Thursday, July 24, 2008

Our trip to Arkansas, Part One

Most of you know that we traveled to Arkansas two weeks ago. Arkansas was "home" for us before we moved here, and all of our immediate family lives there. We usually see our family a couple of times a year, but we haven't made a trip to Arkansas in the summertime since 2004...and that seems like forever ago.

This is a recap of our trip. It will probably bore you to tears, but since I like to document family stuff on the blog, here goes.

After a long day of driving we arrived at John's parents house. Our kids love going to Mimi and Papa's house for many reasons, but one of the most fun things about spending time there is the presence of their cousins! John's brother and his wife were there with us, and their daughters are our kids' only cousins! Will, Sarah, and Abbey adore M & M, and the time they spent together was full of fun.

The first day we were there, we took them all swimming at our friend's pool. Thank you, Mrs. Becky!



After a full afternoon of swimming, we went to dinner at the local catfish restaurant. YUMM-O! I've been craving fried catfish and hushpuppies FOREVER, and we've yet to find a good place to eat it here in Colorado. John's parents took us to this same place when we were in Arkansas last November, but when we pulled in the parking lot, the place was closed. I almost cried. They remembered that I was still craving it (I'm sure I've reminded them few times) and took us out for a delicious meal. John got the all-you-can-eat plate, and he ate about 15 pieces of fish. No joke. Well, actually, he shared a few with Will and me, but he ate a LOT. And loved every single bite. See...




We spent quite a bit of time laughing at the guys trying to unearth a 20ft pole from the backyard. The previous owners had a martin house sitting on top of it, and they had buried it about 6 feet in the ground with concrete. John and his brother and dad worked like mad to get that pole torn down. I have some fun video of them working, but I don't think they'd appreciate me putting it on the world wide web!

Our sweet Sarah had a birthday while we were there, so naturally we had a celebration for her. After cake and presents, we all headed out to the movie theater to see Kit Kittredge, the American Girl movie. She loved it!

After the movie, Mimi and Papa took all the kids to the mall and sent the grown-ups to Shogun for a japanese steak dinner, which was delicious--thank you! We met them at the mall afterwards and all the kids had on new clothes and were filling up on Chick-Fil-A. Abbey and her cousin were prancing all over the mall in their brand new, matching Hannah Montana jackets. They were so stinkin' cute, and I learned later that my six-year-old was on her knees giving Mimi and Papa the sad puppy eyes and begging for that jacket. There may have even been a few tears involved. It wasn't my proudest parenting moment for sure, but aren't they CUTIES???


On Sunday, we all went to church together. John's dad is a pastor, and he preached a sermon just for Sarah (about Sarai/Sarah) because it was her actual birthday. It was the first time that all of the grandchilden had heard their Papa preach, and it was special for them that we were there.

After a delicious lunch, we had to pack up to head to my mom's house. My kids always spend the first 10 minutes after we leave their house crying...they love their Mimi and Papa so much! We had a wonderful time there, and we're trying to talk all of John's family into spending Christmas in Colorado!

15 comments:

Kelly said...

Where does John's family live again? I'm curious.
I bet you LOVED having some good catfish while you were here. In fact - I'm craving some right now. I don't eat it very often (because I could eat my weight in fish and hushpuppies) but i LOVE it!

Deidre said...

I screamed when I read 'Mimi and Papa'....that's what I called my grandparents (both deceased). I love that!

I took E to see Kit Kitteredge. I thought that was the cutest movie. We both loved it! It has started an American Girl obsession around here, so I guess that's what she'll ask for for her birthday.

I love the pictures!

Unknown said...

I'm not exactly sure if it's the mood I'm in today, or if I am tightly wound in hormones...but the sentence about Pappa preaching a sermon for Sarah on Sarai has me weepy while I type!

THe pictures are great! Looking forward to the next installment!

Unknown said...

I'm not exactly sure if it's the mood I'm in today, or if I am tightly wound in hormones...but the sentence about Pappa preaching a sermon for Sarah on Sarai has me weepy while I type!

THe pictures are great! Looking forward to the next installment!

Jessica said...

That cake looks yummy!!

Stephanie Kay said...

Cruel, I tell you! Cruel!!! I was doing fine until the PICTURE OF THE CATFISH EATING! Do you know what you are doing to this pregnant woman? Now I NEED catfish in a bad way. But it's 7 pm and I've already eaten supper. I'm seriously thinking about a trip over to Cracker Barrel (the closest I can get to the real thing) after the children are in bed!

Puva said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Puva said...

This is not boring at all! More updates, please! (:

Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt said...

FUN!!!!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Mer, I love your blog! You "flung a craving" on me talking about the catfish. I love all the trip stories and pics. I love the H.M. jackets and the huggin' cousins. So cute.

I also love the cute hair-dos. I'm going to have to look into that. Except I have to almost bribe my Abby to let me do creative things with her hair.

Amber said...

FUN! You gotta love Arkansas for the great catfish! So glad that you had such a great time with his family.

Kirk and his dad and brother do the same thing...they always find the oddest jobs to do together when we are all there. Guess it is a guy thing...nothing like pulling a pole out of the ground!!

Gretchen said...

Your kids are so blessed to have such an awesome extended family. You all are. And the sermon just for Sarah. How sweet! Whenever my kids have a tearful goodbye from friends or family, I always remind them that we're so fortunate to be so close--close enough to feel rotten when they go. What a treasure your trip was.
xxxooogretchen

leigh said...

It sounds like a wonderful trip. I love the picture of the girls in their Hannah M. jackets. Too cute!

Becca~CapturingSimpleJoys said...

Not boring at all! I loved reading about your time in Arkansas and can't wait for the second installment. I'm happy you had such a wonderful time!

Megan L Hutchings said...

Meredith ~ I just recently started reading your blog via Leigh Ann's blog and I am a huge fan ;)! You are so kind and so witty!

Please let me know if you would like to read mine b/c it is private ;)! megan@rchfh.org