Angus Barn Blowout

Last weekend, John, Jack and I traveled to NC for the Kincaid/Gardner/Ussery annual Angus Barn Trip. My Grandad ("Deda" pronounced DEE'-dah) treats us every year to a fun and yummy dinner at the Barn. It was so nice to see family, feel cold air against our skin, and enjoy a Christmas family tradition. We had this picture taken before we sat down to eat because we knew things could digress quickly having a 15 month old along. It's funny to think about the things we do to try and hold Jack's attention to smile during picture taking. You can tell that we gave up quickly for this photo as we settled for just getting him in the picture.



Look at Anna! Isn't she beautiful??? She entertained Jack for most of our mealtime. He loves his cousins!

Do you like Jack's Christmas pants? They're actually his pajama pants. You're probably thinking we were smart parents for changing Jack into his PJs before we hit the road back to Greensboro before bedtime. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong. Jack conveniently had a large malfunctioning diaper episode before our food even came to the table. #2, mind you. After 20 some years of Angus Barn trips, Jack was the first to family member to experience a portion of the evening being sprayed down fully naked in the bathroom. At least I think he was the first.....

If diaper explosions, raisins and light up toys aren't enough to distract Jack, it seems that a dry erase marker is! Lisa transformed the boys to men in a matter of seconds with their 'stashes.

This is a terrible shot of me trying to get a picture of Jack sucking his toe. It's a favorite travel pastime of his. Unfortunately I was a few seconds too late. Jack will always take off his right shoe and sock. Always the right one. Then he'll usually start sucking his toes. Disgusting, really. But funny. And one of those things that only a baby can pass off as cute and athletic. Look at the flexibility on that one! Future gymnast? I hope not. Place kicker? We'll see.

Asheville

John, Jack and I were on the road again...this time to the mountains in NC. We went to the Albert's mountain home outside of Asheville near Mars Hill, and it was so much fun! Thanks for inviting us, Alberts! The girls and Jack played well together, and we all got a small taste of REAL December weather. By real, I mean anything below 60. We had S'mores by the fire, John and Gerrit went hiking and the women n' kids held the fort down at the cabin. So great to relax in such a beautiful place!

On Sunday, the Alberts had to go home, so we took a daytrip into Asheville to the Biltmore! John and I had been before, but never at Christmastime. It was so beautiful and Christmasy and just what we needed to get us into the Christmas spirit. Surprisingly, Jack behaved very well and managed to take advantage of the activities for kids. He had his first memorable Santa experience, which went about as well as most kids Santa experiences go. He freaked. Cried for a few seconds and then spent the remainder of his lap time paralyzed in fear. The only things moving were his eyeballs. Jack also enjoyed the farm village there, where he saw a cow for the first time. He now moos when you say cow. They also had a horse named "Mike." Strange.

The above picture was taken outside of a barn where some people were playing banjos and other moutainy music. Jack did his best knee-bend dance while we were there. I think he's a fan of folk music.





Outside of the Biltmore, John took Jack for a recess period. John was so nice to let me tour the basement of the Biltmore while he took Jack for a run/walk. Here Jack is playing with his phone that he loves! Luckily this was one toy that he didn't throw into the fountain. We did leave the Biltmore one Lion King toy fewer than when we arrived.


Leslie took this picture on the deck of their mountain house. Hopefully I can get some copies of the pictures she took of the kids. SO CUTE in their mittens and hats. Although the best part was watching Jack frantically try to rip his hat off.




Funny shot of my wonderful hands-on husband changing Jack's diaper in the back of the car.

This was Jack's first pitstop when we got back home: his chair! Now he can finally watch his Mickey videos comfortably!

If Jack grows up to despise Walgreens, this is why. I went to have some pictures copied, but ended up taking a few more of my own.

Hope you're all doing well! Thanks for reading!