Trip to NC

I think this is going to be the last of the "catch-up" blog entries. I mean, it's August 17th and it's at least 85 degrees in State College. If I haven't caught up on spring/summer activities, then I should probably just move on. Right? Anyway, the last one is about our trip to North Carolina on Father's Day in June. I considered it my last chance to get home with only one baby in tow, as well as one more chance to see my grandparents again. It turned out to be a well-timed visit because my granpa went into the hospital just a few days before we arrived. I was still able to visit him and say hello, show him my big baby belly. Then, the day we drove back north, he passed away. It was sad, as it always is when a loved one passes away, but also sort of a relief for my dad and grandmother since he was 91 years old, was in his own little world in the hospital, and had lived a full life! I was able to fly back down for the funeral the next weekend and get to see more family, but it definitely made for a different memory of our trip to NC. I'm just glad we (me, Jason and Hayden) had gone down when we did, because we'd been debating weekends for a while. Sorry for the somber bit of news, but I just can't write about the visit without writing about my granpa. (and getting a tiny bit teary too.)

So anyway, expect for the whole side story with my granpa, the trip was fairly uneventful. Both the drive down and the drive back up were on the terrible side, mainly because they were excruciatingly long. We left after work on the way down, thinking to avoid DC traffic and managed to still somehow, at 10 o'clock at night, end up sitting in 1.5 hours of construction traffic south of DC. We didn't get in till 3:00 am and that wiped me out for the next day! Luckily Hayden slept most of the way and wasn't nearly as exhausted as me and Jason. On the way back, we hit stopped traffic we assumed was for a bad accident (seeing a helicopter fly in, and cop cars sneak by on the sides) so we tried an alternate route that probably added an hour to our trip. (who knows how long traffic was stopped?!) The weather in NC was record-breakingly hot which made for a bit of a "weather-lag" (like jet-lag!) for us, since it was a high in the low 60s the day before we left, and then highs around 100 in NC!

Some highlights - we learned that Hayden is a mosquito magnet and that her bites pop up really big and pink fairly quickly. We introduced Hayden to playing in a creek, and she had a great time dipping in her toes and tossing in rocks. We ate copious amounts of frozen treats, much of it free!, in honor of Father's Day. Blizzard and Dooley continued their doggie friendship - playing noisily and swapping the bean bag back and forth. And Hayden also had her first bite of hush puppies when we had an absolutely delicious lunch here - and she liked my chicken a lot! Plus we also learned that Hayden is a big fan of soup - specifically pasta fagioli (pronouced fah-jool at my grandparents retirement home!), though she only wanted the broth and pasta, not the beans (which are what makes it fagioli!). All in all, a pretty good visit. I'll stop rambling now and just post some pictures below.

Eating pasta fagioli down in Southern Pines. We didn't actually order her any, but then she ate two cups worth!

Great Granma Jane (for Hayden) and Pop-pop enjoying lunch. They're probably smiling so big because they can't believe Hayden eats soup!

This is not a soup cup - this is the ice cream glass. Let's just say Hayden had a GOOD lunch in the dining room. :)
Playing the piano and singing with Pop-pop. This happened many times during our visit.

Looking REALLY sleepy as she colors on the Father's Day card for Daddy. It was her choice to get up so early - but I did suggest the activity. I don't think the sleepiness affected her art productivity. The dogs in their element - nature and water - when we went for a short hike in Duke Forest.Hayden throwing rocks into the creek. So fun!

Look! She got her feet wet!Hayden and Mommy wading in the (muddy) creek water. It looks sort of gross, but felt really good on a hot day. I was surprised Hayden liked it as much as she did. Maybe she'll be a nature girl like Mommy!
Hayden snuggling in a towel in the backpack before we head back up the trail. Not sure why felt the need to bundle up since it was HOT but she liked it!

The "dads" enjoying free frozen yogurt on Father's Day.
Hayden trying to show off her blue mouth while eating her 'rainbow dream' selection of frozen yogurt. For the record, the blue color dyed not only her mouth, but all the way through... just so you know!
Helping Pop-pop wash the cars. This is a regular activity when we come visit (so much dirt we accumulate in PA!) and Hayden loves to help!

Enjoying MORE free ice cream for Dad's on Father's Day.
(Yes it was our second dessert of the day, but how can you turn down FREE ice cream?!)This is a Chex Mix smile! We love Chex Mix in the Sanford household and Hayden is clearly following the tradition.
At the pool, enjoying the sun and heat.
Apparently Hayden wanted to get her belly tan. :)

Riding on the bouncing horse that dates WAY back. At least to my childhood, if not earlier! It's vintage and yet, still fun!Catching a wheelbarrow ride with Pop-pop.
Chillin' in the car on the way home. I think this was just north of Altoona. We all had that expression on our face, though not all of us had our thumbs in our mouths. We were ready to be home!
One last picture to say "Thanks for the great visit Grandma and Pop-pop!"