Oh The Places We Will Go. . .

Last weekend we took a weekend trip with Grandma Kathy and Auntie Mandy to Galena, IL. We left on Friday night in the middle of a horrible blizzard with 100 to 200 mph wind gusts. It must have been snowing 2 to 3 feet per minute. Let's just say that driving conditions were less than ideal. Thankfully, Emily was there to help take over the driving duties when her strong and brave father could drive no further.

After arriving at the hotel in Stockton, we spent some time relaxing in the hot tub, then went up to our room to watch the better part of a movie before turning in for the night.

On Saturday, after a so-so nights sleep (Emily has decided that daddy is not allowed to sleep on the weekends), we all got up somewhat refreshed and enjoyed (?) the complimentary breakfast before heading out for a full day of shopping in historic Galena. In Galena, we decided to try out the Snugli for the very first time because the stroller was going to be a tight fit in most of the stores. I had Emily strapped to my chest and suddenly realized just what it is like to be pregnant. Emily, who was up partying all night, promptly fell asleep, I wondered why more stores don't have places for a pregnant man to sit down.

When our little group made it to the Bead Bar, I found what I was looking for, a big cushy armchair!! Finally a store that knows how to cater to its clientele. After settling down in the chair, with a little hotbox strapped to my chest, I promptly fell asleep. After what seemed like an eternity while Christa shopped for beads and I finished my very refreshing nap, we all decided to grab some lunch.

From there, the rest of the afternoon was spent looking in many of the fine shopping establishments Galena has to offer. By late afternoon the girls were all shopped out (I know, whodda thunk it!), so we made a quick trip to Duhhhhhh-buque, IA, to see the Bald Eagles at the Lock and Dam (No. 11), we were shocked to see just how many there were. We counted 54 just sitting on the ice, that doesn't include the ones flying around, or the ones perched in all of the nearby trees. Emily was very excited to learn she isn't the only one who's bald, Grandpa's not included. When we realized that we were all too cold from standing outside looking at the Eagles, we headed back to Galena for dinner. After a delicious Italian dinner at Vinny Vanucchi's, it was back to the hotel.

Emily decided that tonight was the night to try out swimming for the very first time. After donning her new bathing suit and posing for pictures, she asked to be thrown into the deep end. I decided that that may not be the best idea, so I eased her into the water at the shallow end of the pool. She didn't know what to make of it at first, but quickly came to enjoy being in the water (I think she was waiting to see if we broke out the soap to giver her a bath). After a few minutes she started to get a little chilly so she got out and wrapped herself in a cozy terry cloth sleeper/towel before heading back to the room. We finished the movie from the night before and settled in for another fun night of not letting Daddy sleep.

On Sunday, before heading home, we went to Bellevue, IA, to see the Eagles at that Lock and Dam (No. 12). What we saw there blew our minds. . . There were over 100 Eagles just chillin' on the ice. We spent a little while checking out the Eagles, and then grabbed a little bite to eat in a nearby cafe. After filling our bellies, and our gas tank (at different places), we started the trip home.

Emily did very well in the car both ways which is very encouraging for our trip to Ohio in June. She is looking forward to another vacation and another swimming experience. . . She is hoping to splash Daddy next time after realizing what HUGE opportunity she missed out on this time.

After sitting in the car for a long drive, Emily was very happy to be at the hotel in Stockton, IL. She was also very restless and didn't let her Daddy get much sleep. The next morning, Emily was very tired; she was also very hungry and proceeded to drink her milk until she passed out, on Mommy & Daddy's bed we might add.

We spent the day Saturday shopping in Galena. Here Emily poses with her Auntie Mandy and Grandma Kathy in the Galena Cafe, where we stopped for lunch.

Emily was "hamming" it up for the camera while her Mommy was trying to eat her ham sandwich. (She had to stop eating to take a picture of this little cutie).

After a long day shopping, it was Emily's first time to go swimming. Here she is modeling her brand new swimsuit. Move over Beyonce, Emily is going to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated next year.

Emily's first reaction to the pool water was not a favorable one, but her tune quickly changed once her body got used to the sensation of the water.

Emily was really enjoying soaking in the pool. Since this was her first experience with a swimming pool, she did not do a lot of moving. She mostly just "floated" in our arms and pondered whether or not she was enjoying herself.

Hmmmm. . . Mommy is always singing me a song about fishes in the water. I hope there are no fishes in this water. . . I wonder what fishes are.

When her little body started shivering, we took her out of the pool and put her in her towel suit. She really liked being all cozy.

After her swim, she got all cozy in her PJ's with her pacifier and her new puppy "Schubert" that Mommy & Daddy bought for her in Galena, at a very fun store called Poopsies.