We left on Thursday night around 6:30pm, hoping that Bennett and Jay would sleep in the car the whole way there. It was a great idea considering Buggy always falls asleep in the car at nighttime. Well he had a different plan this trip. Although he never fussed the 6 hour drive, he also never slept. I had packed my Twilight Saga movies in hopes that both kiddos would be sleeping and I could watch movies in the back to pass the time. The first chance I got to pop-in the DVD, it was time to pull over in Auburn to feed baby Jay. Bennett had only been snoozing for about 45 minutes when his eyes popped open as we pulled off the tiger paws exit. And that was it. He was up. No way around it. We arrived at Aunt Robin's around 1:45am and immediately got in bed. Bennett was so wired and crazy tired at the same time, that he refused the pack-n-play bed and insisted on sleeping with/on momma. I woke up at 3am to B giggling as he was sticking his fingers up my nose and in my ears - little rascal. Although I had to get a little stern with him about night-night time, it was pretty funny :)
On Friday both Aunt Robin and Uncle Bob had to work, which was fine for us since we were all a little tired. We ventured out to lunch and to run a few errands. John Hawley's Aunt Beverly came over to visit with Lou Lou and Jay and then Aunt Robin and Uncle Bob joined us that evening.
Sweet Amy sent us flowers since she wasn't able to join us for the weekend, which was so thoughtful. We missed you tremendously, Amy! But we will definitely do it again and when it works out with your schedule.
Uncle Bob served us several imported cheeses, fruits, hummus dips with veggies and great, great wines! It was a perfect Friday evening catching up, hanging out with babies and filling our bellies up, up, up.
Saturday morning was a start to a very busy scheduled day. We started with surprising Jami and Gracie at Gracie's first birthday party! She had no idea we were coming which made it so great when she spotted Francy walking up the driveway! Bennett enjoyed several cake pops and swinging, while Linds and I caught up with Jami, Martee and Haley. After the birthday we headed to Ballard Designs Outlet where I found a few things that I would have loved to purchase, but didn't want to spend all my money in one place. After Ballard, we met Uncle Bob for lunch at FLIP Burger Boutique... If you haven't been, you need to go. Great atmosphere, great food! After lunch we headed to IKEA which was so fun! And after several hours there, it was time to go back to Suwanee to eat dinner and enjoy our last night with the Anderson's.
Sunday morning, Uncle Bob, the engineer and Francy spent a few hours loading up the car so we could head back down south. Aunt Robin spent some quality time with Jay while Linds and I entertained Bennett with boxes and games. It was a wonderful, fun weekend! We were sad to see it end, but looking forward to seeing the Anderson's next weekend at sweet Jay's Baptism! Thank you Aunt Robin and Uncle Bob for the amazing hospitality and love that you showed us during our visit. Thank you both for loving our babies unconditionally. And most of all, thank you to Jitterbug and Cooper (the dogs) for your patience with us as we interrupted your home for a few days :)
Love to the Anderson's in Atlanta!
This sweet little man showed up at our house on Thursday, bags packed and ready to hit I-65, ATL bound - 03.08.12
DeeDee snuggled him while we packed the SUV
Bennett made himself right at home the second we arrived - 03.09.12, 18 months
Aunt Robin didn't mind the couch jumping when you have these sweet little boys to love on :)
John Hawley's Aunt Beverly lives about 30 minutes away from Suwanee, so she came to meet baby Jay!
We had a great visit with her and she was thrilled to meet Jay and also bring two Rose bushes to John and Katie, that their father had grown before he passed away several years ago. What a great way to have a part of your father :)
Uncle Bob getting some snuggle time in during breakfast - 03.10.12
We surprised Gracie at her first birthday party! It was so fun to see Jami & Michael, Martee, Haley & Nic, Nikki and of course the birthday girl :)
Happiest 1st birthday, Gracie! Can't believe it has been a year :)
Our first stop on the shopping list, Ballard Designs Outlet... Jay and Miss Skinny Minny!
We ladies and babies joined Uncle Bob for lunch!
Buggy got the best seat in the house (at the bar!)
Sweet B and Momma
He was full of laughs this day
I heart him
Francy and Aunt Robin
Cool, cool atmosphere
Flip... get it with the decor?
Booths and tables flipped vertically!
The veggie burger was AMAZING!
Along with the Fried Pickles in Dill Batter!
And Uncle Bob ordered this little beauty... a Krispy Kreme Donut Milkshake... and let me just tell you it was INCREDIBLE! It came to the table with the top steaming and the first sip tasted just like a fresh donut when the HOT sign is flashing in the window!
Our first ever trip to IKEA (with two kiddos in tow = total chaos!)
B loved running the warehouse where Aunt Robin let him Go, Go, Go! And then come to find out Aunt Robin was reprimanded by two different workers for allowing the child to play with a dangerous object and bounce all over a cushion - hahaha! I love it because she was doing all she could to not let the 18 month, no napping, wild child not have a meltdown in the middle of the place! Thanks Aunt Robin for being so sweet and patient with us this day :)
Worn out and waiting on the car loading (notice all the purchases behind us... embarrassing but they all belonged to Linds and myself!
We returned home to a delicious dinner made by Uncle Bob! Grilled Summer Pork Rolls stuffed with Jalapenos and Cream Cheese and dipped in homemade Honey Mustard Dressing, along with steamed cauliflower. Exactly what we needed after a long day of walking/shuffling through IKEA :) And then sweet Uncle Bob ended the evening with reading Bennett his night night story.
Playing while packing up the car to head southbound.
Does anyone know where Bennett is?
There he is!
Where did that rascal go again? (You get the picture of this game... over and over!)
Linds is quite the trooper because this is only 5 weeks post C-section!
We are strapped down and ready to hit the road - Watch out... rednecks coming through! You couldn't miss us if you were on I-85 or I-65 that rainy Sunday!
This is my space - Uncle Bob literally packed me in... I was nervous about having to have a bathroom break.
To my right...
In front of me... (and yes, those were my Doritos, and delicious at that! All I did was EAT my way through the weekend)
Seriously I was packed into the car.
This little man was NOT happy about leaving the Anderson's, at all... We weren't either :(
This little guy was getting ansy...
So we made a pitstop in Evergreen, AL to play and stretch our legs!
The first thing we did when we got home was pop open this little baby... BEST purchase from IKEA since shopping with a 5 week old and 18 month old was like a circus!
- 03.11.12, 18 months
