It has been 3 years since we last visited Georgia so this trip was definitely way over due and much needed. Allison and I flew out together with all the kids and being on Southwest we weren't able to all sit together so Allison and I sat with Eliza with the girls across the aisle from us and the boys a couple rows in front of us. Now the boys were pretty excited and obnoxious and the stewardess definitely did not like them or us and made sure to let us know. Eliza usually will not sit still and we had several prayers pleading for her to be good before leaving and they were answered. She just sat on my lap the whole way and was so good and content. I was so thankful for that tender mercy. We arrived in Atlanta around midnight. Since it was so late the train that should have taken us to baggage claim was not operating so we had to walk a mile to finally get there. The kids were so wired, they were running like lunatics through the airport. Presley, Lucy, Jaxson and Sam took off so I went with them and Allison and Neil and the others pulled up the rear. Jaxson would sit on the ground and put his knees in his shirt and start running like a munchkin. At 1 in the morning it was absolutely hilarious. Nana and Gavin were waiting for us with arms wide open. Nana had a 15 passenger van and so the party van was ready to go to the hotel where we all just crashed.
Everyone was waiting for us when we arrived. Ryan and Heather and their family were already there and Kelly and her boys were there. We had not told my dad Allison was coming so that was a sweet surprise when she walked in the door. The last time all the Leet kids were together is when Sienna was blessed I think, 3 1/2 years ago.
The girls immediately attacked Mitch and it continued for the next 4 weeks. Mitch is now 6'1" at 14. Crazy.
It's not a Leet reunion without matching mumus. These were compliments of Heather.
Aunt Kelly just spoiled these little girls and had many girl parties! My Aunt Joyce and Uncle Jim came up with my cousin Sarah and her kids so it was definitely a house full.
There's nothing like the Georgia rain and Eliza got to experience it this trip. As the other kids ran out to play in it, the thunder and lightning started and Uncle Jim told everyone to go inside since it wasn't safe, to everyone's dismay. At least one of the adults was being responsible. There are several songs that talk about the Georgia rain and there is a reason for it. It is amazing. You've got to experience it to understand it. I love it although I hate driving in it.
We love our California cousins but don't get to see them near enough.
Before Ryan and Heather left we let off some fireworks. Forest fire round two, Ryan. . .
We went to the beach for the day with Allison and her kids and Kelly was gracious enough to watch little Eliza.
The kids went swimming every day and often several times. Everyone can pretty much swim now. Lucy, Sam and Mikey no longer need life jackets.
Every grandma has their special toys. Magformers are one at Nana's. The kids play with them all the time. Poppa even had a contest to see who could build the tallest and widest building that could be held up without collapsing. Sammy won and earned $10.
The kids and I left on July 9th and Neil showed up on the 23rd and we stayed until August 9th. The first two weeks were spent basically swimming and playing with cousins. I spent those first two weeks sleeping.
We spent many a nights battling it out in Killer Bunnies with Gavin coming out ahead as the overall champion. That little stinker.
Once Neil arrived we hit the road for some family fun. We spent a couple days down in Orlando but our first stop was to get Slurpees. We were so thankful to Kelly for letting us use our van the whole time we were there. Also thankful to Nana for watching Eliza so we could really have some fun.
As we were walking back to the room one afternoon Sam spotted a lizard and just had to trap it. It spent a couple hours in our bathtub before we finally let it go free. I think the kids' favorite part of the South are all the critters they got to see and play with.
We arrived in Orlando in the late afternoon and so decided to go to Downtown Disney.
Always have to go to the Lego store and since Nana had given them all a little souvenir money, they were dying to spend it and what better place.
Since the kids love animals we decided we'd go to Sea World. I wasn't sure if we'd really like it because we're all about the rides but we loved it. The animals and shows were awesome.
I knew it was going to be hot and that we'd get wet and so I wanted my clothes to be able to dry quickly so I wore a breezy cotton shirt and shorts. Little did I know the employees wore the same outfit and I got mistaken for an employee several times.
We took about an hour break to play in the huge jungle gym/obstacle course. It was perfect for me to rest while I watched them play.
We went into the Antarctic exhibit after we had gotten wet. Well it was freezing cold in there and Lucy lost it. She started shivering and screaming and yelling that she wanted to go home to her Poppa over and over again. She was so ridiculous it was funny.
After Sea World we made our way to Jacksonville Beach. This time to enjoy it with Neil.
We also went to Alligator Farms. It was fascinating but it definitely gave me the HeeBeeGeeBeez.
Back in Georgia we spent a couple days at Wild Adventures.
Nana took the kids to see the movie Planes, Search and Rescue and I guess there is a scene where a character whispers I watch you when your sleeping and Lucy constantly went up to Gavin and would whisper this in his ear. Do you think he's just a little annoyed?
Nana had fun painting these two cuties faces.
Could a little doggie be any cuter.
One last crazy shot before it's time to go.
