The Month in Review.

Looking at the last posted entry it is clear that it’s been way too long since we have updated the world on what’s been going on with the Stephens family. A time gap like that typically means one of two things, we’ve been amazingly busy or amazingly lazy. In fact it has been a little bit of both. Add in our limited internet access and you have the missing month of our life. So here is the last month or so in a nutshell (more walnut sized than acorn).

After Labor Day weekend and the trip to Staunton we have been all over the world. We like to refer to it as Savannah’s World Tour 2007. In truth it was only a few states in the South and Midwest but for someone used to living in a world not much bigger than a basketball Kansas may as well be the other side of the world.

We started off by traveling to North Carolina where we stayed with Sue’s parents for a night. Early the next morning we were off to South Carolina. As an aside, shouldn’t South Carolina be the Peach State and not Georgia. Regardless we made the necessary stops to pickup some fine peach cider from Abbotts Fruit Markets. The downside of not living in South Carolina is that we get peach cider anytime we are there while ignoring the muscadine and scuppernog cider as well as the various syrups, jams and jellies. We can’t buy all of them but we can’t not get the peach cider. Life is full of difficult choices.


Since we were already near Cowpens, SC we decided to head in to town and check it out. Grandad Stephens (or Great Grandad) served in WWII aboard the carrier USS Cowpens, named for the Revolutionary War battle fought near the town of Cowpens. So there is a battlefield historic site as well as a musuem for the WWII era ship and now its modern day offspring (a cruiser I believe). Well we cruised into Cowpens and didn’t see much there. We knew the place was small but didn’t realize it was as small as we found it. We knew the musuem was the old train depot and assumed the tracks would be pretty easy to find. Soon we made our way to the museum (and civic center apparently) only to find it closed and no hours posted on the door. Our sidetrip to Cowpens ended pretty quickly. No Cowpens musuem visit but a gallon of peach cider was stowed securely in the trunk. We didn’t get a picture of Savannah at the museum but, much like MacArthur, we vow to return.

Savannah was very excited to see South Carolina and she was the highlight of the party once we made it to Nana and Big Daddy’s in Greenwood. They had been waiting anxiously to see their first great granddaughter and it is safe to say that Savannah did not disappoint. The few days in Greenwood included much conversation with Savannah, visits by friends and family, as well as generous portions of buttermilk waffles, frenchtoast and Big Daddy’s World Famous Peach Ice Cream. Big Daddy also made a run to the store and found the first pacifier that Savannah would ever accept. Let's just say that everyone is happier for it. She ay not use it often but when she needs to just relax (and that thumb just won't cooperate) the pacifier is a nap saver.

Nana and Big Daddy meeting their great-granddaughter for the first time!

Savannah relaxing with Nana

Big Daddy sharing a conversation with Savannah.

Enjoying the great outdoors in South Carolina

After our too short but wonderful time in South Carolina we returned to North Carolina before flying to Kansas from Raleigh. Being back in Kernersville gave us the chance to hang out with Aunt Jayne and Uncle Jason as well as Shanna and Brian (whose wedding we missed due to the belly).

Quality time with Aunt Jayne

Meeting Sue's friend Shanna who proudly supplies Savannah with NC State gear.

.....Due to constrained time limits, pleas stay tuned for the continuing coverage of Savannah's World Tour 2007. Upcoming episodes include scenes from Kansas, Carter Mountain Orchard, and more!