Our first plans when we made it into Iowa was to spend a day with Matt's family. We met up with his mother (Deb), sister (Sandi), and brother-in-law (Sam) for lunch at Hu-Hot Mongolian Grill. Our goal like always when we are on vacation is to eat everything we cannot get up in Minot. After a wonderful lunch we headed over to Sportmans' Authority and Matt got my birthday present: A kickboxing bag and stand for it! Got a great deal and it would have cost us double if we got it in Minot. After running around town we went back to Deb's to start making the dinner for the evening. Sam and Matt went to pick up the kids, our niece (Alex) and nephew (Jake) from school. While Sam and Matt picked them up one of Alex's friends asked her if Matt was her older brother picking her up from school! We all got a good laugh from that until Sandi pointed out that it meant that Sam and Sandi are getting old. ;) Sandi, Deb, Alex, and I went back into town and get manicures while the guys finished making dinner. Once we got back, the homemade spaghetti and meatballs dinner was ready and we talked the night away with some good wine. It was a very busy and fun day with Matt's family.
On the 9th, I got one of the best birthday gifts I could, Christine and Nate came from Chicago! There was a knock on my parents door and there they were. After that Matt, my mom, Christine and Nate headed to town after they came and I calmed down to go eat some SUSHI! Dad unfortunately got called into work to drive one of the trucks and wasn't able to go out but met back up with us after dinner back at my parents house. My parents got me a birthday cake and I couldn't tell how long it has been since the last time I had one! It was our wedding cake flavors: marble with caramel mousse filling! YUM! Dad broke out the Margarita-ville blender, our high school buddies; Dan and Danielle showed up, and the poor neglected pool table was given lots of attention!
The 10th we headed up to Ames with my folks to spend the afternoon with Christine and Nate before saying our goodbyes. I was so happy they were able to make it to Ames to see us while we were back! That night we had plans to meet up with my old high school buddy (Maggie), her boyfriend (Phil), and his son (Nate) for dinner. I had a surprise for Matt that day: Tickets to see Neon Trees and My Chemical Romance in Des Moines with Maggie, Phil, and Nate. Nate was also surprised about the concert so we played it off like we were going to a movie and he was told on the way to the show! I was so glad the concert was a good show and everyone had fun!
On our last week in Iowa we crammed in as much time with our friends in the area and shopping with the folks. We were able to visit Shea (Matt's old roommate) and his girlfriend, Lindsay, at their house in Des Moines and had some amazing BBQ at Jethros. Fun Fact about the restaurant: Man vs Food's Adam Richman tried the challenge which includes:
Their huge pork tenderloin, Angus steak burger, topped with slabs of Texas brisket, apple wood bacon & fried cheese, and finished with buffalo chicken tenders. The "sandwich" is smothered with melted cheddar cheese, and white cheddar sauce, serve it with your choice of side. Needless to say, he failed.
It was cool to go to a restaurant he has been to since Matt and I are fans of his show.
We also were able to spend an evening with Dan and Danielle. We had dinner at BWW and Cold Stone ice cream, while we talked the night away. It was great to just relax with them and catch up!
One night during the week Maggie and Phil hosted dinner at Phil's apartment. We played some games, has some drinks, and chatted the night away.
We were so glad that we were able to get as much time in with our friends this trip as we did! Hopefully it will not be the only time we get to see our friends this year... Maybe we can get some of them up here this summer! :)
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