Alexander’s birthday is the first part of October, and every year has found Aunt Em sneaking south to Alabama to surprise him and his mother.(The original surprise is here)

But not this year. This year she told Deb she was coming in plenty of time. What she didn’t tell her (and what we didn’t know either until a few days before she left) was that she wouldn’t be traveling alone. I was going with her! And Jeffrey! And Julia! And Isaiah and Uriah! And Gideon!

We piled in Julia’s minivan and loaded to the hilt- we set our sights south. I’d spent some time on Pinterest collecting ideas for “travel entertainment for toddlers” and I spent some money at The Dollar Tree putting together a bag of tricks and we were ready. ( Probably the funniest addition to our travel was a long piece of twine that stretched from the passengers sun visor to the backseat where the boys were buckled in. A chip bag clip that had a perfect sized hole in it was threaded on the line and communication was busy going back and forth. Small bags of snacks, a sheet of stickers, a balloon with chapstick inside moved back the line, a carefully colored picture and small boys croc came forward. 😂)

The boys traveled like champs and soon (if 13 hours later is soon) We were sneaking into the dark house. Deb told Em to make herself at home- that she’d see her in the morning. So that’s what we did.

Jeffrey’s hungry cry several hours later alerted the Kennell’s to the fact that it wasn’t just Aunt Em who’d arrived, and started the flurry of the next few days.

We went shopping

We visited the Gulf of Mexico

We celebrated Zander

We visited a town named Uriah, AL

We just enjoyed the blessing and the crazy of being together. The people -4 and under- out number the adults now. And so does their energy level 😂

And then we piled back in the van with our incredibly fun (and bulky) purchases. (I bought a jogging stroller 🤪 the girls bought folding chairs) and with barely any space for our feet- we sailed north again.

Our hearts fuller than the current state of the minivan.

And a good time was had by all. Even Jeffrey who’s personal space was a little cramped occasionally- but actually loosened up and enjoyed his cousins 💙

Thanks you Jesus for this precious time together

Kendra

Bonus Pic:

Celebrated 6 months with the Little man with his first haircut . Contrary to how sad he looks here- he did quite well and is enjoying not having hair in his eyes ☺️