A City Boy in the Country: VA Part 2

"A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" Matthew 5:14

 

 Tuesday morning we woke up, packed up the car, closed up the house and started our trek north to Virginia. We made a pit stop at the Rainer's house in Raleigh, NC and it was such a nice visit. We got to see their lovely home, enjoyed a tour of Southeastern, grabbed dinner, and even stopped for some yummy ice cream. The boys had fun together to be sure, I just hate how far away they live now. We miss them terribly!! We made it to Uncle Casey's around 10pm and Connor knew just where to cuddle up to rest. Casey and his mini-me were reunited at last!

 Wednesday was a wonderful day of relaxation and taking it easy. I did have to take my 24 week picture with Caleb. (Today I hit 26 weeks and I can't believe it. This is going very quickly!!) We also got to take a tour of some of the new construction around campus and were in awe of how far LU has come and how much it has grown. Uncle Casey has a pretty cool job there too!!

 Connor equates Virginia with sledding and had been begging for weeks to go back to the Snowflex to go down his big hills. He was able to pull the big tubes by himself this time while dad helped him get to the different ramps. I was lucky to have some quality time with Aunt Hil and my heart was so happy. I wish I could have seen JC too! It was a tad hot, but we found shade and got to listen to Connor's squeals of joy as he came down the hill each time.   

That evening we made a special trip to one of our favorite little spots. While Daddy and I were at school at LU we used to take picnics up to Peaks of Otter to watch the sun set and see the deer come out. I couldn't wait to take Connor. I knew he would just love it! We picked up our Sheetz subs, and made our way to our place. 

After we ate we decided to take the path that leads around the lake. We made sure we had a bag of carrots too! Uncle Casey spotted the first doe up in the woods and we walked parallel to it for a while. Connor kept trying to throw carrots at it, but she wasn't very interested and I didn't want him to waste them all. It was still a special experience though. 

 We came out into a clearing on the other side of the lake and found this pretty doe. She was certainly interested in the carrots, and I'm pretty sure Connor threw every last one we had at her, but she never ate any of them. When she was ready to move on, and we weren't interesting to her anymore we walked around the grass and picked up the carrots Connor had so enthusiastically tossed.

I'm glad we grabbed the tossed carrots because one more doe was in store for us up by the road. She came running when she heard us opening the bag, and she very happily crunched on the treats we gave her. She was sweet, and we got to spend a good amount of time with her until another (loud) family came up behind us and scared her away. Can you imagine? We were not the "loud" family?? I know. Shocked! But Connor did such a good job being calm, patient, and quiet, and I can do those things too sometimes.... 

 Connor made a butterfly friend on the way back to our car, and God delivered a gorgeous sunset  for us to enjoy as we completed the circle around the lake. Connor even left a pile of his remaining carrots for any other deer that might come by after we left. He and daddy had to find the perfect spot.

Friday was park day and we had fun throwing rocks in the river on Percival Island, and then cooling off at the splashpad in Rivermont. Percival Island was so neat because you cross this big bridge over the James River and arrive in the woods. We even spotted deer tracks down by the river, but sadly we didn't find any buried treasure. I found a perch up on a fallen tree log while daddy and Connor played by the water. It was serene and peaceful. The splashpad was fun once Connor found the courage to stand under the filled bucket of water that would tilt down gallons of water on his head. We ate dinner at Waterstone Pizza al fresco and enjoyed the outside patio and even watched a few trains pass by. Connor was thrilled and so was my belly.

Saturday, our last day, was Daddy's birthday!!!! We got fresh local doughnuts for breakfast, played mini golf, and lunched at Cook Out before our afternoon movie. Daddy got to really choose what he wanted to do, but I think Connor swayed him to play mini golf. There may have been tears and a pouty lip. 

For dinner we went to Depot Grille and had a lovely time. It used to be an actual train depot and is situated right next to the tracks. Yes, we got to watch more trains at dinner! The food was delicious, and Daddy even got to blow out a candle with the help of his little buddy.  

 Couldn't resist a photo op even if it did involve getting grease all over us!

