OK...back to the family trip...
After we left the mansion we drove six hours south to visit my family. It was wonderful to see my parents and spend the weekend with them. On Dec. 30th, they celebrated their 50 year anniversary or something...ok...not quite...maybe 37 years....right? At any rate; I'm sure it was totally romantic for them. (sorry Dad). Haydn was waiting for us at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Rachel, Haydn and the boys had fun playing together.
After a few days; we decided to drive an additional two hours south. We had a wonderful New Years Eve with Jerry, Lucy, Maddie & Tiger and we were so happy to see our great friends and family (and family that happen to be great friends) during the short while we spent there.
Katy's youngest daughter, Josie
Side Note: I can't wrap my brain around how fast time flew while we were on this trip!
The boys loved playing with Katy's oldest daughter Hannah but I didn't get a picture of that, darn!
Rachel & Tiger.
New Years Day was spent with the Johnson Family. We enjoyed lunch at the Olive Garden. Followed by games, movies, delicious cookies and great company at Katy & Daves. Thanks Guys!
One of the many scheduled events that we attended on this particular trip was the annual Harris Family White Elephant Party.
In addition to 'scoring' some super-nifty gifts (or NOT) I also had the opportunity to 'catch-up' with family that I hadn't seen in quite a while.
Kevin holding handsome Baby Thomas
Baby Thomas with his Mama-Kim
Kim; my life long friend married Jeff...my cousin. That makes Kim my buzin or cuddy? Take your pick cousin buddy! ;-) Whatever you call us...I'm glad it is...what it is.
Before we began the long haul back home we stopped at the Wild Life Zoo with my Mom. The kids and adults alike had a blast. Great idea Grandma!
After we left the mansion we drove six hours south to visit my family. It was wonderful to see my parents and spend the weekend with them. On Dec. 30th, they celebrated their 50 year anniversary or something...ok...not quite...maybe 37 years....right? At any rate; I'm sure it was totally romantic for them. (sorry Dad). Haydn was waiting for us at Grandma and Grandpa's house.
Rachel, Haydn and the boys had fun playing together.
After a few days; we decided to drive an additional two hours south. We had a wonderful New Years Eve with Jerry, Lucy, Maddie & Tiger and we were so happy to see our great friends and family (and family that happen to be great friends) during the short while we spent there.
Katy's youngest daughter, Josie
Side Note: I can't wrap my brain around how fast time flew while we were on this trip!
The boys loved playing with Katy's oldest daughter Hannah but I didn't get a picture of that, darn!
Rachel & Tiger.
New Years Day was spent with the Johnson Family. We enjoyed lunch at the Olive Garden. Followed by games, movies, delicious cookies and great company at Katy & Daves. Thanks Guys!
One of the many scheduled events that we attended on this particular trip was the annual Harris Family White Elephant Party.
In addition to 'scoring' some super-nifty gifts (or NOT) I also had the opportunity to 'catch-up' with family that I hadn't seen in quite a while.
Kevin holding handsome Baby Thomas
Baby Thomas with his Mama-Kim
Kim; my life long friend married Jeff...my cousin. That makes Kim my buzin or cuddy? Take your pick cousin buddy! ;-) Whatever you call us...I'm glad it is...what it is.
Before we began the long haul back home we stopped at the Wild Life Zoo with my Mom. The kids and adults alike had a blast. Great idea Grandma!
Mike & Ray-Ray
Haydn, Caleb, Jordan & Ray in the Reptile Exhibit Area... Did you see that snake?
Grandma & The Boys checkin' out the Meerkat's
Jord & Grandma
The zoo was great! And our time with everyone although too short was just splendid. We were able to squeeze in visits with few -but certainly not all- of those we would have loved to have seen. (Hoopes Family, five minutes...just wasn't enough time!) Thanks to Jerry & Lucy for being the best hosts ever! They always give us a warm, cozy, comfy place to stay. Their company is a pleasure and a joy!
Jerry, Maddie, Mike & Rachel
We did experience a bit of car trouble on our way home. Just over half-way (of half-of-the-way) on our 1300 mile journey northward everything electrical went out on our Mercury Mountaineer. God Bless "AAA"! One hour after we 'died' and were stranded-in the middle of nowhere- our lovely tow truck driver came to the rescue. Plans were altered and the 'breakdown' cut deeply into family time but...what can you do?
Well...we stayed the night in a little hotel...opting for the one with an indoor pool. We swam and played and ate a late dinner at the hotel restaraunt.
Suprisingly, our vehicle malfunction actually turned out to be a lot more fun than expected.
Thankfully, our car was fixed the following afternoon and we were back on the road. We drove through our old neighborhood and stopped to see our friends. We love and miss this family tremendously. They were wonderful neighbors and are now our life long friends.
Carlos w/ Sean, Alicia, Caleb, Jordan, Valerie, Mikey, Vanessa and Vivi
The last 'big event' of this trip was Dave & Jafia's wedding. It was a beautiful day and we are so glad to have Jafia in our family. Congratulations you two!
The Newlyweds!
We stayed our last night with Carrie, Jared & Weston. Jared fixed a delicious french toast breakfast for us. We said our 'good-byes', piled in the car....again...and drove home in a blizzard! Seriously! (normally an 8 hour drive took about 13 hours)
Despite the fact that we had a vomiting baby, breakdowns, crazy weather and unexpeted events on this little adventure we enjoyed every second of it. (well....almost!)
