Summertime in Slapout, Alabama

Slapout, Alabama is one of our favorite places in the world to be.  If you blink you may miss the intersection with the Piggly Wiggly store and the outdoor produce market, but you can't miss some of the kindest people on this earth from Shoal Creek Baptist Church.

Shane Russell at Shoal Creek.  One of the best friends and best pastor you will ever have.

Traci Edgar who has one of the most beautiful voices in the world.  Traci came to Ireland and worked in Sarsfield community in Athlone helping with a baseball camp.  What a lasting impression she made, especially in the lives of our family.

Barbara Kay.   Just a ball full of fun and love!  I'd stick her in my suitcase if I could.

The girls enjoyed Sunday School and made a bunch of new friends.

Thanks to the Carter family, we had a great day on the lake.  I even got to paddle board for the first time!  (I didn't post that picture because that one does not hide my hips). :)

The boys had fun on the lake, the boat and jet ski's could not go fast enough for the adrenaline junkies.

Emily Grace.

Here's my handsome spotter for the kids on the tube.  I think it is a law you have to wear camouflage in Alabama. 

Griffin almost got lost on this turn but Clayton saved the day and grabbed his arm

Griffin and Clayton waiting their turn on the tube and enjoying the company.

We met these precious families last year when they came to help us at the National Ploughing Championships in Ireland.  They will be back again this year!  We cannot wait.  What did we do after dinner?....

Target shooting of course.  One of my favorite things to do.  However I aim for the bucket....

When Griffin takes aim.....

he aim's for the letters. 

This pizza is called "The Big Ugly".  It is the biggest pizza we ever saw introduced to us by....

Rachel and Dan whom we also met at the National Ploughing Championship last year in Ireland!

Griffin watching and encouraging a new friend target shooting.

This is also one of my favorite places because I start the morning with Jesus and Big Bird (can you see the crane at the end of the pier)?  I love waking up before the kids and getting out to read the Bible, pray and have devotions.

We also love going to get crickets at the local bait shop and fishing

Emily caught the first fish last time we were here three years ago and she did so again.

There's never enough time to spend with the Russell family but when we do get together, it sure is fun. 

Pig Pickin's and Near Death Experiences

If you are from the South, you know what a "Pig Pickin" is.  You grill a pig over hickory coals all day and then when it is done you pick the meat off, chop it up and eat it.  In the Eastern part of North Carolina we are known for our Carolina BBQ Sauce which consists of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and chili pepper flakes.  I did not get a picture of the whole hog but Ludie's dad and brother chopping up the meat.  Ludie Sr. and Kevin are the best around and are often asked to cater events.

Of course no pig pickin or fish fry is complete without hush puppies. (Sweet fried cornbread is the best description I can come up with.)

Lila got to see her baby book for the first time with her Grandmother.

Sitting by Uncle James is also very entertaining for all of us.

We have not been able to attend a Smiley family reunion in at least 14 years, until this year. 

This is a cultural experience all in itself.

Of course the day is not finished without a visit to Uncle Pig's farm to see what new animals he has.

Here's Grace, the new Brahma cow.  She is beautiful.  Ruthie now understands what an electric fence is by experience.

Of course a visit isn't completely authentic without a ride in the pick up truck.  That's "a whole lotta youngins!"  Our kids just adored being with their cousins.

You never go hungry with Judy around.  I've never seen someone work so hard canning and freezing.  If anything ever happens, these are the people you want to be with!  They are prepared.

Oh and I almost forgot...the near death experience.   Well I wish I had a video or picture of this to show you.  Reading it is not nearly as funny as seeing it.  Ludie and I decided to get some exercise and ride our bikes up to Uncle Pig's.  So when we got there, we found Ludie's brother and a sister-in-law (Katie) had ridden the golf cart behind us.  However, attached to it was a rope that was pulling Claude (Ludie's other brother, Katie's husband) on a bicycle.  When leaving, the bicycle that already had a messed up tire, crossed over the rope and the slack from the rope snapped tight sending the bike and Claude flipping over.  Claude flipped what seemed to be at least six feet in the air.  When coming down out of the air, he was heading towards the pavement headfirst.  Claude did a tuck and roll, landing in the middle of the road.    Cars stopped coming from both directions.  If that had been me they would have had to peel me off the road.  Of course, Claude had only a small scratch on his foot.    The handlebars were then stuck backwards.  He dusted himself off, laughed, got on the bike and continued home as the golf cart pulled the bicycle.

