About a week ago, we returned from a road trip to Tennessee to celebrate JT and Mallory's graduation and wedding. This has already been a busy month of traveling, and we have more to come! We had track nationals in Bolivar, Missouri on May 5th & 6th, Mother's Day on May 9th, finished up school on May 13th (along with Mom's birthday), then left for Tennessee on May 14th. Whew!
For this trip to Tennessee, we had to take a different route than we would normally drive. The primary bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Memphis is currently closed due to a crack, so we drove to Tennessee by way of southern Missouri instead of through Arkansas this time. Time-wise it didn't take us much longer, but the roads are not as nice.
We left early Friday morning, and approximately one hour into the trip Brecklyn threw up. I'm so thankful that the kids are now at an age where they can feel things like this coming AND they can mostly hit a puke bag. She only got sick that one time, and I think it was because she was reading in the van. Mom texted me to ask how things were going, and I replied that we were right on schedule with a barfy kid. Sigh.
We decided to pack a lunch for our trip and eat in a park along the way. After doing that so much during our trip to Minnesota last summer, we discovered that it's so much nicer than stopping for fast food (that doesn't always settle well with everyone). It's cheaper, too! Around 11:30am, we stopped in a small town in Missouri, found a park, and quickly ate lunch.
Then, we let the kids get some energy out!
Brooke, Chris, Brecklyn
It was just before 5:00pm when we pulled into Jeremy and Shawna's driveway. We felt good about the travel time! Shawna had Mexican food prepared for dinner, and at about 5:30pm Mom and Dad arrived and we ate. Mom and Dad stayed at a local motel, while my family stayed at Jeremy and Shawna's house. Chris, the twins, and I stayed in JT's bedroom (he was staying with a friend), Brianna slept in Kaylee's bedroom with her, and Bren slept on the couch in the living room.
JT and Mallory both graduated with their bachelor's degrees on Saturday, so the next morning was busy with preparations for that. Due to COVID restrictions, each graduate was only allotted four tickets for guests to attend the graduation ceremony, so we didn't know if we'd be able to attend or not. However, Shawna was able to secure a few extra tickets for us (and it helped that she didn't need a ticket because she is faculty). Chris, the twins, and I sat in the balcony, but it worked out perfectly as the girls didn't have to be as still or quiet as they would have if we'd been sitting on the floor.
Chelle, Brooke, Brecklyn, Chris
One consequence of the extra tickets was that everyone was spread out throughout the auditorium. Brianna and Kaylee sat together,
while Mom, Dad, Bren, and Jeremy sat together.
Mallory's dad and Shawna's dad were also there and sat together.
After the graduation ceremony, we all headed over to Catfish Cabin for a late lunch. Brooke's shoes were rubbing blisters on her feet, so she thought Daddy needed to carry her.
We had quite the crew at Catfish Cabin to celebrate the graduates!
My kiddos always enjoy the Dalton kiddos when we're in town, and it's really nice for them to have someone to play with.
Micah Grace, Brianna, and Chara
Two sets of twins - Brecklyn, Chloe, Brooke, and Chara
Isaac and Bren - the boys who each have three sisters so they really enjoy one another!
Chelle and Kaylee
After the morning/early afternoon of festivities, we all went back to J & S's house for the evening. The kids played and played while the adults visited. Several of Mallory and JT's friends/wedding party came over, and it was fun to get to know them better!
JT and Brecklyn
Brooke and JT
As exciting as it was to celebrate the graduates, the best part of the festivities was still to come - the wedding! Stay tuned for my next post all about that!
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