Road Trip

In January we were blessed to be invited to a Marine ceremony for one of our friends. I won't insult the Marines by trying to explain the thing. But it was a pretty big deal for our friend. It was being held at Cherry Point Marine Base where he is currently stationed. We first met this family when we were living in New Bern. They've been stationed at Cherry Point several times and we were blessed to be there during one of those times. So we loaded the kids up in the car and drove to New Bern, NC, our old hometown.

The kids were super excited to go. Dominic remembers New Bern, but Caitlin does not. So we thought it would be fun to take the entire weekend and show her our old home, our favorite places, etc. 

Ironically enough, I only have pictures from the beach. The ones from the ceremony didn't turn out because of how we were sitting facing the sun.

 

 

 

 

 

It was great to visit with old friends, see our old haunts, and eat at my favorite restaurants. We came home with lots of shells and sand and some wonderful memories. But ironically enough, while we miss the people and it's awesome to visit, we are so happy to be living in Tennessee. It's feels like home.

Trucks and history

Jon has been wanting a full size truck for quite some time. But with our business picking up, it was becoming a necessity. He found one that he wanted, but it was in Maryland. So we came up with the brilliant idea to take the kids to D.C. We'd make a trip of it around fall break and then if we liked the truck we'd buy it, but it wouldn't be a wasted trip if we didn't end up purchasing it.

We packed an incredible amount in a very short time. I think we walked our legs off. But it was a wonderful experience to show the kids so much history.

They enjoyed looking up at the Washington Monument and then getting dizzy.

I have the sweetest kids. They were pretty tired from walking by this point. So we stopped for a rest/photo break.

Somebody got locked in a head trap.

Both Jon and I have family members who are on this wall. It was a beautiful, but sobering moment to show our kids their ancestors and explain why they were on that wall.

Since the 3 of us were all born in NC we had to get a picture.

We had just finished watching the food truck race on Netflix and the kids were enthralled with food trucks. They were so excited to be able to eat from one. But the glamour quickly wore off when none of the food appealed and they realized they'd have to eat it standing up in the cold weather. So they settled for a picture.

We didn't end up buying the truck, but had so much fun that we've talked about doing the trip again.

Arkansas

We headed to Arkansas to see Jon's parents for the week of the 4th. I was dreading the ride out there. Was really wishing for magical powers to just transport us. =) 

But it went really well. The miles went by quickly and the kids were great.

Playing in the woods with Grammy.

Jon and Gramps rode their bikes up Queen Wilhelmina mountain while the rest of us drove up there.

The kids and Grammy rode the little train. Dominic wasn't very impressed.

Later we ate home made ice cream.

One day we went to Hot Springs. We ate out and took the kids to the Science Museum.

Enjoying time with the grandparents.

We also went out on the boat. But I was too scared to bring the camera. 

This was probably the kids favorite things. They certainly love the water.

And it didn't hurt that Gramps let them drive the boat. Dominic did a great job.

Caitlin got us all a bit sick. =)

Caitlin with her Gramps while he sang special music at church. 

 

The weather was beautiful and completely not normal for Arkansas in July. 

We had such a wonderful visit and it was completely worth the long drive.

Color Run I

Our family headed up to Louisville, Kentucky for the weekend so that Dominic and I could run the 5k Color Run on Sunday.

We spent some of Saturday afternoon at this park near the river.

The kids had a blast.

 

 There was also a spray park. It was nice to cool down.

 When I went to wake up Caitlin, I noticed she was keeping her hands warm. =)

 We had fun exploring and eating at the Cheesecake Factory.

Family Reunion

A couple of weeks ago we drove to Missouri for my grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary.

It was more like a family reunion with all of my aunts and uncles there.

It was a really long drive for only one day of visiting, but I'd do it again just to see my family.

I'm sure most people feel this way, but I have the coolest family. I haven't laughed that much in a long time.

These pictures are a bit washed out. Quite a few didn't turn out at all. I'd hoped to have pictures of all of my aunts and uncles, but it didn't matter how I turned the sun was in my face.

My Uncle James and Kathy

Uncle Don and Lisa

My parents

Aunt Linda with my cousin Larry.

He came to take pictures of everyone for the event.

It was so sweet of him to fly all that way just to take pictures.

My sweet grandparents!

My grandparents with their six children.

On the left - Linda, Virginia, Bob

On the right - Don, David, James

Happy Anniversary to the coolest grandparents!

Last Weekend 2

After lunch we decided to check out Look Out Mountain. I've lived close to this mountain most of my life. I've seen the signs on barns "See Ruby Falls Atop Look Out Mountain" and 

"See Seven States from Rock City". But I've never made it to any of them.

We get to the top and turn around to find this.

 

I guess we wore them out before lunch. So Jon played on his iPod while I took pictures. 

Then we drove around exploring while we waited.

Once the kids were awake we headed to the Incline Railway. This is the longest and steepest incline railway in the world (if the narrator is to be believed).

 

 

Dominic was cool about everything. He enjoyed the entire experience.

 

Caitlin was a bit more cautious. She never cried, but the looks on her face were priceless.

The views from the top were really nice.

 

The next night we spent with Jason and Kim.

The weather was beautiful, so we ate breakfast outside.

 Kitty joined us.

Then we headed to Ruby Falls. I was very disappointed. It was so commercialized. When we went to the Lost Sea we felt like we were in a real cave. But this place has seen so many people that most of the places that you could touch were glossy from hand prints.

 It was great for photos though. =)

 

 

 The paths were neat walkways, mostly paved. And when we got to the falls we were rushed around the waterfall and hurried back onto the trail. The light show was nice, but it certainly didn't feel like we were viewing nature.

Walking with Daddy up to see the view.

Our kids have no idea how privileged they are to be able to go on trips and see the many things they take for granted. I'm thankful they have these opportunities.