One Last Trip to See Family.....

We drove by to see Kim and Ryan! It was our last planned stop to see family for the break. 

Kim and Ryan outdid themselves again with getting Shane Christmas presents. I never expect anything when we arrive and the next thing I know Shane is two Lego sets richer (plus a coding set, a Lego Technic set...). 

Gifts and wrapping seem to be a talent on Carrie's side of the tree. They got themselves some presents, as well. I haven't seen Deadpool, but the marketing for the character is hilarious.

I was just trading Office Space quotes the other week!

I know what Ryan's going to be doing if he gets any more snow days. Kim? She'll be working (the joys and pains of working from home).

Kim had to work the day we visited, so it was our job to keep Ryan entertained. He showed Shane his holiday train set in his 'office.'

Kim would pop by and chat whenever she was waiting for something to compile or in between calls.

It's funny how kids develop certain routines and expectations for different homes/people. Shane insisted we play Here, Kitty, Kitty!. I brought Stuffed Fables and some other games of ours to show, but Shane wanted none of it. We went out with Ryan for lunch, walked around a few stores, and then Shane came back to hunt the cats.

There was a Lego break at some point which let the adults talk.

When Shane had too much energy, Ryan asked Shane to run back the recycling. The yard was soup from all the rain, but a few laps up and down the driveway seemed to help.

It was good catching up. We might have ended up living closer to them if we hadn't closed on land around here! Kim's a team lead programmer/consultant and looking at switching companies. Ryan will be going into his fifth year as a band director which should forgive some of his student loans. Overall, things seem to be going well for them (minus the leak in the ceiling they had to fix! Home ownership, right?).

Ryan had an evening doctor's appointment and Shane had wrestling, so we said our goodbyes around dinner.

Truck Day

In jest, I've told Carrie that her salary covers horses, horse trailers, trucks, chickens, fish, cats, and medical bills. It might be true!

Wednesday, we drove the truck to a body shop to take care of all the rust and coat the undercarriage. Apparently, there were no shops in Charlottesville that did that sort of work. We ended up in Richmond. Shane was giddy the whole way, because he got to ride in the truck. 

I think they sang, too. He was plenty hyper when we got to the shop.

When in Richmond, do Richmond things. Carrie wanted to visit a few of her old stomping grounds.....and ran into a pair of old friends!

I kept the kid busy.

I went a step further and cooked dinner, too.......at Wawa. We missed Taekwando, but we ate well!

Family Means Child Care

Carrie and I are attending a wedding this weekend. Shane will attend La Casa de Grandma y Grandpa. 

I picked him up after work and drove him to Richmond for the hand off. I had planned on driving the whole way, but Grandma insisted on meeting halfway. It saved me close to an hour and a half of driving and I got dinner out of it, too! (Thanks!). 

It felt like a short trip to Shane. He slept. It took him a bit to slowly come to after I parked.

Carrie and tried to find a babysitter during the week, but when family offered we took it! Shane will have to miss his soccer game Saturday, but I'm not sure he was ready for it yet anyway.

Sunday Stroll Through Horse Country

Carrie needed to drop off a trailer at Wings of Hope Ranch. Shane and I tagged along.

Wings of Hope is a Christian horse rescue operation Carrie learned about. They, also, provide free lessons for kids.

Shane's interest was less academic. He just likes new places.

Chasing lizards...

...and climbing trees are bonus.

I didn't have time to go over the Cowboy 10 Commandments with him,...

..., but he enjoyed climbing on hay bales (as usual).

Carrie spent the time talking shop. She loves horses.

I love Carrie and Shane. It all works out.

Shane got a big surprise on the way home. Carrie disabled the air bag and shifted his car seat to the truck.

I noticed it years ago, but Carrie wasn't comfortable with it until now. He was stoked.

And the other reason Shane and I tagged along were these folks!

We were only half an hour north of Short Pump, so we met up with Kim and Ryan for lunch. Kim was excited there was a Cheesecake Factory nearby. It started to pour, or we'd have all walked around more. It's almost summer for Ryan and I. Shane and I will have to make a day trip or two.

Four school days left. Fun weekends help, but it's time to be done!