Turkey Week!!

The Arkansas Crew

(from left top: Kim, Lorelei, Grandma, Nana, Aunt Amy, Emily, Aunt Angela, Rylee

bottom row: Josh, Paxton, Papa, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Jon, Ryann)

Well, we are back my blogging friends! We just returned from a week in Arkansas visiting Josh's family. We had a nice time seeing all of his family since we haven't seen them in a while or been there in a year. We tried something new this year, driving all night long to get there. If you have ever driven the LONG trek out to Harding then you kind of know how this trip can be. It is even worse with two small children, turning the trip into a 10 hour drive. This year Josh and I decided to let the kids sleep all night and make the drive. It turned out ok actually. The good news, it only took 7 1/2 hours to get there and the kids slept most of the way! The bad news, when we got there at 3 am, they both wanted to stay up and play. We did the same thing last night so today we are all feeling quite tired, but it is good to be home!

We had a great week with Josh's family. We went to the zoo one day and they had this thing called Lorekeet Landing, where birds come in and land on your head and shoulders. It was a little unnerving for me but the kids loved it. Lorelei loved the giraffes and Paxton enjoyed the goats.


One night, Josh's Uncle Joe came over and got his guitar and harmonica out and played along with Papa. Paxton and Lorelei loved it! They clapped and sang and danced. Paxton was fascinated with the guitar too! Maybe Santa will bring him one this year!

We had turkey day over at Josh's sister's house. Aunt Amy and Uncle Jerry did a great job with all the cooking! She is braver than I am, cooking all that food and with little Emily there too! She did awesome and was so generous to have us all over to ransack her home! We got some great cousin pictures and family pictures while we were there too!

Other things the kids loved doing out in Arkansas: Riding Papa's tractor! Paxton and Papa would ride up and down the street on that thing with Paxton grinning from ear to ear the whole time! Also a big hit: Bo the puppy! Yes, Nana and Papa have a new puppy poodle (he is 9 months) and my kids loved him! Paxton was a little nervous at first with the puppy jumping on him but he got used to it and was loving him by the second day. Lorelei and Paxton for some reason loved getting in the puppy's kennel. Maybe I should get one of those for my house? Paxton also loved sleeping in his little bed in Nana and Papa's room! We had a great visit and we are thankful to have gotten to spend time with family. Thanks Nana and Papa for a great week and we can't wait to see you at Christmas!!