- We all love each other still
- We have so many great friends and family throughout the country that blessed us with generosity and hospitality
- No speeding tickets!
- We didn't leave anything major in all the packing and unpacking (as far as we know, all that were left behind were a bottle and a pair of James' flip flops... Other than Brandon leaving half of his shirts in Minneapolis! Thankfully those were shipped to us when we were in Montana)
- We are all healthy and happy, including baby # 2!
- Brandon has been able to help me so much with James since I am still having a lot of sciatic pain
- James is such a happy, well- adjusted child who could sleep anywhere and was content to play with whatever toys were available to him each day
The trip already feels like a blur because it went so fast, and we are preparing for this new season as Brandon looks for a job and I adjust to life as a stay at home mom! We are loving this season of life with James. He is SO much fun and seems to be talking more and more every day. Some of his favorite words are "truck!" (and his favorite truck is a cement mixer where he points his finger and makes a circle with a vroom vroom sound), "choo choo", "friends", "mommy, daddy, PLAY!", "animals", "baby", "JUMP!" "pool" (as you will see below, we have been to the pool MANY times this summer).. and so much more. He can really communicate well with us and seems eager to learn. We have been working on teaching him how to count to five and identify colors on the trip, and he is definitely picking up on them (though his counting is a little confused as he usually says "3, 5, 9"). It is hard to imagine sharing time with another baby, but I'm sure we will all adjust and love our new little addition.
Anyway, here's how we spent the rest of the time on our road trip! Thanks for journeying with us!
July 24-26
Spent time with Brandon's grandparents, aunts and uncles in Colorado Springs!
James loved playing in the pool (no surprise!)
Visited with Jonathan Nagle, a friend from Annapolis
July 26
Drove to Salina, KS and stayed in a hotel
Tried "Famous" Cozy Inn Burgers (A disappointment but at least James now knows the word "burger")
Discovered Cloud Street in Salina!
July 27-28
Drove to Kansas City, KS to stay with our friends from Annapolis, the Cromers and Brownlees!
We loved visiting with friends and meeting their family, and inevitably, the pool
July 29-30
Drove to Jefferson City, MO to stay with new friends, Amy, Travis and Sadie Fitzwater
Lots of fun play time with Sadie!
A choo choo next to water! What could be better?
New found love for popcorn
Amy and I are only a few weeks apart with #2!
July 31
Quick lunch with Rachel's friend from middle school, Betsy!
Drove to Bentonville, AR to stay with Royce and Susan Johnson
August 1-2
Drove to Texarkana, TX to visit with Rachel's godparents, the Prieskorns
James loved riding FAST on the four wheeler, playing golf inside (He says "hit! Ball! Hole!") and the pool!
Vegging out after a long day!
August 3-4
Drove to Nashville, TN to stay with Matt and Allie Martindale
Explored Nashville and visited with the Rawleys!
August 5-6
Drove to Atlanta, GA to stay with Maggie, Steven and Selah Grace Hammond!
Had a quick little play date with Graham, Timothy and Ann-Marie Ellis!
James loved playing in the fountains at Olympic Centennial Park and lunch at the Chick-Fil-A office!
Quick visit with Aunt Michelle and Joey
Of course, another belly flop into a pool!
August 7-8
Drove to Greenville, SC with a stop in Aiken, SC for lunch with the Hunts
Stayed with Kate and Kory Radford, friends from college
Had our first rainy day of the road trip and went to a childrens museum!
Breakfast with Liz Evans, a dear friend from college
James can make anything a sprinkler these days, he is obsessed with water
First cook out milkshake!
August 9
OUR LAST STOP- Lynchburg, VA
We stayed with Uncle Mike, Aunt Kathryn and Vincent but also got to play with Landon!
So much fun cousin time before heading home!
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragement along the road. We are excited to share in the next chapter of life with you too!
