Road Trip 2014: Week 1

We've done it again! We packed up the van and have begun our journey across the country and back. We look forward to this every summer and I'm so excited we could do it again this year.

Grandma Cuca joined us this year for the first days.

It makes me happy that my kids have a good relationship 

with their GREAT grandma. Not many people can say that.

It was a rainy first day of driving.

I don't like driving in the rain.

It makes me tense.

I can handle a light summer shower,

but these were torrential downpours.

It stopped long enough for us to make our fun stop at the Greenville, SC Zoo.

 It's the perfect little zoo to see quickly.

Grandma brought along free ice cream cone tokens.

She collected them years ago.

It's fun to see which DQ's will accept them.

We scored five free cones in Alabama!

We stayed our first night at a hotel in Meridian, MS.

Then next day we were off to San Saba.

 We stopped in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Had a quick visit to Sci-Port. 

And walked around the fountains across the street. 

So cool!

We always love to visit Grandma Cuca's house. 

This year, Marshall stopped by to introduce us to his girlfriend, Virginia.

We had fun visiting with them.

And had yellow watermelon for dessert. Yum! 

Smelled the boots at Harry's. 

Drove around the Mill Pond. 

Played Rummy 

Swam at the pool with cousins. 

Then kayaked at the Mill Pond with them. 

The kids have added "kayak" to their birthday/Christmas wish lists.

After a couple of fun days in San Saba,
we headed to Aunt Irene and Uncle Bill's house.

We got to visit Ruthie and Ron's home,

which my kids LOVE.

Such a treat to see all their animals.

We had a fun lunch together.

And B took the girls on golf cart rides.

(Add "golf cart" to their Christmas wish lists, too!)

Ruthie also took us to her friend's home.

She raises fainting goats.

The kids fell in love with Gideon, the Sheepdog puppy.

Brandon got to walk a goat on a leash.

How many people can say they've done that?

Then Aunt Irene took us to a trampoline park.

The pictures say more than my words could.
Absolute fun.

On Sunday, we went to church, enjoyed a relaxing day at home,
ate a yummy dinner, and took a big group photo.

Love the time we get to spend with family!