Dallas, Texas

Last weekend, Maree and I flew to Dallas, Texas, to see David, Betsy, Caitlin, & Caleigh Roe - a family who is very special to both Marc and myself.  David is the former President of Central College (where Marc and I both went - just 8 years apart) and when I graduated in 2005, I became the nanny to their then, 3 year old twins. They became my second family & I learned so much about myself from them - they are amazing role models.  Then, a few years after I nannied, they were doing an Alumni visit in Arizona where they met up with Marc and they realized he and I would be great together - we just needed to meet each other!  They put their plan into action, and needless to say, they were right on - 2 years later Marc and I got married!!  David and Betsy also hosted a couples shower for us in 2009 & it was perhaps the greatest party ever thrown in Pella - SO MUCH FUN

Because they now live in Texas, I don't see them as much as I would like - and they had yet to meet Maree!! I was so nervous to take her on the plane - she was going to be flying with 2 ear infections :(  Luckily, the flights were during naptime and she slept the whole way.  In fact, she was a great baby the whole trip!! Caitlin & Caleigh, who are now 10, were basically babysitting my baby - talk about a role reversal.  That and the fact that it made me feel extremely old to see how grown up they are!!  It was so great to see the twins; Caitlin is learning to sew, and she surprised us by making a beautiful blanket and toy for Maree!! Caleigh also had gifts for Maree - her favorite was a light up music toy!

David & Betsy with Maree -look how happy she was to be with them!!

Smiles for the twins

Caitlin, Maree, & Caleigh on the blanket Caitlin made!

On this trip, Maree seemed to really like being around other kids.  When I first got to their house, she let out a belly laugh that I had never heard - like she was so excited to see them too - it was adorable.  She also started rolling from one end of the room to the other and even trying to crawl. Apparently their house is much more fun than ours : )  While in Dallas, we did various fun things - my favorite was the JFK museum, although that did tie with getting to see The Hunger Games movie (I've taught this book for 3 years now & have been anxiously awaiting its movie release - I even recommended the series to the Roe's, so it was fun to see it with them!! )

David and me

Outside the JFK museum - look at those happy smiles! Not sure who is more excited - David to be holding Maree, or Maree getting to be held by David!

Trying to get all our heads together was quite the challenge with Maree who kept wanting to roll onto us!

All in all, it was such a good trip and I can't wait to plan another one! Even though distance separates us, and time zone differences make it hard to talk, this family is thought of often and will always have a special place in my heart :)