Sweet and Sour Sauce: Spring Trip South: Kentucky Part I

This trip was a big deal--we knew that when we thawed out from our Minnesota winter, we had to make plans to venture Southward...Miss N had lots of family to meet and get to know! We coordinated the trip with Miss N's baby blessing and Nana's birthday (including a very big surprise birthday party for both Nana & Papa!). The days and weeks leading up to the trip were filled with excitement!

It would be our first roadtrip in our very first van (!!) and as a family of five. Driving 16 hours with three kids, three and under (two in diapers, and one nursing) was a bit daunting--but we brought lots of ideas and distractions to keep everyone happy. And overall--it wasn't bad. Not a trip we'd take on a whim, but not bad at all. We're blessed with *mostly* happy travelers.

Road Trippin'

Heading down the road...

Rest Stoppin'

Potty stops, nursing stops, eating stops...resting stops...

We arrived late on Friday evening at Nana & Papa's house (just in time for the UK game). Getting out of the car felt wonderful--that first leg-stretch out of the car is always the best, isn't it? I loved the drive down--the family van travel reminded me SO MUCH of the many road trips I took with my family growing up. I felt a bit like I had "arrived" at a very special stage of family-hood.

We enjoyed sweet hugs with Trevor's parents and newly returned missionary brother, Tyler! We got settled & unpacked and fell happily asleep in our upstairs room.

Our first task on Saturday was to meet up with Trevor's siblings & their families for a family photo shoot! I had been planning & color coordinating (black,white,grey--with a splash of yellow!) with my sister-in-laws for weeks--it was awesome to see it come together. We had a blast--here's a few that I snapped before the shoot...

Big Red. Little Red. J & his Uncle Tyler

The girlies--me, Katie, Mavaney, Adelaide, & Noelle

We had a blast at Nana & Papa's house.

The weather was amazing--we loved that we were able to enjoy lots of time outside in the sun and around the fields & farm.

Every day was an adventure!

Little discoveries & Big rides:

Play time in Papa's Garage:

Tree hugging...er...climbing!

Quality time with Papa

(love him!)

Quality time w/Nana

(love her!)

Eating out w/family

(We loved that we were able to spend more quality family time than our usually-hectic Christmas visits)

Rafferty's, Flamingo Row, & The Majestic for the surprise party

Tractors, down time, & afternoon naps:

Of course--no trip to Nana & Papa's is complete

without a little bit of kitty attention...

J & N--getting as close as possible to the cat

Lots of swinging & rocking going on

Some spring flowers...

The flowers weren't really in bloom up in MN yet, so it was beautiful to see everything in bright colors during our visit in KY & TN

...some favorite friends...

(love these ladies!)

I met up with friends from the Paducah ward for a "GIRLS LUNCH OUT" at Flamingo Row (which has become a tradition of sorts when I come down) , then got together with my Registrar's Office work-family at Los Portales (also a tradition), and finally met up with two families from the Murray ward for a picnic on our way down to TN.

Also, since we were not home for the Christmas holidays--we had a 'Christmas/Easter' celebration with Nana & Papa (complete with beautiful tree & decor--my mother-in-law is amazing!)