{Life and Picture} Special Days

Note: This post was my mom's idea. I was having troubles coming up with a good subject to write about. She's a genius :) I could write a book about this.

Ever since I was little, my mom's parents have taken us on special days annually. With my dad's parents, we would just go spend the night pretty regularly for no reason. There wouldn't necessarily be anything special to do, except no chores, limited rules...  :) I don't know why, but we never did that with my mom's parents. If we spent the night there, it was because we had a special activity, like a "special day". It's two different approaches to spending time with our grandparents, but I love both ways!

I went on my first special day when I was 4. (We went to something called "Rhythm of Colors" at McCain) There was only four grandkids "back in the day" and we each got our own special day. In 2004 we went on our first "joint" special day. My two older cousins, Tyler and I went to Great Wolf Lodge. There was four kids in three seats the whole way there and back. I'm not sure how we came out alive and sane. The boys always told me they needed to pile all our bags and coats on top of me when we went through towns; just in case there was police officers. And I willing let them do it! They tortured me and I didn't even know it.
  At this point, us cousins had huge plans about traveling the United States together. :)

A few years later, (2007) we went to Branson. By this time, there was more like 9 grandkids, so it was just easier to do it in groups. That was fine by us! Looking back, I still can't believe that after one trip with us older four (Isaiah, Eli, Tyler and Bethany. Our grandpa just says "ITEB"), our grandparents ever consented to do it again. I can't imagine it was easy.

In 2008 we vacationed in Branson again. We saw several shows, visited the Passion Play in Eureka Springs, and Fantastic Caverns in Springfield. In five days. It was crazy. My grandpa really likes to do EVERYTHING you POSSIBLY can with your time. I mean seriously. My family has been on vacations with him where they drove by a museum because they were behind schedule, and didn't have time to stop. It's fun in an exhausting way.

From the very beginning, grandma has kept notes of our trips, and grandpa types up "special day stories" every single time. I value these so much! When I read through them, there's things we did I totally don't remember! 

I could go on for a LONG time about special days. I've always loved them :) I've done more traveling with my cousins than with my family! Although, we did do a family special day trip to Washington D.C. in 2011.

Marteney Family special day to Branson, 2009

Gatlinburg Tennessee, 2009

Wisconsin, Spring Break 2011

 Our lives have gotten busier as we've gotten older (who knew THAT would happen?). It's hard to find a time for the "older four" to go on a special day. So 2011 was our last trip. How sad is that? I really treasure the vacations I've gone on with my family/cousins/grandparents!

Is there a special way you spend time with your grandparents?