Road Trip --- Atlanta, Dec. 2009

Christian Hall, 6 years old and lookin' good!

Jennifer - with Christian as the photographer ;-)

Jon Adams in his kitchen (after all, he's a chef)

The magic mushroom at Mellow Mushroom (Christian's favorite place)

NOTHING like a Nana's hug & tickle

Jon & Melissa by their Christmas tree in their new house

Cade (l) and Austin (r) ... this year's school pictures from the refrigerator at Jon's!

Jon & Melissa Christmas tree in their new home!

Mother and daughter and Christian's photography skills once again!

We had a lovely trip. It was FUN to see everyone. It was wonderful to arrive back on the mountain and get back home. (as usual) And thanks to Beth, Janine and Mark for watching after our "boys" and taking such good care of them.

Jon & Melissa have a wonderful new home ~ and it was such fun to play Taboo and LAUGH with them. Thanks for the hospitality you two!

Jenn & Victor have a wonderful new home too! It is as different from Jon & Melissa's home as they are different from each other! It was a delightful tour and they look as snug as a bug. It is very interesting from a parent point of view to watch children change in to adults ... and grow up! It also makes one feel aged, really.

Debbie, my sister-in-law looks fabulous! I was so tickled to see her looking so alive again. Thanks for meeting up with us, Debbie!

We also got to have a wonderful visit with Shay and her adult children. Such a gift to see everyone shining and once again ready to get on with things.

The trip was uneventful road time wise. It gave us time to chat, make plans, giggle and share thoughts and feelings (don't you know that's just what Paul was hoping for!!! ) and we were very lucky with traffic flow and etc. Paul is a wonderful chauffeur and I'm so lucky that he was willing to drive down and back. Thanks, honey.

I even got to go to a R E A L mall and shop at Macy's. After just saying to my son that I loved to shop in Atlanta because no one would know me, a little voice from behind said, "Hi, Cheri!". It turned out to be a woman with her 3 children and a mom I recognized from zillions of hours in the lobby of a dance studio. I taught Alana ballet and tap along with Jennifer and a group of little princesses when she was 7 to 9 years old!!! We recognized each other from Facebook!!! What a small world we live in. It was GREAT to see Alana and her family ... and such timing! Facebook has a lot to answer for!! It is great fun to reunite with students 25 years after their dance lessons! It is also interesting to see the their children! Oye!

Atlanta moves fast and furiously! The people at the mall were all in a rush and not enjoying it at all. It was very magical to me! All the beautiful decorations and tons of merchandise to choose from! There was the aroma from Starbucks to seduce you and the little children's excitement to enjoy. But most of the people were missing it. So sad. I felt like the Elf on Elf (the movie). No one seemed to be "getting it". Holiday Spirit, you guys! Come on!

Anyway, it was a good trip, and now we're home trying to prepare for the Holiday and get caught up from tree season and life.

'Tis the season. Hope you are all wearing it well!

Cheers!

Paul & Cheri