georgia

Happy Mother's Day . . . to me.  My mother's day present this year from Barbie was a plane ticket to Marietta, Georgia (where Jim & family live).  Actually the ticket was from Des Monies to Atlanta, GA.  I haven't flown in years so this was a new adventure for me.  I got lucky was pre-checked for boarding.  Barb sent me on my way and I met her after she got through her check-in process.  Yeah . . . I didn't have to open my bags or take off my shoes!!!  And got lucky coming home too . . . got pre-check again.  The flight was a bit late (about 40 minutes) leaving Des Moines but other than that uneventful.  The gentleman sitting in front of us was a bit restless but we all survived and got there.  Can't say riding the train at the Atlanta airport was real fun but I survived that too.  We rushed to get onto the train and barely got in before the doors closed, I certainly wasn't ready for the train to take off at 60 mph in 0 seconds (I don't think it's that fast, but it's FAST)!  I didn't have time to grab a pole or a strap and if it hadn't been for this nice gentleman I'm sure I would have ended up on the floor (that would have been embarrassing) to me as well as Barb.  She would have had to help get me up!!!  I do have a bruise on my upper arm and I'm pretty sure it's where he grabbed me so I wouldn't fall down!  But I thank him for that!!  Jim was waiting and it didn't take long to find the car and head to Marietta.  Oh, did I mention that it was really warm!  So different than what we've had here in Iowa for our spring! 

I slept in on Friday morning and when I woke up I could hear Barb and Oliver talking in another room.  Checked it out and they were in Charlotte's room playing with some toys.  Spent some time in there getting to know my grandson again.  Jim was at work, Mandy was taking Charlotte to pre-school and doing some garage sale shopping.  We had an enjoyable morning together.

Saturday we decided to leave the city and head out for a gold mine in a small mining town north of Atlanta.  For the life of me I can't remember the name of the town, but that's where we went!  We found our destination and stopped at the visitor's center for more information.  Took a quick trip around the square, stopped in some cute shops.  Charlotte found a bunny (Carrot) she didn't want to live without and Oliver found an airplane.  Both were happy so we continued on. 

We went to a gold mine and took a tour.  It was deep and cold!  But interesting.  We all had intended to tour the mine but Oliver got a little scared and Mandy and Jim decided that he and Mandy would back out of this adventure and wait topside for the rest of us.  They weren't the only ones, one of the other participants decided not to go either.  It was a very interesting tour.  We had been talking to Charlotte about the mine and the 7 Dwarfs (as in Snow White and . . . ) and when we were talking about this a big person (in blue denim overalls and a hardhat passed by and commented on wait until you hear what my name is).  Made you wonder what he was talking about!!!  Turned out his name was "Doc."  There were a few (quite a few) steps to go down into the mine, some slippery ramps but I had made up my mind I was going to do this.  I was a little slower than some but made it down there and out of there without too many problems!  Proud of myself.  One of the things you could do along with the mine tour was pan for gold at the end of the trip!  So we all panned for gold.  I think Oliver enjoyed that a lot as he got to play in the water.  Charlotte did quite good and found a small amount of gold in her pan.  Can't say I did very good with that but . . . it was fun watching the kids!  We also were invited to 'pan' for gems.  When you got your ticket for the mine you could also purchase tickets to pan for the gold and also the gem stones. What a fun time.  I think Mandy had as much fun as the little people.  Jim helped Oliver, Barb and Charlotte worked together (each had their own bucket) and Mandy had a ball looking for gold pieces and gems.  The gems were semi-precious and the more money you spent on your bucket the more precious the gems became.  Barb had a $15 bucket as did Oliver and Mandy and Charlotte had $10 buckets.  You should have seen their faces when they washed the sand away and found the gems.  Some of them were really pretty and could be made into jewelery if you wanted.  The gem person didn't work on Saturdays so we just took our bags home with us!  By this time we were all getting hungry and found this little road-side joint (can't think of a better word for it) that sold produce (great looking tomatoes and watermelons) and BBQ.  That was a fun meal.  I had a BBQ pulled pork sandwich.  It was huge and Jim was able to help me finish it off.  Great place to eat.  Mandy also purchased some tomatoes (and they tasted great) and a watermelon.  Everybody was getting tired by this time so we headed back home.  After some time resting (napping for the children) Jim & Mandy told me the rules they forgot when I first got there.  When you visit my Georgia Family you get to babysit one night so they can go out on a date!!!  So Barb and I babysat.  Barb's a better babysitter than I am.  Charlotte and I get along great but Oliver isn't quite sure he likes me or not.  Sometimes I'm okay and sometimes I'm NO!!  Whatever it was fun.  Jim ordered a pizza for us so we had pizza and watched some movies.  I finally got to see Frozen.  I have the movie but just haven't had time to play it.  Good movie!!  Enjoyed the evening.  Oliver went to bed easy but Charlotte had decided to stay up until Mommy and Daddy got home.  While Barbie was putting Oliver down for the night Charlotte and I visited a bit and then she decided to take a short nap on the floor until her parents got home.  Jim put her to bed when they got home and we spent the end of the evening having a nice visit.

