Bridge Day Weekend

After I got off crossing guard, we headed to Nana and Papa's house for Bridge Day Weekend.  I am aware for those unfamiliar with this "holiday" that sounds weird but it's like a giant fall festival taking place leading up to New River Gorge Bridge , on the bridge and then a bit beyond the bridge.  Dad, the kidlets and I go pretty much every year.
We got to Nana and Papa's around 8pm.  Zach, Rebekah and the dearly beloved guest, STEELER were waiting on us.

We, as usual, were fed exceptionally well.  Thanks Nana!!  Veggie soup, fried ham, sweet taters, succotash, salad, fruit salad, bread and all our favorite desserts Strawberry jello salad (my fav), german choc cake (Tricia's fav) and blackberry pie (dad's fav)

We enjoyed chatting with Tricia, Zach, Rebekah, Nana and Papa.  Amanda made her way in late after attending her friend's wedding rehearsal. We went to bed a bit after 11.  We were up by 8 for Bridge Day fun, grabbed a quick breakfast and were headed to meet up with cousin Trish and the Special K family just after 9.

The kids tested out Nana's new couch, before heading out for the day

We started Bridge day under the bridge using Special K's pass to go down under.  You get the close ups of seeing the parachuters floating down and land.

We also got front row seats to watch them "swim" and rescue boats quickly pulling them and their parachute out of the frigid water and to land.

 Special K gave his crazy gang a ride back up top, complete with a colorful view out the tailgate!

Then it was time for the Bridge!  We started off with cousin Tricia.

It's all fun and games... until you realize the little one (Jayna) isn't strapped in

At long last, we made it to Jayna's 2 favorite areas that she'll chatter about for weeks and even months before Bridge Day and After Bridge Day.  First she did the Marine's pull up bar.  She successfully did 7, which she was bummed by because she wanted 10.  But that's ok my little one.... that is still 8 better than me ( I can do Negative one I think).  

We passed her beloved rock wall next.  This year both kids decided to give it a try, not just Jayna.  About five feet from the top of this 35 foot rock wall Jayna gave up.  However this has 3 sides, easy, mid, and advanced and she was on the advanced side.  Anthony did the middle side and made it to the top!  It was then, that Cousin Tricia had to leave for Aiden's soccer game.

Jayna was pouty after that.  But we decided it was lunch time.  Jayna and Anthony got pizza while Dad and I got pulled pork w/ slaw.  Uncle Zach and Aunt Rebekah were worried about Steeler dog in the car so we parted ways with them.  Dad followed them to their car while Anthony, Jayna and I kept going.  It was then that they ran into our forever long time family friend Kelvin.  I'll have to see him next trip.  But they all had a nice conversation.

We made our way onto the Bridge, we stopped a few times to look over and watch the parachuters.  We finally made our way through the gigantic crowds to the stage where they jump from.  And in time we made it to front row seats to the catapult!!

Looking over the bridge, down below

Parachuters take that leap

Sky diver and Catapult

After watching people jump for a long while we walked the rest of the bridge... Ok well the girl, was her typical self and did this to pass the remainder of the bridge when not crowded

 We made it the entire length, of course!  Akind passerby took our photo so it isn't even a so-so selfie

It was sprinkling and colder on our walk back, but that didn't stop us from continuing to have fun.  We got some kettle corn and hot chocolate to warm up with, Jayna successfully reached the top of the rock wall, we enjoyed some photo ops and Jayna got her face painted!

We headed back to Nana's and met up with Tricia, Aidan, Zach, Rebekah and Steeler for a while.  Then we went with Tricia to Aidan's house to play and hang out.  The kids all got along perfectly-- especially jumping on the trampoline and playing in the haunted attack Josie and Aidan had created. 

Tricia, Laura and I created some great recipes from the Southern Living magazine using an cast iron pan.

 Laura also made a turkey and mashed potatoes.  The pictures don't show all the fun and work that went into creating our meal, but who knew cooking could be fun and not a chore ;-)  Our cast iron creations were crispy sweet potato and onion cakes and cast iron bristered brussels sprouts.

For dessert we made apple-cinnamon dutch baby with our own twist by adding a bit more apple juice, adding blueberries and vanilla.  It was amazing!  Everyone loved it, however the kids were wearing down.  Anthony had fallen asleep and Josie was inches away from sleeping as well.

When we got back to Nana and Papa's we relaxed, watched a bit of tv and had a snack.  Then it was bedtime.  On Sunday we went to church.  When we got back Nana made us her world famous pancakes--- and seriously you can just never get enough of Nana's divine masterpieces, even the simple sounding things!  Of course I also had some veggie soup and fruit salad too.  But best of all was crazy-fun Aunt Chris enjoying dessert--- and then some.  YES she really did take this giant chunk of German Chocolate Cake.... and perhaps that seems normal enough except Nan is very proper.  You get a fully set table, you don't cur desserts with a butter knife, there are dessert knives and special dessert plates.... and this is Tricia's favorite dessert and AUNT CHRIS TOOK IT ALL!  Check out a silly Aunt Chris and a devastated cakeless Tricia hahahah.  But then to even the score she also had to kidnap dad's favorite dessert, all of it.  Yes hald of a blackberry pie.  I was smart and ate the rest of my favorite dessert for breakfast Sunday so no one but me got it!

Sadly after cleaning up after lunch, it was time to head back home.  Luckily though the count down was on.  Only 5 weeks until we would get to return---- and now just a week and a half, because I am soooooo behind on blogging.