Back to reality...

It's weird to say, but Chicago is now our home!  Crazy!!!  It took us about a week to get here, and I never want to go on another road trip again, but it was worth it.  I had fully intended on blogging the whole trip, but that ended up being a much harder accomplishment than I had thought.  So now, I will tell you all about the trek.  It may take me a few days, but I will do it!

Helping Mom pack

Day 1-3:  On Friday morning, we started our journey from Tasha and Billy's lovely home.  We awoke (later than planned) and packed up our little car.  Destination? Memphis.  Tasha sent us out with a huge bag full of travel snacks and the Duckett's sent us out with the new Britney CD, so we were pretty set, to say the least.  We got about 5 miles down the road and realized that Mark left his phone there.  Day one- take two:)  So, with "You Drive Me Crazy", blasting from the speakers, and twizzlers in our mouths, we were off, again.

After a long 15 hour drive, we arrived in Memphis to be greeted by our besties, the Baughman's.  It was wonderful to spend the weekend with them.    It was Mattie's birthday weekend, so it was great to celebrate with that little munchkin.  Brandon's mom, Anna, was also visiting, so it was nice to see her.  She is Russian and makes a mean Borsch.  This was my first experience with the soup and was almost turned off by the hot pink color. Luckily, I gave it a go and was pleasantly surprised by it's yumminess.  I thought maybe I could wow people and add this recipe to my repertoire, until Anna described the day-long process it entailed.  Nevermind.  While in Memphis, we were taken on a wonderful site seeing excursion, the highlight being Graceland!  I always had this place in my head to be phenomenal and incredible, but from the outside, it is just a normal looking big house.  It was great to see, though.  Here are a few pics of our adventure...

The Murrill's...yes, that is Monroe in that pouch.

 The Baughman's

Our hunk-a-hunk of burning loves...and Mattie 

In front of the Civil Right's Museum where MLK was shot

Day 3-6 On Sunday morning, we packed up and headed to Tulsa!  It was supposed to be about a 8 hour drive, but with an infant, and Mark's bladder that turned into about a 10 hour one:)  We arrived home Sunday night and were excited that Mom not only had made my favorite soup, but invited our close friends the Knight's over, as well, as Stephen and Michelle.  It was so great to relax, eat and chat with everyone.  Monroe especially enjoyed all of the attention and the fact that she was out of the car seat!  

On Monday, we slept in and headed to my dad's office for a check of the teeth.  Who needs dental coverage, when your dad is the best Dentist ever?:)  Mark and I both got our teeth cleaned, while the wonderful girl's at the office, took loving care of Monroe.  We then met Mom, Dad and Kamryn at our favorite restaurant of ALL time...Desi Wok.  They have the most amazing Tikka Masala with Paneer.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  After a lovely lunch, we headed over to Mumsie's to pay her a visit.  It was great to see her.  We were able to snap a few pics of the four generations of women in our family.  How special!  

That night, Dad made vegeburgers and the fam came over (Shane, Tami, Kamryn, Stephen and Michelle).  It was so wonderful being with them.  This was Shane and Tami's first time meeting Monroe, so that was fantastic.  I could kick myself for not getting any pictures!    

On Tuesday, we had lunch with Mom and Dad at Red Robin.  I love that place.  There wasn't one in Florida, so I was craving it.  Then Dad, graciously offered to watch Monroe at the office for a few hours, so Mark and I could have some alone time!  What at an awesome Papa!  Monroe hung out with Papa all afternoon, and we went to the Mall!  We both found coats in preparation for our new home.  

We went and picked up Monroe and headed to meet Vivian and Xander, my neice and nephew.  We hadn't seen them in soooo long.  They had grown up so much.  Vivi is as outgoing as ever, and Xander, just as shy.

That night we went to TAA to see our former students play basketball.  They were exciting games and both Eagle's teams won!  We were so proud of them.  It's amazing how quickly kids grow up.  

Days 6 & 7 On Wednesday morning, we headed out of Tulsa to Kansas City.  On the way, we stopped in Miami, Oklahoma to see Mark's grandparents.  We had lunch with them and then got back on the road. 

Grandma and Grandpa Hallam 

We arrived in KC and spent some quality time with Mom Murrill.  When Dad Murrill got home, we went over to G-ma and G-pa Murrill's house for dinner.  They were excited to meet Monroe and we had a great visit.

On Thursday morning, we packed up our car for the last leg of the journey (thank goodness).  The movers were arriving on Friday morning, so we needed to get to Chicago.  After a long day, we arrived into the Windy City.  We decided to stop by our house first, to check it out.  Mark had seen it, but I hadn't yet.  After taking a little tour of the place, we headed over to Mike and Melissa's for the night.  

So there you have it,  We made it to Chicago in one piece!  Praise the Lord!!!  I will have to take some pics of the house and post them later.  Right now, my hand is too sore from typing.  Have a wonderful day.  It's good to be back:)