Heading Home

Today was a very nice day. We slept in, ran a few errands, cleaned out the truck and repacked, did some laundry and tried to shovel all our stuff out of Tam & Eric's house! We all sat down in the living room to visit, and before long..we were out! It's been a great week, full of fun, visiting, and really enjoying being together. It's going to be a hard day tomorrow as we head home.

We had supper, and then the adults went out to Best Buy and Walmart. Tam had to return a few things, and needed her big sister along :)! (Just kidding Tam...you did great!) and we needed a few things for the trip home. We then went to Applebees for dessert and some adult time.

The kids are packed and getting ready for bed. Not sure we will make midnight, but our plan is to head out when we are ready in the AM....by 10 at the latest. Please keep us in prayer as we make the long trek across the US...hopefully in 3 days. We have an extra day to take up any slop in the travels.

We appreciate our time here in GA with Tam & Eric, and their hospitality...its been a great visit! We appreciate your prayers for our safe travel.

Tuesday in GA--Westville Historical Village and Providence Canyon

Tuesday started off chilly, waking to 37 degrees. After having 60s, 70s and 80's it was hard to take!! It was nice & sunny, and we started off after determining if Bill was able to travel with a migraine or if we should hang at home. We let him sleep until 9am, and then he woke and said he felt better...so we headed out. Our first stop was Plains High School, which is now a National Park area in Jimmy Carter Land. I was amazed to see the stuff there, and the information on our previous president. He lives very modestly---still having a harvest gold refrigerator in their home!!!! They had a video there of a tour of their home...nothing fancy, no extravagent money....I was very impressed by that. We stopped by to have Kristin get her passport book stamped....she has managed 3 stamps this trip...amazing!! It's a souvenier she will have fun with! One other interesting thing...it was peanut harvest while we were there in Plains. While we didnt' see the actual harvest, we did see truck loads of peanuts going to the mill.

Our next stop was Westville Historical Village. It is in Lumkin GA and we had quite a time finding it. We passed a very interesting area of Lumpkin...very shady and depressed. Once we entered Westville, we found it to be very historical, very interesting, and we had a fun time in there learning, seeing the sites, and enjoying each other. For the most part, it was a small scale Greenfield Village, without the hub bub of Dearborn! While it didn't have famous people like Dbn, it did have many things that we are familiar with...Singer Brothers--one a machinst, the other a cobbler. There was also a huge cotton baler, and a gin mill, very interesting to learn the whole cotton process. We also had a very interesting visit to the wood shop, where "James" showed us the tools of the trade, and explained how he made furniture, brooms, and other period items. The gift shop contained many items made on site (quilts, furniture, candles, soap, etc.) as well as some other items...all very reasonably priced. One stop that we had to pay for...but worth every penny.

The next stop was Providence Canyon--a beautiful canyon. We hiked down in, decending 157 ft (according to the park it was 150 ft---but we trust Bills watch for the accurate figure of 157) to the canyon floor, and spent an hour wandering around. The amazing thing about this canyon, is that it was formed in the last 160 years. They have pictures of the first ruts starting in the 1800's when it was just a cotton field. Amazing. Makes you really wonder about how old the Grand Canyon really is.

We headed for home, stopping at Cracker Barrell for supper. This was my first trip in, and hopefully, will not be my last. They had wonderful food....the chicken and dumplings were incredible, and the gift shop even more fun!

It was a long day, but so much fun. Temps hit around 70..and was great for hiking the canyon. We have been so blessed with weather while here! These last 8 days together have been incredible. We've done so many fun things, enjoyed each other tremendously, the kids have had a great time, and it seems like we just arrived, and it's almost time to head home. Bill & Eric have laughed and it's been so good to hear.....Tam & I have laughed just listening to them laugh!! It's been great for Bill & I.

Some pics of the kids hanging out together tonight...and of the guys having a great laugh at a video on the computer.

Our plans tomorrow include packing, possibly going to the Indian Mounds in Macon, and enjoying one last day together before heading West.

