Roadtrip part III

Wednesday in Alabama was supposed to be spent on the lake. The rain changed our plans, though. Ella Grace, Major & I went to visit and play at Grandmother and Gran daddy's. We had a great time. Uncle Bubblegum even came!

Thursday we went to the local aquatic center. The have a special the third Thursday of the month, members can bring a guest for free. Dad & I went and got a quick workout in, then Mom brought Ella Grace & Major and Janie & Jackson came, too. 

My crazy kids were going down slides and jumping off both diving boards. They definitely have more courage than their momma! ha!

As we were leaving watched a truck attempt to park beside us. I made a comment about the guy better not hit my car! Major gave a big "Yeah!" We walked closer to the Tahoe and Major noticed the Alabama decal on the back and I said he could tell him Roll Tide. He did, but when the guy turned around it was the husband of one of my high school friends! So funny!

Long story short, we went to see my friend Crystal and her three girls.

Here is a picture of me with Halle and Lola

And this is Lola, Ella Grace, Josie and Halle

Our big girls!

 

Major didn't want to go because there were no boys - all girls is not fun!

Crystal and I had a great time catching up! I really think it has been since Halle was born that we had seen each other!

More on our Alabama va-cay

The littles and I left home on July 15 for a trip to Alabama before they start back to school. We had just had some overnight company, the sweet wife and three boys of a guy that works with Jeremy but has relocated. We enjoyed seeing the kids play together and catching up on all the newness they have found and experienced in Maryland!

After arriving in Alabama on Monday, Major made a comment that he was glad we got there early that morning so he could play! It was early evening when we arrived. He was happy he didn't have to eat supper and go straight to bed like usual.

First up, we went to see Mee Maw. The kids were excited to see her, but I don't think as excited as I was. Of course, they had to experience the amusement ride she now has - a chair! ha!

 Then she took us all over to her fitness room and she showed the kids the different exercises she has done during therapy.

 They tossed balls, with one bounce.

 Carried around 1lb weights and thought they were fitness experts!

 And right before we left, two more surprises - Aunt Sherry and her granddaughter Sabrina, and a little later Janie and Jackson.

When we left, we were ready for lunch and lunch it was at a local hot dog spot. At Academy Pop and Nana treated the grands to water shoes.

Somehow we managed not to take any pictures with Granny! But, we had a great time visiting with her.

It was definitely a good day!

Thanksgiving - Part II

On Saturday (12/26), we left my parents' to go to Jeremy's parents' house and celebrate Thanksgiving with the Jordans. The kids (of all ages) had a great time playing. Yes, it was Saturday and, yes, it was gameday. And what do the Jordans wear on gameday Saturdays in the fall? Yes, that would be correct if you said Alabama gear!

See, it doesn't matter how old you are you can play ball with the kids!

And you can show-off, too!

Uncle David was having some target practice with Austin, but Ella Grace & Major got in on the fun also!
Jeremy, Uncle Chris (aka Uncle Bubblegum) and Uncle David
These kids were captivated, and upon a closer look there was a HUGE bug. YUCK!
Jeremy with his family
Uncle Chris and Hunter
Our crew
David, Laura, Austin & Caroline
the kids with Great-Grandmother

the kids with Granddaddy and Grandmother
and the big boys with Grandmother (or Great-Grandmother, I guess it depends on who's calling her!)

We had a great time, ate way too much and saw a heck-of-a football game! At the end of the day we went back to Mom & Dad's to pack up and sleep. We departed while it was dark & rainy, got some gas and a redbox movie and were on our way.

As we neared home, there was so much traffic. After much debate we detoured, which in itself added an hour to our time, but there was no guarantee the traffic would let up when we got on the turnpike. Going through a national forest a black bear ran across the road in front of us. At first I just thought it was a huge dog, but, no, black bear! Can a road trip get more exciting?!

And it was SO good to get home!

Our Thanksgiving celebration

Aunt Lo-Lo drove in Thursday night and we planned to do a little Black Friday shopping. Ella Grace said she wanted to go with us (year 3, I believe). She went to bed earlier and we woke her up about 10:30pm to get going. We did a little shopping at Wal-Mart and Target in the Gardendale/Fultondale area then headed to the Galleria. To me, it just wasn't the same - I enjoy being in the crowds and the festive atmosphere that the day/early morning holds. But, shopping some Thursday night just didn't feel the same.

We got home around 6:15 and Lori and I went straight to bed. Ella Grace, though, thought she could stay up. When I got up & showered, Jeremy and I went into "town" and I got a sewing machine! So excited!

MeeMaw, Aunt Glenda and Aunt Sherry (my dad's side) came up and visited with us. Granny rode up with them, too. It was SO nice to see them all.

After MeeMaw, Sherry & Glenda headed back home, Gran headed straight for the tunnel!




That's one spunky lady, right here!

