Friday we spent time with Aunt Kaarn helping her get some boxes into her her new, fancy, middle school classroom (complete with a kiln and potter's wheel!). We had lunch in Clifton Forge and bought some toys in the Art Center where Aunt Kaarn taught a summer camp. It was a warm day so we went for a wade at Humpback Bridge in Covington. The water felt awesome and you enjoyed skipping rocks (actually it was more like picking up rocks and moving them to a new location in the river). Uncle Cliff got home from work and we went to dinner at Jack Mason's Tavern. Wow-wee was that good food! Since the tables were full when we first got there, we sat at the bar for 10 minutes or so, you enjoyed perusing the drink choices and finally settled on a fruit punch and a swig of Uncle Cliff's beer!
The next day was even busier and more fun! First we had to stop by the C&O Railroad museum in Clifton Forge (thanks to Aunt Molly for her tip in American Heritage last year). A decision was made to just go for a quick ride on the toy train that circles the museum. Since we were the only visitors at 10am, the train conductor (a volunteer) took you and Daddy and Aunt Kaarn around and around and around. It didn't seem like he was going to stop. Then he slowed down, finally! However, he wanted Uncle Cliff and I to jump on to go around a few more times! Whew! It was quite the experience. To top it off, a real conductor driving a coal train blew his horn for you and waved from his engine! Next, we went to an air show in Bath County. This was really cool! Food, music, cars, games, dogs, planes... who could ask for more?!?! After we grabbed lunch, we found a good spot next to the runway and settled in to watch the planes circle, zig zap, dive and roll in the air. You didn't focus on the planes the entire time, but you did watch with interest for a couple minutes. You clearly recognized the planes and would adamantly point with excitement as the plane tumbled in the air. One would think that the air show would provide enough fun for one day! However, we ended up going down to Roanoke for a delicious Mexican dinner where we discovered you LOVE guacamole. A tidbit for further investigation, after eating copious amounts of guacamole, you became increasingly more hyper-active and it lasted the rest of the evening when we went to the Roanoke Star. The star is huge and overlooks the city with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. You were a ball of energy and giggled and laughed as you ran around in a circle. Uncle Cliff actually captured a very good video of your goofy self. When we were leaving, Aunt Kaarn decided to start teaching you early on the importance of dead heading plants; Grandma Gail would be proud! When thinking back on Saturday, I am realizing I'm leaving important details out like the gourmet donuts from Blue Collar Joe's and our stop at the Goodwill and tour of downtown and the winding road up the mountain to the airport (which was located on the roof of the world where all of us got sunburned even though we lathered on sunscreen... too close to the sun!). We stopped at Falling Spring, but you were asleep in the car, so just Daddy and I went. Don't worry, I took a picture! Ok, a few pictures.
Our last day was the shortest. We got to eat our gourmet donuts and hang out with Aunt Kaarn and Uncle Cliff and the dogs! Oh how you loved Betty, Charlie and Annie. You were obsessed with them and needed to know where they were at every moment, and if they were outside, you wanted to be to. The dogs did exceedingly well with your presence and they even let a tail or two be pulled. All your animal cousins were such gracious hosts. We even got to try out Aunt Kaarn's freshly painted porch glider. What fun! But in the end, our visit was all too short and we had to say goodbye. There was some talks of a trade of you for Charlie... but loyal Charlie wouldn't leave his home, you were ready to stay at a moment's notice.
Never never never under the estimate the power that family has to replenish your soul. Nora we are full of love, laughter and awesome memories. Thank you Aunt Kaarn and Uncle Cliff for nourishing our souls this weekend. It was greatly needed.
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