So apparently my parents have this bucket list on places they'd like to travel to... with... their kids. Did I luck out for best parents ever? Yes. Well the
Greenbrier was on the top of the list (compliments of my mom)... She just always said, "There's nothing else quite like it." "It is a trip of a lifetime."
Well... she was correct. And thanks to sweet ol' Nana and Pop... almost the whole Howard crew was there to enjoy it. We missed Craig, Tricia, Hamilton and Zan but they're work schedule just didn't work out to let them come. (Stupid j-o-b's. Get in the way every time.)
So to make a long story short - we traveled in style (RV'ing, my man). We lived up every single minute. We had a great trip.... and the only thing I'm bummed about other than Tricia, Craig and the boys not being there? That James will unfortunately (probably) not remember it.... but.... you never know. My son is a genius. (((winking face)))) ;-)
Our trip through the camera lens:
So I got some great pics on my new iphone on the way up to the Greenbrier in West Virginia... but I accidentally deleted them all before I got to post. Ugh. So, we'll just start the photo montage with our first moments settled in the fancy nancy hotel.
Nana getting some good Ellie snuggles in while we were all getting unpacked in our rooms...
I gotta say... Jimmy and I had the best set up. Each family had a humongenous room to fit our individual families... BUT. We were lucky enough to have mom and dad's room joined to ours. So our two rooms were the gathering rooms... And, when James was napping... Jimmy and I could go in Mom and Dad's and not have to be so quiet. It was nice! Here Gracie is showing off her digital camera with Uncle Cracker! :)
Joykens and Fannie!
Oh that Adeline... ;-)
These girls were too funny...
The grounds were AMAZING. Gave me some inspiration for my future, fabulous garden.... Right.
The famous "spring" at the Greenbrier...
I'm pretty sure this is just the SIDE of the fabulous hotel!
Sweet Ellie keeps getting so big, so fast. (Time... will you slow down? Please?)
Gracie Howard says, "This is my baby."
My little munchkin.
The pool.... was.... AMAZING.
Adeline agreed.
(She loves working the camera.... Serious.)
Pop can always be found lounging by the pool. His favorite spot ever since Fran and I were lifeguards at SVCC!
David was on some serious Daddy duty... and did a great job! Ellie agrees...
Nana was enjoying some sun with APT (Adeline Pookie-Took) :)
Me and J in the infinity pool... Fab-u-lousssss
(Yes. He is still wild in the pool, hahahaha....)
Two of the many things I love about my dad? He doesn't care what anybody thinks... and is always quick to give a laugh... He's the greatest!
Joy and J'imayyyyye in the hotel...
You might be wondering where the bambinos are?
Yeah. We got a babysitter... and she was probably the best baby sitter ever. She kept all four of the kiddies and didn't bat an eye. And we didn't skip a beat either! :)
All the ladies...
More fun in the sun at the pool!
... the pictures seem to be all kinds of out of order, but that's okay....
Car ride to get some grub!
Yeah... We all piled in the Larson Highlander. Thankful for the third row seating!
The love of my life! <3 br="br">
Yeah, I'm responsible for these two (and their adorable kiddies....).
And these two are responsible for all of us. Love you, mom and dad!
Howard family fun at a local... fun... slightly sketch pizza joint in Greenbrier, West Virginia. All I can say is... barbie shrine (another photo that was accidentally deleted off the iphone).
The next day they had a hawk demonstration... That we waited forever for...
They finally brought out the birds....
... but kept. talking. and. talking. and no demonstrating.... argh!
We tried to keep J happy....
We took turns walking him...
... but he was ready for his nap!
So James and I headed to the room for nap time while the others enjoyed the hawk fun! (Better pics below pulled from the Cooks' camera.)
They called up volunteers, and got the kiddies to enjoy the demonstration.... (again, great pic further below)
Hiiii David and Hunter!
Close up of the hawk...
Post nap stroll around the grounds.... Daddy duty in full effect, y'all!
Then a little tea time in the Greenbrier lobby!
Even the boys loved some hot tea and scones (and Ellie-boo)!
Look at us acting all fancy nancy (in G's words).
Just like everyday - we had some pool fun!
Adeline + James = T-R-O-U-B-L-E :)
My wee man loves some "wa-waaaa!"
... and post nap tea-time snacks!
Ellie says, "Oh.. me too! me too!" (did ya get that movie reference?)
Adeline and Joykens at the pool...
