Last weekend, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Off to the compound we were going! Payton now understands that they live in North Carolina and we live in South Carolina (except he occasionally gets confused and says we live in "Mountain Charleston, South Carolina"). He was SO excited for the entire week when we would talk about going to their house. We picked up from school early on Thursday (after visiting with Baby Charlie!!) and headed north. Payton was very confused. He cried multiple times and demanded we go to Grandpa's house! Apparently, he forgot that it takes nearly 4 hours to get there!
On Friday we started off and my godparents house, Harold and Cherie. Cherie was nice enough to alter a few of Payton outfits so he could get another summer out of them. He was so happy to see Madison (3) and Matthew (just over 1) as well. He loved playing with Madison - but they sure were loud - and he loved playing on the swings with her.
From there, we met Daddy and Grandpa for lunch at Butcher Boys (of course - that's where Daddy always picks!). After lunch, Mom and I headed our in search of the perfect diaper bag. Payton was asleep and Chad was working so we left Grandpa in charge of Payton. I think they both slept the entire time we were gone. I did not purchase a diaper bag but I found a few other great things...thats how it always works I think! My Papaw Joe joined us for dinner on Friday night. We had a great dinner and Payton enjoyed visiting with Papaw Joe.
On Saturday, we attempted to go see my little cousin Connor play T-ball. The other team never showed, so it was a forfeit and we watched a little practice instead. Payton didn't care! He got to see Connor catch and slide - may as well have been a game! Payton and Noah ran around the bases on an empty field and threw a football. I hate we didn't see a game but it was nice to see him practice. Payton reminds me of Connor when he was little - with a LARGE vocabulary and quick wit! We followed that with lunch - again at Butcher Boys with a few more family members! We had a table for 11! My Aunt Moe and Uncle Alfred joined us too.
We all sat around chatting at Brett and Terra's after lunch (I'm sure they enjoyed us taking up their Saturday afternoon!). It was a great way to spend a day on the compound.
Chad, Uncle Alfred, my Dad, and my cousin Brett (on Connor's motorcycle) discussing very important topics!
Connor and Payton playing a little football.
We were having so much fun that other people stopped by to join us....Chad, Uncle Alfred, Connor, my Dad, Brett, Terra, Uncle James (Brett and Jeremy's dad), Payton and Noah in the distance.
Connor and Payton enjoyed playing a little T-ball - luckily they didn't hit Cole's truck!
The ladies....Mom, Aunt Moe and Betty (my Aunt Moe's mom) who has taken residence on the compound as well!
Few people are lucky enough to experience the compound (even fewer know what the heck I'm talking about :) ) - the White Family Compound - it is similar to the Kennedy compound they often discuss on the news. We are lucky enough to evade the press...most of the time! Only two people have successfully escaped the compound - myself and my cousin Jeremy. Jeremy only lives about 35 minutes away. Leslie doesn't technically live on the compound but she's less than 2 miles away and Cole does go to UNCC but he sure does spend a lot of free time back home on the compound. The lowcountry is a pretty good place to live....but the compound would be a great "home away from home." The compound offers a multitude of animals, fresh vegetables, fresh country air, some pretty cute kids, a year round Christmas tree on top of a barn, frequent freezers of very good homemade icecream, fabulous tomato sandwiches, and some awesome family traditions and more stories than one could tell in a week - it used to have a recreational swimming pool but that was recently closed. The closest watering hole now is Lake Norman - where you can find cousin Cole working on a hot summer day!
In more common lingo, my family still lives within a very short distance on Lineberger Rd in Sherrills Ford, NC. My cousin Brett now lives in my Nannie and Pawpaw's house. Directly across the street is my Uncle James (my Aunt Libby passed away about 7 years ago). Moe's mom, Betty lives beside Brett and Terra. Through the field and woods, you would find my parents. Directly across from my parents are my Uncle Alfred and Aunt Moe. My dad's other brother, David, lived with my grandparents until he passed away many years ago. Growing up, I was the youngest of my cousins - until little Cole came along - he is 8 years younger than me. We didn't have to roam to far to find our Aunts and Uncles or our cousins playing. In the past few years, we have started referring to it as the compound. It is a wonderful place for sure! There is plenty of land for us all the gather back there one day. Now, when you add my cousin Leslie to this mix, you should also know that her other set of grandparents live directly beside my Uncle Alfred (her dad) and her other Aunts and Uncles all surround them....she really has a compound!!
If you ever find yourself in Sherrills Ford, NC just drop on by!
Payton and Connor. Connor was such a sweetie playing with Payton and protecting him through the day.
We did not get to see my cousin Cole or Leslie, Moses and Rachel - I hate we missed them! I need 2 more hours added to my days to accomplish everything I would like!
Saturday night we had a great dinner at Lineberger's Steakhouse (originally owned by my other neighbor, Milton Lineberger) with my parents, my godparents and Chad's parents. We ended the day with homemade strawberry ice cream....what a wonderful way to end a day!
Sunday we enjoyed our time at my Mt. Pleasant UMC and enjoyed seeing many people with Payton. As usual, the time had passed to quickly and it was time to hit the road. This will be our last road trip until the end of July! What will we do with all this time at home?!? Oh....how could I forget....prepare for a baby and care for a baby all over again!
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