Thanksgiving 2014: Our Week in GA! {Part One}

We just got back on Friday from a whirlwind week in Georgia! We had SO much fun, but it was exhausting to say the least! We got to see our best friends Jenny & Bret while we were in town (such a treat!!!) & as I was sharing our jam-packed itinerary with Jenny, she made this wise comment: "That's the best and worst part about going home--you get to see everyone, but you have to see everyone." And it's SO true. We absolutely LOVE going home to spend time with our favorite people & to make memories for our girls in GA, but it is no easy feat to travel with two small children (especially now that we have to fly!) and then try to squeeze in visits with everyone into a six day window while simultaneously being mindful of preserving naptimes & bedtimes and somehow avoiding the holiday traffic. It's not easy, but it's so worth it.

Shelby pushed Hadley in the stroller all the way from the long-term parking garage to the airport! This kept both girls super entertained, and it was a big help to us as Derek was already carrying both of our suitcases & I had the girls' suitcase. Shelby did a great job pushing the stroller despite the fact that it looks like Hadley is holding on for dear life in the picture. ;)

The girls watching planes as we waited to board at our gate.

Hadley took off her boots & made herself right at home at the airport. ;)

Here we go!!

We survived flight #1--thumbs ups all around!! :)

Despite having a one hour delay in San Antonio sitting on the tarmac after we'd already boarded (why couldn't they have delayed us BEFORE we got on the plane?!), the flight was a BREEZE! Both girls were in great moods, and even though we were on the plane in the middle of the girls' typical naptime for 3 hours instead of the planned 1hr & 45min, it was a piece of cake!

One of the girls' favorite things to do at Grammy & Grampy's house :)
Shelby pulls out the old Christmas carol books from when Emi & I played the piano and reads/sings the lyrics while she "plays" the piano.

Sunday was our first full day in GA, and it was spent celebrating an early Thanksgiving at BooBoo & Pop-Pop's house. Aunt Maleah, Uncle Lucas, Elly, and Leland were able to join us too, so it was a very fun day! 

The girls working on their annual Christmas craft.

There's nothing better than making memories with your cousins at your grandparents' house...these sweet kiddos had so much fun playing together! Pictures like these make me so sad we live so far away from family. But it definitely makes our time together that much sweeter!

The big girls were reading in the top bunk together, so of course Hadley had to join in! She is the epitome of the "annoying little sister." ;)  Wherever Shelby goes, Hadley is always just one step behind!

Storytime with Pop-Pop :)

Uncle Derek & Leland

Derek & Maleah

BooBoo & Pop-Pop with the 4 grandkids!

More piano time at BooBoo & Pop-Pop's house!

Group picture :)

On Monday, my mom, Derek, & I took the girls up to Sims Lake Park to tire them out for early naps before heading up to McDonough that afternoon to see my sister's house for the very first time! We go to this park a few times every time we're in GA, and we all really enjoy it!

My mom took this picture on her phone, and I love it so much! I love how it captures the girls in actionjumping over the puddle & how you can see Derek & I up ahead of them. :)

And here's our family shot from that night at Chris & Emily's house. The girls, especially Shelby, just adore Emi's new hubby Chris, so it was a fun evening! I just wish we could do it more often!! I'm so thankful for these people! And thankful that both girls actually looked at the camera!! ;)

On Tuesday, we spent the day at Stone Mountain with Derek's dad & step-mom. It was such a fun day! When we got back to my parents' house that night, Shelby was literally talking a mile a minute telling Grampy about all the fun things she did and saw! It was the cutest thing!

Our first stop at the park was at Snow Mountain, it was a lot of fun!! Such a fun idea where snow is a rarity :)

Grandma & Hadley--typical expression ;)

Hadley wasn't too pleased with me, but I made her try the tube ride once ;)

Exploring the top of Stone Mountain
Based on how much Shelby still talks about this, I think this may have been her favorite part of the day!

Granddad & Hadley riding the skylift to the top of Stone Mountain

Group picture (minus Grandma) at the top of Stone Mountain

After a full morning at Stone Moutain, we headed back to Granddad & Grandma's house lunch, naps, and a little playtime.

Shelby & Maggie :)

Hadley thought the dog beds were for her ;)

Playing Lincoln Logs with Granddad & Grandma :)

Since Derek's dad & Eileen live so close to Stone Mountain (maybe a half-mile from the park entrance), we headed back over to see the park all lit up for Christmas! We didn't take many pictures, but it was beautiful! We enjoyed a train ride around the park, the Christmas parade complete with Rudolph & Santa, and a walk through their Christmas village.

Grandma, Granddad, Derek, Shelby, & Hadley all enjoying a glass blowing demonstration

I'll wrap up the rest of our trip to GA in another post this week!