Easter Vacation

Easter ... a time of new life and new beginnings... and how appropriate that our family, including the FANTASTIC FOUR, gathered to celebrate it together this year. Some time ago Audra and Brian had invited us (Gigi and Grandpa Rick) as well as Brian’s parents (Nana and Poppy) to join them on an Easter vacation to get to know the FANTASTIC FOUR. Brian found a 4 bedroom vacation home for rent in the Georgia mountains. It was a perfect place to be together, enjoy the great outdoors, and celebrate Easter together.
Grandpa and I drove to Audra’s on Friday and by 11:30am, we were on our way. T rode with us. I had prepared some Easter activity sheets for the ride up but T was feeling pretty sleepy so he slept most of his “hour” with us. We stopped for lunch at Sonic and what a funny time that was trying to get everyone’s order! Jackson, the family pet, was also with us so we “picnicked” out at the Sonic tables. I’ve never seen foot long chilli cheese dogs go down so quickly! You know, our kids were raised in Africa and we never really had access to foot long chilli cheese dogs! Ha!
Back in the car – D was riding with us this time. He eagerly did the activity sheets I had prepared and then we played the famous family ABC game trying to find words that started with the ABCs (in alphabetical order) from billboards! D caught on quickly and we had fun doing that. D slept a little, too, and before long it was time to pull over and trade seats with J. We had fun with him. By the time he did the activity sheets, we were rolling into the driveway of our weekend home.
Nana and Poppy had already arrived (they live closer) and were waiting for us on the front porch. Our weekend home was actually a two story place with a big front porch on the bottom and a screened in porch on the top. Everyone helped bring in the luggage and groceries. Nana and I had shopped at Sam’s, Costco, and Wal-Mart before coming so there was plenty of good food and healthy menus (per Audra’s request – not a lot of sweet desserts – sorry Poppy!)
Friday night Fiesta was on the table within the hour. Fiesta is a family favourite: chilli, rice, Fritos, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream (sort of like a Mexican build-up). It was a first for the FANTASTIC FOUR but it went over well and I suspect they will be having it at their house on a regular basis!
After supper we played a few hands of UNO before the boys got their baths and headed to bed. We all followed after a wonderful cup of coffee and some good conversation!
Saturday morning, everyone was up early. I was in charge of breakfast (muffins, scrambled eggs, and bacon). After breakfast all the “men” got ready for their big day. By 9:30 they were on their way to Turner Stadium in Atlanta to watch a pre game between the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Socks. Poppy and Brian (and Nana) are seasoned baseball fans but it was a first for Grandpa and the FANTASTIC FOUR. By all accounts, and from the stories the boys told us that night – they had a wonderful time. The boys stood in the outfield stands during batting practice. When the balls were hit into the stands, the balls are free for the “catching”. T and J both came away with balls but all three boys came away with brand new Atlanta Braves baseball caps (thanks, Poppy!) and a new love for the sport of baseball!
Meanwhile, back at “home” the girls and I relaxed, drank coffee, and just visited (and chased I around). We also put together the Easter buckets for the boys which included Bibles, puzzles, games, beef jerky (a favourite of the FANTASTIC FOUR) and Easter goodies. It was fun putting the buckets together. Jackson enjoyed the quiet as well. While I took a nap, Nana and Audra drove to the nearest town to pick up an ice cream cake to celebrate Brian’s birthday. When they came back we also managed to work in a movie (Julie and Julia) which we enjoyed immensely as well as being inspired to be better cooks!
Nana also put on the most wonderful steaks and baked potatoes for the evening meal. Our “men” came in tired and hungry. After supper we did manage to get in a few games of UNO before bedtime.
Sunday morning after breakfast, we all gathered in the living room to hear the Easter story. It was interesting to watch the FF start off in their chairs and slowly creep closer and closer to Brian as he read the Easter story. By the time he finished they were all within an arm’s reach. Although they knew a lot about the real meaning of Easter, they still had questions. We each got to share what Easter meant to us and it was a sweet moment for our new family!
Before lunch Brian wanted to try out his “child carrier” (and I was more than happy to sit up top) while we (Grandpa, the FF, Jackson and I) headed down the mountain for a hike. (I should have realized that what goes down also has to come up. Although I was one of the leaders going down I was certainly the last to drag up and my knees paid the price. I will have to get in better shape before the next mountain hike!
Lasagna was soon ready as well as some of the best rolls (Sister Schubert). We all ate a hearty lunch and afterwards, the Easter buckets were brought out. The boys loved their Bibles. It was neat because each Bible was different. Since we were having dinner with friends at their house, Audra called for a “quiet time” for the afternoon. The boys headed down to their room with Bibles in hand and it was neat to hear how they “investigated” their Bibles during this quiet hour.
Later on in the afternoon we all packed into the van and Poppy’s car and headed to the friends’ house for supper. It was a nice time there and we enjoyed watching the FF play together and relate to new friends.
Trying our best to keep everyone awake on the trip home was our goal. We managed it and even managed to work in a few games of UNO while boys were getting showers. Bibles in hand the boys headed off to bed. The adults made a pot of coffee, had some good conversation, and finally headed off to bed ourselves. What a great Easter day!
Monday morning – up getting packed up – getting cleaned up – gearing up to say goodbye. Grandpa and I were headed to New Orleans while the rest of the gang headed to Nana’s house. Audra texted later to say that they had made it but not without event. She, T, and I had gotten car sick on the windy roads and were literally GREEN. Even D was feeling ill. I’m sure they all headed to bed early tonight. As I mull over the day I was reminded of what a special family the Lord has allowed me to be a part of. What an adventure my life has already been and here we are headed into a MOST wonderful adventure with four incredibly special young men – men whose lives God wants to change and who He is using to change ours!