And it wasn't long before Ella Grace got in trouble - right before we ate. I put her in timeout and it wasn't long before she found our elf (Chuluota Toot-toot) hiding in the tree next to her rocking chair. Not too much time passed before this what I went back to see.
One exhausted five year old. She really didn't budge the rest of the night except for forcing her to eat a little food (which she didn't remember the next day) and getting her to bed.

Here, Major was so excited to see our elf!
We relaxed and just enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the day!

Our fun Thanksgiving Day

Our 2011 Thanksgiving was spent a little differently than in year's past. We had a yummy breakfast with Grandmother and Grandaddy, and then headed over to visit with Nana & Pop. This was our first visit with them on this trip. Nana had gotten a few new toys and, to say my kids were excited was an understatement.

They called this particular toy the "roller coaster" - and they had many turns on this. Ella Grace even took Holly for a turn.

Major had to try something new -

And then down the driveway (which is a roller coaster of itself).
We talked aboutmaking a fire, and it is hard to make a fire without firewood. Dad & Jeremy are hard at work trying to get a few pieces to get one started later in the afternoon.
Back to the toys, these are the motorcycles! ha! Ella Grace & Pop work to get them started.


The pink one just wasn't feeling it...
Major just took off on his - Pop kept telling him to slow down!


Here, Ella Grace demonstrates how you can also pull a baby carriage with it.
Please, do not try this with real infants.
The fire was a success. But, what is a fire without roasted marshmallows? So, we did it right!

In all the travel and commotion, I never did take a look at all the fun things Ella Grace made at school for Thanksgiving. Below, she (aka "Little Purple" - her Indian name) shows off her headdress, vest, camouflaged turkey, handprints, a napkin from her Thanksgiving treats at school, a picture of her jumping out of a pumpkin, and her "How to Cook a Turkey" page & "I am Thankful for..." page. Hopefully, I will get those up later.
There was no turkey and dressing on this Thanksgiving Day. But, we did get to visit with both of our parents and I think we were most thankful for this this time more than anything!

Bestest Friends

We are so glad we were able to spend our Thanksgiving in Alabama! It was a very strategically organized trip so we could see and do as much as possible, but completely worth every bit of it (including the lack of sleepl!).

Jeremy was able to fly up on 11/19 (Saturday) to spend time with his family and hunt. He was able to get a couple of deer while he was up there and the processing was done in time for us to bring the meat home! Yea! I did tell him he may want to get a third to make sure Major could eat!

By Monday, the kids and I were packed up. I was going over our plan with them on Monday night. I reminded them Alabama was to play Auburn on Saturday & it was the last regular season game, even told them I had packed their UA shirts to wear Saturday. Ella Grace asked me if I had packed their shakers. I told her no and she said "You have to be like the worst Mom ever." ha! Really?! I thought I was doing pretty good!

Tuesday morning I realized the Tahoe needed an oil change before our trip. Major & I took Ella Grace to school, then stopped by a Redbox and got a movie for the ride. After we dropped off the car, we walked to CVS and picked up another movie (there wasn't a good selection at the first). I thought we would never leave the CVS parking lot because Major wouldn't stop collecting acorns.

Finally we got back to the oil change place. But, Major couldn't even sit down without acorns falling out of his pockets. He had a few people laughing in there. Then, another customer brought a Styrofoam cup over to him so he could count them into the cup rather than his hands and arms (which further contributed to acorns all over the floor). Sixty was the final number. 60 acorns in two little pockets! ha!

After leaving, we had lunch with sweet Ella Grace at her school. Then, we headed home where I rested up and did a few last minute things (except taking the garbage out, because I forgot to do that). At 2:30, we left the house, parked near her school and walked up to get her. We hurried to the car and off. we. went. We had the usual dinner at Chick-fil-a, I let them play for a few minutes, I fueled up, and we were gone again. It was getting late and they were getting sleepy so we stopped just outside of Alabama around 10:30 pm, in Georgia, at a rest stop - everyone potty'ed, I washed my face (sans paper towel), and Major took his medicine. After a license check three minutes from Grandmother and Granddaddy's, we made it about 1:00 am! So happy!

We got up early Wednesday morning and headed south west to visit some dear, dear friends. First we visited Jeremy's old workplace and got to see the few there the day before a holiday. Then, we visited with Ella Grace & Major's teachers at their old school. And finally, we got to see good friends! The Mayos were the first good friends we visited with! How wonderful to see these sweet faces (and Mark's, too!). Ellie, Ella Grace, Major and Sadie Kate just picked up and got to playing. I love that sight!



Comparing blisters after several trips across the monkey bars.


My sweet friend Laurie (aka Mrs. Mayo).

Next, we met our favorite Mrs. Sandi and had lunch. And I was so happy to see Amber, too!
After lunch, we visited with the Lamberts. Jack, Ella Grace, Major and Ray did lots of catching up in the short time we were there.
Special friends are just the best. And I am so glad to have several of them, even though there are lots of miles between us.

When we got back to "home base", Grandmother made a "who-ge" pot of "chicklin" and dumplings for us! The very best! We filled our tummies and enjoyed catching up before getting to bed!