 We opened presents back at Uncle Casey's house and Daddy loved all of his presents! We tend to always be somewhere on his birthday and I'm excited to see where that will be next year. Uncle Casey did have to work while we were there, but we were able to spend our evenings doing special things together, and it was so nice to be able to stay at his house. It felt like being at my own home and he was so nice to let us just spread out. Connor loved his time with Uncle Casey and even would sit and read books to him. They are buds! I can't believe he lives 1,000 miles away, but the good news is we can always visit. 

It was interesting going on a big road trip so pregnant but we had a lot of fun. Caleb likes to wiggle and squirm and would find his way right under my ribs when we were in the car for hours. I only got dizzy a few times on the trip, and no migraines so that was great! It was a nice way to spend our summer vacation this year. Nothing crazy but truly special!!! I can't wait to take both C-boys to LU!!!

We put our house on the market just before leaving on our trip, so life is really about to change. I think I'm ready, but I'm sure I have no idea!!!

A City Boy in the Country: GA Part 1

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.' ~Saint Augustine

When we first started planning our summer vacation plans for 2014, Caleb was only a wish. We had a grand adventure planned, that we will most certainly do in a few years, and in a way we are doing a Cliff Notes version in a few weeks, but decided this year was not the year to do it. A few months ago we were invited by the Stalions' family to join them at their home in Gainesville, Georgia and we knew immediately it was a wonderful idea. 

We started our trip Wednesday afternoon, packing the car in a torrential downpour after daddy got off work. Our first stop was Aunt Heather and Uncle Josh's house just north of Orlando. We got to be a part of their special gender reveal party and I am thrilled that Caleb is going to have a best friend already!!!! I cannot believe I get to be pregnant at the same time as one of my best friends. How fun is that? Cousins!!!

The next morning we continued our trip to Georgia first stopping in Ormond Beach to have breakfast with another college friend and his family. It was so nice for everyone to get together and catch up. It felt like old times, just slightly different. Like sawing off straws for little ones one minute and reminiscing about the Eternal Praise and crazy connections the next. We made it to Georgia by dinner time and after a long day of driving, pizza and catching fireflies made for a perfect evening. Catching fireflies every night became a highly requested activity!

Family pictures were taken on the Fourth of July. This is something Renee and I were both looking forward to. I was thrilled to take pictures for them and their extended family, and we were lucky to have her take some awesome shots for us. All of the kids did a great job, and I know there are some keepers for sure. We totally bribed them with some playground time at the end if they were good.

We were invited to a delicious barbecue for dinner that evening and Connor was thrilled that his new friend Eli would be there. They had fun playing with a huge airplane in the front yard, eating hot dogs, and splashing in the kiddie pool in the backyard. 

By fireworks hour we were back at the home front and down by the dock on Lake Lanier hoping to catch some displays. Baby Colton didn't make it, bedtime came before it was dark enough, so Daddy, Connor, and I stayed at the edge of the dock and watched as fireworks appeared at different points on the horizon. We saw many different places sending off their explosions and it was a sweet way to take in the holiday.

We went to Jaemor Farms on Saturday and got fried pies, a basket full of peaches, and fresh blackberries. I was in heaven. Connor also got to see first hand that apples really do grown on trees. 

Sunday morning we got to see even more college friends by attending their church right there in Gainesville. It was so easy to pick up where we left off, and their little baby girl is just gorgeous. 

Sunday afternoon was Eli's birthday party and the kids had a blast racing all over the awesome little cabin it was held at. Connor couldn't get enough of fishing for magnetic fish in the kiddie pool outside and we practically had to drag him away from it when it was time to go. He did get to play with a cool big boy scooter back at the house, and I'm not sure who had more fun on it, the guys or Connor.

On Monday, our last day, we went to a cool old Gold Mine in Dahlonega. Everyone had fun panning for gold and we struck it mega rich with our seven gold flakes. Connor thought it was treasure for real, and then had fun down in the cavernous underground. The hard hats only made us cooler.

              
We spent sunset by the gorgeous pool, and it is amazing to me how far Connor has come with his swimming. I kept sending video to Grandma Glenda and we both marveled at his ability. It was such a nice way to end the Georgia part of our trip. Some of my favorite parts though were spending the late night hours sitting around the living room talking with Grant and Renee with no other distractions.Their hospitality was such a blessing to us, and we truly missed Bill and Linda.

The deer in the back yard one night was pretty awesome too!