August vacay

We’ve been home for a week now and we’re all trying to adjust to a new normal and schedule.  We had a great vacation. But always glad to be back home.

Our first trip was to Ocean Springs, MS to visit with Nick’s mom.  We arrived late on the 7th and left early on the 9th.  It was a quick visit, but the kids enjoyed themselves.  Grandma gave them both two new outfits and they both loved them.  On Saturday we went to lunch with her and we had Applebee’s.  Of all the places.  We haven’t reached the point in our lives yet where the kids are enjoyable to take to restaurants.  One day, but for now we still go and make the people around us miserable or laughing at our silly/loud kids.  #sorrynotsorry

I didn’t get any pictures of the visit in MS other than our drive through a storm back to our hotel.  Pretty amazing views.

The 9th came bright and early as we headed in the opposite direction of our next destination.  The opposite direction to say our goodbyes because we wouldn’t say them the night before?!  Good thing it was early and we weren’t in a huge rush to drive 6 hours to Atlanta.

Our trip to Atlanta was because Nick signed up to take a Project Management certification course and the class was in Atlanta. So we booked the hotel where the class was being held and the kids and I went to my parents house (45 min away) each day.  Until Nick decided that he needs the room to be quiet and needed to study each night after his 10.5 hour class.  So the kids and I stayed at my parents a night earlier than planned. My mom was awesome and drove across town to pick the kids and I up so we could leave the van with Nick so I wouldn’t have to go back the next day to pick him up after his class ended. It worked out well. The kids and I went with my mom to Ft. Benning to run errands.  And when we left Nick had texted and said he was done with class and on his way to my parents.  He somehow got lost and arrived after us.  His class was much harder (because of needing to know formulas) than he expected so he was glad to be done (on the 13th) .  And we were glad to have him around.

The 14th we headed up to Chattanooga with my parents to visit Lookout Mountain. 

First up was Ruby Falls.  We loved that place!  Kids loved touching everything they weren’t supposed to. The trek to the waterfall was fun, cold and sometimes wet. Once we got there it was beautiful.

There was a lot of waiting and Xander would find spots to climb and sit, and Sissy joined in on his great ideas.

 

Next up was Rock City.  Upon entering we came across this character and Xander ran right up to him.  He loves him some dressed up characters. Sissy we had to do a little convincing, but she finally joined in.

And then the trek to see the 7 states (mostly views though).  I didn’t see the seven states, just miles and miles of views.  Along the trek we came across some pretty cool views too.

 

What’s this all about mom? Are we done yet?

After Rock City, we went on the Incline Railway.  It was a pretty awesome and quick ride.  We sat in the front of the car going down and it was STEEP!  It was also raining on us. Fun times.

 

On the 15th we headed downtown to the World of Coca-Cola. This was the one place that was on my “must see list” so I was excited to go check it out.  It was pretty neat inside, so much history about Coke all around the world.  We were able to taste test a few different countries if we choose to, the kids enjoyed the Orange flavored soda and I enjoyed heading back to Europe to bring back memories of our time across Europe.

After our tour, my parents wanted to take the kids to the park across the street and then they headed on a walk throughout the park.  It was a hot day and our day didn’t start out right because Nick got loud (as in everyone turned in awe at what he said to the kids) and I was embarrassed of him.  But we ended it right and the kids played off some of their energy.  Then we headed to my favorite restaurant, On The Border, so good!

After getting back to the house, I started going through childhood pictures and came across this one.  Hysterical! My brothers are dressed up in my sister’s and my dance costumes.  #goodsports

We couldn’t end our trip in the south/east without heading to NC to visit our very close friends.  We didn’t stay long, but we enjoyed the time we did get.  The kids love the girls and we love chatting away with their parents.

 

A few days after getting home I get this text and I hope in the future it comes into reality. Lily, I’d love to have you as a daughter-in-law.

We started our 2 day drive home on Tuesday afternoon around 4 and arrived home Wednesday night around 915.

The purse aftermath.  Man was it heavy.

Now to get the kids and myself on a schedule.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have preschool open house tonight and Sterling is excited to see her new classroom and teachers.  We were going back and forth on whether we were going to send her or keep her home and homeschool her, but decided it would be best for her to get both.  I’m planning to make a separate post on this, hopefully soon as I’d like to get back to blogging on a regular basis.

Have a great day, friends!