Monday....Chehaw Wild Animal Park

Today started off later than we intended, as everyone was moving kind of slow. We left home at 10:30---and arrived at Chehaw (like heehaw, but cheehaw!) Animal Park around noon. We had a quick tour of the grounds which include a nice campground, a BMX track, a frisbee golf course, a nice visitor center, and of course the zoo.

We had some lunch, and headed into the zoo. It's a small zoo, but well laid out, and very pleasant to walk through. We enjoyed the alligators, and I think we counted about 20. The were enjoying the sunshine. We also saw various other animals, and enjoyed walking the wooded paths in the zoo. There were probably only 5 other cars there with us....it was great. Bill's kind of crowd!

We headed home afterward, popped a meatloaf in the oven, and finished some odds & ends, had supper, and then the 4 adults headed out to see Fireproof. Some of us appreciated it more than others. I think every married couple needs to see it.

Check back soon! We head to Lumpkin GA tomorrow to Providence Canyon and to Westville, which looks like a small Greenfield Village. We are looking forward to it!

Relaxing Sunday

Today began with church, and then shopping for Erica's birthday. She had $$ to spend to buy clothes.

Our first stop was Crowleys, and she got a great bang for her buck there. We hit the mall and of course Claires, where both girls were in heaven! Kristin actually spent some of her birthday money! For $21.00 she picked a pair of boots, a very nice earring set, some smell pretties, a very nice diary, and a zippered overnight cosmetic bag. She was so tickled that she got all that stuff, plus a $10.00 off coupon for her next visit!!!

After shopping, we headed home to homemade split pea soup, and fresh homemade bread. Afterward, the kids played WII and we had birthday cake for Erica, since she did not get an official cake on her birthday because we were on the coast.

We all headed to bed at a decent hour after much laundry, and some tidying up.

Stay tuned for the zoo visit!!

Saturday in Eastern Georgia

Today we headed out at 9AM, and made our heading EAST! Our goal today was Savannah GA and the coast. We hit the visitor center in Savannah at almost noon, and then walked the path suggested by "Earl" to see the city on foot, and then do the river walk. We had a great day and wonderful weather...topping out at 81 degrees!!!

We hit some of the river shops, toured a beautiful schooner, saw a great street entertainer, and then walked all over Savannah. It was so neat to see the civil war cemetary in town, and the old homes, the cool streets, the trees,and the cobblestone that still exists there. We also visited a beautiful Cathedral....with a beautiful manger scene set up, including the entire town of Bethlehem behind.

After Savannah...we headed to Ft. Pulaski...where we explored for about an hour. It was a great civil war fort with tons of history. It has been so great to explore this history that we've learned so much about these last few months.

Finally, we hit the beach. There was a beautiful light house there, as well as sandy beaches with shells! Kristin was in heaven! We had a fun time, and then headed out as it was getting dark.

Bennigans was the birthday girls choice. Being it was her 13th birthday...Bennigans put on a big sing for her....she was SO surprised and embarrassed when she realized it was for her!!!

Happy Birthday Erica....we love you!

We headed for home, arriving just around 10...kids to bed, and adults soon behind!

Tomorrow is church, birthday shopping for Erica and birthday cake, that we did not get to today! Thanks for sharing your birthday with us Erica!

Exploring Georgia

Today started off with breakfast, showers, and we headed out the door. We drove down country roads (the part of GA we are in is very much like our beautiful Oregon), and we passed peach orchards, pecan orchards, cotton fields, beautiful homes and other "interesting" homes!

Our destination was a variety of places, and our first stop was Andersonville Confederate Prison Camp (A confederate camp during the Civil War to hold Union POW's). It was very interesting, especially since we have been studying the Civil War. There was also a huge POW display in the visitors center for all POWs, not just Civil War POW's. I had a huge lump in my throat as I learned things I never knew, Ryan had to leave he was so overwhelmed with a mixture of sorrow, anger, confusion and frustration, and Bill spent a very long time going through the museum. Uncle Eric had been there before and knew a lot of information about POW's and Kristin had tons of questions. It really brought home the sacrifice of freedom. I think eveyone should have to visit this museum before they make any decisions on war and why we do what we do as a country.

