On June 30, Bill and I made the long drive to Alabama to see Lex and fam.
Bill pointed out that this was the fourth time I had made the drive in a year's time (3rd time for him).
I must like that drive haha.
I was anxious to see Emmett and Brielle, that's all.
{and their parents}
We had initially planned to fly, but after booking our great-price-non-stop tickets, we were informed a few days later that the flight had been cancelled due to COVID19. As we searched for another flight, it was apparent that "non-stop" or "great-price" were no longer options, so we made the decision to drive.
This turned out to be beneficial for Lex and Jase because we were able to bring a dresser and two nightstands they needed from Ikea. It was also a blessing we had planned a visit because a few days prior to us coming their sofa broke (the frame... sitting on the ground...). Nae had suggested they try calling Costco, where they had purchased the sofa 4 YEARS AGO, to see if it had a warranty. Costco said they would allow a return, but they had purchased the sofa on my card back then, so I would need to be present... AND I WAS. Tender mercy.
Bill pointed out that this was the fourth time I had made the drive in a year's time (3rd time for him).
I must like that drive haha.
I was anxious to see Emmett and Brielle, that's all.
{and their parents}
We had initially planned to fly, but after booking our great-price-non-stop tickets, we were informed a few days later that the flight had been cancelled due to COVID19. As we searched for another flight, it was apparent that "non-stop" or "great-price" were no longer options, so we made the decision to drive.
This turned out to be beneficial for Lex and Jase because we were able to bring a dresser and two nightstands they needed from Ikea. It was also a blessing we had planned a visit because a few days prior to us coming their sofa broke (the frame... sitting on the ground...). Nae had suggested they try calling Costco, where they had purchased the sofa 4 YEARS AGO, to see if it had a warranty. Costco said they would allow a return, but they had purchased the sofa on my card back then, so I would need to be present... AND I WAS. Tender mercy.
I loved being able to snuggle sweet Brielle.
Emmett and I took a little walk around the block. He is such a busy little guy, and found numerous things to occupy his interest, making our walk a very long one. After a million stops to check things out - and making it only halfway around the block - I finally put him on my shoulders and walked home. I love my little Bubby.
Ta-da! Emmett got a haircut from Gigi :)
I know this pic isn't great quality, but it's too cute not to post.
Emmett loves wearing other people's shoes... and he loves tongs.
I love him.
We went to dinner at an old jail. It was a first for Lex and Jason, too. It kind of reminded me of the old Salt City Jail days. It was a unique and fun experience - and we got a free meal to take home because they mixed up our order. We sympathized with our server (it was her first day), and chatted about Lex's days waiting tables at Carinos.
Emmett loves wearing other people's shoes... and he loves tongs.
I love him.
We went to dinner at an old jail. It was a first for Lex and Jason, too. It kind of reminded me of the old Salt City Jail days. It was a unique and fun experience - and we got a free meal to take home because they mixed up our order. We sympathized with our server (it was her first day), and chatted about Lex's days waiting tables at Carinos.
Assembling those pieces of Ikea furniture was not a favorite activity for Jason and Bill, but they made it through with a little help from M.
I love this picture because it shows how M is constantly moving :)
We were excited to celebrate the Fourth of July while we were in Alabama. We had made a last-minute Walmart run early in the day to find some festive outfits for Emmett and Brielle. Walmart was pretty picked over, but you wouldn't be able to tell with how cute they both looked for the BBQ that afternoon.
Brielle was camera-ready, so Lex and I snapped some adorable pictures of her. I thought her momma looked pretty cute, too.
We cut our watermelon, made a pasta salad, and made a fruit & pretzel tray, then headed to Ryan and Karli's for the BBQ.
Emmett didn't want to pose for pics, so I snapped what I could haha!
Yum!
Ryan and Karli had just moved into their new house the week before. I was impressed that Karli was so calm with 4 kids running around... eating on her new dining room chairs... wet swimsuit hanging off the corner of her beautiful wood console... dripping onto her beautiful wood floor... I would have been stressed out. I love that Lex and Jason have some family close to them (their neighborhoods are now right across the street from each other - although they are now in different wards, which is kind of funny).
Another walk around the block with Gigi and Little Billy for this busy fella.
Yes, he did it shoeless. He's a tough one.
Ryan and Karli and the rest of the friend group went swimming in their neighborhood pool after dinner. Lex and Jason didn't want to swim (maybe because their old folks were there to entertain), so we took a walk on the greenway nearby. We were delighted to see FIREFLIES, and even caught one. Neither Bill or I had ever seen them prior to this trip. We saw them first along the rural roadside on the final leg of our drive into town, then got to see them close up during this walk. They are even cooler than I had imagined... but not photographable (is that a word?) with my old GalaxyS7 (which is usually in "soft focus" anyway, due to smudging issues - I clean my hands regularly, I promise).
Later that evening the whole gang headed to the undeveloped part of Lex and Jason's neighborhood to watch fireworks. There were a lot of people around doing fireworks, and when a large one exploded on the ground nearby, it sent Brielle into a crying fit, so Bill and I offered to walk her home so Lex, Jason, and Emmett could enjoy the show. Grandpa had the soothing touch.
All dressed up and no place to go... except for
home church
(it's not hard to imagine the console is a church pew, is it?).
Afterwards we took Emmett to a nearby park.
It was so hot, but that wasn't going to stop this BUSY explorer.
**Not a great picture of either of us haha**
Once we all had sweat running down our backs {and Emmett started hugging the tree - probably because it was annoying to have three adults following him everywhere}, we decided it was time to head home. We enjoyed our final evening before making the trip back to CO the next day.
We only had a few tense moments as Bill drove through a torrential downpour somewhere in Tennessee (or was it Kentucky?),
but the majority of the drive was absolutely beautiful.
This was a few minutes away from home at the end of the day:
I loved the time we got to spend with this sweet family.