Hunter and Jimmy with the kiddies in the pool...
My main squeezes...
A little fancy family fun...
Don't our men clean up well??
Jam and Cimmy - kicking it since 2001... <3 br="br">
Just missing 2 - Craig and Tricia!
Joykens and the Big ol' Fannie!
My fantastic parents...
My dad looooves to cut a rug... and who am I kidding? So do I!
... and I love my new bday present from Jimbo! an iphone - FINALLY! :)
Big bro and his adorable girls...
No trip would be complete without a little Christmas ornament shopping!
I think this might be the front of the building... but let's just be honest...
the side is just as fabulous as the front!
J strolling with J....
James got a few souvenirs... One of which was a miniature "Saaaaaaa'daaaaaaaaay" (aka Sadie)
James loves all of his cousins... but he feels especially protective over little cuz, Ellie-Bellie
Our family. LOVE!
Trying to get the perfect family photo...
But it is hard....
When somebody....
... is on the GO! GO! GO!
Prepping for our babysitter.... while snuggling with Pop!
These pics are priceless....
Is it just me... or is Ellie trying VERY hard to give Pop kisses... While Adeline is.... I dunno, straightening Pop's eye brows?... and Gracie is holding J-man. Craziness :)
Woops - another out of order pic... but my two boys :) love them!
More Pop snuggles!
Nana came in for the fun!
Love this...
Looks like Ellie finally succeeded in her kissing efforts... :)
We didn't want the babysitter to work too hard.. So after a little dinner we came back up to the room and put our wee-man to bed. James loves story time with Dada... and so do I!
... but back to dinner... and yes! That is my name on the menu. Happy birthday to me! :)
Celebrating Fran and my b-days with the family... Fran's bday totally trumped mine - the big 3-0!
Can't beat complimentary champagne.
Cheesy bisucuits
The other birthday girl with her main squeeze...
After dinner we went and continued the fun at the Greenbrier's casino. We didn't win much of anything... but we did have a great time!
... again - photos - out of order... but H-man and Jizzy Fresh at dinner!
The king and queen of our crazy clan!
Fancy dessert... yummm..
So sad to leave.... Waiting on our ride...
Adeline doesn't think we'll see her if she hides behind the lion. AKA... SIMBAAAAAAAA
We gave new meaning to over packing....
Larson family shot in front of the Greenbrier...
Piling back on the RV... (for one rocky ride home!)
The best part of the trip home?
My little man knocked out for a little nap on mommy. Love some nap time snuggles!
As long as he has his "bebe" (aka blanket) - he is good to go.... Oh, and Sa'daaaaaay (sadie)
The ride home wasn't quite as great as the ride there... but I can't IMAGINE what it would have been like if we would have had to make it in a car seat. THANKS AGAIN UNCLE DAVID for driving us all the way there, and all the way back. We can't tell you HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATED IT!!!!!!! :)
Then some pics from Auntie Fannie & Uncle Da'viiiid's fancy dancy camera:
This was actually on my birthday, hanging by the pool...
Here are the great pics from the Cook camera of the
hawk demonstration while I was in the room with J taking a nap...
(See Gracie in the white shirt and jean shorts?)
Gracie's face is... priceless. Apparently after the demonstration she did NOT want to talk about the hawk demonstration... ever. again. :)
.. neither did Jimbo ;-) (just keeding)
**see hawk flying inbetween Jimmy and David?!
Pool time fun with Pop!
Adeline loving on Ellie... I'm not so sure Ellie is impressed?
Looks like Nana and Pop were super duper smart with their selection of lounge chairs at the pool... Hahaha...
But every now and then a munchkin would find their way to their chairs....
I love this pic.
(At this time James was very in to pointing out people's noses...
Well... he found Ellie's!)
Babysitter prep time...
J in his PJ's and mommy and daddy all dressed up...
More Pop snuggles...
Pop and Nana snuggles...
This was from Frannie's bday. I apparently I left my camera in the hotel room, so I stole this one from Fran and David... Just wanted to show James that his mommy and daddy still know how to have a good time! :)
Another J-bo snuggle-shot!
Great photo to end on... Great family... in front of a great hotel...
With a classy form of transportation (our RV!).
What an amazing trip that we will never forget. Of course I wasn't able to capture every moment on our camera... but I did the best I could. Thanks to Nana and Pop/Mom and Dad for a trip of a lifetime. Although James (might) not remember the trip... I know we will! :) A million, trillion thank you's!
