Over the River and Through the Woods

Or in this case, the song maybe should go something like "Away from the Ocean and Across Miles of Highway, to Grandmother's house we go!"

Last weekend, the girls took off to go visit my Grandmother for a couple of days. Auntie Anna, Momsey, Reagan and I loaded into the car and headed off for the almost 7-hour journey to get there. We had planned to stop along the way to have dinner at Shuler's BBQ, but we didn't plan on driving through a torrential downpour of a thunderstorm! The storm hit when we were only about 10 miles away from the restaurant, and it was the longest 10 mile stretch I have ever driven in my life! The storm had affected Shuler's as well, as they had no power due to the lightening that had struck and created a fire just a few blocks down the road. We still enjoyed a fabulous dinner, by candle light, and left with full bellies once the storm had passed.

We had planned the long ride for after dinner in the hope that Reagan would fall asleep soon after we got back on the road. WRONG! The child was wide awake, chatting non-stop while playing her DS, until we were only about 20 minutes from Great-Grans. It was at this point that she started asking,

"How much longer?"

"Only about 20 more minutes" I replied.

"I'm too tired. Can we just go back to Momsey & Pop's beach house, Mom?"

"No baby. That would take way longer. We just have a little further to go and we will be there."

"Well, can we please just stop right here and find a hotel?"

I couldn't help but laughing at that last comment from her, and then within only a couple of seconds, she had passed out sound asleep!

She woke up the next morning, and immediately went to find her Great-Gran and to get some cuddles and snuggles.
Around lunch time, Grandmother took us all up to the Senior's Center that is less than a football field's length from her house. We played a round of BINGO and enjoyed some delicious home made ice cream before we decided to head across the street to the new Veteran's Memorial in the downtown square. While we were admiring the new memorial, Reagan ventured over to the large water fountain. I wish I had had my camera with me, as what happened next was priceless.

She stood beside the fountain, then she decided to climb up and stand on the ledge. She turned to see if we were watching, and when none of us told her she had to get down, she decided to take a seat and let her feet dangle into the water. I decided "what the heck" at this point, and told her that if she wanted to get wet that it was fine by me. Well, that was all that it took! She jumped right into the fountain as if it were a swimming pool and started wading, swimming, and splashing around. Needless to say, we all had some good laughs while watching her have so much fun!

That evening, my mom's brother and his wife and youngest son, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Evelyn, and Joseph, all came down to Grandmother's house for a visit. We ate a delicious dinner of beef stew while catching up and just enjoying each other's company.

We had to get back on the road the next morning to get back to our boys at the beach, and we thankfully did not encounter any more thunderstorms on the trip back home!

It was a wonderful visit with Grandmother/Great-Gran that was LONG overdue. Hopefully we won't let as much time pass before the next visit!