Gone to Carolina

After spending almost four months in our new home, we hopped on a plane to head back to NC for a summer visit.  We had originally intended to head back after six or seven months, but Jenna and Ethan will be starting school in September and would not have adequate vacation time. 

In June, I approached Jason with the idea of me flying solo with the three kids a week before he came so I would have extra time to spend with family and friends.   On July 10th, he took me with all three kids in tow to the Brussels airport and we were on our way for three weeks in beautiful, although hot and humid, North Caorlina!  All things considered, the 17 hours of traveling, three airports, two planes and countless security and customs lines went very well.  We made all of our connections and no one was mortally injured, despite Drew flipping face forward over the plane seat into his sister's lap!

We began our visit spending some time with Jason's parents and going to service at our home church in Durham.  It was so refreshing to see familiar faces and catch up with our friends!  On Monday, we headed to our old neighborhood pool for a playdate with several friends.

We have such fond memories from the previous two summers at our Harrington Grove pool, and it was one of the things we have missed the most in Brussels!  After the pool, we headed to see Jenna's friend, Kate.  She and Jenna have been friends since their first birthday.  She introduced the kids to Silly Bandz and Jenna even enjoyed a sleep over full of Barbie and dancing!

Kate is such a sweet girl and her mother is one of my dear friends.  We were so thankful to see them!

The following day, we met my Dad, Grandpa and two counins at the Children's Museum in Greensboro.

It was a great play place with something for everyone. 

Taylor and Jenna rolling around!

Ethan and Papa discovering what a sunflower looks like.  The museum even had an outdoor garden where the children could see what types of fruits and veggies are grown in NC.

After a great time with the Nix gang, we headed to the home of our close friends in Durham.  The kids enjoyed a sleep over with their friends, and I had a great time catching up with my good friend, Elisa.  On Wednesday, there was more time at the pool!

Micah and Ethan horsing around.

Drew was a little cautious in the water, but Braden had no fear! 

Next on the itinerary, was a stop at my sister-in-law's house.  I managed to make it to Raleigh during the biggest consignment sale of the year.  Karen and I made an arrangement to swap babysitting, so I was able to stock up on winter clothes for the kids and also enjoy a little break!

On Friday, we headed to Bahama for a poolside playgroup at our friends, James and Emily. 

Emily, our host, was even kind enough to provide popsicles for the entire crowd. 

Following the playgroup, we headed to Jason's parent's house and waited for Jason to arrive.  We enjoyed some time over the weekend with his family, attended our home church again on Sunday and went to a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Stadium.  Our friends snagged box seats and we had a great time!

The next two nights we spent with our good friends, Andy & Elisa, and their children.  The children always play well together and the adults enjoyed catching up.  On Monday morning, the Dads and older children headed in search of the "Best Sausage Biscuit in NC" - according to Our State magazine, while Elisa and I enjoyed some shopping time with the little guys, Drew and Braden.

Here are the partners in crime! 

Here I am with my wonderful friend Elisa.  They were so gracious to host us for several nights.  We miss their family dearly while we are away, but we are looking forward to a visit from them in the spring!

The next stop on our tour, was the beautiful NC mountians, where we stayed with Jason's family in a mountain house just outside of Boone. 

Here the older of the 9 cousins are reunited.  To say the least, the noise level was a little high, but they all had a great time. 

Our first full day, we took the children gem mining.  Everyone got in on the action!

The employees at the mining company placed all the gems on papers for the children.  Here are all nine grandkids on Jason's side of the family. 

After hunting for treasure, it was on to Valle Crucis park for kite flying and wading in the creek.

Our final day in the mountains, we visited the Price Lake area on the Blue Ridge Parkway and even managed to get all 17 members of the family in a picture!

The last week of our North Carolina adventure, began with time in Concord, NC with my family.  All four of the Nix kids were in town with all the grandchildren so it was quite active at Papa's house!

 

This is a picture of my Dad and my sisters and brother.  It was great to have everyone home.  We are currently spread across two continents and 3 different states so it isn't often we are all home at the same time. 

Here's Uncle Steve (my brother) with his two older nephews.

In this photo my Dad's new wife, Jayne, is holding the youngest of the Nix grandkids, Hannah. 

We enjoyed time at the pool, ice cream, and a trip to the movie theatre.

For our last three days in NC, we headed back to Raleigh where Jason worked during the day and I spent time with friends.  One evening, we hired a babysitter and went on a group date to Shuckers in Wake Forest.  The food was excellent, and we were psyched for our first date in over 5 months! 

Our trip to NC was fast and furious and went by so quickly.  We were so thankful to reconnect with dear friends and family and enjoy some familair things like BBQ, Chick-fil-a, Moe's and even Bojangles!  Before leaving, we stocked our bags with peanut butter, brownie mix and lots of winter clothes to get us through the next year.  It was bittersweet taking off from the Raleigh airport on Saturday afternoon.  We are excited to see what the next year holds for us, but we miss all the special relationships and fun times we are blessed with back in the US.   

Au revoir, La Caroline du Nord, et a bientot!