We are currently on spring break over here, so you know what that means. I’ve been sipping margaritas on the beach, getting a nice tan, and dancing on tables at the bars. LOL. Though there has been dancing, but it’s been in the driveway, in the rain. Dare I say I might just prefer this kind of wild spring break?
The girls and I took a quick trip down to Georgia on Tuesday to soak up some family time and get in some practice on Hailey’s driving skills. It’s never too early!
As to be expected, the girls had a blast. Nana and Papa John’s house is full of all kinds of magic through the eyes of these kids. It’s a place where board games abound,
rainbows appear after rainstorms,
and there is a constant third playmate who somehow maintains the same energy level as a 5 year old.
Our trip was a quick two days, but we squeezed a lot in. We took a short trip over to Watkinsville for lunch at the cute little Krimson Kafe, which didn’t really help me at all in teaching Hailey correct spelling.
However, it did serve a pretty delicious hummus and vegetable sandwich, so all was forgiven.
Since Watkinsville sits just outside of Athens (home to my alma matter, the Georgia Bulldogs), we made a quick pit stop on Milledge Ave to check out my old stompin’ grounds.
The girls and I managed to get inside the main house for a look around and I was flooded with nostalgia of chapter meetings, philanthropy events, and socials. I felt like I could blend right in (you know, minus the two young children I had with me) until I saw a few of the my sisters walk in and I realized I may not look quite as much like a college kid as I thought. I’m sure they would have still have carded me at Bourbon Street if I’d tried though.
LOL! Like they ever carded at Bourbon Street…
I digress.
From there we made a stop over at my Nannie’s house. She lives on some land in rural Georgia and it’s one of my favorite places to visit.
Fields, tractors, fig trees, and forests abound. It’s Disneyland for a curious and adventure-seeking child. We peeked in birds’ nests, explored old books in the attic, and helped dig up garlic.
As always, it reminded me of how much fun I had running around wild there when I was a child.
We stayed a little longer than planned because I couldn’t help but to poke through Nannie’s recipe box. Aren’t old family recipes just the best?
The girls and I returned yesterday, a short whirlwind visit, but I came back with a full heart that can only be achieved by having deep conversations with my Grandma Betty, watching Papa John tickle Hailey and Kaitlyn and sending them into a fit of giggles, and having 4 generations wandering Nannie’s farm together.
Now we are gearing up for a fun weekend of strawberry picking and birthday parties. Home sweet home!
Do you live close to family?
If not, how often do you get together?
I feel so fortunate to have my girls know their great grandmas. I hope to make another trip down to Georgia soon!
montessoriishmom says
Oh my goodness, that picture of the girls playing in the rain just captures childhood – Kaitlyn’s face is so sweet, such excitement! That sounds like a wonderful trip. We live about a three hour drive from my family and I am SO thankful for that. We used to live across the country and I’m very happy we could move back before having kids. Enjoy the rest of spring break!
Brittany Dixon says
We are about 4 hours away and wish it was closer, but you’re right, compared to across the country, it’s not bad at all! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
John J Stathas says
Love your visits. You bring such loving enthusiastic energy!
Heather says
What precious photos! I think it’s so amazing that the girls will have such fond memories of both their grandmothers and great-grandmothers. What a rare and amazing thing.
Have a great weekend Brittany!
JOHN J STATHAS says
Love your visits! You bring such a refreshing positive energy!
Natasha says
Love these kind of posts.
We are very fortunate to stay very close to both sides of grandparents, in laws are 10 minutes away and my parents 15 minutes. Our baby is going to be one very lucky child 😉
Kathy says
What a blast!! 🙂
Annie says
Oh gosh that looks like just the perfect time with family! My mom is on the west coast while we are here in Boston and my dad lives an hour away. Somehow we still don’t see him enough! Also, that hummus sandwhich! I need to go buy hummus and veggies RIGHT NOW!
Laura says
Sounds wonderful!! We don’t have any family in Colorado; that was by far the biggest sacrifice we had to make when we moved out here. We have an amazing quality of life out here but it can be very difficult to not have family nearby with little kids. Luckily my side of the family visits often and since my sister and her family are on the west coast we often all meet up together somewhere different for a combined vacation which works out really well! Vacationing with family has really helped fill the void of not having family nearby.
Jodie Flicek says
When you take your short trips with the girls is it usually when David is working a lot?
That sandwich looks so simple yet SO delicious.
I love recipe boxes. I fear how little we will have that has memory when we are older.
Brittany Dixon says
This week’s trip was instigated by our spring break and since David had to work, I just took the girls. With anything during the week, it’s usually just the girls and me 🙂
Erica says
I’ve been missing family a lot since having my kids! We’ve even considered relocating to be closer to family. Unfortunately, my husband’s family is in a pricey area (NJ and NYC) and my family is in a questionable climate (MN, burrr). We are lucky they will travel to see us as we are not crazy about trying the plane ride to MN or the 9 hour drive to NJ with a toddler and a baby! We also keep in touch by using FaceTime. Now that my toddler has met and knows his grandparents and aunts and uncles, he enjoys talking with them on FaceTime. Although the video calling is so great compared to just phone calls, it’s no substitute for in-person visits.
Alyssa Trobacher says
Oh I wish we lived close to our families!! I have the best memories of growing up with my cousins! We moved 18 hours away from our families when I was 8 weeks pregnant with our kiddo (now 2). We go down to visit about 5-6 time a year. It’s a looooong four days of driving for the 10 days we spend there, but I don’t care. I need my girl to know her aunts/uncles and most importantly, grandparents.
It looks like you had a wonderful time! 🙂
Sherry Stathas says
So love when you and the girls come to visit–and David too 😉 So much fun and activities poured into 48 hours! Thanks for sharing all the pictures.
Liza says
I was a kappa delta as well! At university of Rochester. Oh memories….
Jamie (Beggerly) Warren says
I remember that chapter room well!! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
It even made me miss Monday night dinners and giant bowls of iceberg lettuce with shredded carrots 🙂