DAY 7

On Sunday morning, we went out to breakfast at Perkins with Peter's parents before we attended church with them. After church we came back and packed and loaded the car. We had originally planned to be loaded before church and to start the trip home straight after the service. Samuel was especially pleased that the plan changed because it gave him a chance to try for the fish he hadn't caught yet. He had watched everyone else catch fish all week and had prayed many times that his turn would come. God answered his prayers and he reeled in this little guy right before we had to leave.

Late in the afternoon, we said good-bye and traveled up to Kentucky. We got a motel room in Bowling Green. I have some pictures of 8 people in one motel room that I'll post next time!

DAY 6

On Saturday we drove south about an hour to Oxford, MS, home of Ole Miss. I'm not even sure what the real name of this University is. Peter's sister, Leslie, is married to John Leslie who is the music Librarian for the University. Oxford has some historical homes and just all-around nice atmosphere. There is a large town square that is really fun to visit and that is where we met up with Leslie and John. We met at the children's book/toy store and the kids didn't mind waiting there since there were many lovely things to view in the window. I thought they looked kind of funny ogling all of the books and toys!

John and Leslie wanted to take the kids to a candy shop on the square, which, if I'm not mistaken, is called Holly's Sweet Tooth. They treated them to an assortment of candy of their choice. They really had fun picking it out.


So much candy, so little time!

Ben and Cal got the hang of it pretty quick.

Pointing to the red hots.

All done. Wow!

Outside the candy store with their hand-picked assortment.

After candy, we went to John and Leslie's house where they had prepared a fantastic lunch for us. This is their kitchen and John opening the wine bottle.

This is the adult table and Peter showing the kids the wine cork.

Here's the kids table and you can get a glimpse of John and Leslie's lovely home.

We ate a brisket and squash stew with some very fancy mashed potatoes, an amazing Caesar Salad and broccoli and bread. We are always well fed at their house!

We sat around and talked while some kids napped in the afternoon and then walked up their country driveway to a neighbor's house to visit their mules. One of them was friendly enough to come say hello to the boys.

Nose to nose.

Marvelous host and hostess. Marvelous day.

THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING

So, we didn't go shopping on Black Friday. Here's what we did do. The boys caught a few fish. Ben caught his first one ever! It was a little guy, but he didn't care!

Will got the biggest catch of the day.

We walked over to the other side of the lake and enjoyed ourself in the hay field.

There were some rolled hay bales at the far side of the field.

Amelia is rarely content to be left out of what the boys are doing.

Running and jumping here was a favorite activity of the day.

Cecily was sick and pretty much looked just like this all day.

I thought her feet looked awfully cute sticking out.

Grandma Betty planned a craft for the grandkids to do. It was a snowman made out of marshmallows.

This craft was just the kind of thing that Calvin is good at and enjoys.

Calvin's snow-guy turned out quite nice!

Everyone finished. The snowmen didn't want to stand up very straight.

Ah! Calvin ate his head!

And last, but not least, the adult ladies made a craft. It was a pinecone mistletoe.

THANKSGIVING DAY

This is the lake next to the cabin where Peter's parents live. Beautiful, hm? This is the cabin. :-)

Peter's dad made this round table from plywood on two saw-horses so there would be space enough for everyone. It worked well and it's charming, don't you think?

Everyone!!

Peter's sister Leslie and her husband, John

Peter's brother, Mitchell and his wife, Tessa and children Ethan and Emma

Peter's sister, Anna and her husband, Walter and children Holden and Webber

Playing in the leaves

We had very moderate weather and got to enjoy a lot of outside playtime!

The kids table for the feast.

All ready to eat.

The adult table.

Playing on the swing set.

Samuel "racing" Uncle Mitch, who is a runner, up the driveway.

Peter has a cousin who has 4 boys also, who came to visit in the late afternoon. There were 9 little boys total and here they are playing some football with the uncles.

Notice that the "woods" in the background are actually bamboo. We love that bamboo forest!

DAY 3

The second day of our trip was spent driving the remaining distance to the home of Peter's parents in Byhalia, Mississippi. We arrived around the middle of the day. In the afternoon Peter and the boys enjoyed being outside and spending time with Peter's dad, Jerry. I went shopping with Peter's mom, Betty, for the last of the Thanksgiving supplies. The third day was Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. I took some pictures of the kids enjoying being at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I spent most of the day baking pies (2 apple and 1 chocolate cream) and sweet potato casserole.

The pictures are a little out of order. They begin with bathtime at the end of the day:

Playing with daddy

tough boxer

Jerry took Peter and the boys to see a miniature version of the Vietnam Memorial that had been erected in Holly Springs, MS.

Amelia loved this little slide. More than anything, she loved that red ball. It stayed right where you see it, ALL day.

Can't let go of the ball!

Ben climbed very high in a tree and was really excited that he was big enough to do it.

Out on the lake with Grandpa Jerry

Peter took the boys out on the lake in shifts.

The only catch of this day was by Peter, but Sam enjoyed holding and looking at it.

A spider that the kids were thrilled with. :-)