Friday, December 22, 2006

Adel 2006

We went to visit family in Adel a few weeks ago. It took us a very long time to get there, and I was grumpy and irritable. Yes, I was less patient than a 15 month old, while Joel and Eli calmly accepted every announcement from the flight attendants and pilots. Mechanical issues, delayed paperwork, a burnt out light bulb, weather, not enough fuel, canceled flight, change of planes, delays on the runway, and then, 6 hours later, we finally left St. Louis. We got to Adel. Safely, which was something to be thankful for under the circumstances. (We weren't able to make it to Adel for Cassie's funeral, but the accident was still fresh on everyone's mind.)

We stayed with Steve and Terri in their new home, took some walks around the golf course, ate great southern food, spent time with family and friends, and had a late "Thanksgiving". Joel played some bluegrass at a benefit concert, and fit in 18 holes at Kinderlou Forrest, a nearby pro course. Eli played with Bo, Rachel and Shane, got lots of "sugar" (kisses) from Essie, Aunt Jen, and Aunt Sarah, tried (and liked) sweet tea, black eyed peas, fried okra, dumplings, and field peas. I enjoyed a great dinner and some sweet conversation with a good friend in Atlanta. We shopped a little. One early morning (was it 4:00 am?) Joel and I resorted to "driving" Eli to sleep for the first time since he was born.

All the while, St. Louis was blanketed with ice, snow, and power outages. 5 days flew by. It was a good visit, and good to be home. We left in November, came home on December 4th, and I realized, Christmas is just around the corner!

Eli, Katelyn, Essie, & Jean

Joel and Shane

Shane and Eli

Aunt Sarah, Ethan, Eli, & Melissa

Eli and Rachel

Bo & Eli being boys...




Eli and Aunt Jenn on a walk...









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