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!