The ARK

Mike and I after driving 10 hours. 2 more to go.

I remember this from my own babyhood and have rubbed that Buddha belly many times in my life for good luck! Grayson caught on to lucky rub.

Our week in Arkansas was fantastic! It was full of busy days, tired days and my fav-lazy days. The kind of lazy days that resemble those we used to have when mom and dad lived HERE. Sitting around and joking, laughing, remembering and just being. That is what I miss the most!

We managed to squeeze in relaxation, backyard pool time and adventures like:

• the Trail of Tears at downtown Fort Smith (Triston's history lesson for the week)


• the one and only steam engine that you can ride at this gorgeous park


• a dinner out at Varsity Bar n Grill


• the Riverfront (their version of Navy Pier on a MUCH smaller scale)


• Alma waterpark (us Carpers got in for a slim total of $5! how is that for cheap)


• shopping at A to Z ( awesome wharehouse that has it all and CHEAP)


• a stop at Tulsa, OK airport to drop off hubby


• a drive and stop behind the airport to the Tulsa zoo (absolutely quaint and beautiful zoo)
  
• more shopping


• and soaking it all in at mom and dad's new house
  
  

  
  There home was soooo their style. Perfect fit for them. Every item had it's own place as if it was meant to be there all along. Kinda made me sad. But I could tell mom and dad were happy and very content with where their lives are at this point in time. And underneath my WANTS AND NEEDS to have them close I really am happy, too. It was what needed to happen and it is going well.
  It was amazing to me that with all the time Triston and Ayden HAD to spend with each other they did really well. We joked that they would need a vacation from each other just as long as the trip just to recover. You could tell there were moments each was craving solo time which was so difficult in a house of 10, but they managed to get through it. But without hesitation, the very first day we were home Triston did ask about Ayden. They are so Bub-like it tugs at all of our hearts and memories too often.
  "Mr. Happy All the Time Just Point Me in the Direction of the Party Grayson" was so content just being around. Everything and anything is entertainment to him and he loved it all! I loved seeing him put it all out there for grandma and grandpa like he was saving it all up for them and his visit. He cracks me up! His poses, watching him walk around and around the coffee table (didn't know he could do bc well, we don't have a coffee table), his first 'yay' claps, nonstop cravings for finger food, splashing it up any water type activity, and so much more. He was nonstop. When he wasn't watching and laughing at everyone else for his own enjoyment he was our own personal Comedy Network. My little show stopper!
  We took so many photos that it took me days to condense into my favs. These are the images etched into my mind when I think of The Ark. Til next year...

fyi-the pics just wouldn't line up and drag where i wanted them to so i am disappointed they don't layout the way i wanted the story to tell but enjoy them anyway!