**Warning: there are a lot of wonderful pictures**
A few weeks ago, we got to go to Waynesville, Ohio for a family reunion with Luke's extended family. We hadn't been to Ohio since Isaac was a newborn and we missed it. Aunt Marilyn throws a big cookout every summer and thanks to her amazing generosity, we were able to make the drive up there. I hate it but I didn't take nearly enough pictures. Mostly only of two events, but they were great events.
The trip was so great. It was relaxing and fun. It was filled with to-do's and nothing to do. I just love getting to spend time with Gammie, Aunt Marilyn, aunt Charlene and so many other family members that we never get to see. We just soak up every minute we get to spend with them.
We got to stay in a hotel which, if you ask Isaac about Ohio, the first thing he will tell you is that he got to sleep in a really cool bed in a hotel. I love that he's so easy to entertain. Just add a "COOL ISAAC!" to anything and he believes you that it's just that cool!
One of my personal favorite moments of the whole trip was going antique shopping with Gammie, just the two of us. I had seen some old aprons hanging outside of one the shops and was excited to go see them. It was so neat to have here there with me. She probably used all that stuff in her kitchen that are now being called antiques. She helped me pick out two great aprons.
There were two things that were on the top of Luke's things to do in Ohio. One was buy some Mehaffie's pies, and go to the barber shop with the boys. And surprisingly, those are the only pictures we got.
But first, a few historical things....
this little bird cage was so cute and so tempting to touch. It's been in Gammie's house for years. Luke says he remembers being disciplined for touching it when he was little, and now it's our kids that needed reminders.
Gammie chose us to have this amazing gift. It's a handmade, framed Mehaffie's pie box made by the gentleman who designed the box top so many years ago.What a precious gift!! Gammie's husband, Melvin, and his mom started the bakery in the 1930s.
It even had a pencil written message on the back that reads, "To one of the most wonderful ladies God ever created. -Jim" We are truly honored that Gammie chose to pass this on to us.
Here we are at the grocery store buying our pies. It's one of the few that sells them and the bakery was closed on Sunday. Sweet Gammie took our picture.
Did you know that Isaac and Simon are Gammie's 11th and 13th GREAT grandchildren?!? She's so amazing!!
It's so weird to see your last name on a grocery store label. And Gammie said that these pies used to be $.35. wow. We bought 3 to bring home.
We loved this day in Ohio because it was a whole day with Gammie!!
Next on Luke's list was getting the boys a haircut at the barber shop where Luke got his first haircut 30 years ago. Poor Isaac's hair was getting so long and in his eyes, but we were just waiting to get to Ohio. The same man still works there. Here's 2 year old Luke and Mr. Prickett.
And here's 3 year old Isaac and Mr Prickett, in the same chair, the exact same chair. As usual, by God's grace, Isaac was scared but brave.
He had this serious look on his face the whole time. And didn't move a muscle. He did such a good job, though, being still, and very obedient.
Grams and Grampa were also there. Mike went to middle school with Mr. Prickett and Sharon was getting a little emotional having flashbacks of when Luke was in that chair.
A little thank you and a hand shake for my brave boy.
Next was Simon and he was not so calm. He's more of a "scream on the outside" little boy (like his momma).
He was even lunging out of the chair. Whoa!
He finally calmed down. Mr. Prickett was so amazing and worked so amazingly fast! After all, he has been doing this for over 30 years!!
Then the clippers came out and Mr. Prickett had to call for reinforcements! poor sweet Simon.
All done. And a little handshake for him as well.
They both got lollipops but we only gave Isaac's his. And as you can see, Simon is wondering where his is :)
Oh my sweet boys. They each aged about a year with these haircuts. sad mami.
Waynesville is such a small little town. And we loved it. Here's a story that would never happen in Raleigh. At the barber shop, we saw a sweet little old man getting a haircut. The next morning at breakfast, we saw the same little sweet man at the restaurant then again a few hours later walking around downtown. We saw him again at church the following morning, and again at lunch!!! At this point I just wanted to go introduce myself to him. Well, as it turns out, he lives on Aunt Marilyn's street. What! AND Gammie knows him and his wife by name. I shouldn't have been surprised. But, it still made me feel all warm inside.
What an amazing little town, and what an amazing trip with family.
