Family Time! El Reno Edition

Towards the end of the summer, the girls began reminding me that we hadn't been to Mimi's house since school got out. We had all kinds of intentions of making it happen, and even had intentions of getting her here for a week just like last summer....but best laid plans, right? Yep! Something always seemed to get in the way. SO- we put a weekend in September on the calendar and MADE it happen!
On Friday, I left work as soon as my conference started and went home to load the car and wait for the girls to get off of the bus at 4. And as soon as we all grabbed a snack- we were North Bound 35!

Every road trip starts with a selfie- it's a requirement!
We had a good trip and only had to stop a couple times and got to Mimi's a little after 8. We were so glad to be together! And we had to send Graddy a picture!

I can assure you that Macie was telling her Mimi something very important before I snapped this picture. That girl loves to talk and she loves her Mimi....which is the perfect combination for getting your word quota in!
Taron and Nolan and Aunt Susan came over shortly after we got there and we all enjoyed just hanging out and visiting. It was great!!
The next morning we took it slow and enjoyed our coffee and cinnamon rolls. Mimi ALWAYS fixes cinnamon rolls for the girls. She knows they love them, and she aims to please!! And she always has vanilla cappuccino for Brenna. It melts my heart that Brenna looks forward to her coffee at Mimi's house as much as I do. She gets cappuccino on occasion at home too, but she knows that at Mimi's it is a given that she will get some each morning! Pretty sure for Brenna that it is just about the cappuccino still.... for me it's about what happens because of coffee..... TIME. Time to sit, relax, talk, and most importantly...LISTEN. I've learned a lot of great things and heard some wise words over coffee. I don't take it for granted.
We eventually had to dress because.... SIDS!

Nice photo Brenna Grace. Oh well. We were there. Together. That is what was important. Well, that and the coney with extra slaw!

Johnson's can take over SIDS faster than you can realize! And this was a small group for us!

When your onion rings are shaped like goggles, you must not pass up the photo opportunity.
After SIDS, we went back to Mimi's to sit quietly and rest and enjoy some peace and quiet.
HA! Just kidding! We made PIE!

I love watching her make pie. I can make the same pie at home using the same recipe. But it just doesn't taste the same. I think it's just something about your grandmother making something...you can't duplicate it. My Mamaw made the best sweet tea. Nina's homemade mac and cheese can not be beat! And Mimi's cherry pie just tastes better when she makes it!
While we cooked (ok- Mimi cooked. Taron and I added an ingredient here and there, and did the dishes) Brenna and Macie taught Nolan how to make rubber band bracelets!

And he pretty much worked on his bracelet the rest of the afternoon! Even during cards! That's dedication right there!
Check out this yummy goodness right here!

But don't be fooled- as soon as it cooled enough to not melt our teeth, Taron and I dug right in with a fork! Mimi's cherry pie- No Plates Required for Granddaughters!
However, we did use a plate later when we decided to add ice cream! You know- to cut down on the sweetness.

We enjoyed a family dinner later on with Aunt Susan. She was packing for a trip, so she wasn't with us as much as we would have liked. But we totally understood. She and Uncle Dave were leaving that Monday for Branson!
But we got a game of cards in with her for sure! Priorities people.
And we even introduced Mimi to SnapChat!

She's such a good sport!
We were up WAY past our bed time. The 3 grand kids were all dragging a little, but Mimi kept us up until early morning at the card table! Waiting for me to say "just kidding!"? Nope! Not this time!
On Sunday we got up and went to church, ate lunch, and headed back south. After our usual 3 night trips during breaks, this trip felt really short. But it was worth it to spend some time with family! Laughter was plentiful, love was abundant, and memories were made. That's what really matters!
The trip home was long, as it always is. But we had one more thing on our weekend agenda...Memaw's birthday!!!!
Josh and Mike went to the Ranger's game, so the celebration was pushed back a little which gave the girls and I time to get home and change clothes since we were still wearing our church attire. And we all gathered at Pops and Memaw's for pizza, cake and family time!!

These three love their Memaw so very much! And I can't blame them!! She is pretty awesome!
It was a busy, but great weekend. I wouldn't trade a moment of it for anything!