While we loved our time in Florida and with Grandma Great and Papa Mel, the girls were excited to head to visit their cousins in Georgia. So we hit the road for another 9 hour drive.
And another long stretch in the car calls for a random DQ stop - don't you think?
At one point near the end of our drive I had to stop and take this picture. These two literally rode the entire 9 hours with hardly a peep (praise God for movies in the van) and not a single complaint I can remember. And we only stopped twice the entire drive (for gas and food). These girls were incredible travelers. It is part of what made our trip doable and enjoyable with the way that we planned.
When we got there, Ava was happy to be reunited with her precious Oliver (oh - and Amy? We were glad to see you guys too : ) )
An extra bonus we hadn't told our girls about was that my parents were there just for that night too and heading home the next afternoon. Ava put Grandpa right to work reading her bedtime stories.
All cozy in her bed
Kate and Olivia enjoying Sophie reading bedtime stories to them
The next morning I actually hit the road again by myself and headed into Atlanta. I met a super special friend I have met through this adoption journey (through our agency and C4C). It was such a gift getting to spend the morning with her and see new pictures of her little guy (who she had already been able to meet on their first trip in Ethiopia). He is now home and just as sweet as can be.
While Kimberly and I were at breakfast, I got this text from Ryan:
"Took my daughter out to breakfast at the Waffle House and what does she order? A SALAD."
Mama was proud Olivia. : )
Ava taking Oliver on a walk
One last snuggle with Gpa and Gma before they had to go
We headed to a park for a picnic and fun.
Of course Oliver had to come.
We got there and they were mulching the playground. : ) So as we hung out for a bit, Olivia came on a walk with Aunt Amy, Mommy and Oliver
Then Kate thought she needed a turn.
Love these shots - hanging out with Aunt Amy
How funny is Kate here - who knows what story she was telling!
Amy and I came down for dinner one night matching : )
Me and my girls
Saturday there was a big Easter Egg hunt for all the kids
The kids ready to go!
Our family on a beautiful day - yay for sunshine!
A small glimpse of the group : )
And they're off!
Trying to get INSIDE an egg to the candy : )
Comparing the spoils
Kate showing off her eggs
A picture with the Easter Bunny
We hung for a while after most of the people had headed home. Some of their friends hung around too and pretty soon a football had started. My favorite part? Kate and Olivia ran right on out and totally ran around with them as if it was totally natural they would be included.
Dinner out our last night there.
Pretty much sums these three up.
Ava took a picture of the parents
Ava built a little fence to make sure Oliver stayed by her side her last night there
After church Easter morning we stopped for a quick lunch together before we had to hit the road for home.
Cousins
One last snuggle with Aunt Amy while Mommy and Daddy reorganized the van quickly
Not quite ready to leave
Especially when this was what awaited us for a while.
Ava's last gift from Gpa and Gma had been this notepad and fancy pen. She doodled, colored, and wrote for a huge chunk of time!
I'm going to miss all this pictures like this some day!
Our home and bed felt sooooo good when we got home a little bit before 2 in the morning. But every minute we spent with family over the week we were gone was worth it.
