Over the river and through the woods

Frances, George and I ventured just that path (plus down the highways, across the railroad tracks, and into the mountains) to visit Nana and Pop this past week in Lynchburg.  My sister and her family and my brother’s wife and son were all congregating there during the latter part of the spring break week and we were invited to join them.

Frances and George absolutely love their cousins – all of them – and I am always surprised by their seeming innate love for the youngest family members.  Good or bad, Frances is very shy even to close family and I am afraid it comes across as stand-off-ish (plus, it embarrasses her equally shy mother who has no idea how to deal with it – you’d think I of all people would know how to break her out of her shell?).  But since returning on Saturday, they have not stopped talking about Henry, James and Andy (or “Ah-me” per George).

Visiting my parents’ house is not nearly the same experience as it was pre-children.  During college, law school and early married life, Lynchburg was the most restful place I knew.  My parents have the cleanest and coldest house I have ever entered; they always have prepared food waiting in the refrigerator and a stocked pantry; and to this day, Lynchburg is my absolute favorite place to run.  When I visited Lynchburg, I knew I could (or would be forced to) wear my sweats in the house regardless of the season, would be well fed, would fall into a deep hibernation-like sleep at night, and could run to my heart’s content the next morning.  Since Frances and George have entered the picture, none of this has happened (except for the freezing house part – my parents still have the coldest home in the Free World).  Somehow, I always think that visiting Lynchburg will transport me back to those carefree days.  Truthfully, it never does (as anyone with children will tell you, relocating them to another home is much harder than just staying put; even if it is with Nana and Pop).  But this visit was the easiest one since having George eighteen months ago.  I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that I had no less than five additional pair of parental hands to help me out at all times; and endless play dates with the cousins.

We had lots of fun!

All around the house

Enjoying the nice weather while we could (before the cold, rainy weather hit)

Something must have been in the water because around 4:00 pm on Friday afternoon, all of the adults in the house simultaneously (and thankfully temporarily) lost their collective minds.  The result?  Wig Party 2011.

Yes, this all took place before the 5:00 pm happy hour.

We were also lucky enough to be there to celebrate my parents’ 27^th wedding anniversary (married on Easter Sunday, April 22, 1984).

The happy couple (and Mother with her incredible anniversary necklace from Frank)

Thank you to the wonderful Nana and Pop for hosting such an enormous motley crew!