End of Summer Trip

Warning: This post might be kind of long.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, the family of a youth minister has a very busy summer! It feels like we were constantly on the go the entire summer and when we were home, we were busy unpacking and packing for the next trip in between me trying to work a few days to keep up with our budget. We like to always take a little time at the end of the summer to wind down by getting out of town for a few days (funny how it requires ANOTHER trip). This year it just so happened that my 10-year high school reunion was this past Saturday night. So, we planned a trip to Knoxville which evolved into also traveling to Greensboro, NC to visit Chris's grandaddy who has been going through lots of changes lately moving between assisted living and the hospital and rehab and now to a long term care place. Chris's parents were in Greensboro helping with Grandaddy so it was an added bonus that Jack got to see all 4 of his grandparents on this trip!

Wednesday: We set out on our journey an hour later than we had anticipated only to get stuck in a stand still on the interstate because a semi and car had been in a wreck. We took a LONG detour around the wreck and finally made it to Huntington, WV to have lunch with Chris's college friend J.T. and his wife, Jana and their 2 adorable kids. After lunch we went to their house to let Jack play for a while. The timing was working out perfectly for us to arrive in Princeton, WV for dinner with one of Chris's college roommates, Cory and his wife, Amy and their adorable baby Ben. Well, wouldn't you know that then we blew a tire on the interstate and ended up at a small mall with a Sears for dinner while our tire was being patched. We didn't want to miss out on seeing Cory and Amy so we had ice cream with them at around 8. Then, we put Jack in his pajamas and finished our drive to Greensboro where we arrived at 11:30. Guess what? That wonderful sweet baby of ours woke up when we got there and thought he had been asleep for the night!!! He didn't go back to sleep until 2 AM!

Thursday: Thank goodness for GG! We got to sleep in a few hours while she played with Jack! Jack loved seeing his GG and Grandpa (who he now calls pa-pa). Later in the morning, we went over to Grandaddy's new nursing home and visited with him. I am kicking myself that I didn't have my camera with me. I'll have to get some of the pictures from Chris's parents. But, after Jack warmed up he climbed right up into bed with Grandaddy and hugged on him and loved on him for several minutes. It was such a sweet moment that Chris and I will always remember. That afternoon, Jack and I took a nap while Chris spent more time with his Grandaddy. Then, that night we all went out for some excellent North Carolina seafood! Jack slept MUCH better Thursday night!

Friday: We headed to the North Carolina transportation museum in the morning since Jack and Chris and Pa-Pa all absolutely LOVE trains! GG and I like trains too, but I think the men are all a little obsessed. Here's Jack and GG driving the caboose.
Daddy and Jack take a moment to pose for a picture. Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to get Jack to actually look at the camera instead of at ALL the trains (in Jack's words - choo choo).
Then, we took the 30 minute train ride that is offered at the museum. No, the train wasn't moving yet when I took this picture. And, yes I did get this picture taken before the announcement was made to keep everything inside the windows at all times!
Jack with GG and Pa-Pa!
Here is our family! Once again, Jack not looking at the camera because there was just too much to see!
After the museum and some NC barbecue for lunch, we headed to Knoxville. Thankfully, this trip was free from the adventure that we had on Wednesday. Friday night we got to see my cousin Keith and his wife, Jennifer who now live in Knoxville. They came over to my parents house and we enjoyed hanging out with them.

Saturday: We saw more friends for lunch on Saturday. Chris's other college roommate, Steve and his wife, Heather and their soon to be baby John Matthew. Saturday afternoon, Jack had a blast playing in this little pool at Gram and Grandaddy's house while my dad (in the background) killed all the yellow jackets which we evidently disturbed when we drug the pool to where it is sitting. Oops. No one got hurt!

Saturday night Chris and I got dressed up and went to my reunion which was actually pretty fun. I wasn't sure how I felt about going but I'm glad I went. Jack had a blast being spoiled by Gram and Grandaddy.
Sunday: We got to go to church with my parents where Jack got to see his good buddies Kilah and Brodie. Then, after lunch it was time for us to head home. Jack didn't want to leave so he kept playing in my parents' playroom and then on the piano and then on the couch with Gram and Grandaddy. We finally pulled him away and he slept about 2 1/2 hours in the car.Our trip home was uneventful. We're happy to be home and ready to settle back into our everyday routine!!!!!!