Day one in the QC

Friends and Family-

I am posting this the morning after it happened, so I will refer to Friday, July 14th in the past. I (we) are so exhausted from the excitement of packing and traveling that we are crashed out early last night and are getting up much later today... because we are on vacation and we can!!!!

Friday morning was a hectic one as we packed up our suitcases into the backseat and headed out to the Panera in St. Charles to meet Patti, one of Jamie's volunteer committee members that Jamie has gotten the pleasure of working with while at the American Dianbetes Association. It was the first time I met her and she is a fantastic, very energetic and happy person... A great volunteer! Patti, Jamie, and I enjoyed our favorite beverages of choice and Jamie and I had some breakfast. If you have never been to Panera, go ... now! Order a Cinnamon crunch bagel and enjoy. I prefer them sliced and toasted, Jamie eats hers right out of the basket. Trust me, either way, it is SOOOO good. See Patti and Jamie smile... it is the bagels :)


After breakfast with Patti, we headed out on 88 all the way to the 'Quad Cities.'
For you Californians, the Quad Cities (QC) are 4 cities along the Mississippi River that divides Iowa and Illinois. The Iowa towns are Davenport and Bettendorf, but we haven't crossed the river yet, the Illinois side has Rock Island and Moline, we are currently in East Moline (where Jamie grew up).

We are staying with Jamie's Aunt Stacey and Uncle Bruce who are expecting thier first child any day now. No pics of them yet, just wait and they will have pics and an online consent form filled out.

Last night we had diner at Maid-Rite... a loose hamburger place. I really enjoyed it, I give it close second place to the Coney Island in Michigan.. but nothing could top that. Attending dinner were Jamie's dad Mark, his wife Pam, her daughter Ashley, Pam's mom Jo, along with Jamie and I. Before the end of dinner we were joined by Stacey, and sometime Jamie's Uncle Steve and Aunt Cheryl chose to eat at the same place as us. Earlier that day Jamie ran into a former student of hers from her swim instructor days. This leads me to believe that the QC and East Moline are small enough towns where everyone knows each other... very comforting here in small town America. But due to the online consent forms not being ready (and no pics taken) there is no proof of these meetings happening last night. Instead there is a picture of Jamie in front of the side door to the Maid Rite.... notice anything different in the picture from the other ones on this blog?

Among those who did get the on-line concent form signed were Maryann and Mike. we spent the evening with them. We walked down the hill from Stacey and Bruce's and met up with Maryann and Mike at her parent's house. We stayed and played with thier Visila named Harper who reminds me of Bailey and Remi (HI guys!!) when they were younger. Harper is still a puppy, only 30+ lbs... and expected to be 40+. (stephanie, I promise to get a pics of Harper at the picnic today)


But I digress, the four of us went out to see a movie called You, Me, and Dupree. I thought it was quite funny. Exteremely Dumb at parts but still funny. Owen Wilson played 'Dupree' a guy who stays on the couch of a newlywed's house and is a constant screw-up. With Jamie's help I promise to not be your Dupree if you will never be mine :)

After the show, we went out to Whitey's ice cream and got shakes, malts, and cones. They are a QC tradition. this was my 2nd Whitey's experience and I plan on having my 3rd before we leave the QC. For you Whitey's experts, my first choice was a Chocolate shake with Reese's Peanutbutter Cups and last night Jamie and I shared her favorite Chocolate Malt with Butterfinger... I might get a cone even though they are known for thier shakes and malts. I am Living On The Edge!!!!

Well, now that you are suffeciently tired of reading what I have eaten for the last few weeks, I will sign off and leave you to read Jamie's post tomorrow.
take care.. and if you haven't seen it yet, my favorite neice Brooke has a bigger mop on her head then her favorite uncle.. check it out in yesterday's comments.. Thanks for the pics Brookie!

Adios! -Jeff