First Trip to Tennessee

Mason,

You enjoyed quite an exciting week after Christmas. We traveled to Tennessee to see your Grandmom and Grandad and to meet extended family. The trip began with your first plane ride. I was 7 before I took my first plane ride, and your Mommy was 20. So you've got quite the head start on us! Here we are getting ready to board and then sitting on the plane. We're so proud of how well you did coming and going. You were a little fussy, especially on the landing, but for the most part you were very cooperative.

You enjoyed your first trip to Knoxville. It was a quick trip, so we didn't have a chance to show you the sights. That's ok, you wouldn't remember them, anyway. On a future trip we'll give you a better tour and show you Daddy's old stomping grounds. But you enjoyed Christmas with Grandmom and Grandad. And we were so relieved that you adjusted so well to sleeping in a new place.

Then we were on the road again. We made a quick stop just over the border in Kentucky (another new state!) to meet some of the Easterwood family. You met your aunts Carolyn and Jean and your Uncle John. They really enjoyed meeting you!

Then it was off to Nashville and were you in for a shock! This was the annual Thomas family Christmas gathering at your great-aunt Gloria's. She was nice enough to let you take over her room. I think you were a little overwhelmed. Your Daddy certainly was! It doesn't seem that long ago when I was the little guy eagerly tearing through packages to see what fun gifts I had. Of course, you were pretty disinterested in all the hoopla this time around, but next time will be a different story. You were a little less cooperative at this stop. I think you were a little tired from our week of travel. That's ok. You're entitled!

 

We especially loved the following picture. This is MaKenzie. We did several minutes of research to try and decide exactly what her relation to you is. We decided she's your first cousin twice removed. But we might be wrong about that. Hopefully someone will comment and correct us if we are. But more importantly, MaKenzie was Mommy and Daddy's flower girl for our wedding. That will be 10 years ago this June! Perhaps next time you'll give her a smile.

So you survived your first big trip. And you did very well. But you were still so relieved to get home to your couch!

Love,
Daddy