Mother's Day . . . slept in again!  I could get used to this!!!  Went downstairs to the little one watching Paw Patrol (they love that show).  Got Mother's Day cards from my kids.  Had already got my gift from Barb and Jim (bless him) gave me some gift certificates to Amazon toward a new tablet or Kindle.  Wow!  what a nice gift.  Thanks Jimmy! 

On the agenda was going out for brunch (Charlotte explained what that meant).  The place they really wanted to take us was full for the day so we went to mid-town Atlanta to a place that Jim & Mandy had been to previously.  We made reservations while driving there and decided on valet parking and arrived.  What a nice place to eat.  We ate outside under the trees and sunlight!  It was a great Mother's Day lunch!  Jim really wanted to go to Six Flags so off we went on another adventure.  Of course the park was very full but they have a season pass so into the park we went.  Walked forever (my verb age) and finally got to the entrance gate.  We headed for one of the groups of kids rides.  They had a great time.  Rode the airplanes, the pirate ship, the big trucks (along with Barb) and then headed for one of the smaller roller coasters.  Oliver wasn't tall enough so he and Mandy headed for a smaller ride for him.  It was extremely hot and humid this mother's day at 6 Flags so I found a covered place to sit and people watch.  The line was extremely long for Barb, Jim & Charlotte.  Longer than they even realized (Mandy, Oliver and I waited almost an hour).  Decided then to head for home.  By this time my right knee and left foot were beginning to ache (getting old is the pits!).  My children (Mandy) decided it would be a good idea if Barb and I rode the Tran-bus to our parking place and they would walk.  It's hard to get the stroller onto the Tran and they weren't as tired as me (Oliver was napping by then).  Waited in line and got on for the short ride to the car.  The rest of the group had already gotten there.  Barb called Jim and they found us!!!  The air-conditioned car felt real good.  Was good to get back to their beautiful Georgia home!  They do have a very pretty home.

Oliver took a nice nap and the rest of us rested.  Finally decided we better get a look at Charlotte's new bike.  wow, what a pretty bike (purple) with matching helmet!  Oliver had Daddy get out his Mickey bike and the kids rode bikes for a bit.  Fun watching them.

It's Monday morning and Jim has to go back to work.  Barb and I had to head back to Iowa.  Got up to say good-bye to Jim.  Watched Oliver while Mandy took Charlotte to pre-school.  We discussed some options Sunday night on how to get to the airport.  Was finally decided to pick Charlotte up early from pre-school (she missed lunch) and Mandy would take us to the airport.  Traffic is busy when you live near or in a BIG city.  Got to the airport, found a parking spot and woke the little ones up.  We had time to eat a quick lunch at Burger King and then say good-bye to my Georgia Family.  We hadn't even left the airport when I realized I missed them already. 

Got on the train without falling down.  Found a pole immediately to hang onto).  Went through Security (got pre-check again).  Barb didn't so after I found my way to where I was supposed to go and got cleared found a bench to sit on and wait.  Of course our plane was almost at the end of the concourse we were on but we got there just as they started boarding zone 2 individuals.  Found our seat, stored our luggage and sat down.  Had a little time in Atlanta before take-off. Had to wait our turn.  Was informed that the weather in Des Moines was foggy and rainy.  Had some turbulence on this flight (nothing bad) but when we approached DM ended up taking the 'southern' route toward Kansas City.  Actually the landing was good.  My flying experience was good!!! 

Decided to stop for something to eat and then back to Barb's place.  Rainy all over the place.  Lots of rain near home (Dubuque).  But arrived safely.  Tired but safe.  What a wonderful mother's day weekend.

 Charlotte on one of the rides @ 6 Flags.

Playing with her favorite nephew.

 Jumping on the trampoline!!

 Barbie and her favorite little people!

 The bike, Charlotte & Barbie.

 Ready to take-off.

It's craft time in the family room.

A family portrait in the old mining town square.

Barb & Oliver.

That would be my grandson - Oliver.  What a sweetie.

 On the swing set!

Playing with grandma!

Picking up pinecones in the backyard.

Jim & Oliver panning for gems!

I want out Aunt Barb.

Grandma this is my club house!

Having fun at 6 Flags.

Playing catch with Barb with the help of Petey.

On the bridge on Oliver's ship (that's Captain Oliver).

I'll show you grandma . . .

Are we having fun yet?

Look what Charlotte found!

Mandy and her dream car!

Mandy had as much fun as the little ones did! 

He's having a ball.

Pine cones Aunt Barb.

My grandson.

Just hanging out on the ship.  What a happy little boy!

Writing a story.

As usual my pictures are not in any order and some of them are pretty terrible photography wise, but they are great memories of a wonderful Mother's Day for me. 

Big thank you to my children (all of them . . . Jim, Barb and Mandy) and grandchildren (Charlotte & Oliver) for giving me such a wonderful gift - a whole weekend with them.  Thank you guys.  I love all of you very much.  Just left and would love to go back . . . later.