Thank God Almighty...home at last!

Yesterday Dave and I returned from our 4 state, 1,500 mile road trip that included two weddings, 4 cities, and a trip to the inlaws house. We had a wonderful time, but in the hustle and go of trying to leave we forgot our camera. So instead of fun pictures to tell you about the trip...well, you're just going to have to do some old fashioned reading....

On June 29 we took off for Abilene, TX. I was in my 8th wedding since I entered college there for a sorority sister of mine. I had a great time and got to see tons of old friends. It was like a reunion. Plus, I really can wear this bridesmaids dress again. On July 3, we took off for Walnut Ridge, Arkansas to visit Dave's parents. Leaving at 5:30 in the morning put us in town just after lunch. Mary and Walter live on campus in "college city", home to many of the other faculty and staff. Walter teaches at Williams Baptist College, and the campus is on old military grounds, so there is still military housing standing. The college lets the teachers and staff members live there if they chose, and it is such a neat little community. Mary and Walter have about a 7 minute walk commute to work everyday. I love visiting there because of the slow paced life and the relaxed atmosphere. Upon our arrival there, Walter cooked us an amazing dinner in his Dutch Ovens. Porkchops, veggies and salad, plus homemade blackberry cobbler. It was fantastic. On July 4 we went to Jonesboro to visit family and had a huge brisket lunch. Afterwards, we did a little shopping in the mall ( I still had some bday money burning a hole in my pocket). Other fun activities while we were in Arkansas included picking wild blackberries that grew on campus, spending an afternoon picnicking, swimming and tubing down the rapids at the Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas, and eating at a restaurant that was made out of an old Southwest Jet plane. We also had some great time to spend visiting with the inlaws and eating Mary's wonderful cooking. On Friday, Dave and I left early again for Kansas City, MO for the rehearsal dinner of a wedding Dave would be in that Saturday. Mary and Walter drove up later that afternoon to attend the wedding as guests. On Saturday morning, the four of us went to the Kansas City Farmers Market. It was so wonderful! I have been to the famous Pikes Market in Seattle before, and this just as fun. I love seeing all the fresh fruits and veggies,flowers with buds as big as your head, and of course all the odds and ends you find. Dave and I bought some fresh bread and pastries from a baker, some gourmet flavored pasta, some pistachio nuts, and homemade salsa made right before our eyes. It was so much fun. The wedding was that night, and Dave looked just as dashing as ever in his tuxedo. On Sunday we left KC and drove to Fayetville, AR with the inlaws to do some sightseeing there. We hiked Devils Den on Monday afternoon. Devils Den is a beautiful state park with all kinds of caves and rock formations. Walter and Mary took some beautiful pictures which I will get from them and post too. It was breathtaking. Tuesday morning we made our drive home, and have been enjoying a little rest and recuperation from our vacation (hahaha). All in all, we had a wonderful time and have been truly blessed by Walter and Mary. They are great parents to us both, and we can't wait for our next visit.