MegaTrip: Fun with the Cooks

Part Eight in a series chronicling our first big family road trip. 

As much a treat as the mountains were, the real draw was the family who had gathered there. We were able to see my parents (Pappy and Gigi), my grandmother (Grandma Lynda), my cousin Rachel and her husband Drew, my cousin April, my Aunt Faye and Uncle Jerry, my sister Jacki, her husband Mike, and our nephew Eli. 

Pappy leading Sarah down a path in Cade's Cove

I got to preside over the renewal of Jacki and Mike's vows

Jacki, baby Eli, and Mike

My parents with their children and grandchildren

A gathering of home beer brewers, for sharing purposes. Pappy brought his newest creation.

Pappy and his boys

At a stop along the road. Emily, Josiah, Sarah, Me, Pappy, and Gigi.

Pappy, Gigi, and the grandkids

Our nephew Eli

Buds

Beach Night with Family

At this first beach night of the summer there was a chowder contest, baptisms, friends, and lots children playing everywhere. It was great fun!

She nearly buried herself before we took her down to the water

Jacki and Baby Eli

Baptism!

Sarah absolutely loves the water these days. We can't get her out.

Josiah sleeping on the beach

Trip to Florida

Well, life has finally calmed down enough to tell you a little about our trip to Florida, in which we got to see so much of the Cook side of the family!

It all started the Sunday evening after Thanksgiving, in which we rode up to Boston and spent the night in a hotel. Although we (especially Emily!) love staying in hotels, this was really so we could avoid driving up from the Cape to catch our 6:00 a.m. flight. By 4:20 the next morning, we were out the hotel door and on our way to the airport.

Wrap a couch cushion in a baby blanket, stick it between the hotel bed and the wall, and what do you get?
A toddler bed!

The sun rising over our beautiful Cape Cod

After landing, we spent the afternoon and evening with our family, having lunch at Chick-Fil-A and a dinner of my Mom's hamburgers. The next day, we took a trip to the Regional History Museum so Emily could be briefed and I get a refresher on Florida history.

A little playing in the car while we waited on Auntie J.

I was NOT going to let this stone alligator eat my wife!

Sarah picking oranges with Grandma Vicky. I think I was up in the tree at this point.

Wednesday was a real treat, as we went to Dunnellon to see my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Faye. We all took a trip together to Rainbow Springs, a beautiful part of what I call "the real Florida."

Rainbow Springs

Somewhere it turns from Rainbow Springs into the Rainbow River

On the way home, Sarah got to meet Molly and Amanda.

The rest of the week had some great plans attached to it, but instead the strangest thing happened. By Thursday morning, Jacki and Sarah were the only people who hadn't come down with a stomach bug! So we all spent a day or two at home in recovery- fortunately it was a quick one. By Friday evening, everyone was well again and a dozen or so of us had a nice dinner together before we flew back home.

Panorama of sunrise on Lake Louisa

Sunrise the next day

Playtime!

Reading with Great Grandma B.

It was a great and refreshing trip. Although we were sad to miss out on a few days of fun, especially on seeing our good friends the Kerrs, I think the easy rest of a sick day may have been just what we needed.


Epilogue: you may be thinking, "it's a good thing Sarah didn't get sick." And you would be right . . . if. As it turns out, she only managed to fight it off until the day we flew home. I don't suppose the details are internet-appropriate, but let's just say that plane ride involved several outfit changes and ended with a diaper-only baby and some stewardesses I feel very sorry for.

Sometimes, rather than just giving us patience, the Lord teaches us patience.

Mike and Jacki's Visit

Sarah got a great little birthday present this year: a visit from Auntie J and Uncle Mike! They came to town right on her birthday, just in time for her party, as part of their New England vacation.

They took most of the pictures you've seen from Sarah's birthday party, and together we had quite a lot of fun on the Cape. They were also kind enough to watch Sarah for a day while I took Emily off for a birthday trip (which we'll talk about later). About the only other thing we photographed, though, was a nice trip to Long Beach for desserts one night, which you can see here. 

My current favorite picture of my girls

Jacki did the processing on this one

Thanks for coming, and being part of our lives up here on the beautiful Cape!

Village Day / Sarah's Birthday

Sarah's birthday was an action packed one- and this year Osterville even recognized it as a village holiday! They never actually admitted that it had anything to do with her birthday, but this year Sarah turned one on the biggest day of the Osterville year: Village Day.

The church likes to make Village Day into a big outreach event, so we spent the morning administrating the volunteers who handed out hot dogs, snow cones, drinks, balloons, and popcorn to the 1,200 people who walked through the church parking lot. We also did crafts and played games with the many children. There was even a dunk tank. And just after 12 noon, we all sang "Happy Birthday" to our little one!

Our Head Deaconess hands out balloons to children as they enter.

A band playing outside a shop across the street.

The Fire Department hoisting a flag over downtown.

Worn out.

We tied a lot of balloons that day.

Things didn't end there: we went home and put the final touches on Sarah's 1st Birthday BBQ. We had a few families over for burgers and hot dogs, fun fellowship, and lots of cake. Look to facebook for even more party pictures!

Sarah and Lexi playing

Emily made cake pops

And a great collection of cupcakes

She wasn't sure what to do with it . . .

...but eventually she got it, and loved it

Family Visit

Last week we had the joy of hosting Dave's mom and sister, Vicky Cook and Jacki Wolfe. Sarah had a great time being loved on, read to, and sewn for. While they were in town we got to explore some new and exciting places.

• Chatham: Explored a gallery, candy shop, maps store, and warm pizza parlor. The evening was topped off with homemade lobster mac and cheese. Mmmmm! Thanks for the new recipe, Jacki!
• Hyannis: Visited a large quilt shop, saw the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory, enjoyed afternoon tea at Common Ground Cafe (coffee shop built like a tree...you will have to visit to understand!), and wandered Main Street, including another candy shop and the local library.
• Sandwich: Saw the glass museum. It included a neat glass blowing demonstration and video on the history of Sandwich. Had tea at Beth's Cafe before heading to the airport.
• Dedham: Went to the local L.L. Bean store and explored the shopping center. It snowed this day!
  
• Beaches: Walked Dowses in Osterville and Sandy Neck in Sandwich.
• Eateries: Not Your Average Joe's in Hyannis and Wimpy's in Osterville.
  

Everyone at Not Your Average Joe's

Just being cute in one of the outfits Grandma Vicky sent north

Trying on her new spring dress

Displaying her new hat- can't help but smile at Daddy

Trying on Auntie J's shades at the beach

Ladies at Sandy Neck- it was a sand beach, but notice the many rocks

Ladies at Dowses beach

Sarah loves it when Auntie J carries her in the front pack!