Road trip Recap

Warning- this is going to be a long post since we packed so much fun into our weekend trip and I have lots of pictures and memories to share.  If you do not have time, here is the short version: It rained. It poured. We saw a lot of people we love and who love us.  We filled our bellies with tasty foods and we marveled at how well our baby did in a car for hours at a time. The End.

Here's the long version.... We left our house around 3:00 on Wednesday afternoon in the middle of a downpour that did not stop the entire five hour slippery ride to Oak Ridge where we were breaking up our trip for the night.  Even though it was past her bedtime, Kate took full advantage of seeing the first set of grandparents in the "Katherine Wheeler Fan Club" and got in some play and snuggle time.

Telling Grammie & Granddaddy all about the drive and how many silly cars didn't have their lights on

Bedtime?!  Paaashaw, it's playtime!

We awoke on Independence Day to the sound of rain and set off early on the last leg of our journey, four more hours up to Northern Kentucky to the Mack Homestead.  I haven't been to my parent's house in two years and it was nice to be back in such a familiar and comfortable place.  Sadly the plans for a Fourth of July party outdoors (blowing bubbles, splashing in the kiddie pool, watching fireworks) were thwarted (did I mention it rained?) but we didn't let that stop us from having a blast inside.

Patriotic Mack Girls

Kate and her favorite aunt/Claudia and her favorite niece

Excited to be out of the car seat and playing on the floor

Rainy day activities included reading books on Opa's lap, watching a riveting ping pong tournament in the basement, and relaxing with Aunt & Uncle.

Llama Llama... green overalls? (or red pajama, whatever)

Team Uncle vs. Team Opa, Kate can't keep her eyes off the action

For dinner my parent's neighbors and the Crawfords joined the party too.  Ellie and Vinnie (the neighbor's two year old son) became fast friends and we all indulged in festive foods.  Ellie was practicing for the fall when she will become a big sister and did a very sweet job singing lullabies to Baby Kate and tucking her in when it was time for her to go to bed.  I love thinking about all the fun memories these girls will have at future reunions together as they grow up, it's only fitting that another little girl will be joining the gang in September.

Girl time gossip on the couch together

So sweet, Ellie will be a wonderful big sister

Burgers. Beer. Festive Shorts.  Dad is ready to celebrate.

Almost too pretty to eat

Uncle Stephen practicing his uncle-ing, he's a natural

On Friday morning, the library my Mom works at was having their "Babytime Storytime" and Kate loved singing songs and giggling along with the other babies there.  Rachael, Sylvia, and Margot were able to join us and it was great to catch up and see how much Rachael's girls have changed since we saw them last.  The afternoon was lazy and laid back, although a stream of visitors kept coming by to meet Katherine.  Some more neighbors, one of my best friends from high school Laura, and Linda who's five year old daughter Krista I used to babysit (she's now a junior at UK which makes me feel old). Laura made Kate a beautiful play quilt and Kate spent the afternoon playing on it and ended  the day with bedtime stories on Oma's lap.

Margot and Kate meet for the first time

All the girls at Storytime

Adorable quilt from Laura

I love it!  Thanks!

Friends since high school, the next time I see her... Laura will be a Mommy too! (Baby Boy Pears coming soon)

One more of the quilt, because Katherine looks so cute playing on it

German bedtime stories

Intently listening to Oma 

Saturday morning it was pouring and we knew we had a long day on the road ahead of us.  We broke up the trip by stopping in Lexington for lunch and in Oak Ridge for dinner.  It was great to be able to stop for a few hours in the afternoon at John and Peggy's so that Kate could roll around and be out of her car seat as she was starting to get a bit cranky.  By the time we left the Wheelers it was her bedtime and she slept like a champ the rest of the rainy drive back to South Carolina.

More time with her favorite uncle!!

Stephen suggested that Claudia put Kate in her tote bag and they take her back home with them

Front porch rocking with Grammie is way better than sitting in the car

Laughing at Granddaddy while listening to the rain

We arrived home late Saturday night, tired but thankful for our families and the fun times we had this holiday weekend.  Kate was only fussy maybe 10% of the whole time she spent in the car, and similarly I'd say we only spent about 10% of our travel time without the windshield wipers on.  We will always remember this crazy rainy 4th of July trip as Kate's first visit to Tennessee and Kentucky.  It is nice to be back home but also nice to know that taking a road trip with a little one isn't a big deal, so we'll be sure to repeat it again many times!