Good thing out time in Florida was easy-breezy, because every moment since we left on April 1st has been busy-busy!
NC RecapThe drive to North Carolina was pretty uneventful, which is good. The boys are SUCH troopers in the car, I really couldn't be happier with them. We arrived in NC and checked into our hotel and was a little bummed that our "2 room suite" really wasn't two separate rooms, but rather one large room with a partial wall. Which isn't so conducive for a baby napping. The hotel was really, really nice though so we held our breath and took our chances that it would work out all being in the same room (which turned out just fine since we were never there for Austin's nap time, anyway). We didn't even bring everything up to our room before we were headed out to Sherry & Martin's. We arrived and ate some pizza catching up with each other when Jacob disappeared. I turned to look for him and guess where I found him? Sitting right next to Martin on the couch watching tv. He didn't need any time to warm up! We hung out for a bit then headed back to our hotel 10-ish? Assembled the pack and play quickly and requested that are boys fall asleep immediately on cue. Most of them complied. The next morning we all slept in till 9:53 and hauled ass down to the free breakfast to which the attendants down there assured us we were fine and to take our time. We showered and then met Sherry at Martin's shop so we could pick out a few things to support our favorite driver and check out all the cool stuff. Afterward, we made a quick Target run for snacks and then headed back to their place for lunch. When Martin returned from qualifying, he and Aaron went out fishing on the lake and Sherry and I took the boys to a place called "Lazy 5 Ranch". It was a drive through animal park where we could get up close (sometimes too much) and personal with all sorts of animals like zebras, rhino's, giraffes, deer, llamas, and let's not forget the longhorn cows!! Within the first minute of arriving a HUGE longhorn cow was mooing right in Sherry & Jacob's face trying to stick his whole head in the car! It was a little intense! After our little safari the kids played at the playground and got a push up and were very happy campers. We picked up some Sonny's BBQ and headed back for dinner with the guys and Jill (Sherry's sister). The guys had a great night fishing and Martin told Aaron he was "good luck"... although it appears Aaron's magical lucky powers faded the next day... We had another late night coming home and scrambled to get everything ready to leave early the next morning.
On Sunday morning we had to wake the kids up (at 8-ish) and throw them in the car to head to Sherry & Martin's for the babysitter. Sherry & Mart had already left for the race, so it was just the sitter there waiting for us. Thankfully the sitter is family to Jay (Sherry's brother) so it really made us feel comfortable leaving the boys with her. Brody cried for a minute when I said goodbye, but was easily distracted when I showed him a new CARS diecast and no more tears were shed all day. We drove to Martinsville speedway in Virginia (2hrs away) and thankfully didn't encounter any traffic at all until the last 3 miles, and even then it only put us back about 15 minutes. We pulled up to the NASCAR hauler and grabbed our credentials and waited for Tuna (motorcoach/golfcart driver) & Sherry to meet us up there with our parking pass. Then we followed them down into the section where all the drivers park their motorcoaches and we parked directly in front of their bus - talk about service ;) I went to the bathroom and when I came out I was thrilled to see Tuna had brought us a pizza and some Dr. Peppers... seriously, they are way too accommodating and sweet to us. We finished our pizza then Martin went into the back of the motorcoach and did his transformation from Clark Kent to Superman and it was GO TIME! We jumped on the back of the golf cart and Tuna drove us right up to the stage where the drivers are introduced. Martin jumped out and began doing the race car driver thing and Sherry took us over to the car. We remained by the car up until the planes flew over and then we headed to the pits. The top of the pit box is a little busy with pit crew people, Michael Waltrip, Napa people and a fan that won a contest and his wife so Aaron and I took turns checking out the view from up there. Aaron was actually up there at the time of Martin's crash but I don't think they noticed/realized who crashed until Martin was getting out of the race car... which I'm super thankful for. I think Sherry would have needed the care center if she had seen the crash and NOT seen Martin immediately running from the car to check on the other driver. It was a very, very hard hit though and despite seeing him moving around so well after the hit, we were all really concerned for him. While Martin was in the care center, we watched them tear apart the car and try to find some reason for an absolutely awful crash. We headed back to the motorcoach and were pulling away from the race track just after the race had restarted and arrived home just after the race had finished. I told Sherry she isn't going to let us come to any more races if THIS is what happens and she said no, that we were good luck because Martin was able to walk away from that unscathed. The babysitter said the boys were fabulous and didn't cry at all while we were gone - phew! We did another repeat of Saturday night, minus Jill, and then headed back to the hotel. We scrambled to get everything together and get the kids to sleep.
Drive HomeThe next morning we pulled onto the highway at 7:17 am, drove through a few rain showers & even a bit of snow as we got closer to home, refueled twice and then arrived at home at 9:00pm. Everyone except Brody has been excited to be home. Brody keeps requesting to go back to the hotel.
Tuesday I took Jacob to school, got a haircut and highlights, an adjustment from the chiropractor and a massage which took away an AWFUL headache I had all day.
Wednesday I had a pre-surgical clearance doctor appointment, Austin had a 15 month well baby visit, I had a dentist appointment and we finished the evening off with church/Dave Ramsey class.
Thursday Jacob had school and was top banana. I attended the first half hour and watched him proudly share his show and tell - a remote control "martin" car. He let every kid in the class drive it and showed them all how to use it, it was too cute! Then I rushed off to take Brody to his 3yr well child, met a craigslist lady (I've been selling a ton of baby stuff), picked Jacob up and then later in the evening Aaron and I attended a Kindergarten Parents meeting at the elementary school.
Friday I took Jacob to Tae Kwon Do and LOVED it! The instructor is hilarious and really keeps those kids in line. I can't wait for Aaron to check it out next week. I'm hoping to get Jacob enrolled in a class, too. Then we picked up lunch and I dropped the boys off at Grandma's while I went back to the dentist for a crown.
I was totally dreading the crown but it *actually* wasn't that bad...between the nitrous, my
ipod and an hour and a half with nobody asking me for anything... Cheek/jaw were a little sore over the weekend but nothing too terrible.
I'm going to do separate posts for Brody & Austin's well child exams.
Hoping tomorrow's surgery goes well and that they kids & Aaron do well without me for a few days.
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