What a Whirlwind

Grandma and Grandpa suffered through Nathan's absence as we were in Tennessee for four days. Nathan and I drove up on Saturday. It was a combined visit with an assortment of people involved. I almost cancelled the trip an hour in due to Nathan's inability to fall asleep in the car. I listened to him whine for an hour before I almost lost it. I rolled the windows down hoping to drown out his whining, and that was the best thing I could have done. He put his blanket over his head to block the wind and fell asleep.

Our first stop was at my friend Amanda's house. She's always talked about how much she's not impressed with children. She doesn't want kids, she doesn't want to have anything to do with kids, etc. I thought she might freak out having a little boy running around her brand new house, but she was cool with it. I think she has a soft spot for Nathan because after we left she said she kind of missed having him around.
Nathan loved Amanda because she has lots of fans in her house.
And because she has two little dogs.
Nathan was guarding the light switches just in case anyone tried to sneak over to turn the fans off.
Nathan loves Mexican food so we went to Salsarita's. Amanda took this picture because she thought that piece of lettuce stuck in Nathan's nostril was funny. It would blow in and out as he breathed. If she thought that was funny, she should spend an entire day with him. Seriously, Amanda. You can take him anytime you want.
After Amanda saw how much Nathan loves Mexican food, she figured he would also love working in her landscaping.
Nathan's trip just kept getting better and better. We went to Amanda's parents' house for a quick visit. They were impressed with Nathan, but not nearly as impressed as Nathan was with their ceiling fans and dogs. He got to run around outside with their golden retrievers. Real golden retrievers, not the knock off kind like Hank.

Then we went to Eddie and Teresa's house and stayed for the remainder of the visit. It was Parker's second birthday so of course, he had a birthday extravaganza complete with a giant moonwalk. Nathan and Parker ran around and played together all weekend. We'll definitely be making another trip to Tennessee while we're in Georgia because Nathan and Parker really enjoyed each other's company (except for when Teresa held Nathan or when Parker tried hugging, kissing or holding hands with Nathan).
Nathan took advantage of all the room to run and play.

Nathan even had Parker's great grandmother carrying him around looking at fans.
Aside from all the hugs and kisses Parker gives out, Nathan really had fun playing with him.
Playing chase.
Parker is stealing the chips while Nathan is on the lookout.
Mission accomplished: Nathan is eating a chip.
More chase.
Parker wanted to hold hands, but Nathan wasn't so sure about the whole idea.
These videos are hilarious.

Nathan and Parker just hanging out.
I think it's probably best that Nathan and Parker don't get to hang out everyday because if they got the chance, I'm sure the two of them could find plenty of mischief to get into.


Nathan just might be a cowboy when he grows up.
Check out the video.

More chase.
He looks exactly like Steve in this picture.
So, what are you in here for?
Nathan couldn't resist the urge to play in the landscaping rocks.


Then he played a little b-ball.
Almost a slam dunk.
All this fun comes with a price. Eddie put Nathan to work.
Nathan is checking out Parker's new scooter.
Then on Monday, Nathan and Parker played together down at the barn.


Nathan with Parker's mom, Chelsea.
"Awww, boons."
Parker and Teresa waving hello.
Nathan loved this wheelbarrow so much. He played with it constantly. I looked at that wheelbarrow at Walmart over the summer, but I didn't get it for him. Now they don't have it anymore. Poor Nathan.




Parker is going to be a professional baseball player for sure.

Nathan and Parker running wild.

Then we sat by the fire in the outdoor kitchen and roasted marshmallows. Nathan shoved the whole marshmallow in his mouth.
Parker got a bubble blowing gun for his birthday so he and Nathan played in the "bubbas." Bubbles are one of Nathan's most favorite things in the world.
Nathan thought Cody was pretty cool.
Nathan settled right in like he was part of the family.


Nathan and Teresa.
Nathan and Teresa.....and Parker tugging on Nathan's leg as he says, "Put him down. Put him down."
Here is a surprising twist to our Tennessee visit. Oma and Opa were there, too! They just so happened to be visiting the Smoky Mountains at the same time as our trip to Tennessee. They came to Eddie and Teresa's house to play with Nathan. Oma and Opa can go back to Minnesota and tell everyone that I wasn't lying when I told them that the leaves change color down here, too!



I'm sure Cassie was more than happy to tell Nathan good-bye!
As you can see, we had a very busy and fun-filled trip. Nathan was so tired by the time we left that he fell asleep before we even made it out of Seymour. I was so tired by the time I made it back to Georgia that I handed Nathan off and said he was all Grandma and Grandpa's for the rest of the night. Of course, they grabbed him like they haven't seen him in a million years.