Road Trippin'

 Last week was crazy-busy with our final Bible study for the season,
errands, and a day with friends at the amusement park. 
But finally, FINALLY. I uploaded photos from our weekend trip to Medford.

We don't get down there often, but we sure do love it!

This trip was hush-hush because the occasion was a surprise birthday party for my aunt!

Medford is {should be} about a 4 1/2 hour drive. 
But, for our little family of six, it's more like six hours.

It takes us forever to get out.
Then we have to stop for eats and treats:

 

 

 

But everyone sighs a great big relief when we've scaled the last mountain pass,
and Medford is in sight.

Once we got settled in our room, there were plans made for dinner with my parents, sister, and her family.

Shoji's is a favorite because it's so much fun to watch someone prepare your meal right in front of you!  And what a show it is!

{Tay LOVED all of the fire}

 

The next morning started with snuggles.

 

 

 

 Then off to the restaurant we went to surprise Aunt Pat.
 

 

She was surprised :)

 

 

And it's pretty safe to say we ALL had a pretty great time.

 

 

 

 We got a little visit time in with family,
 

 

and then it was time to say good-bye :(

 

 

 

 

 Until next time, anyway.

Any great ideas for passing the time in the car? 
We've got several road trips planned this summer, and not one of us is any good at traveling :)  

 

Car games, activities, any ideas to make travel time fun would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medford Trip

For, literally, years I've been wanting to plan a trip to Medford.  Though I didn't grow up there, I did spend several significant years there as a teenager; and I've been longing to show my girls all of the places I loved in Southern Oregon.

Since we still have so much family there, our limited trips are always short, and spent at a specific function {reception, party, birth, etc.}  We never seem to have time to just mosey around, visiting.

I was so happy that we finally made it happen a couple of weeks ago!

My mom and I took the girls down a couple days early, and Jeremy and my dad met up with us later.

On Friday we drove to Jacksonville, an ADORABLE little town I used to love to visit.

 
The weather was wonderful, and the scenery gorgeous.  Beautiful Fall colors everywhere.
 

We met up with one of my favorite people for lunch at one of my favorite places ~ The Bella.
 

We're just going to pretend that we had a wonderfully quiet lunch full of sweet conversation and delicious food ~ Instead of the full-on screaming from a certain one year old who shall remain nameless.  Sigh.
 

The day didn't exactly unfold the way it had in my mind.  There wasn't much window shopping for me since my little ones were coming down with a virus, and Tay was cutting three molars.  But I'm happy we made the trip anyway.
 

I have no desire to go on another trip any time soon.  But I am glad we made it happen ;)
 

 

 

 We even had a few moments of silence out of Tay.  Especially when she got to meet up with her little cousin again.  She LOVES the bay-bays :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Has Finally Sprung {Sorta}, And Other Ramblings

Do you see this blue sky?! Holy moly, I'd almost forgotten what blue sky looked like! This is what we got to see yesterday, and what we are hoping for today. It could warm up a bit, and I wouldn't complain, {the high yesterday was 55}, but at this point, we'll take what we can get.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My laptop died. Again. Actually, at this point it's the cord. But the whole system is so on the verge of going completely. We had a new hard drive put in last year, and it really has been on its last leg ever since. I am longing for a new one {especially as I sit here on this hard chair in Jeremy's office, children crowded around, and surrounded by hunting photos and trophies. It's just not conducive to my girly blogging, you know. And, oh yeah, every two seconds a warning of low drive space pops up on the screen. So sad.}.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On to happier news: My sister comes for a visit tomorrow. Besides a quick "hi" at dance team competitions, it has been six months since we've seen Aunt Annie and her babies. And almost a year since they've been here for a visit. To say we are excited would be a major understatement.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And finally, today is my mom's birthday! I would post an adorable photo of her, but remember? I'm on the desktop. Low disk space, yadda yadda yadda. Just picture a cute, petite "nana".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you all are enjoying your week!