Austen Comes Home for Peyton's Soph Homecoming

On Friday, I drove two hours down to Champaign to pick up Austen and bring him home for the weekend. Illinois did not have a football game so it was a good weekend to come home. Plus, he wanted to see the high school soccer team play at least one game and they were playing on Saturday morning after the Homecoming parade (he did not get up to see his sister walk in the parade). 

Then there were 3...again

The ride was a quick two hours down. I got gas and picked him up and after grabbing Starbucks we were on our way home and arrived before 5pm. They have a great bus system at U of I but the times didn't work for him to take that home or back so we drove him. It was really nice getting two hours in the car with just him. It was like old times when we used to travel to soccer together - whether it was practice or a faraway game or us traveling together. Boy, I really missed that time together and our conversations. 

We arrived home - to a home he'd never lived in before. He said that was a bit weird. And, of course he didn't know where anything was located. He didn't have keys to the house. He didn't even know where his car keys were located so I had to keep reminding Tom that we needed to leave stuff out for him the next morning or he'd have a hard time finding things. Anyway, we went to Ruth Lake for dinner (his request). He told us how bad the food really is down there so he was glad to eat more at home (I did bring him chocolate chip banana bread muffins to eat on our way home). After dinner it was figuring out the golf simulator in our basement. 

The next morning he woke up in our house and drove his car for the first time in two months to the high school soccer game. We met him there after the parade and watched the second half. They lost in the last 5 minutes of the game after leading 1-0 the entire game. What I'm realizing now is what a gift last season truly was for him and their team. After that, Tom and Austen went to Ruth Lake to play golf before Tom had to be home for Peyton's HoCo pictures. Austen went out with some of his old high school soccer buddies who were in town then had them over for a bit. 

Peyton went to pics then boarded a party bus to take the to dinner and then to the dance and then to the after party. We were awaiting her call to get picked up from the party when Austen came downstairs (he had gone to bed) to let us know that Peyton wanted him to pick her up. What a nice brother to go and get her. 

The next morning, we made a big breakfast and then Austen finished some homework while Tom cut the grass and I headed to the grocery store. Papa came over to visit with Austen and try out the golf simulator. We ended up doing an early dinner at Grill 89 before Tom drove Austen back to school around 4pm. Saying goodbye again was almost more difficult the second time since I know I won't see him for another 7 weeks (until Thanksgiving). Tom will get eyes on him one more time before then when he heads down there for Dad's weekend in 3 weeks. 

It was a great weekend. Peyton had fun at her dance. Austen got recharged at home. Hailey had a bday party to attend, and Tom and I had all of our kids under one roof again. What could be better?!

Peyton & Trevor

All ready to go!