Yeah, butcha know...

Tim and I returned last night from our 5-day vacation in Northern VA. We had a fabulous trip spending time with family and friends!! Here's a super long recap...

Thursday: We landed at Dulles around noon on Thursday and were greeted by Steve. He drove us back to Leesburg where Karin and Ian were waiting for us. I have never seen Ian SO excited! He started yelling "Bud, Jill!" and he couldn't decide who to run up to and hug first. We got huge bear hugs from him that I'll never forget. We spent that afternoon and evening relaxing with the family. Tim and I volunteered to take Ian home and put him to bed while we waited for Matt to get off work at 10. Ian was so cute in his big boy Wiggles bed! We read him two stories and he quickly fell asleep.

Friday: Tim and I slept in and then spent the day lounging around the house with Ian. He quickly wore us out with his many "Why?" questions that only little children can do. My favorite new phrase of his that he says a lot (and I plan to incorporate into my own conversations!) is, "Yeah, butcha know..." So cute coming from a four-year old! The weather during our trip was perfect (highs in the low to mid-80s and lows in the 60s) so we spent a lot of time soaking up the sun on the back patio. That night Steve cooked fajitas and Tim, Karin, Val and I played Spades. It was a close game, but Tim and I lost.

Saturday: Tim, Matt, and Steve took Ian to the pool while Karin spoiled me by taking me to get a pedicure. I haven't had one in so long and I keep looking at my pretty toes :). Val had lunch plans, so she wasn't able to join us. That night we had about 12 of our friends over. Ian served as the entertainment for a while until Matt took him home. When it was just us and Hannah, Ian would draw something on his Etch-a-Sketch and ask each of us what it was. No matter what, he always went with Tim's guess. Tim even guessed "a man falling out of a plane and landing in a shallow ocean" and "squiggly lines" and Ian would say, "Yes!" Very funny! A few people played pinochle, while the rest of sat on the back patio visiting. It was SO wonderful to see everyone and catch up! Unfortunately, not everyone was able to make it and we really missed having Brent, Kelli, JR, and Daisha there!

Sunday: Sunday was an awesome day! We went to second service at Fairfax and Tim and I were able to jump in and sing with the praise team (along with Karin and Val who were already singing). I loved it! Travis did a great job leading singing and Bruce had a wonderful sermon, of course. After singing and right before the sermon, the whole family was able to sit together on a pew. Ian was so excited that the whole family was together. After church and during the greeting was a madhouse because I was trying to see so many people...Bruce, Jeanette, Chastity, Mindy and Cade, Ramona and Reuben, Jacque and Mike, Jena, the Padens, and the list goes on and on! I think we were some of the last people in the building because we were talking to so many people! I actually got to hold 11-day old Reuben Henry Hinckley!! This was such a highlight! I fell in love with that little bundle of joy and felt so special because Ramona said I was the first person at church to hold him (she made an exception since I was visiting)! He still had that precious little baby fuzz on his forehead. I can't wait to have one of my own! After church we went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch. Ironic isn't it? We actually have only eaten there once in Texas! Val's boyfriend John joined us and it was great to finally meet him. That afternoon Matt, Val, Tim, and I went bowling and had a great time. I am a very inconsistent bowler, but had a bit of good luck on the first game and actually beat Tim! I have to rub this in since he beats me at EVERYTHING! Then we went to Coldstone Creamery for a little ice cream. We spent the evening relaxing with the family again.

Monday: Tim and Matt left super early to make their tee time at the golf course. Ian typically sleeps until 9 when he's at his dad's house, but since he was at grandma and papa's, he woke up at 6:50!! Thankfully, Matt put him back to bed, but by 7:30 he was up again and outside my door. I was exhausted, so I tried to talk him into laying down with me, but he just sat up in the bed. Finally, I told him t go play in his room for a while. Within about 15 minutes or so, he was back saying, "Jill, I'm REEEAALLLYYY hungry!" I gave in and we went downstairs to have some breakfast together. It was the first day of VBS, so Val took him on her way to work and I picked him up at noon. We then went to meet Tim and Matt at Red Robin. Ian was falling asleep while he was eating...so cute! Tim said, "Hey Ian, I'm ready to take a nap," and with Ian's eyes mostly closed he said, "I'm not." Within minutes he was asleep and Tim carried him to the car. We took him back to the house and he slept for over two hours. Tim and I had to leave around 5 to drive to the airport, so we woke Ian up so we could spend some time with him. He was so sad for us to leave that he was about to cry. It just broke my heart. He said, "Jill, will you help me pack my suitcase so I can be ready to come visit you in Texas?" We gave him lots of hugs and kisses and told him we would talk to him very soon. I just love that boy!! I hope I can love my own kids as much as I love him :).

I have just a few quick airport stories to share with you. I met Chris Bedard's brother, Tony, at VBS when I was chatting with Mindy and adoring her precious new baby, Cade. Well, when Tim and I were waiting at our gate, I saw someone that looked like him and sure enough it was and he was on our flight. Tim and I visited with him while we waited and come to find out, we know several of the same people. I subbed with a teacher who volunteers with her husband and Tony through Young Life. Tony was in their wedding and I've actually looked at her wedding pictures before. In addition to that, he knows my friend Kristi (who teaches with the other teacher) and Kristi is dating Tony's roommate. What a small world! I will spare you the details of the other story, but will tell you that we had to make an emergency medical landing in Memphis for a sick 7-year old girl who was on our flight. That's something that (thankfully) doesn't happen often, but like Tim said, there's always something crazy that happens when you fly with me!

It is great to be home, but it was sure was wonderful to see everyone! We miss you all so much and look forward to the next time we can be together!