Memories of GA~ Visiting Friends in NC

While in Georgia we took a little side trip to N.C. to see some old friends: John and Tracy.

They recently moved to N.C. and it had been far too long since we've seen them, so long in fact, they hadn't met any of our many children.

After an amazing lunch John & Tracy led our troop on a breathtaking hike through their property.

Nature books in hand

on the lookout for for birds, animals and plants

off we went...

over a bridge

and magnificent creek

MAGNIFICENT!

Breathtaking views

Perfect photo opps

Our fearless leader

taking us on a detour~Down hill

and then back UP

it was easier for some than others :~)

another photo opp

This one with John & Tracy

Back home for a private concert

Then a private lesson

or two

Happy! That's what we are. :~)

John and Tracy we had SOOOOOO much fun with you all! Thanks for an amazing day.

Our family can not wait to see you again...SOON!

Memories of GA~ Catching fire flies

The Growing Garcia's

and cousin Jackson

entertained themselves for HOURS catching Fire Flies

Washington D.C. with the Clark's

Today the girls and I had the pleasure of visiting my very dear friends Dawn & Dale and their children.

On a whim our families decided it would be neat to check out the White House and Downtown D.C. while it was still decorated for Christmas.

I have never been to D.C. and I have to tell you I can't wait to go back!!! And a return trip in definitely in the making.

But at least for now, I have my memories and of course these pictures :~)

My girls

My Madison is so special that a street was named after her in D.C.

My girls and their cherished friends Autumn and Kya

Me and my girls...

Below are just a few more highlights of the great trip to D.C.....

SNOW!!!

It was 7pm. We had been driving 15 hours and we were now in VA...almost to PA.

And low and behold the kids (I mean Steph and I) had to PEE (AGAIN!)

So we pulled over (for the 18th time) at none other than McDonald's!

And guess what we saw?????? SNOW!!!!

Madison is so eager to touch, hold and throw some white cold SNOW!!! That she could care less about going pee.

Sadie too is in her Glory. This is exactly what she came for!!! I'm not sure if she ever peed either. BUT she did touch herself some snow for the VERY FIRST TIME EVER!!!

On the road....

We set out to leave at 4am this morning!

My sister and I planned this trip for months. We were prepared, we were organized, we were packed, we were eager, and we were READY to conquer the simple task of driving an estimated 18 hours with 5 children between the ages of 2 and 7...

The alarm went off promptly at 3:30am. We hopped out of bed ~called one another~ poured our gallon size travel coffee mugs and we were on the road by 4am as planned. YAY!

BUT....we didn't actually get off Torino (the main road in our neighborhood) due to technical difficulties until 5am.

So although an hour behind schedule we set off once again with 5 of our kiddos, 4 (working) DVD players, 4 DS's, 1 MP3. 1 ipod and 2 CD players. Not to mention a enough food to feed a small village and the entire Audio Left Behind Series.

Oh we also had "when in doubt" chewable benedryl~ just in case the kids NEEDED to sleep.

We were set!!!

Here is Chason just 30 minutes into the trip (NO benedryl was needed :)

Here is Coral just 30 minutes LEFT in the trip (again, no benedryl was needed :)

This girl tried like a ROCK STAR to make the whole journey. Her body just gave up at the very end.

Sadie, Madison and Canyon all took short cat naps throughout the journey. But for the most part all of the kids were just way too eager and excited to sleep.

We were officially on the road at 5am and we safely arrived at our destination at 9:45pm. Almost 17 LONG hours and our crew were such unbelievably GREAT travelers I would do it again 100 times in a heartbeat. NOTHING could have been more perfect about this journey....except our husbands and Ethan joining us. Maybe next time.

Georgia ~ R & R

What else did we do in Georgia?

We went on hikes

Caught bugs

learned more about our new "friends"

and let them have a sleep over

we collected fire wood

lots and lots of fire wood

Ok ~ truth be told ~ the kids were just picking up the logs they knocked down :)

we spent the evenings "chatting"

having wine

and enjoying one another...

we had tickle fights with big cousins

we hung out at the pool

got some sun

got some more sun

We took it easy

Cooled off

And we chilled OUT