08 Family Vacation Day 1

June 28th we left for our annual family reunion. This year it was in Cedar Bluff, AL. We drove with Mom and Dad Edwards and Annsley. When you are with the Edwards, car rides are always fun! We started the morning off with a trip to the new Einstein Bros. Bagels in Riverside. This could become a new tradition (we stopped there last yr too). For lunch, Mom had planned a nutritious picnic consisting of peanut butter and jelly, chips, and oreos. We were going to actually stop at a park somewhere, but because of our very frequent potty breaks (which tested Dad's patience) we decided to have our picnic in the car. When Mom started breakin' out the food, we realized we had no peanut butter. So....we had to stop AGAIN. We had no luck at the 1st gas station or the 2nd gas station so we went to a grocery store. I (the queen of decision making, HA!) was sent inside to make the purchase. I decided to try and be funny and hide the peanut butter so the family would think the store didn't have any either. I could not hold my laughter as the peanut butter was slowly slipping down my pants. Dad said, "now that is truly some peanut BUTTer!" Shortly after lunch, our tire blew right outside of Atlanta. It was very scary! Justin did well controlling the car across 3 lanes of fast moving traffic into the emergency lane. Fortunately, I have AAA (big thanks to my grandparents). We were fixed and back on the road within 35 min. The customer service and promptness was amazing.

(2nd pic: AAA guy, 6th pic: Our port-a-potty)

Because of potty trips, a blown tire, and several traffic jams, the trip was way longer than expected, but it was definitely memorable. When we got there the VERY SMALL town of Cedar Bluff was having there annual 4th of July festival a week early. You could defintely tell we were in Al-a-BAMA! Driving through the town was like a scene right out of Sweet Home Alabama - they even had a big water tower just like the movie. The only exception was this one was decorated with Santa and Christmas Lights!

As soon as we arrived at our condo, the kids ran straight for the pool like they had never seen one before. After we were all settled and the kids swam off some of their excitement, we decided to go in to town and end our day with fireworks - we were celebrating our safe arrival :)