A trip to North Carolina brings me down memory lane

What a week! My mom flew down to Georgia from Minnesota last week and we had an amazing time shopping along Roswell's Antique Ave and visiting the Chattahoochee River. My brother then joined us Friday and the three of us spent the day relaxing at the pool just like the olden days living on Dogwood Street! I really enjoyed their company and hosting them in Georgia! I felt very blessed this week with great family and lots of laughter. 

For the weekend we drove to North Carolina to visit with my aunts, cousin, uncle and grandparents. Despite the fact that we are all from the North- there are now a significant number of us living down in the South. I definitely understand why after spending more time here enjoying the weather, outdoors, scenery and hospitality. I just need the other half of my family to migrate.

My brother and me eating an edible fruit bouquet

We got to NC around 2pm after a scenic drive through the blue ridge mountains where we did some more relaxing in the pool and on Aunt Laura's picturesque wrap-around southern style porch (with rocking chairs and all!). 

We spent Sunday at my Grandparents. The morning began with Grandpa fixing his traditional egg breakfast for everyone followed by coffee and the Sunday paper (they are very routine!) After breakfast I did a run around the golf course while my brother and Grandpa did some work on my car (thanks again!). 

We were thinking of going to visit the famous sliding rock waterfall but due to the rain we stayed inside. I started pulling out old photo albums as my grandma told stories that absolutely entertain me but apparently put my brother and grandpa to sleep (literally they napped!) as we dug back to the early 1900s.

Dave and Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa

My Great Grandparents

My mom, grandma and aunts

The Sisters at Aunt Linda's wedding (LOVE their dresses and hats!)

My mom and Grandpa fishing

Me in the hand-me-down sister's dress

Some of the stories I vaguely remembered but I got them mixed up. I always thought I had an great great great aunt that was killed by geese on a farm in Ireland. That story made me terrified of geese all my life but apparently, the 5 year old girl caught fire while cooking, ran to the pond but couldn't jump in due to the geese and died. A little different than I remembered but I guess its better to be afraid of geese than the kitchen! I also heard for the first time of a relative that got gored to death by a bull! Take the running of the bulls in Spain off my bucket list! And, the best part was looking at pictures of my mom and her sisters when they were younger. I LOVED their clothes and wish they still had them so I could wear them or sell them on ModCloth (ps vote for my pic on modcloth FB). Instead, I nagged my mom all week to pick up sewing again since she used to be a very talented seamstress. 

To go with my retro theme..the apron I want mom to sew!

I also really enjoyed seeing pictures of my mom and dad in their younger married days. Despite the fact that they are no longer married, I still enjoy seeing the days when they were happily together. I took pictures of the pictures and then tried to edit some of them for keepsakes.

So, all in all, a great week filled with more amazing memories. Thank you mom and Dave for visiting me and to grandma and grandpa for hosting us! I was so impressed with your perfectly manicured flower garden, tomatoes, and lovely home. I can't believe you are both in your 80s (almost grandma). 

Grandma doesn't look 80!

Love, Krista

PS All of the old pics are pictures of pictures so they are not the best quality. Plus, they are from OLD cameras like the one on my blog!