Being in the Creech family can have you screaming in terror one moment and then laughing your head off the next.  I have to admit, I don't take stomach medicine when I visit anymore because of the craziness, but I am never bored when I am there.

Doesn't everyone have an Uncle Pig? You should!

We come home every three years and this time we got to meet a precious new niece and nephew. 

Here's Baby Riley.  I think she has 10 pounds of sugar on each cheek.  She would only let me hold her if her mama was not in the room.  I think her favorite song at this moment is "If You're Happy and You Know It".  Sweet baby!  You can tell our girls adored her.

Big Man right here is our nephew, Walker.  Dressed nicely in his Irish jersey. I think he's so big and fast he will make a good rugby player. 

The cousins quickly picked up where they left off.

Ruthie's first priority was making cheese biscuits with Granny.  She's been waiting three years for this!

Of course you have to stop and admire Papa's garden.  Yes, that gunshot outside our window at 4 am was Papa after a deer in the garden.  Now that's a way to wake up!

I'm not sure, if everything in this picture is legal with the road sign, but well....it fits our family well in more ways than one.

Not everyone has an Uncle Pig.  We sure do love him and a lot of you know him from his infamous Chowan River story.  If you have not heard it, just ask Ludie.

This is Aunt Lissie, Grandma Dollie's sister.  We don't miss a chance to get to see her and have fun in her garden.

Here, Lila is picking cucumbers from Aunt Lissie's garden.

Of course Uncle Kevin always has cool toys to play with.

Here is a popcorn party with Granny and Papa.  I love the memories made with family.

Back Home: Redneck Style

 No visit to Woodstock Georgia is complete without a visit to Dixie Motor Speedway, just a couple miles from where we used to live.

 Our friend and former neighbor, Jenny introduced Lila to Snow Cones at the Dixie Speedway. They are essential in beating the heat.  Lila fell asleep during the main event.  There was so much dirt flying I put a cloth over her eyes as she slept.    When I took it off that was the only part of her face that was white.  Gotta love that Georgia Red Clay. 

 Cabella's has opened a store near Woodstock, GA.  We had such a blast going through here.

 I've been dreaming of getting a crossbow for years. Still waiting.

 We have loved catching lightening bugs and keeping them for nightlights.  This is a first for our girls and Griffin was a sweet brother helping them to get lots of bugs.  We also loved listening to the crickets and katydids lull us to sleep at night.

 No visit is complete without going to Haley's family's house and visiting all the critters.  The girls named this kitten "Peel Peel the Orange Orange".  We've gotta work on naming animals.

 This is Lila's first frog she ever held.  And yes it did survive this squeeze.   It had no chance of escape.  I love that she is not afraid of animals.

More photos to come.

Reunited and It Feels So Good!

 Reunited with Haley (former OM Ireland Intern and permanent Creech adopted family member)   Can you feel the love?

 Two goober's reunited after they last saw each other at Blarney Castle.

We got to meet and hang out with Matthew Willis whom we've been praying for.  Griffin really enjoyed hanging out with Matthew. 

Lila and Lila Reunited.  It is a blessing each time we see Lila Cox (Lila Katherine's namesake).

This lady's name should be Southern Sweetness.  It just oozes out of her.  This is my friend Gayle.    She also makes the best Chicken Rotel Spaghetti ever!  I waited three years for that and a hug from her!  Her secret superpower though is speaking Southern dialects.

Ashley Couey is one of the most selfless and fun people I know.  Our daughter loves her so much she has now changed her name from Lila to "Olaf Couey".

We quickly "dove" into some summer fun with the Disciples Class! (Tony Wilson's Sunday School Class @FBCWoodstock)

Seeing Family for the first time in 3 years!

We have had lots of meetings, and lots of fun.  They are not exclusive of each other but here are some pics of the fun we have had while visiting the USA and seeing family and friends for the first time in 3 years! 

This is Barbara's Parents.  We have to keep track of how tall Griffin is compared to Granddaddy.  I think next time we see him, Griffin may be taller!

The kids got to enjoy the sprinkler!  It was close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  This was the girls first time seeing a sprinkler (they are obviously not needed in Ireland.). :)
We love going to the Farmer's market whether it is in Ireland or Woodstock, GA. USA.
Next post, more adventures in Georgia.