Our trip to Georgia

It's never fun hearing that someone you love won't be around long .... unfortunately our family knows this far too well. A couple of weeks ago my Dad called and told me that it wouldn't be long for my Grandpa (my last living grandparent), Dean made the decision that I probably would not have made, that we needed to go. I am the type that would rather remember someone as I knew them forever, not sick laying in a hospital bed (which my Grandpa is - as Hospice has been called in). None the less, I am VERY happy that my husband felt it was the right thing to do, we started checking online for tickets, Atlanta is never cheap to fly into - but we found some tickets and we booked our tickets. We were very thankful that Grandpa was still here to see us, and meet Sakura - his only Great Grandchild he hadn't met.

Sakura belted in and ready to take off - we left later in the day, so I was QUITE surprised that she lasted without a nap, and QUITE pleased that she was a PERFECT angel on the flight. We left Phoenix about 5:00 pm - and arrived in Atlanta about midnight after a nightmare on the jetway which delayed us over an hour. We could not have begged Sakura to be as good as she was for the entire flight. She slept about 2 hours, woke up and watched Lilo and Stitch. Since we got in so late and my Grandpa (and Dad) live about 2 hours from Atlanta, we opted for a hotel near the airport and just have Dad pick us up Sunday morning - which worked out perfect.

Sakura meeting her only Great Grandparent - we call him Great Papa, Sakura calls him "Big Papa" - not sure why, but that's what it is. He just lit up when we came into the room. Thankfully Sakura wasn't afraid of him, she even held his hand right away as you can see below.

Whenever I would ask Sakura about Big Papa, she would say "Big Papa night night" - he is tired.

We are lucky enough that both of my uncles live in Georgia, Uncle Joey actually lives with Big Papa, my Dad lives just down the walkway, and my Uncle Jeffy lives in Atlanta - I only have 2 cousins on my Dad's side, and luckily Crystal lives in Atlanta too - so we got to spend the day with everyone....it would have only been better if Sky (my other cousin) was there at the same time, unfortunately she is coming next week, so we barely missed them :o(

When we got to the cabin, Crystal, Breanna and Austin (her kids) were outside and had found a turtle - my FAVORITE thing when I was growing up and went to visit my own Great Grandma was hunting for turtles in the woods with my Uncle's - so when we got there and they showed me the turtle, I almost started to cry, Sakura was experiencing all of the things I experienced growing up. It was almost surreal. Sakura thought the turtle was pretty neat, and every trip back to Big Papa's she looked (or talked) about the big turtle and where did he go? She didn't quite get that he was a wild turtle and didn't live there.

Checking out the woods with Uncles, Aunts and Cousins - along with Papa and Gramma Janie, Mommy and Daddy too.

Uncle Joey and Austin

Uncle Joey, Austin, Auntie Linda and Sakura - not sure if Sakura thought she'd put that turtle in her pocket or what she was doing - probably like her Mommy, she wanted to keep it and take him home on the airplane with her!?

Not sure what everyone was looking at, maybe Austin putting the turtle out of harms way.

Hands in your pockets

I have to say that I'm pretty lucky - I cannot even describe how good everyone was with Sakura, they were all VERY excited to finally meet her - I have the BEST Uncles and Aunt alive, they all played with Sakura and she took right to them, which was really a BIG surprise to me, as I had warned Gramma Janie to let everyone know how Sakura's personality is and that she takes FOREVER to warm up to new people, but she was SOOOOO incredibly good, I was probably more proud of her this week than ever before.

Having lunch with cousin Austin

Taking a ride in Papa's Kabota with Papa and Daddy

After lunch, Sakura was SO tired, she wouldn't lay down though - but finally fell asleep on me and I got her down on the bed for a pretty short, but much needed nap. While Sakura napped, Breanna, Austin and Gramma Janie went down to the creek for awhile - Breanna and Austin made Sakura her own "crossing" with rocks. Thankfully even though Crystal and Greg were ready to head home, they let the kids take us down and show us "Peyton Crossing". Breanna and Austin are SO sweet with Sakura - she loves them!!!

Peyton Crossing by Breanna and Austin

Breanna and Sakura at the crossing

Adding more rocks

This one

"Wook Mommy ... rock"

Bubbles with Gramma Janie

It was late and time to go and check into our room - which I have to say I LOVED! Serenity in the Mountains was the perfect home away from home, it was big and gorgeous!

Daddy and Sakura settled right in ... couch, recliner and TV - these two don't need much more to be comfortable.

Nice kitchen ... bedroom and HUGE bathroom - complete with washer and dryer, it was SO nice coming home with all clean clothes :)