Family Weekend

Last weekend was quite an adventure for our family! We flew to NC to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. I was so thankful that we were able to be a part of this time. 60 years is quite an accomplishment!

Our trip began bright and early on Friday morning where we flew out of LR. This was the kids first time to fly that they remember & they were so so excited! They both popped right up out of bed that morning and were ready to go. Thankfully, my parents & Sugar & Uncle Stewart were flying with us so we had plenty of help. :)

Going through security was quite an adventure (you mean we have to take our shoes off??). We were quite a site with our 3 kids, one Thomas the train suitcase, one pink suitcase, matt's backpack, one purse & one diaperbag! I'm sure we were one of their worst nightmares since we were traveling with baby food, formula, milk, and lots of other fun things that had to be tested at security.

Our first flight was from LR to Atlanta and the kids did great! In fact, they were quite easy to travel with and I was so proud of them! More than once I had someone compliment their behavior to me. The Atlanta airport was Harrison's little heaven. Not only had he just gotten off an airplane, but we had to change terminals & he got to ride the train and the moving sidewalk. Just what this little boy loves! The flight from Atlanta to Raleigh was uneventful & by the time we arrived the kids looked like this:

It did them such good to get a nap since we'd had such an early morning. Poor Charlotte was so tired that she didn't even wake up until we put her in her carseat in the car. :)

By the time we arrived at Mammy & Grandpops house the kids were really ready to get out & play. And, they were so excited to meet some new cousins! Grandpops was ready for them with a wheelbarrow full of sand & lots of digging tools! My cousin Katie & her family arrived soon after we did & our kids became fast friends. Madeleine & Lily immediately hit it off & were so cute outside playing together. It reminded me so much of Katie & I playing together at Mammy's house in the summers....

Mammy & Grandpops house had a gravel driveway full of rocks, aka "crystals" that kept the girls occupied all afternoon. :)

Harrison spent at least 4 hours glued to this wheelbarrow & sand that afternoon. He was in heaven!

My cousin Kristen & her family came over after her girls naps -- Ruthie & Maddie are such cuties! Here they all are eating outside at dinner on Friday night at the kid table. So thankful that I've finally been promoted out of the kid's table. :)

And sweet little Patrick, the newest member of Katie's family. Isn't he adorable!

Saturday was more playtime for the kids while I hit the Peaches N' Cream & Carter's outlets. I found lots of great deals & we came home with one extra bag.

The kids had lunch in Mammy & Grandpops RV. Madeleine & Harrison are fascinated by the "house on wheels." My poor Grandpops retreated out there to rest & the kids just followed him!

After lunch, we all headed down the road to a park with an awesome area for kids! It looked like something right out of a movie. They have a carousel that's 100 yrs old this year, a great train ride (tunnel included) and a few other little rides. They're all under pavilions and it's a super family friendly place. Perfect for a fun afternoon!

Here are 7 of the 9 greatgrandchildren waiting for the train. There are 7 that are 3 and under -- makes for a fun time!

After the park & baths, Madeleine & Harrison relaxed on the couch with Carter and watched some Toy Story. I think it's possible that Carter loves Toy Story even more than Harrison!

That evening we had dinner at a local restaurant with all of our family & some of Mammy & Grandpops close friends to celebrate their anniversary. My Uncle David & Aunt Lila put all of it together & it was wonderful! They had a photographer come and take a picture of our entire family and they even had a slideshow with pictures over the years. (Not some of my best pictures ever -- ha)

The food was so yummy & everyone told memories of Mammy & Grandpops. My sister wrote the sweetest poem for them that maybe someday I'll post. The kids did great as well at dinner. Poor Harrison was so tired that for awhile he laid down across 3 chairs & almost went to sleep. They ended up watching Toy Story again on the computer while we all ate.

Here's Mammy & Grandpops with all of their children. And, all of them have been married a long time as well, which speaks so much to the example they've had.

Saturday was over all too soon & we had to start packing (and figuring out where to put all those clothes I'd bought). Sunday we went to church & lunch and then we had to head back to the airport to catch our plane home. Before we left Mammy had to get some extra lovin' from Miss Charlotte.

The plane ride home was uneventful. The kids did such a great job again. It was quite a long day since we had a 3 hour trek home from LR after landing ..... we didn't get home until after midnight. And, somewhere along the was I came down with a bad case of strep (boo).

All in all it was one of the best weekends we've had in a long time! We enjoyed every moment of getting to be with our family and celebrate such a special event with them. It was fun to catchu up with my cousins. It made me realize how time does fly. It seems like just moments ago that we were spending summers up at Mammy's house playing outside, or going to Friendly's for ice cream, or exploring her house. However, it was also reassuring to know that some things never change, like the smell of her house & fun times that happen there. I loved watching Madeleine play with the same jewelry in the same jewelry box that I played with as a child and knowing that both of my children were making memories that they'll have forever.