Afterward, we headed out behind the visitor center to the actual grounds that the camp was on. It was very cool to walk where others had walked, and "be there". It brought home a lot of what we learned, and brought up new questions that we will investigate when we get home and resume our studies. We took the auto tour and all enjoyed the narration. As Tammy & I sat on the grass while the kids ran around, we marveled about the temperature--78 degrees the day after Christmas! We were loving it!

We then headed to Plains GA, home of our 39th President Jimmy Carter. While Plains is not much to speak of, they do have great peanut butter ice cream, and some pretty cool novelty shops....in town that is made up of about 7 store fronts....4 of them being antique stores.

After Plains, we headed to Jimmy Carters childhood home. It was a working farm, and although the house was closed for the holidays, we explored the grounds, and had a fun time learning, exploring, and seeing new things. We met a friendly kitty and a very happy peacock, who had a hen, and a turkey with him! We all picked cotton...I never would have believed that such a thing could turn into clothing!

We headed back home, stopping for dinner at a great mexican restaraunt, and getting home early enough for showers. Our plan is to get up early, and head to the coast tomorrow. Temps are supposed to be around 80 where we are headed...Yahoo!

Enjoy the pictures...stay tuned for tomorrow's adventures!

The Rest of Christmas

After a full morning, we tidied up, showered, and started on dinner. Eric's parents arrived around noon, and we visited while we finished up making dinner. We had ham, cream cheese potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potatoe peach bake, spinach salad, pink "stuff" and rolls. It was a great meal! Bill & Nick goofed around with Bill feeding Nick "pink stuff" (By the way Aunt Erma, it was great!), and of course the silliness that went along with that. (Yes in & on the nose!)

Afterward, the Jenkin's exchanged gifts...and we visited more. They headed out around 4pm, and the four adults sat on the couch, and before long, we were all napping! After some visiting...Eric presented Bill with a special Santa candle....we all had a great laugh, and decided just because it was melted in the attic, it was perfect for a special occasion. We have laughed harder these last few days than we have laughed in a long time. It has been so good to hear Bill laugh with Eric again!

Later, we read the 1st of the twelve days of Christmas and opened box #1. (Did you know that the 12 days of Christmas has a Christian background?) We then had birthday cake for Jesus....very cool. Three layers, green, red & black...(chocolate).....black represents the darkness present because we all have sinned, red represents the blood Jesus shed for our sins, and green represents new life in Christ when we trust Jesus as our savior. The frosting is white, representing purity and sinlessness of Jesus. The yellow start is to remember the bright star that shone at his birth. The red candy aroudn the top edge of the cake symbolizes brothers & sisters united in Christ circling the earth as his witnesses. The center white candle represents Christ who is the light of the world, and brought to bring us truth and light. From the white center candle, all present lit a candle and sang Happy Birthday....it was quite a thing for all to participate in, as each had a reading to participate in.

Of course we had cake, and then tried to shovel through the presents in the livingroom to clear up so that we had a clean house to get up to in the morning. Tam & I thought we spent a lot of today in the kitchen. We told the guys it was pizza tomorrow!

Enjoy the pictures...

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning

Happy Birthday Jesus!
Bill & I were awake at 6am, before the kids...but afraid to head downstairs because of waking the kids. We ventured down around 6:30 to find Eric up as well. The kids were told 7am, but Ryan ventured out around 6:50..and the alarm actually woke the girls at 7:00. Nick woke followed by Tam. The kids sat patiently, and they finally opened their stockings.

"OH MY GOODNESS!!"

Ryan & Kristin opened their big gift....you can see the surprise on their faces...they got a WII--with rules of course!

It was a great Christmas morning, and everyone was happy. Erica is in fashion, Nick is in Train heaven, Ryan is in PSP heaven, Kristin is in clothes heaven....and happy to have more memory for her music on her PSP.

Bill had so much fun with the marble thing..that he too, had a toy to open. Tam is busy in the kitchen making the Jesus cake and putting the ham in....Bill is unwrapping music CD's and movies, Eric is setting up Erica's dancing game, and here I sit...sharing our morning with you.

Time to sign off, get the living room cleaned up and help in the kitchen, as Eric's folks wil be here for Christmas dinner. Maybe more tonight?

Merry Christmas from Georgia!