weekend excursion, part two: The Neck

Alright, part two of weekend-excursion-picture-overload commences now.  From Busch Gardens, we headed an hour and a half down the road to my parents’ place on the Rappahannock River.  I do believe that the Northern Neck of Virginia is quickly becoming one of my favorite places ever.  It’s beautiful and serene and quiet and simple and perfect.

 duck blind turned “pirate ship”… um, sorry Packett family… 🙂

 I will pay someone money if they can identify the ridiculous looking creature in the above picture.  My mom claims it’s a prehistoric dinosaur (???), while my sister believes it to be a breed of alligator (again, ???).  Any insight?  Carson (and his equally nerdy and intrigued mother) would be forever grateful.

And to top off a perfectly fabulous weekend, this happened on the drive home:

 Glory.Glory.Hallelujah.

So, after a craaazy past month or so, we’re settling back down for a bit.  Unpacking.  Regrouping.  Hopefully chilling out on the recent string of broken bones and surgeries and specialist appointments galore.  (Please, Lord, pleeaeease.)  We’re taking deep breaths.  And exhaling loudly.  And we’re enjoying this tiny little lull before Holiday Season 2013 kicks up into high gear.  Because it will be here soon.  Really, really soon.

But until then, we’ll rest.

Whatever that means.