Wedding Weekend & Screen Time

Last weekend, we had the best time with our Kennedy family in Woodstock. One of Boomer's cousins, Kelsey, got married on Saturday, September 25th. I originally did not think we would go, but we changed our RSVP at the last minute (with the bride's permission, of course!) We love our trips up to Virginia, and we didn't want to miss out on a fun Kennedy wedding. They are always a blast! We left on Friday afternoon and arrived in Woodstock around 6:30PM. We dropped off our things at the hotel and met up with Cathy, Kyle, and Carlin at the Spring House Tavern. The dinner was a small celebration for Cathy, who had her birthday and retirement all in that same week. After 20+ years as a nurse with the Health Department, I know she is very excited to enjoy retirement. I imagine she will be spending even more time at her happy place, the lake! 

On Saturday, we stayed in the hotel for most of the morning, and then we met up with the family at the Woodstock Brewhouse for lunch and football. Eli and I headed back to the hotel for naps, while Boomer and Emmy stayed with his parents and siblings. Wake played Clemson in a close, double-overtime game...which ended with a loss for our Deacs :( The wedding was that evening. Kelsey and her fiance Matt had a private ceremony beforehand, and then the reception began at 5PM. There was dinner, dancing, and drinks. Boomer stayed back at the hotel with the kiddos, and with Carlin's husband Matt deployed in Africa right now, we were both date-less for the evening. We had a fun time dancing the night away. 

On Sunday we made the drive back to North Carolina. While I unpacked and worked on the laundry, Boomer took the kiddos outside to play. I snapped a few photos through the glass of their batting practice and sidewalk chalk. It was a pretty great weekend from start to finish!

After our weekend in Virginia, I jumped right to my intensive week for my graduate school class. Last fall, I was able to go in person to Lynchburg for the first intensive class. However, for this second and final intensive class, the logistics were too complicated for me to be away, so I completed the class online with a strict schedule each day from 8AM to 4:30PM. It took extra help from Boomer, Grammy, Grandpa, and Aunt Megan to make sure that the kiddos were picked up and fed in the evenings. A big thank you to all my helpers! At the end of this semester, I will only have three remaining classes and three field experiences. The end is in sight!

Emmy continues to love school. Last week, as I was picking her up early for our trip to Virginia, I noticed that the dinosaur (which serves as an announcement board) was painted for another Emmy that was turning 6. What a coincidence! Of course I had my Emmy pose for a photo. Also last week, Emmy was awarded a Bright Award for being Bold, Respectful, Integrity, Gracious, Honest, and Trustworthy. We are so proud of her!

Eli is a little ambivalent about school. Sometimes he goes happily, and other days, not so much. During drop offs in the morning, he will hold on to me just long enough to pull at my heartstrings. But then he usually heads into the room with his classmates and teachers. Any pictures I receive from school usually show a happy, smiling Eli. His school picture this year was such a good one!

As I write this, we are preparing for a rainy weekend from Hurricane Ian. It has already caused significant damage in Florida and is making its way up the coast. It looks like we may be indoors until Sunday. I am already missing the warm sunny days of summer!