Before we left for our trip, Grandpa Cole came over to pick up Slider (what a great dog-sitter!). He also delivered Grandma Cole, who was making the first part of the trip with JT and me.
We left on Saturday, February 13th. JT, my mom, and I flew to Knoxville, Tennessee. Here JT is getting ready for some milk on take-off. He was very cozy in his own seat, in his car seat, with George and his blanket.
JT and I both took a nap on the long flight from Seattle to Atlanta. Thanks to Aunt Alice, I had a nice Alabama travel pillow. It fit great on the car seat. 🙂
JT’s car seat didn’t fit so well down the aisle of the smaller plane we took from Atlanta to Knoxville. Because it was such a short flight and we were the very last to board the plane, I made a quick decision and said JT could just sit in his seat. He got the hang of the seat belt right away… and then had to be sternly reminded not to keep unbuckling it during take-off.
After a two-hour or so drive from the Knoxville airport, we arrived at my brother’s house in Robbinsville, North Carolina. We had a late dinner and shared our pregnancy news. Here my mom and niece, Ali, are relaxing after a long day.
Robbinsville had some winter weather while we were there, and the kids’ school was cancelled for three straight days! What great timing. We played games and hung out by the warm fire inside and watched the snow fall.
JT was sooooo very happy that his cousin Preston shared his Nintendo DS.
By the second afternoon, we were ready to get outside. We took a walk to the church nearby and played “pool ball” and sat on the swings.
This picture shows the beautiful location of their home. The barn is on the lot next to them.
JT enjoyed the toys that my sister-in-law, Gena, had set out for him: child-size chairs, books, puzzles, legos, blocks, a wagon, and even a piano just like the one he has at home. Between the toys and three cousins, JT didn’t have a dull moment!
On our last full day, we took a long walk on the mile trail around the high school. We had to bundle up… but it was great to get outside. JT enjoyed shoulder rides from his cousins to make the walk a little easier. Here Madi and JT are getting ready to begin the walk.
In the car afterward… warming back up!
On Thursday, it was time to move on. Jeff, Gena, and Ali drove us the three hours to Atlanta to meet Jim (Madi and Preston were back in school). My mom flew home from Atlanta, and Jim picked us up in the rental mini-van. JT thought the van was pretty cool!
The Keene Family 