One the second day of driving, we got pulled over. Brittney was driving about 7mph over the speed limit. We passed him while he was sitting in the center median and he didn't move. After 150 feet or so, he pulls out and started to catch up with us ~ slowly. He followed us for several miles before he turned on his lights. We pulled over and he said Brittney was following "too close" to a semi. (Which she was not!) He asked her to come back to his vehicle and sit inside while he ran her license. He made small talk with her for a bit then sent us on our way.

I think he saw how cute she is and wanted to meet her. Too bad she doesn't live in Podunk, Missouri or she would have had a date that weekend!

Here's a few pictures of things we passed in Iowa. Beautiful farmland.

We stopped in Des Moines for a bite of lunch and found this neat building. I like that it's all nice and proper on the front side then you look around the corner and 

BAM! Building Personality!!!

Iowa's capitol is very impressive. The top dome is shiny gold and they have gone to great lengths to keep the surrounding area nice.

Then we rolled into Minnesota. Almost home.

I love the Mississippi. When we cross this bridge, we are one exit from home.

And as we pulled up, Scott was outside watching for us. I love him!

(Note the snow on the roof behind him)

On our way back up to Minnesota, Brittney and I stopped at 

the Texas border to say adios!

The bluebonnets were in bloom so we got some nice pictures of each other.

Then a nice couple took one of both of us.

I love the bluebonnets, I can't wait for spring to come up North 

so I can see what all pops up here.

We drove north a couple of hours and stopped for hugs, kisses 

and dinner in Durant, Oklahoma.

 

 Ms. Addyson was a grumpy-gus because she didn't take a nap at daycare that day, but we still got some grins and laughs from her. Next to Brit is Kendra, Addyson's mama, my niece. Now that I'm looking at them, I think maybe they all have the cute part of the Ketchum nose.

This was in a small town in Oklahoma. We just thought it was neat 

so we stopped, stretched, and took a picture.

Our day ended in Joplin, Missouri. Suri got us lost finding our hotel but 

we did find a treat to end our day with.

I went to Texas and spent time with my beautiful family.

We hung out at the girls apartment for a few days. Watched movies, rode bicycles, went to Dave and Busters and to Pluckers. We had a lot of fun!

Gidget was glad to see me. I was surprised that she remembered me but when I got down to love on her she got excited and started purring and "talking" to me. Made me feel special. She's so happy living with the girls since she gets to run free all of the time, so I'll never take her home. She would have to have scheduled "run time" because dachshunds eat piggies!

On my last night with the girls, we made chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and steamed carrots and zucchini. Scrumdiddlyumptious!!!

My Daddy and Mama are looking exceptionally wonderful!

Last weekend we were enjoying 50 degree weather and melting snow by beginning the floor for the van. We cut out half of the subfloor.

The subfloor will go in permanently after we spray the metal with the spray in pickup bed liner to make it water and rust proof. On top of the subfloor, we have wood flooring we'll attach.

 

Our "El Toro" is a 1968 GMC Van. We've finished installing all new everything you can't see in the picture (engine, transmission, wiring, etc) and now it's time to begin the interior.

The warm weather even cheered Scott up so much he got a hankerin for making his delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Which brings us to today..... We woke up to 8" of fresh, sticky, snowman making snow. I've learned this year and now have a complete understand of powdery, skiing snow and sticky, snowman snow. There's also gross, muddy snow and slushy, wet snow.

The Poopers were so disheartened when they woke up and ran out to go potty. Maggie saw it and just turned around to go back to bed. Poor baby! They finally got out in it and jumped around when I went out to shovel new potty spots for them. Here's Maggie...

 And here's Mandy...

The yard was again beautiful and white with those nice drifts of snow in the trees. I think it's so pretty!

Gotta represent home with my Texas wind chime!

Piled up on the deck railing.