Because of all our illness earlier in the week, we weren’t able to do anything vacationy. Yes, vacationy. I wrote it, you know what it means, and therefore it is a word.

Anyway, Rob wanted to go to the Georgia Aquarium with Xander so we got up early, loaded all our things in the van, and headed downtown. Aunt Becca, Aunt Suzanne, and Uncle Matt followed in another car.

Xander touched a few fish…

…and rode a lot of shoulders.

Some group shots:

We left the aquarium and headed back to Arkansas with a very tired Xander.

Arya cut her first tooth somewhere between Nashville and Jackson, TN!

Tags: family, vacation

We went to the same park as last year’s vacation. It was fun to see the difference in how Xander was able to play.

Of course, we had to get in the water. Both Xander and Arya enjoyed it.

We visited Great Gramma at her new place.

And then it was off to the wedding rehearsal for us. Here is Rob and the groom, his college roommate.

Tags: family, vacation

or, Attack of the Stomach Virus: Part II

Xander decided to share his illness with his father early Wednesday morning. Rob was very appreciative.

I started out my day with a trip to Kennesaw State University to help out my father’s department with their site. Meanwhile, Rob was bedridden.

When Rob started feeling better we loaded all our things back in the car and went to visit Rob’s family. Xander was very excited.

Hanging out with Gram…

and Granddad…

and aunts…

And Arya got to play with the same toy as Baby Robert.

Tags: family, vacation

I woke up bright and early to get to the salon by their 7am opening. It was worth it because I had two ladies working on me and they were machines. It took them only 6 hours to take down my old braids and put in the new ones.

Rob? He slept in and did this.

Xander was feeling a little (just a little) better so we took him to a park.

Squinty sun picture.

Playing with Grandpa.

We ended the evening by transcribing and working on wedding music.

Tags: family, vacation

An old roommate of Rob’s is getting married in Atlanta this weekend and Rob and I are playing in the wedding. Instead of making a quick weekend trip, we decided to make a mini vacation out of it. We left Paragould right after church; we were on the road by 12:15pm!

We took one back seat out of the van so we could have more space for luggage and equipment, and each kid had a whole row of the car to themselves.

As usual, Mom and Dad spent the drive listening to church choir preview CDs.

Arkansas and Missouri are flat.

Another Schumann family tradition. This one began the day we moved to Arkansas. Any time we cross the Mississippi, we sing Old Man River. Xander joined in for his first time!

I packed a cooler and sandwiches, so we only had to stop twice for gas and potty breaks.  We made great time! I seem to have a knack for choosing the restaurant without a changing station in the bathroom. Oh well; our car is cleaner, anyway.

It’s fun watching the scenery change. A few more trees on I-40.

This is the face of fatigue. He never did take a nap in the 8-hour trip.

I-24 between Nashville and Chattanooga is gorgeous.

We finally get to Georgia and the exit on 75 I called home for 14 years!

Xander immediately starts playing with Stephanie, his cousin, whose family is on vacation from Nigeria. Notice my parents’ flags on the garage.

Arya gets plenty of cuddles from everyone.

After 15 hours awake, Xander finally went to sleep at 11pm. It took Arya until closer to midnight because she does not like sleeping in a new environment.

And why am I posting so early/late? Because somehow on the drive I developed an extremely upset stomach and a tight back. I had a few hours of restless sleep before waking up in pain. I’m now waiting for my ibuprofen to kick in. Ouch!

Tags: family, vacation