated and took a few pictures in the cab and on the back bumper. It was only appropriate- seeing that I have pictures of me her same age on the back of a new pump truck!
[left photo: me 1985 / right photo: avrie 2014]
[beep! beep!]
[blue is TOTALLY gpa's color] It was around 11-11:30am when we pulled out of Galva. Aaron and Larry took turns driving the new rig back home. The drive home was LONG- I was SUPER tired, OVER being in the pickup and just ready to get home. Avrie did AWESOME the entire trip. We stopped only a couple of times for a quick lunch and a few pit stops. After dropping gpa off at home- a little visit with gma/GG and a stop at the shop, Aaron, Avrie and I were home around 9pm. UFFDA!
[in the shop, taking truck inventory]After Avrie was in bed, after a bath and some wind down time, I hopped in the shower and then plopped down onto the couch and proceeded to crash about 6 seconds later. I woke up at 4am on the couch with a towel still on my head and I hadn't even combed my wet hair.
Sunday, it was Mother's Day! Rightfully so, we all slept in and once Avrie was up, Aaron brought her in to wake me up, giving me the biggest hug and telling me "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!" After talking about a "plan" for the day we decided to just get back into the car and drive up highway 8 to see what we could find. We were headed for Taylor's Falls, to climb the rocks and see the flowing water [waterfalls in Avrie's eyes].
[she is the jump in my step,the giggle in my laugh,& the beat of my heart!]We about stopped at a few different places, going into a brunchy type place that was packed. We decided that the food didn't seem worth the wait so. We were back on the road and ended up just parking along main street in Taylor's Falls. Without having to roam too far we stopped into The Border Bar for burger baskets. There were about 4 tables and zero service, but the burgers hit the spot! It was perfect for a quick lunch.
[spending the day with my two favs- is all that i need!]After we ate we walked the steps down to the water. It's high speed flow did well in sky rocketing my anxiety, but at the same time it was quite the sight! As we took it all in, we snapped a few pics and climbed the rocks. Avrie had a blast hopping from rock to rock and exploring.
["look at THIS momma!"]It was about 3pm when we headed back towards home. We stopped by Cub to pick up a couple of big, fat, juicy steaks to grill later on. We also stopped by Cherry Berry for some fro yo! My combo of choice being Tropical Blend w/ Gummy Bears- YUM!
Once home we hung out playing outside, we built a fire, took a long walk and then Aaron charcoal grilled THE BEST steak, baked potatoes, asparagus & mushrooms. I also made a salad and we had dessert with Grandma & Grandpa Ertle. I asked them to stop by on there way home from dinner with Mick & Co. I had to at least see MY mom, the fabulous woman who gave me life and set an example of what it means to be a Mom!
[flashback: My Mom, holding baby AV, 2011]After a long, busy weekend of driving and a full day of walking [i hit 13,000 steps on sunday ;)] you can only guess how tired we all were again on Sunday night! I feel asleep AGAIN on the couch! haha It was the perfect end to the weekend, and the best way to spend my day being Avrie's mommy!
