Weekend travels

This weekend we made a trek over to Des Moines to surprise "Pop," who was receiving a "Major Award" from the Iowa Newspaper Association. (The honor is better known as the Master Editor-Publisher of the Year.) Given the severity of Claire's cold last week we weren't sure we were going to go but we were very glad that we did.

Friday evening Claire was feeling much better and we (Ma, Claire, Kate, Will and later Ellen and Adam) all ended up eating at one of Des Moines' finer dining establishments, Centro, on the dime of Pop's employer. We then made the short walk over to the Marriott where we "surprised" Pop at the awards banquet before heading back to Will's dad's place for the night.

Claire, Pop, Ma and Mama after Pop received his Major Award

Claire and Aunt Ellen

Claire pushes a doll around in circles over and over and over at Pa's house.

We were home by Saturday afternoon and by then Claire had nicely shared her cold with us. Nice weather allowed Claire the chance to ride her bike down to the park and play outside some today, giving us all a chance to enjoy some sunshine and dream of spring.