3 reunions and a concert

July found us on the road every weekend!  The only reason we attempted such craziness was the opportunity to spend rare time with people we love. 

At the beginning of the month, we took a spontaneous day trip to Charlotte for a concert and a reunion with old friends.  When we heard that one of our favorite kids musicians was going to be in town at the same time the Breedloves were passing through on their way to Virginia, we didn’t hesitate to hit the road.  The bonus was also spending time with friends who moved from Asheville to Charlotte a few years ago.  It was a whirlwind, but we all made the most of every minute (well, except for Caleb, who stayed back with my parents).

 

 

 

 

Sam, Ryan, Steven, and Miles
Such sweet buddies – Sam and Ryan are catching up on the number of lost teeth!

 

The Robinsons kindly invited us all back to their house for pizza after the concert.
Abby was thrilled that there were enough girls present to fill a table!
Abby, Finn, Gracie, and Eliza

 

 

 

On the way to the beach one week later, we stopped in Columbia to visit my cousin Michelle.  She always provides us with a wonderful mid-trip break and yummy lunch.  However, we missed our stop last summer due to a stomach virus going through our family.  And then a rainy fall preempted their annual orchard trip up our way.  We couldn’t believe it had been two full years!  That is far too long!

Emily and Katherine (or vice versa?), Ryan, Jackson, Abby, Rivers, Caleb, and Miles

 

 

The last weekend of July found Ryan, Miles, and me driving nine hours roundtrip in one day to visit Varnville, SC for probably the last time.  This is the town where my mom and her six siblings grew up, and they are now selling the family home.  Her older sister’s 70th birthday was the perfect excuse to get the family back together again for a final reunion in the old home.

We always drove to my Granny and Granddaddy’s house the day after Christmas, as did the majority of my aunts and uncles and cousins.  The house was packed with well over 40 people each year, and I have many fond memories of the time spent playing with my cousins while the adults talked (and, let’s be honest, argued!) over barbeque and pound cake.

This time, there were no arguments (that I know of), but there was plenty of barbeque and cake!  There were over 50 people that made the trip from NC, SC, GA, and FL!  I was so happy to see my own boys racing down the long hallway, climbing trees in the yard (despite the 102 degree heat), and getting along beautifully with their many second cousins.

 

Siblings + spouses (All 7 siblings were in attendance, but one spouse was absent.)

 

Cousins (I believe 7 cousins were absent.)

 

Second Cousins (I think 8 were absent.  This generation will grow quite a bit over the next ten years as many of my cousins have yet to start their families!)

 

Lots of laughing, catching up, and playmates for the kiddos!  It was worth every mile!