Thursday, February 28, 2013

Deep South Vaca: Part 3

After a one-nighter in Nashville, we hit the road for Louisville.  


This always makes me smile when road tripping. 

We got to stay with and spend some good time with Drew, Lindsey, and Stella Lewis.  Drew and Joe lived together for 4 years in college and then in the Forge post-college.  They are getting ready to move to France as missionaries and we definitely wanted to see them before they left the country.  We had a great time hanging out, watching the kiddos play and talking about life and our desire to follow the Lord at any cost.

We took the kids to a play gymnasium one morning and we all had a blast!!!




I mean, who wouldn't in this place??? I would be here everyday doing flips into the foam pit. :)

Of course I LOVED gymnastics as a kid... and still do.  Except I tend to see stars more often when flipping around these days.

Snack time!


It was great that it wore the kiddos out.  Here they are watching some "home videos" that we took at the gym that morning.

We also hit up this awesome bridge across the Ohio River that leads to Indiana.  I didn't realize we were that close!

Checking out the views from the top.  Stella is really tall!


Naptime with Nate one day.  We were totally and completely exhausted by this time in our "vacation". The kiddos weren't sleeping super great at night, but it was all worth it!


I did take some time one afternoon to hit up a coffee shop and enjoy some sweet time journaling and in the Word.


The Lewisi planned a special treat to have a babysitter watch the kiddos one night so we could go out on a double date!

Fun people and dear friends!

We explored a park the next morning.  I didn't want the kids to have all the fun.  Maybe I should grow up a little... naaaah.

They weren't exceptionally excited to be in the tree if you can tell from their faces.

We had a hard time getting Nate OFF this little Strider balance bike.  He loved it and was actually getting pretty good at it!  

The kiddos lined up to watch some Sesame Street one day.  Stelle is a big helper and wanted to make sure Chloe kept her clothes on. :)


I just thought you needed a visual of the luggage with brought and carried.  Two car seats, one pack n play, one kid carrier, two suitcases, two carry ons, one kids backpack with toys, and on the way back... one extra bag with hand me down clothes for Chloe! :)


The kids again were awesome during the travels... probably cause they had such entertaining parents. :)  But really, for being on a plane for 7 hours straight.  We did have one layover but stayed on the plane.  The pilot invited the kids up to see the cockpit which was a treat.  Thanks again Southwest!


The co-pilot allowed them to touch almost any button or switch they wanted to.  I guess he just wanted to make his check list that more exciting. :)


Basically as soon as we got in the car in Reno to drive home, this little tired man passed out.

No so much with this little one.

 It was a wonderful momentous trip and we are so thankful for the many friends and family that we got to see and spend time with.  We are truly blessed... and glad to be home!













Deep South Vaca: Part 2

Caleb got to drive up to Atlanta with us for the day and we explored Stone Mountain Park.  

It was a bit chilly so we warmed up in the gift store

The next day we got to meet up with Celeste, a friend who used to work at Zephyr Point

Then that afternoon/evening was a great time of hanging out with 4 of the people that I went to New Zealand with on the AIM mission trip when Joe and I were engaged!  

We have since multiplied. :)

Here is the gang!  

Chloe had some awesome bedhead the next morning.  

 You never know what Nate is going to get up to during his "naptime".

He had a lot of fun organizing some cigars among other things in the Williams' guest bedroom.


I was super blessed to be able to stay with Amy "Vee" Williams.  She was one of my leaders in NZ and she is an inspiration to me.  She lives life to the fullest, loves Christ and others deeply and is fun to boot!  We had some great challenging conversations during our stay.  SO wish she and Michael lived closer. 

 Had to hit up a Krispy Kreme while we were in the area!


Come on dad! Can't you get it open faster!!!

We had donuts throughout the day.  But hey, we are on vacation!

We made a quick stop to check out the capitol building in Atlanta.  


Very beautiful.

On our way north, we drove through Dalton, Georgia.

 We also stopped and enjoyed some time at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

Nate absolutely LOVED it!

Chloe had a good time as well!

I was very appreciative of the heat the railroad cars gave off. :)  

There is a lot of history here in the south folks.

"Watch me!!!"

A monument to the "Trail of tears".  Brings me back to history class growing up with my dad.  

We got one more chance to stretch our legs at a park right on the Tennessee river.

The view of Chattanooga from the military park on look out mountain.  

Onward to the Volunteer State! 

We stayed with my dear friends from college, Beccah and Dustin Baucom.  They now have a little baby, Elise!

This girl, my former roommate in college, is now a Surgeon in Nashville.  Yep, she's the reason I got A's in college. :) 

It was pretty cold outside, so we went and explored a Nature Reserve Museum.  Very fun and the kids loved it!  


The Baucom family!