lunch with the sister

Wew got one last chance to visit with Donna and Joe. I was sad that Heather and Michael weren't able to join us. Heather was sick... :(
We met at Cracker Barrel restaurant-it was the half way point between the two houses. We had a yummy lunch and visited all afternoon. I'm really glad we got to see them again. I don't know when we'll be back....it's very sad that I only get to see them once every few years! I pray that we'll get to move back to the east coast where we'll be closer and it won't be so long between visits! The kids need to get to know their aunt and uncle on my side too.

I love that they had the checkers boards set up for the kids (or whoever really) to play after dinner or while they are waiting to eat their dinner. the kids had fun playing after dinner while the rest of us continued eating and chatting.

mom and her girls minus 1. 

Chuck E Cheese with friends

We got lucky and were able to meet up with Danielle and her family while in Winston-Salem. I don't think i've seen here in like 10 years! It's been a long time for sure!!! Since we'd been in the car and I knew the kids would be getting on each other's nerves, we decided that we'd meet at Chuck E Cheese's. Perfect for getting all the wiggles out! We ate pizza and visited and reconnected. I got to finally meet her super sweet and super cute kids! It was wonderful to see her and her family again! We can't let the time go by so long before we meet again!!

Old Salem

On our way out of the mountains we stopped by Old Salem in Winston-Salem. It wasn't really what I expected but it was interesting. The kids, papa and I wondered the streets for a bit while mema stayed behind. We saw a lot of interesting buildings and went into the bakery and watched a guy talk about baking back in the olden days. It was very interesting. Then of course I had to walk out of the bakery with fresh baked bread. It was very yummy and worth the trip!!

A Day Out With Thomas

We have been wanting to do this trip for a long time. Mema found out that Thomas would be at the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad this past week and we decided it was worth it to go. We made a short weekend trip out of it and it was wonderful. Well except being stuck in a hotel room with 4 kids by myself....but that's a story for another day. And just in case you were wondering....NO....it was not any cooler in the mountains. In fact if I were to guess, I'd say it was just as hot there as it would have been back at the house.

The whole day was filled with activities activities activities. From bounce houses, videos to watch while resting, lego to build and pictures to color there was not any down time to be had. We were all thoroughly worn out by the end of the day!! But it was SO worth it!

 we drove past the train station the night before our ride and look who we saw getting ready for a big day!
"peep peep!"

 this was the only time they sat still the whole night....took 2 hours to calm them down enough to fall asleep.  just about drove me bonkers.

 hooray for Sir Topham Hat-Paige would only go up there if I went with her

 Keegan only went if mema and papa went with him-seth was a party poop and didn't go at all. 

 why yes, that is a thomas engine made entirely of legos

 music and story time

 finally on the train!!!!!

 bronwyn loves her papa!

 a park across the street from where we had dinner had this train car just sitting in it. we walked over there and let the kids run off some more energy.