Jeff's 34th!!

It is hard to believe but Jeff turned 34 on Monday!! For his birthday I gave him a weekend trip to the Quad Cities. I chose the Quad Cities because we could visit the Pickers store and the John Deere Pavillion. Two of Jeff's favorite things!! We were just gone a day but it was SO fun!!

First we visited the John Deere Pavilion! It was SO fun to let Jeff show me all the different machinery! He shared lots of memories and I could see he is definitely in the perfect career!!

We both tried doing the excavator and backhoe simulator. I was AWFUL but it was fun!!

 

 On our way to Le Claire we drove by the "Rusty Palace" which is the nickname for the John Deere World Headquarters! It was quite impressive!!

We made it to Le Claire and headed straight for "Antique Archeology" store. It is quite small really but we were both giddy. I give Jeff some grief sometimes for all the "guy" shows we watch. I have to admit...I really enjoy the pickers show!! 

We didn't get to see any of the stars of the show but just seeing their van was exciting!! After we finished shopping at the shop we headed through downtown to try a local favorite! Jeff's friend, Spors, recommended we try Big Dave and Holly's. WOW!! It was amazing! It is the smallest little restaurant with HUGE tenderloins!!

After we enjoyed a delicious lunch we stopped at a few shops and headed back to Des Moines. It was a fun weekend away!! Here are my top five moments of the trip:

5. Seeing Jeff's face light up when he was in the John Deere pavilion. Man he loves farming!! It is in his blood!!

4. Hanging out with Jeff's friend Spors on Friday night. It is always a treat to get to know the guys from John Deere. Spors is one of the most kind, fun guys I have ever met! He has a zest for life and it is contagious.

3. On the way to Moline I drove so Jeff could take a snooze (it was his birthday trip)!! I listened to some talks from a few years ago about Godly marriage. Wow...it meant so much to hear those messages again as a new wife!!

2. Making Waffles at the Radisson. I love staying at hotels! It is SO fun for me!! We slept in and got up for the hotel breakfast! I love the slow pace of vacation.  We sat and talked over breakfast, went swimming, and I took my time getting ready for the day.

1. Birthday week! My friend Hillary introduced me to the tradition of doing birthday week. Every day leading up to Jeff's birthday I had a little surprise for him.  Milk duds, twizzlers, a new Hawkeye water bottle, a MOPAR magazine etc. It was so fun to surprise him each morning with a little treat. I remember talking with friends when I was single...dreaming about when I would be married someday and how I would never take my husband for granted. I am trying to stay true to that. I have to admit there are days I forget to appreciate Jeff but I try to make that few and far between. He is a great man and I am very thankful that he is in my life!!