Trip to Savannah

Last weekend, David, Audrey, and I headed down to Savannah to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece.  Between the traffic and the lengthy lunch stop, it took us 5 1/2 hours to get there, so we were more than ready to get out of the van and see them!  Audrey and Annelise started playing together right away.  Audrey was in heaven having her cousin, all of her cousin's fun toys, and two cats to entertain her!  We unloaded the van and set up, then played for a couple of hours before heading to the fair.  We ate questionable food (a must at the fair) and walked around and saw all the sights and sounds before choosing just the right fishing game to spend the girls' college education money on (also a must).  They each won a prize - a stuffed animal - and then we watched the pig races before I walked them around the petting zoo.  We saw a turkey, a camel, sheep, and goats, and a tiger and monkeys behind cages.  They loved it!  We all shared a funnel cake before driving home to throw them in the bath together.  It was as cute as I imagined it would be, though I'll respect their privacy and not post pictures of it. :)  


After a good night's rest for all of us, we got up on Saturday and ate a delicious blueberry pancake and bacon breakfast my sister-in-law made us.  We got ready and went over to a local animal conservation center.  The weather was cool, which this pregnant momma much appreciated.  We walked through the beautiful paths in the woods and saw cougars, a fox, owls, bald eagles, and pretty marshland.  We stopped by the little barnyard area they have on the way out and saw chickens, a cow, rabbits, sheep, a pig, and a donkey.  It's hard to say what the girls enjoyed the most, but I personally thought the bald eagles were pretty cool.  While David and Brian went to get the van, the girls did some races and dancing together.  We went to a great mexican restaurant for lunch and stuffed ourselves before going back to the house and all crashing for naps.  When the girls woke up, we played outside and then went out for seafood at a tasty local spot.  We stopped by the grocery store on the way home and they got to ride in the cool car cart and each have a sugar cookie loaded with sprinkles.  We told Audrey that only grocery stores in Savannah offer those treats.  So far, she's bought it.  :)  After putting them to bed, we stayed up and watched a movie together like real adults who can keep their eyes open past 10pm.  I think it was the first movie I'd seen since July?!


On Sunday morning, we ate a yummy breakfast of biscuits, eggs, and bacon that my brother made (and realized we have got to do more breakfast cooking around our house!) and went to their church.  The girls went to Annelise's Sunday School class together and we got to hear a great message about idolatry. Or, as great of a message as it can be when you're getting convicted of all the idols in your life.  Guess that's one sign of a good message is that it opens your eyes or makes you think about something in a different light. 


After church, we went back to their house.  We took a few pictures of the girls in their beautiful dresses, ate a quick lunch, and loaded up the van.  We left around 1pm and it only took 4 1/2 hours to get home...a much faster, and therefore better, ride back!  (I won't point out that I didn't drive at all on the way down, but drove half way on the way back!  Truthfully, I think it was the lack of traffic and the shorter stop, but still...)


A week later, Audrey is still talking about the trip multiple times a day.  She misses her Aunt, Uncle, and cousin so much!  The girls really were adorable together and got along so well.  They are both extremely verbal that I think it was really fun for them to have someone else their size who talked their ear off.  It sure was precious to listen to!  Annelise's little phrases and sayings crack me up as much as Audrey's.  I loved watching them hold hands and pull each other around.  I'm not sure who wins the prize for being the bossiest, but they are both definitely exhibiting "emerging leadership skills" as I like to call it.  Annelise puts her hand on her hip a lot and I can't even tell you how cute it looks!


We had a wonderful time and so enjoyed our visit.  I do wish we lived closer, but I have a feeling those two are going to start chatting it up on the phone before too long.  Thanks to our sweet hosts, especially the littlest one, for having us and we can't wait to see y'all again!


Be sure to check out the Picasa gallery for photos from our trip if you haven't already done so!