19 hours in one little car looks like this . . .
O.K. . . . it wasn't that bad . . . :)We decided to start our traveling a little late this year, so we didn't start our trip until the week after Christmas. But, we were able to visit most of our family, and had a great time! :)
One of the things we wanted to do most . . . was visit the Ford Museum in Northern LA. Karston especially wanted to see Benjamin Langheld's, Karston's Great-Great-Grandpa's, pulley wheel. The wheel saved him a lot of time unloading wagons, and other farmers in the area hadn't figured out how to do it so quickly. He was the first to invent this type of pulley in Northern LA. :) The museum happened to be closed at the time, but a man who worked there, let us in just to see the Langheld exhibit. :)
This was our second stop in our trip---Aunt Linda's house. The kids had a lot of fun at her home on the lake. It is so pretty. :)
Kayden enjoyed playing with her cousin, Braedan (even though he was a boy). :)
Our first stop was Port Acres, Texas (close to Port Arthur) where Josh's Dad & Step-Mom live. The kids had a blast--riding their new scooters, playing in the multiple playhouses, and of course, the morning trips to the donut shop. Josh & I thoroughly enjoyed Joyce's yummy food. :)
Karston & Papa in front of Karston's favorite tree---the kumquat tree--yummy!
Playhouse #1
Playhouse #2 :)
We then made our way to North Louisiana to Josh's Aunt Linda's home. Josh's grandmother lived there when he was a boy (she has since passed away), but he made the trip from Beaumont to Athens quite a bit when he was a kid. We took the same back roads that Josh did when he was young to get there. We had a lot of fun, listening to memories---like the time Josh's brother when straight into a pasture instead of making a left hand turn, and seeing the same sites he remembered as a young kid. :) We stopped at the restaurant above on the way---yummy!! Karston & I had fried chicken, Josh & Cameron had hamburgers, and Kayden had a corn dog. We gave the place a thumbs up, especially since you could buy M&Ms for dessert. :) 
One of the memories being . . . Toledo Bend. :) We stopped on the Texas side, and then braved the Louisiana side as well. We made sure to read all the historical markers on the way there.
The kids were happy to stretch their legs.
Our trip took us through the town of Many, LA where two of my sisters graduated high school. I told the kids how I used to duck down in the back of my Honda CRV, so Ally (my sis) could come out of her school & pretend my car was hers. :) We, also, saw where my brother graduated college---Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. The above picture is downtown Natchitoches, LA.
This is Black Lake. Josh told us how this lake gave him the creeps when he was younger.
One of the memories being . . . Toledo Bend. :) We stopped on the Texas side, and then braved the Louisiana side as well. We made sure to read all the historical markers on the way there.
The kids were happy to stretch their legs.
Our trip took us through the town of Many, LA where two of my sisters graduated high school. I told the kids how I used to duck down in the back of my Honda CRV, so Ally (my sis) could come out of her school & pretend my car was hers. :) We, also, saw where my brother graduated college---Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. The above picture is downtown Natchitoches, LA.
This is Black Lake. Josh told us how this lake gave him the creeps when he was younger.Going to Aunt Linda's means . . . FIREWORKS!!!! :)
Mason, our nephew, made a sparkler bomb. On our way home, we were talking about Mason's bomb---and Karston remembered a poster his teacher has up at school, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" he-he
Kayden stayed inside the house--she didn't like the noise the fireworks made. :(
Mason, our nephew, made a sparkler bomb. On our way home, we were talking about Mason's bomb---and Karston remembered a poster his teacher has up at school, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!" he-he
Kayden stayed inside the house--she didn't like the noise the fireworks made. :(
Cameron & I especially enjoyed seeing Mason's new daughter, Jayda Grace. She was so precious, & Mason is such a good daddy. :)
Our last stop was Nacogdoches, TX to see Memaw & Papa Ault. :) The kids got to play with their cousins, and go bowling. :) Thank you Ally & Mike for staying an extra day just to see us. & Thanks Uncle Chris & Aunt Abby for coming to visit too---and for finally making me my Twilight cake!! I didn't get a picture though. :( I guess you'll have to make it again, and put that same Jake picture on it . . . o.k.?! :)
Kayden & Enna--best friends & best cousins---and yes, they just happened to have the same shirt. :)
Cameron tries her hand at bowling---we like the shoes Cam!! :)
Kayden & I watch her ball knock over some pins---it took . . . a little while for the ball to finally get there. :)
My cousin, Adam, got to visit with us too. :) He has a girlfriend . . . :)
We had a great Christmas . . . and we only made it home with two of our kids. :( Kayden decided to spend some time with her Memaw & Papa, espcially since she'll be starting school this year, and won't get this opportunity much longer. We are missing her. :( But, we know she is doing good, especially when she refused to talk to us that first night . . . . :)
Our last stop was Nacogdoches, TX to see Memaw & Papa Ault. :) The kids got to play with their cousins, and go bowling. :) Thank you Ally & Mike for staying an extra day just to see us. & Thanks Uncle Chris & Aunt Abby for coming to visit too---and for finally making me my Twilight cake!! I didn't get a picture though. :( I guess you'll have to make it again, and put that same Jake picture on it . . . o.k.?! :)
Kayden & Enna--best friends & best cousins---and yes, they just happened to have the same shirt. :)
Cameron tries her hand at bowling---we like the shoes Cam!! :)
Kayden & I watch her ball knock over some pins---it took . . . a little while for the ball to finally get there. :)
My cousin, Adam, got to visit with us too. :) He has a girlfriend . . . :)
We had a great Christmas . . . and we only made it home with two of our kids. :( Kayden decided to spend some time with her Memaw & Papa, espcially since she'll be starting school this year, and won't get this opportunity much longer. We are missing her. :( But, we know she is doing good, especially when she refused to talk to us that first night . . . . :)We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, and happy start to the New Year . . . WE DID!! :)
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