To preface this post, I ought to explain a few things.
- Matt's in medical school and has applied to residency programs.
- He's in the process of interviewing--getting a feel of the programs and if the program/city is a good fit for him.
- I joined him on a trip to see a few places that may become our home for the upcoming five years.
Monday, October 18Skylie and I flew from Des Moines to Richmond. Due to our dirt cheap budget, we had layovers in Chicago and New York so the trip took from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thanks to Dramamine and a good toddler, Mom and baby came out unscathed. I can't speak for the other travelers, though! Possibly the only perk of the day long plane trip was that Skylie learned to recognize airplanes and make the "zoom" airplane noise. (Because that's exactly how airplanes sound, right?) :)
Matt's high school buddy, Nic, and his wife graciously opened their home to us during our two night stay in Richmond. Monday night we downed pizza and played games with the Packers. I was going on four hours of sleep, so memories of that night are a blur!
Nic Packer with Matt and SkylieKim, one of my best friends from high school, lives near Richmond, in Williamsburg. I couldn't miss out on the chance to see her, so Skylie and I made the road trip for a play date with Kim and her daughter, Karlee. (Thanks for letting us come by, Kim!)
Kim, Erin, and Skylie(Kim, you are a friend for life!)
I love the look of sheer delight on these two girls' faces! Josh and Brittany, some other friends from high school/college, also live in Richmond (Aren't we lucky to have friends in such convenient places?). Anyway, they invited us over for dinner even though Josh had a test the next day. If that isn't true friendship, I don't know what is!
Wednesday, October 20 - Nine hour drive from Richmond, Virginia to Buffalo, New York
- Used Dramamine to knock Skylie out for a few hours on the drive
- We stayed the night with an LDS dental student and his family.
- Matt dined with a few residents (spouses weren't permitted to attend this dinner).
Thursday, October 21- Matt interviewed at the University at Buffalo Program.
- Skylie and I spent the morning playing at
Michael's and the mall.
- After Matt's interview we drove three hours to Syracuse.
- Matt and I attended dinner with a couple of the residents while Matt's cousin and his wife, Brett and Melissa Cherrington, watched Skylie for us. (Thanks, guys!)
Friday, October 22- Matt interviewed at SUNY Upstate Medical University Program.
- Skylie and I spent the day with Melissa and her kids, Evelyn and Aubrey.
- After
all that the Cherrington's had already done for us, they topped it off by inviting us over for dinner and games.
Brett, Aubrey, Skylie, Matt, Erin, Evelyn, and Melissa
Skylie has a book about bubbles, so one of her first words has been, "bubbles".The Cherrington's let her experience bubbles first hand.
It felt so good seeing family—in upstate New York of all places!
It's hard sometimes, being far from family and missing out on so many family get-togethers. I've never spent Thanksgiving with Matt's family, and we haven't experienced the Utah summers since moving to Iowa. It makes me sad that Skylie won't have the same relationship with her cousins and grandparents that some of the other kids have, but that's the reality of our life for the next six years.
One of my friends wrote,
"There's no such thing as Quality Time. Quality Time is a myth. Someone made it up who knew they weren't spending enough time doing the things they love with the people they love. The only Quality Time is Quantity Time."How true that is. I do wish we could have more quantity time.
End tangent.
Return travel log.
That night we drove 90 minutes to Rochester, New York and stayed the night with my college friend, Rachel, and her husband, Jordan. (Again, we feel so fortunate to have friends that are willing to help us. Their toddler gave up her room to us for the night, which is pretty much the ultimate sacrifice!)
Saturday, October 23- Visited Church historic sites in Palmyra, New York
Matt, Erin, and Skylie at the Palmyra Temple 
In the Sacred Grove
Skylie was about as reverent as she is during church. 
This is possibly my new favorite picture of the two of us. Go ahead. Click the picture to get a close up.- Drove to Niagara Falls, Ontario—Matt's native country—to see Niagara Falls
Sunday, October 24
- Drove nine hours to Indianapolis, Indiana
- Matt and I attended yet another dinner with residents while Matt's cousin, Joe Holland, and his wife, Karen watched Skylie. (Thank you so much!)
Joe Holland and Matt Pitcher- Stayed at a posh hotel, The Conrad, thanks to the University
- Did NOT have a relaxing night at the hotel, but instead roamed the halls will a wide-awake toddler until 1 a.m.
Monday, October 25
- Matt interviewed at the University of Indiana Program.
- Skylie and I hung at the hotel then played at the mall until Matt finished interviewing.
- We then drove eight hours home to Des Moines.
- Even though our freezer door had opened and all our food was spoiled, coming home never felt so good!
Thank you again to all the friends and family that helped us during our trek across the country--not to mention, all those who took such good care of me while Matt was away! Time after time, I felt overcome with gratitude and admiration for people who cared and relieved our burdens, without even being asked. I only hope that someday I can do the same.
Costume: $1 garage sale find 
Costume: $1 garage sale find 
Cutest $1 ever, right?!
Trick-or-treating to her Iowa grandma/babysitter
Playing in the mall play area
Tearing chocolate bars open with her teeth and downing the candy while trick-or-treating
