Out in the Country - Part 1

Bonfire Prep.

Papa and his Tractor

My dad

Tyler and Dad - Photo by E

Driving

To Build a Fire

Tractor

E and Papa - Best Friends

Over Thanksgiving, we went to visit my parents out at The Farm. Looking back over the pictures, it was really a time of relaxation with my parents. Tyler and E helped my dad build a fire and played out in the yard. My mom and I cooked for Thanksgiving dinner. I really appreciate the setting of my parents' house lately. It's calm, quiet, and away from the city, a refuge from Charlotte and much needed every now and then.

Out in the Country - Part 2

Aren't we close to being done with Thanksgiving pictures? No.

Post Thanksgiving Breakfast

Noni's Kitchen

Love this face and this place

The shed

Look what we found!

Noni's House

Favorite Room

Where we got hitched!

Lift Off

Found Objects

We visited Tyler's grandmother, Noni, in Lamar last week after a lovely vegetable quiche Tyler's mom made. Every time we visit Lamar, it reminds me of my wedding day, when I walked down beneath the giant oak tree and vowed to love Tyler forever. Yes, this is mushy. Moving on.

This particular visit was much different than my wedding day. I took a long nap on Noni's couch (most certainly didn't happen during the wedding) and I made cookies with Noni. Tyler, E, and Tyler's dad shot off rockets. The rockets did resemble the fireworks from June 11, 2011, but they thankfully did not explode in the sky, but parachuted back down to safety. 

It was a great day of rest and relaxation in the country. We found Tyler and his brother's old go-kart in the shed. It needs some work, but we're crossing our fingers it will get fixed soon. Then we won't be able to stop E if we try.

Visiting the Homestead

Papa and Ethan

Opening up the 'works

A few years back, make that eight, my parents moved from the busy little town of Florence, SC into the country. I was able to live there for five of those years and really came to enjoy the massive expanse of land and beautiful sunsets. Since moving to Charlotte, visiting my parents at "The Farm" has become such a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. It's almost as if I have stepped out of my current reality into one where text messages, Facebook, and schedules cease to exist, much less  have extreme importance.

Childhood Remembered

Double-Fisting It!

We were privileged to visit last week while Ethan was spending time with my parents. In a belated celebration of the birth of 'Merica, we went down to the firework stand and bought all the half-priced and BOGO items we could find. Ethan especially loved the "sprinklers."I find it hilariously endearing to watch my father and Ethan interact. My dad couldn't stop cracking up that Ethan was so sure they were called sprinklers. Ethan was so insistent, constantly sighing when my dad didn't believe him and could not answer because he was chuckling.

I was pretty disappointed in the lack of strength in the fireworks. Ultimately it was all worth it because Ethan loved it. Tyler even let him light some of the fireworks himself (I can't believe how old he's getting)! He even mentioned earlier today how he wished he could have  lighted the one with 96 shots in it.

Being Careful with Sprinklers

July is getting busy. Looks like we won't be headed back there any time soon. Thankful for those moments.