To Arkansas and Back Again....a Higginson's Tale (Part III)
(Okay, that was very cheesy)

To continue from the last entry...

We were all traveling home from somewhere I think on Thursday evening, and we started talking about how neat it would be to see Grandma Parker down in Arkansas. I told Momma and Poopa that it had been about 14 or 15 years since the last time I had seen her, or any of my relatives down there. They were totally shocked. We changed the subject, but later on I really began to think about it seriously. I thought, "There's no way I will be able to drive out to Arkansas any time soon, and I am so much closer being here in Iowa." So I talked to Momma about it, and we decided to go! We decided Saturday morning the 28th. We got into a mad packing rush and we left around 1pm. Poopa couldn't go because he had to be to work on Monday. So above is Vaughn playing it cool while we traveled.





The trip took about nine or ten hours, so we had to make a few stops. Here's us playing on the side of the road somewhere between Iowa and Arkansas.











That evening we arrived at my Uncle Mike's house around 10:00 or 11:00pm. We very quickly got settled and went to bed. In the morning we were up early to take a look at his ranch. This is a view from to very back of his yard area. It's about a 30-acre ranch area.









They have a nice swimming pool with a club house next to it.










Here's Vaughn and Uncle Mike in front of the pool. Uncle Mike is a very handsome guy!















Uncle Mike offered to take us on a tour of the property, and we were happy to oblige him! Vaughn got very excited because he go to take a ride in Uncle Mike's cart. Also a bonus was Uncle Mike's son Hayden, who rode on the back and entertained Vaughn. (Aunt Amy and their other son Brandon were gone to Sunday School).














We rode around the property, and then stopped to see the horses. Vaughn loves horses, and he was in heaven!










Then it was off to the creek area. It was so gorgeous! Mike said that the water had recently turned bad with all the construction going on around them. But for a long time you could swim in it. Isn't it beautiful?
















Uncle Mike took the opportunity to show Vaughn the real way to skip rocks. Vaughn liked the idea better of picking up the biggest rock possible and chucking it into the water.













Here's the three of us taking a leisurely walk. Thanks to Momma for the photos.















Uncle Mike took us to see their tractor (for Vaughn's sake). Vaughn really enjoyed playing with big boy stuff.















Here's Uncle Mike helping Vaughn with the controls.

















And here's Vaughn giving it a go...

















Vaughn warmed up to Uncle Mike very quickly. He just loved him. We thought this was great since Vaughn usually takes a long time to warm up to people he's never met before!















Here's Uncle Mike giving Vaughn a ride. They were so fun to watch together!
















After our ride, Momma took a turn with Uncle Mike. Vaughn had to come along as well, since now he and Uncle Mike were inseparable!











After another ride, Vaughn was ready to come back to his Momma! I love it when he runs to me!
















Here are a few photos of the inside of their home. It's quite amazing. This is the entry way.
















Here is one of their living rooms. I love the vaulted ceilings, and on the other side of the room are huge windows letting in a ton of light. I love that too!














Here is another living room area. This one is attached to their kitchen.








And here's a shot of their kitchen. Of course, none of these picture do their home justice. It was one of the most beautiful homes I had ever seen. And I have to say that my Aunt Amy does a superb of decorating!










Thanks to Uncle Mike and Aunt Amy for taking us in for the night. Thanks to Brandon for letting me and Vaughn stay in his room. And thanks to Hayden for being such a great friend to Vaughn. And thanks to you all for being such great hosts! We loved seeing you!

I will continue in the next entry, since this one is getting long as it is!

Love, Lisa