Hotel in Ames

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to book a hotel room in Ames for the weekend.  Adam and Cullyn went to the ISU basketball game, and Jordyn and I met them and our good friends at the hotel afterwards.  We spent that night and the next morning chatting and letting the kids swim until they were wrinkly.  As it turned out, it was just what we needed -- I love that my husband and our friends are spontaneous! :)

KC Eats

Kansas City

I've spent the last 5 days in Kansas City for work.  Normally I feel so blessed to each time I get to travel for work, which admittedly isn't much, as it takes me to places I've not been before.  Unfortunately, with this position, I think I'll only be going to Kansas City, somewhere I've been before--not a ton, but a handful of times.  It's just 200 miles from home, a road trip as opposed to a plane ride.

As usual, when I set my exceptions low, I actually end up having a better time.  Normally, when I have a work trip, my mama travels with me as Adam doesn't take much time off work, but since this was so close to home, he brought the kids to see me over the weekend {when the conference offered downtime}.  Definitely a perk of being close.

My time away was the perfect mix for me.

Learning {the whole reason for the trip!}
Exploring w/ my family {Legoland Discovery Center, SeaLife Aquarium--our favorite, Kaleidoscope, etc.}
Rest/Recharging {cards w/ Adam, reading, blogging, editing, listening to podcasts on the drive, etc.}
Dining
     Q39 - BBQ
     Johnson - Happy Hour
     SPIN! - Pizza & Gelato
     Fritz's - Railroad Restaurant {a little train delivers your food}
     Strouds - Fried Chicken {the Chicken Fried Chicken was ridiculous!}
     The Well - Brunch {a HUGE spread of food}
     Gram & Dun - Dinner {the parm fries & burnt end Mac & cheese were AMAZING!}
     Joe's BBQ - {inside a gas station}
     Pizza Bar - {$4 pizza by the slice}

And now I'm anxious to be back home, where I belong!

the Ritz {2014}

*Lesson learned, don't ask people that have been drinking to take photos for you {90% of these} when your camera is on manual mode in lower light {it ends in a blurry mess of goodness!}  

Once a year we go to a local charity event with some friends.

We spend the night at the hotel {the Embassy}

We have dinner followed by a dance

Group photos are always interesting with our friends!

Girls!! :)

And of course, nothing really happened if it isn't on Instgram! :)

::2011 | 2012 Ritz Fun::

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I'm going to make an effort to post more about our local adventures since I am always looking for fun, new places to take the kids or go out with my hubby.

I've posted in the past about Baconfest, Backyard Adventures, SkyZone, Sculpture Park, Zoo Tunes, Iowa State Fair 2012, Iowa State Fair 2013,  Tubing at SevenOaks in Boone, Free Little Libraries, Jumpin Jacks, and tons of local Christmas Activities.  I've briefly mentioned the farmer's market {which is a pretty big deal here} few concert and shows, and tons of restaurants, but there are so many places we've been and things we've experienced around this city that I haven't even mentioned.  I'm assuming others would like local suggestions.

Coming Home

I knew leaving this was going to be hard...  

40 floors, 18 elevators, multiple restaurants/bars

20* weather {as opposed to 60*}

No more room service {specifically maid service!}
'Me time' was over {all about the family's schedule again--can we say hello laundry!}

But I had prepared myself for that.  I was excited to get home and be with my family again.  {in fact, the thought of a missed flight, & staying overnight away from my family again almost had me in tears!}  What I wasn't prepared for was one of the world's worst Mondays to fall on my first day back to work...

In case you wondered, the fruit punch is no better than the orange! :(

Email crashing {so much for spending the day catching up in emails, I can't even open them right now!}
Non stop, pure madness of students & residents & last minute meetings {no, you cannot participate in surgery at this hospital without submitting your paperwork ahead of time}
Failing my Glucose test {this blindsided me...I had no issues with Jordyn!  So now I'm totally freaked out}

Hey reality, I didn't really miss you...

Chicago Hotel [in Photos]