Home to Hope Hull

Sam and I were able to make a trip to Hope Hull a couple of weekends ago.  I didn't have Ellie for a couple of weeks and Ty was on his Internal Medicine rotation (meaning the hospital owned him), so the timing was just right.  Well, not exactly right, because the weather was too warm for a fire.  One of my happiest places is at Mother and Daddy's house sitting in front of a nice warm fire.  Oh well, we plan to go back in a few weeks.  I will start praying now for low temperatures!

It was a relaxing several days, but we also managed to pack in lots of fun activities!

Blair had puppies, so with the help of Elizabeth we checked them out.

Sam had lots of fun chasing a click beetle and feeding him to his toy alligator.  Poor little bug didn't stand a chance.

On Monday we went to Aunt Iva Kate and uncle Tony's house for lunch.   My cousin Laura and her boys, Blayne & Brantley, were passing through so we got an extra bonus!  We had to get the three of them caught up on the wall.  Tony & Iva Kate have been recording people's heights on this wall for years.  It is especially neat to watch the kids inch their way up mark by mark!

Brantley was mesmerized by the process!

Sam was a bit more hesitant!

Just a sample of the wall.

After lunch Uncle Laslie offered to take us with him to feed the cows.  We decided to sit that one out!

Uncle Laslie tried to win him over, but Sam wasn't having it that day.

The next day we went to visit with Grandmother and Granddaddy.  Sam had lots of fun cleaning out their toy box!

Of course, we had to spend some time outside and thankfully the rain finally let up and gave us the chance.

Sam thought the puppy needed a walk,

but then quickly decided that he was done.  

...because there were fields to explore!

That is one handsome little boy!

What little person doesn't love a dandelion? 

Then Sam decided he needed to help Mother survey the new garden plot.

Which was followed by a walk through the tractor cemetery.

Paw Paw taught Sam how to validate a tree birth certificate.

Admiring the bounty and envisioning all of the wonderful fires that were now possible.

Looking for the moon.

Playing with Mommy, Aunt Everlie, and Aunt Tiffany's old legos.

We had a great time in Hope Hull with Mother and Paw Paw and all the rest of our wonderful family.  Daddy taught Bible class Sunday morning, which I always look forward to.  Mother fed us until we couldn't eat anymore.  I am pretty sure there is a special place in both Sam and Ty's hearts for Mother's kitchen.  Sam has learned to ask Mother for biscuits.  He managed to get biscuits and at least 4 of his other favorite things on this trip: fried okra, chicken legs, corn on the cob, and pie!