Grandma Pam, Aunt Sherry, Daymian and Jordan's Visit To Georgia

Mom, Sherry, Daymian and Jordan were all able to come down to visit us during the last week in June.  It was a trip planned the week or so before they came down.  They started driving on a Wednesday and arrived after dinner that night.  We had fun seeing the sights with them!


I gave them the "list" of tourist things to do in Atlanta, so they could decide what they wanted to do when they were on vacation.  As always, it is crazy hot here from mid-June through the end of August.  So, the list definitely had to include places we could cool-off!


While they were here we:

• Went to Chili's
• Aunt Sherry bought Ava and Liam a cookie as a treat from Subway
• Checked out the local batting cages
• Visited the park along the Chattahoochee River
• Shopped at Wallyworld (aka Wal-Mart)
• Went to Six Flags Over Georgia Amusement Park, where Doug met us after work.
• Had a "Build-Your-Own" Sundae night at the house
• Went to Ava's gymnastics class
• Doug, Daymian and Jordan practiced in the batting cages
• Ate lunch at Arby's
• Went to Whitewater water park.  Doug ran with the boys while I hung with Mom and kiddos.
• Went to church
• Ate Firehouse subs (yum!)
• Had Mexican for dinner
• Visited the "dollar store"
• Aunt Sherry gave Ava and Liam some fun stickers and toys

It just so happened to be "Church of Christ Day" at Six Flags.  When we got to the gate, they asked if we were there for C of C Day. When we told them we hadn't planned on it, but were attending members, they escorted us to the gate where we received special pricing on tickets that included lunch passes and entertainment by a Christian acapella group from Faulkner.  What luck!  :-)  I think Ava got a little spooked by the witches wheel ride...She REALLY wanted to ride it.  I don't think she'll be riding a big coaster for a while.


It was fun to show Mom, Sherry and the boys all of the "must visit" places in Atlanta.  We hope they had a great time and got to check a few places off their list. :-) 


After they had a tire blow in Mom's car when they were traveling down to Georgia, we're thankful they arrived here safely and made their way back to Michigan safely. 


Peace, love and family,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Grandma Pam and two of her boys after breakfast.

Aunt Sherry and her buddy

After dinner at Chili's

 Trying to figure out a plan of attack for Six Flags, at the entrance.

Liam takes a snack break while Grandma Pam, Aunt Sherry, Daymian, Jordan and Ava ride Thunder River.

Post-Thunder River.  Anything to cool off from the Georgia summer heat!

About to get soaked!

Soaked!  Ava loved it.  :-)

Ava, pre-Witch's Wheel ride.  The face wasn't so happy after this ride.

Pictures from Dad

My Dad recently scanned in some old pictures. He sent a copy of the pictures to me. These are definitely some memorable pictures!

Dad (not sure when this was taken).

My first day of kindergarten at Thompson Elementary. This picture was taken in front of the big tree in Grandma Nila and Pa's front yard on Hupp. I LOVED. THIS. DRESS. Strawberry Shortcake with matching knee socks. Does it get any better for a little girl? ;-) When I showed this picture to Ava, I asked her who it was. She said "Me." I had to tell her it was mommy when I was a little girl. :-)























Future Tigers, in training? Shelly and Sherry playing in Grandma Nila and Pa's front yard on Hupp.

















Taken at General Butler State Park, Carrollton, Kentucky. Doug and I have camped here, as well.























Playing in the leaves under Pa and Grandma's red maple tree, Hupp St., Warren, Michigan.






















Christmas. Grandma Nila looks tickled that I am so interested in styling this Barbie's hair. :-)

Pepaw and me, most likely taken around Thanksgiving 1976, at their house on Meadow in Warren, MI. Whenever I remember Pepaw, most memories are of him sitting in this chair, or working out in the garage on a huge green car. :-)























Sherry, Grandma Nila and me. This picture was taken when we lived on Mulberry Dr, Sterling Heights, MI. There is another picture somewhere, which shows us looking into a bunny den, just to the right of this area, in the grass.

I love this picture. Grandma Nila, Dad and Pa. When I saw this picture a few years ago, I thought it was interesting how much Sherry smiles like Grandma Nila. Growing up I never thought that, but it's amazing to see now.

Notice how Sherry's smile and eyes favor Grandma Nila's. I've seen pictures where they favor more than this one, but this was the only one I could find easily. This picture of Jordan, Sherry and Daymian was taken at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, July 2009.

Grandma Nila and Pa. This picture was taken at Aunt Freda and Uncle Dave's wedding reception at Van Dyke Church of Christ. I love this picture. They look so happy, Grandma Nila looks angelic to me. She was one amazing and Godly woman. Although no longer with us, her example lives on through those who were fortunate enough to know and love her.

This picture was taken at General Butler State Park, as well, in 1998. Doug and I were newly married at the time. Dad and Dolly thought it would be fun to surprise us and bring Daymian to General Butler for the weekend. He was my first nephew, so you can imagine how my heart ached to see him after we moved away from Michigan! Someone saw me holding Daymian that weekend and thought he was mine. When I showed this picture to Ava, she thought the little guy was Liam! :-)

Dolly and Santa. Doesn't she look like Natalie Wood? I've seen other pictures where she looks EXACTLY like Natalie Wood!

Dad and Shelly, probably taken in early 1977. This picture was taken in front of a townhouse in Center Line (my first residence ;-) or in front of Herb and Donna Akers's townhouse. Which, I'm not sure.

This picture was taken at Aunt Freda and Uncle Dave's wedding, June 16, 1979. I was the flower girl in this wedding. Dave's brother Dan was the ring bearer. Sherry would've been 11 months old at the time of this wedding. When I saw this picture, I couldn't get over how much Liam looks like me. It makes sense, though, as he is around the same age I was, at the time this picture was taken.

Peace, love and great memories,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam

Lawson Christmas 2009

This is the first year we were able to celebrate Christmas at my Mom's new place. She is so happy in this new house, which makes ME happy!

Here are pictures of our celebration.

Shane, Sherry, Jordan and Daymian

Sisters: Sherry and Shelly

The grandkids: Ginger, Shelly, Grammy, Sherry and Jamin (looks like Ava snuck in this picture, too)

Our attempt at a family picture. As you can see, the kids were a little wiggly... :)

Attempt #2 at family picture

Daddy and Liam

Doug and Shelly

Mom, Grandmother and Uncle Danny

The Lawson crew: Ginger, Uncle Danny, Aunt Linda and Jamin

Our gift to Jordan was a Scrabble game. He seemed happy with it!

The tree

Ginger and Ava

Mom opening her toolbox. Now that she's a homeowner, we thought she could use some good tools. Doug visited a local hardware store when they were going out of business and picked up some really good tools for great prices.

Daymian with a Christmas bow on his head. I'm not sure how long it was there until he figured out he had something on his head. ;-0

She is smitten.  Can you tell?

Doug talking to Daymian about guitar chords.

Ava in her "twirly dress"

 

We had a great time celebrating with everyone this year!

Peace, love and togetherness,

Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam