The boys left for Alaska last Sunday and the rest of us drove down to Atlanta to spend our week with the Drakes. We miss these friends something fierce but it was so good to see them in a beautiful home, in a lovely neighborhood, near family, and with gorgeous mountains and streams seemingly in their backyard. It was a cooler week in Georgia but the kids still wanted to spend most of their time in water. Goofy geeko, slip and slide, and mountain streams were a definite highlight.
We went to Babyland General Hospital, home of the Cabbage Patch Kid, on Tuesday. The kids had fun but it was a long drive for a giant gift shop. Thankfully, it was a beautiful drive with a dear friend so no harm done. Things have changed a lot at Babyland in the past 20 years and it's no longer the fun hospital experience that Whitney had as a kid. They all got to pick out something from the gift store and then we had a picnic on the gorgeous lawn.
I would buy these two Cabbage Patch Kids.
Isa was really excited about the doll she picked out. The moment after I wrestled her doll out of the package and handed her to Isa, she made a face, handed her right back and said, "She smells weird." When I called Drew and told him about it he said, "That's ironic since that's exactly what you said about her when I handed her to you in the airport." Adoption is for keeps, Isa, no matter how weird you first smell.
Since we were in the mountains, we headed to a stream after lunch and the girls gathered shells and tromped around for awhile and the boys napped.
On Wednesday, we headed up Stone Mountain in a cable car. As we were waiting in line, Whitney noticed a sign that said, "NO pregnant women." She told me to suck in my stomach and we walked right on. Stone Mountain is the largest piece of granite in the world and is the Mt Rushmore of the South with the confederate generals carved into the side. I told the kids to pick a rock to stand on....I did not say, "Strike a pose on said rock."
The girls kept saying, "I feel like I'm on the moon!" There was a fence all the way around the top but you couldn't see the fence from most places. When the kids would start running towards the edge, my heart would stop. It looked like they were going to run right off a cliff even though I knew they couldn't.
After Stone Mountain, we found another beautiful spot with a little stream to picnic.
Salami mustache.
This was my favorite of our tour of streams. More sandy than rocky and super shallow everywhere.
Stella had awesome hair all week. Humidity is good to her.
They were quickly soaking wet and loving life.
We saw this sign while we were sitting there watching the kids soak. The water wasn't deep enough to swim so I feel okay about letting them lay in it.
One of Whitney's favorite things to do as a kid was come to this little spot and feed the ducks.
I looked to the right as my kids were throwing bread to them and saw this. After we broke every rule in the park, we headed for home.
On the way home from Stone Mountain, we stopped at a snow cone shop. I have never been to a snow cone shop in my life. They make their own syrup. Having never been a fan of snow cones, I just ordered the girls each one. Lucy didn't like hers so I said I would test it out. I have to admit, they tasted pretty amazing.
The Drakes had been in their house 2 nights when we arrived. Boxes, boxes everywhere. Every kid's dream.
Drew flew down on Thursday night and we met Jacob at his office on Friday. Wow. Chik-fil-a corporate offices are amazing. The grounds are beautiful with 2 miles of running trails. The free lunch was fantastic. If I had access to chick-fil-a milkshakes every day for lunch, I would turn into a cow. So proud of our dear friend and this awesome new job.
Our last day there we drove less than ten minutes to another beautiful park with woods, a stream and hiking trails. I must say I am jealous of how close they are to gorgeous outdoor fun.
Drake family, thanks for being amazing hosts even when our presence prevented you from taking the first week after your move to get settled. We have missed laughing with you and having chicken enchiladas with you. We look forward to many more visits to hike, break rules and laugh.
And as of this morning, the boys are back in town! They slept three hours last night on their red eye so naps are on the schedule today.