Oh boy did we have have a great time in Georgia this year. It was a much needed break for me and helped rejuvenate me for the new school year. Like I said I basically slept the first two weeks and my mom took care of everything. I don't think I cooked the whole time I was there except maybe a few breakfasts. She did most of my laundry and got up with Eliza. It was just what the doctor ordered that's for sure. It made me realize that a mom's job is never done. The callings of mother and father are the only ones we will have throughout the eternities. My mom showed me that even after your kids are all grown, you never rest. You'll always be taking care of them. She nurtured and took care of my family for a whole month and I am so thankful for her love, kindness and service. It was just so nice to be home, my childhood home, with all my siblings and nieces and nephews.
A big part of our trip was enhanced by certain songs. I always listen to Allison Kraus's song Oh Atlanta on our way here. On the way to pick Neil up from the airport it was really late but we had some really great music to listen to like Lone Star and Bon Jovi. I'd have to say Bon Jovi's, Who Says You Can't Go Home, was the best. Ever since I got home I've been listening to this song every morning as I jog and it reminds me how much I love my home. These are some of the lyrics I love:
Who says you can’t go home
There’s only one place they call me one of their own
Just a hometown boy, born a rolling stone, who says you can’t go home
Who says you can’t go back, been all around the world and as a matter of fact
There’s only one place left I want to go, who says you can’t go home
With every step I take I know that I’m not alone
You take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home
These are my streets, the only life I’ve ever known,
who says you can’t go home
I am so glad that I have place that I can call home and family who love. care and support me. Adel Georgia baby that's where it's at.
Being as I am writing this up 3 1/2 months after the fact there are a lot of things I wanted to include but have forgotten, which stinks but I still want to add the few random things I remember.
Why is it that when I get together with my family I forget to take pictures. Once again, none with my parents or siblings. Oh well, I guess that just means we were enjoying the moment.
One of my favorite things about going home is going to all of my favorite places to eat. I was able to eat at El Toreo's twice. How about a little moment of silence for the cheese dip. I have searched high and wide for any Mexican restaurant who serves anything even remotely close to it in Utah and none is to be found. I also enjoyed Captain D's. Why I love their fish and tartar sauce so much I do not do, but that batter is mmmmm mmmmmm good. Sonny's got a showing too with Kelly and John. Love me some garlic toast and their french fries are so good. I like the chicken too but for me it's all about the toast. Kelly, Allison and I made it to Cheddars and got some of them finger lickin' good onion rings. Can you tell I'm just a little obsessed with fried food. I'm from the South goodness sakes. That explains it. I also got me a Carter's chicken sandwich. Delish. Poppa also got some gizzards and told the kids they were chicken fingers. If you've never had a gizzard they are as chewy as all get out. Conner being the polite kid he is chewed one for five minutes before finally asking how long it would take to eat it. China House was a must. Best little buffet in town although it's a complete dive. We went to the Pizza Hut buffet several times and definitely got our money's worth. Never made it to the Waffle House but that's okay. Maybe next time.
One of my favorite places to visit when home is the Nashville ward. I just love it. These are the people that have seen me grow up and just love me. My old Primary and Seminary teachers always got to hug my neck. The best part is, they have a welcoming committee (I don't know if that's really what they are but that's what I called them) who stand holding the doors open and line up into the chapel and shake your hand and high five you on your way into sacrament meeting. I felt like I was on the Price is Right every Sunday. Come on Down! It's a little embarrassing when they welcome you from the pulpit in sacrament meeting but that's just how it is in a small ward that's practically family. We also got to go to the ward's Pioneer Day activity. Being from Utah, the kids are used to a lot of children in Primary. After the first Sunday, as they were getting in the car the kids were exasperated telling us that there were only 10 kids in Jr. Primary and 6 of them were them and their cousins.
We were able to help Kelly and John move into their new house in Sparks. It was nice to actually be of some service while we were there. I kept asking to mow the lawn for my mom, for old times sakes, but she refused always saying she likes to do it. Neil helped my dad fix the pool's pump.
Ryan took the boys fishing. I think Jaxson was the only one who actually caught a fish.
Our flight home was not as good as the one out. We had a layover somewhere and being as the flight was delayed we had a 3 hour wait at midnight and the airline did transfer our stroller over so we had to either hold Eliza or let her roam so we let her roam. She was so tired she looked like a little drunken baby wobbling around the airport. She would not stop moving, I guess trying to keep herself awake. She seemed happy enough and would just go up to people and stare at them until they smiled. She was making everyone happy but Neil and I. We were so tired but we had to follow her around. At one time she took the rolling backpack and would just walk around the air port pulling it. It was the cutest thing. She loved the moving sidewalks and would just get on and off them. She was the little Energizer bunny. When it was finally time to get on the plane she was no longer happy because she had to sit still and so she just screamed for about 15 minutes until she finally crashed. She was in the middle a scream and then her head just fell and she was out. It was so funny and such a relief.
No comments:
Post a Comment