Back to Staunton

So we made our first official family car trip that didn't end at the hospital. We used the long Labor Day weekend to meet up with Sue's family in Staunton. It was an incredibly beautiful weekend, the drive was wonderfully uneventful, and the extra hands helped Sue get some extra sleep.

We are now taking applications for additional family member positions. No experience needed though grandmothers are highly preferred. Must be able to work every three days or so with little sleep. Competitive salary with obvious benefits package...a baby!

Relaxing on Mimi's porch, just like the good ol' days of '06

Mimi shows holding babies and riding bikes have plenty in common

We also had a handful of "locals" stop by and visit while we were in Staunton. Sue's "Aunt" Janet (her mom's good friend) came by and also proved her grandmothering abilities with Savannah. Savannah enjoyed napping on her shoulder. We will be looking for her application in the mail.

Staring contest with the baby

On Sunday we all made our way to church at historic Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Staunton. Not only is the church historic in Staunton but in Sue's family as well. Her great-grandfather, Pop, was the rector of Emmanuel and served Stuart Hall School as well. Mimi grew up there and after seeing the church at her 90th birthday celebration last year I think it is safe to consider her an Emmanuel living legend, though I can't share the history with justice. Sue's parents were married there and Sue and her sister were baptised there.

On this Sunday we had a special prayer service for Savannah Grace as suggested by her parents. The Episcopal prayer book as a special prayer of thanksgiving for the healthy birth of a child. After Sue was born, but had to stay in the hospital for a few months, Emmanuel Church included this special prayer for her. It was a wonderful service this time around as well.

Historic Emmanuel Church in Staunton

This window is in the rear of the sanctuary

The photos of Staunton and the church reminded me of James commenting from Memorial Day that Staunton looks like a movie set. In fact it is! The movie "Evan Almighty" was largely shot in Central Virginia and the Valley and includes parade scenes and others from Staunton, though we haven't seen the movie. We did see the ark being built by the mountains near Crozet, VA. Impressive stuff all for a mildly successful movie. Anyway...back to the family.

Four generations! Josephine Gibbs Lotz, Debbie Lotz Walker, Sue Walker Stephens & Savannah Grace Stephens

The whole Walker family

The Lotz family after service.

Though Sue and I do not attend an Episcopal Church regularly it appears Savannah is much more Episcopalian than Baptist or Pentecostal. She was perfect all through the service. When the clock hit one hour though she was ready to go and made sure everyone knew it, including the priest. Babies are great in church.

It was a great weekend all around...this time Daddy and the girls are getting their sleep (watching college football highlights of course). Savannah has been prepping for this for 10 months and it got off to a great start with the Virginia Tech game and highlights of the App win over Michigan. Savannah would like to mention that she always roots for the small guys, Dixie always roots for the underdogs, and Daddy wishes it would have been Ohio State instead.