A Quick Trip

Greg and I recently decided it was high time that we had an overnight away from the boys.  If our memories serve us correctly, it has been about 1 1/2 years since the last one!  

We've always enjoyed the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.  A couple of years ago they finished a complete renovation/remodel of the last Wright designed hotel in the world, located in Mason City, Iowa, which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from our house.  We've had our eye on the place for a while and decided it would be perfect for a quick getaway.  

The hotel is amazing.  This is a poor picture I took of it.  If you're interested in much better photos and history, check out their websites: 

http://wrightonthepark.org/

http://www.stoneycreekhotels.com/hotel/travel/masoncity-parkinn/home.do

The weather was beautiful while we were in  Mason City.  We were able to tour this home that was also designed by Wright.  It was beautiful on the inside.  The renovation of it has been done very well.  Across the yard they also have a nice visitors center.

After we toured the home, we took a walking tour through some of the older residential areas of Mason City where there were many other prairie-style homes and other amazing houses that are privately owned.

As it turns out, Meredith Wilson, who wrote the Music Man, was also from Mason City.  After our walking tour, we visited the Music Man Square.  The building looks like nothing from the outside but when you enter you are right in the middle of a replica of the downtown streetscape from the movie.  It was pretty cool.  There's also a museum area inside detailing the history of musical instruments that was neat.  Wilson's boyhood home sits right outside the back door and we also took a tour of it.  I always love seeing old homes!

The selfie-

We have many great options of loving people to leave our boys with.  While we know we can call grandparents, this time it just worked out well for them to stay with our friends Terry and Steve.  It was an apple-themed day at their house and the boys had a wonderful time.  Terry sent me pictures all day long.

Bobbing for apples-

Success!

Making Apple Betty-

Roasting marshmallows in the fire pit-

Before bed the boys asked to send us a note.  You can't read it here very well but it says, "How is it going?"  Really, could they be any sweeter?  

The boys spent Sunday morning with our friends James and Jamie who also took them to church and got them to their classes as Steve and Terry had other responsibilities that morning. 

The boys did great, we had a wonderful time, and are so thankful for the help of good friends!