We arrived on Thursday around 7pm. Alayna did really well on the flight, even though she didn't want to sleep much. She slept for about 30 min and then wanted to play. Thankfully I packed a bunch of toys and the guy across the aisle from me made faces and and played with Alayna to help pass the time. We arrived and my parents picked us up and of course on the way to their house Alayna fell asleep. As soon as we got to their house I put on her pj's and got a bottle ready and she fell asleep, much to the dismay of my brother who wanted to play with her.
On Friday, Alayna, my mom, sister, my aunt and I drove up to Madison to spend the day in my most favorite city in the US. I love everything about Madison. I love the college town feel, but also the downtown business aspect mixed in. I love Camp Randall and the arch you walk under with the civil war soldiers standing on guard. I love the Terrace, especially on a beautiful fall day (which was Friday). Anyway....so we headed up to Madison to spend the day. Our first stop was as my cousin Josh's apartment. He lives just off campus with a few of his friends and I must say I was quite impressed by his place (especially compared to the scary place he lived in
last year). We chatted with him and his roommate for a bit, but he had to head off to work and so we continued on. Our next stop was at the football offices at Camp Randall. I use to work in the football office while I was in school and for a few years after, and I don't get back much to visit my old co-workers, who are so dear to me. I loved working there and I loved the people there. It was great to see Sharon, Sandy and Lisa and for them to meet Alayna. We spent about an hour catching up, playing with Alayna and taking pictures by all the cool memorabilia. Here is one of my fave pics from the weekend.
Posing with the Big Ten trophies
After our stop at the football offices, we were starving and headed to lunch. It was so gorgeous out that we walked from one end of campus to the other to have lunch at the Nitty Gritty. The Gritty is one of my old haunts from college. We had meals there often when my parents came up for football and basketball games, especially when I lived in the dorm across the street. It is also the "official birthday bar" in Madison, so we spent many nights celebrating our "birthdays" (the birthday on our fake ID) and our real birthdays. I, of course, had to have the Gritty burger with cheese. Oh the Gritty sauce....
Next we headed up to State St. to do some shopping. I needed to stock up on some Badger apparel for myself and Alayna. We picked up a few shirts and I also bought a stuffed Bucky Badger for Alayna.
We still had a few hours to spare before we had to head home, so we did what everyone else did on a beautiful fall day, we headed to the Terrace at the Union to sit outside on the lake. The terrace is one of the coolest places on campus. UW is one of the few campuses in the country that serve beer at their Union, so youcan often find students sitting outside, studying,
relaxing and having a cold one with their friends.
Sitting on the big Terrace chair
The packed Terrace on a beautiful day
After the Terrace we called it a day and headed back to Milwaukee. I am so glad that I got to spend some time in Madison. I love that city and wish I could make it back more often. I do know for sure we will be heading back for the UW vs. Nebraska game next year.
Friday night when we got back from Madison, I met a few girlfriends out for dinner. We went to a new place on the south side called the Horny Goat. It is a restaurant and brewery. They have a very good wheat beer, but I will say their fish fry was just ok. It was a very neat place, with an awesome outdoor patio and volleyball courts on the river. It was so great to catch up wit
h Alexis, Jenny and Trish. We don't see each other often, but when we do it is like we didn't miss a day, just falling back into our easy conversation and friendship. It was great to catch up with such great friends.
Saturday Alayna and I went out to Mt. Pleasant to visit Trish and meet Baiya, her two month old daughter. Baiya is so adorable and I can't wait to see her grow up and become her own little person. She already gives her mommy
great big smiles and is such a good little baby. I am excited Alayna will have a friend to play with when we go back for visits.
Trish and Baiya watching the football game
Alayna and Baiya, future BFF's
We spent the day watching the Badger game, playing with the girls and just catching up and hanging out. We took the girls on a walk to the park near their house and they both enjoyed the walk a lot. Both Baiya and Alayna were half asleep and liked the lull of the walk. It was great to have some fellow mommy time catch up on life but also talk about the things we new mommies go through.
After our walk, Alayna and I had to head back to my parents house to visit with the family. We had quite the little party at our house. My aunts, uncles, grandparents and neighbors all stopped by to say hi and see Alayna. It was a great night just spending time with family. I am so glad we will see them all again in a few months.
Sunday morning was a lazy one, Alayna and I had to be at the airport late morning so we didn't do anything but relax. It was a long and busy weekend, but such a great one. I always have mixed emotions when I go back to Wisconsin. I love going back and miss it so much, but every time I come home I am homesick for days. I hope someday we can move back.
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