Only 3 hours away and yet a whole...

....different world! Dan's parents are in town so we all went to visit Dan's great aunt and uncle (his mom's aunt and uncle) down in southern Virginia. It was only about a 3 hour drive but it is a totally different way of living down there...and talking! Aunt Frances and Uncle Harold live in a nice, but older country home with rolling hills all around and deer poop all over the grassy hills (which Carson was totally entertained by finding all the little poop balls). The next house over is the one that Dan's great-grandma lived in and is even older. Nobody lives there now, but we went exploring it and it was so interesting. The floors were all slanted and uneven and the way the house was set up it seamed as if there were hidden rooms. The kids did awesome on the car ride down there and when we got there we were greeted with hugs and southern accents. Dan's mom grew up in N. Carolina, so we hear little southern accents often on that side of the family. Aunt Frances was probably the nicest lady I had ever met. She was warm and friendly and immediately complementary. She was just so funny and charming. She loved seeing Carson and Bryn. Uncle Harold was also very inviting and especially witty and had a great sense of humor. Uncle Harold loss his hand in WWII and so we showed Carson and asked him where it went. Carson was very confused until we explained that he had to fight bad guys and he got hurt. Then Carson kept telling us how Harold fought the bad guys and his arm "broke off" and now looks like this, and he would hold his hand in a little fist. It was really funny and Harold wasn't offended by this at all...he is obviously use to it. Frances had cooked us a "little" lunch that was all ready and warm when we got there. Now what I call "little" and what Frances called "little" are two VERY different things. I would've made some sandwiches or something, but sweet southern Frances made: roast, potatoes, gravy, jello, homemade mac & cheese, corn pudding, green beans, and biscuits......and for dessert....three homemade pies, coconut cream, lemon meringue, and chocolate cream. WOW!!! I kept complimenting her on her lovely lunch and she just kept saying "oh it was so easy to just throw together, no work at all". Apparently things have changed in between her generation and mine. It was sooo yummy and she was sooo nice!!! We had a great time visiting with them and the kids did really good too!