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.

When Germans Visit...

We eat food

Jenny and I stand face to face...no Skyping required

Tyler and I wear cooler shirts than usual

We smile more often

Tyler wears his pants inside out...

 We have have Altbier!

Matt and Jenny look confused. Quelf.

The Billy Graham Library awaits

We eat delicious pastries from Amelie's

Nashville, Part 1 of ?

"Hey, do you guys want to go to Nashville?" Silence.   "ABSOLUTELY!"

LaCross Family

This is how the conversation went with Tyler's parents a few months ago when they said they were going to Nashville for a vacation. Oh and they wanted to take us, too! I'd never been to Nashville and had never spent a whole week with my in-laws (including my brother-in-law) so I was a bit nervous. People always tell you it's super hard to spend time with your in-laws for a whole week. Sometimes it's even hard to spend time with your own family for that long.

Ethan and Mrs. Pam - Cowboys Forever!

"A Cowboy is Born" -Pam LaCross, Photo by Tyler

But honestly, it was great. I definitely saw more differences between how our families function with schedules and traveling, but I learned not to expect Tyler's family to be like mine very quickly after we were engaged. Different isn't necessarily bad, it's just not what someone's used to or has grown around. So I tried to be happy out of my "comfort zone," and I was. I was happy. Nashville was great, and we had fun as a family.

Ethan, Jonathan, and Pam got cowboy hats while we were there. The cowboy hat has come in handy for any random Nerf fights Tyler or I have had with Ethan. It's also useful as a "helmet" while riding your horse, which I've had to explain isn't the legal standard in the state of NC. 

We went to the Grand Ole Opry and saw Rascal Flatts. Ethan didn't really enjoy the Grand Ole Opry experience until the last song. Who doesn't love the Car's theme, "Life is a Highway" (originally by Tom Cochrane)? Ethan loved it. It made the whole Opry experience worth it.

L to R: Pam, Randy, Jonathan, Tyler, Ethan, and Me at the Opry

What trip to Nashville would be complete without a trip to the Loveless Cafe? Famous for biscuits and fried chicken, this place was rockin' and had a long wait even at 1:45 p.m. Well worth it.  I love the history of this place! They got their start just handing out food to passing travelers back in the early 1950s. Back then, they used the front door of their home as their "order here" spot, and travelers only had one option: chicken and biscuits. Tyler bought me some biscuit mix at their store. I just need to buy some buttermilk and we'll be set. Everyone's invited over for a biscuit party!

No Words.

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.