The trip home (Days 12 through 15 of Christmas)

On Wednesday we started the return trip, stopping again in North Carolina and accepting the gracious hospitality of the Taylors and the Pendergraphs. On Thursday, all three families visited Pullen Park which was a wonderful place for the kids to play. Alan Taylor took some fabulous pictures which you can check out here.

After playing for a couple hours at the park, we ate at Chick-fil-a. At this point, we knew that Hannah was at the end of her rope. Apparently Chick-fil-a has a policy that a child can return his/her "toy" for an ice cream cone. The decision proved too much for Hannah, who wanted both and declared that in an extremely loud outburst. She then proceeded to declare she didn't like this restaurant where they made you "give something away for an dessert." That, my dear, is how restaurants work.

After rest time, we enjoyed playing outside with Matthew and Emily while we waited for the Pendergraphs to arrive for supper.

Gracie and her new helmet

After a delicious (although a bit crazy) dinner together, the kids played in the Taylors' great playroom, while the adults laughed and caught up. It was great being together again.

Friday morning we hit the road again for our next destination... Pennsylvania. The GPS sent us straight through Washington, DC... on the Friday before New Years... early afternoon... when EVERYONE was leaving to go home early... NOT FUN! (I think Daryl has forgiven Garmin... I think.) We stopped to see my grandfather for a bit. We had hoped to arrive earlier in the afternoon, but it was nice to be able to spend a little time with him.

Grandpap (my dad's dad)

After we left Grandpa Hess, we arrived at my aunt and uncle's. They had supper all ready for us. As a bonus they had a bunch of cousins to play with too! The girls had so much fun playing with some more of their second cousins (Anne, Abby, and Maggie) and I enjoyed being able to catch up with my aunts and uncles. I was able to see almost every single aunt and uncle on this trip! I definitely saw all my dad's siblings and spouses. That was a treat.

Uncle Don and Maggie

Elizabeth and Aunt Sue

Emily and Abby

Lego Time

On Saturday morning we got up and was able to meet with some of the Lentz side of the family at Oregon Dairy for breakfast. My mom's 2 sisters and Faye's husband, Steve, (sorry you were sick, Gary) came as did Nana Ruth. My cousin Krista made it on her birthday! (Thanks for spending the morning with us!) It was great seeing everyone, but definitely not enough time to catch up.

The girls snuggled right up to Jean again... she reminds them of their nana.

Hannah enjoying some snuggle time with Jean.

Faye and Steve

Krista and Nana Ruth

Back in the van we went... traveling to our final stop before home. We were able to connect with the Boggs' for supper. What a great way to end our trip and our 2011! We spent about 5 hours with them at Jessica's parents house, before heading on the last 2-hour leg home.

Levi, Hannah and Grace

The littlest ones giggling at Aunt Jessica

Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for joining us on our travels.

On our 2600-mile trip, we saw 57 different people (not counting the Oakhurst Church family). And we wonder why it took us a week to recover:-)!