Trek Across the Southeast

Last week, I took the girls and my mom on a trek across the southeast United States to visit some of my oldest and bestest friends. Thinking back on the trip, I have to say that it was really GREAT to see my friends, and I am very glad that we went, but it was definitley the hardest "vacation" I've ever taken. Thank goodness my mom was able to go with me, or I don't think I would have made it. Combine my trouble with sleep, and the girls' later bedtimes and lack of naps, plus a little more sweets and junk food than usual, and you get some wild and unruly kids and a mom who wants to call it quits. Thankfully, we pushed through and were able to visit several great friends. And what do you know? Magically, when we returned to our house and our usual routine, the girls turned into absolute angels. My friend Aimee told me when I was planning the trip that it was going to be too much, and she was absolutely right, but she held her tongue and gracefully never said, "I told you so"! Thanks Aimee.

We started our trip with a flight to Atlanta. We spent 3 days with my college roommate, Laura, and her family. We had a great time with them in their world. We went to a small waterpark, played at a park next to a small airport, took some walks, played on the big swing, went to a puppet show, and ate alot of good home-cooked food. Yum!!

Next we drove to Chattanooga to visit Katie and Joel and their two girls. It was my first time to meet baby Miller. She is ADORABLE, just like her big sis.

It was Princess's and Pumpkin's first time to have a slumber party!! (although there was not much slumber at the party)

In Chattanooga, we rode the incline...

...went for a short canoe ride on the lake in Katie's backyard...

...played at an awesome playground on Lookout Mountain...

...played in the fountain and rode the carousel in downtown, played a serious game of Shang Hai, and ate some more delicious food. I love my friends!

After a couple of days in Chattanooga, we got back on the road and drove to Nashville. We spent the first afternoon and evening hanging out with Aimee and her family. My girls love to play with those Guests!

The next day we went swimming with Holly, Jesse, and Joanie from our old WECC community group. A very fun, relaxing morning with the old BBCG crew!

We also spent time with Beth and Wallis and their kids at Beth's new house, and Princess and I visited Centennial's NICU to see the old work crew.

We also spent some time walking around Vandy and of course we hit all my favorite old dives, like Dairy Dip, Rotier's, Pancake Pantry, and Calypso Cafe.

My last night in Nashville I spent talking and praying with my bestest friend at good ole' Fido.

I am so glad that I took this trip to see some great, true friends. Being back in Nashville made me wish I still lived there. I just love the place and all the people, and I miss them incredibly. But, nothing can replace family, and that is what I have in Houston, so this is where I will stay. For now.

I have to say a big "thank you" to my mom for helping out so much with the girls on this trip. I would not have survived it without you. Also, thanks to Laura, Aimee, Katie, Beth, and Wallis, for your wise counsel and listening ears. I love you all and miss you so much!!

Annual Family Fish Fry

cousins

Every year for the past 20 years or so, Drummer Boy's family has had a reunion at his uncle's house around July 4th weekend. I think we have been to it every year except the two that my babies were born. It is always alot of fun. Drummer Boy's family is very close and they are good people and fun to be around, and of course there is always a lot of great home-cooked food, including fried catfish and home-made hush puppies and all the fixins for Saturday supper. This year was no exception.

Pumpkin and Uncle Rusty

The remarkable thing this year was the weather. It rained some on Friday and was cloudy all day on Saturday, so although it was humid, it wasn't so gosh darn hot! There have been years in the past where it has been so hot we have stayed inside for most of the weekend, except to go take a dip in the pool. But this year we were outside pretty much the whole time, playing washers, swimming, singing kareoke, jumpin' in the fun house, and just lounging around on the back patio.

 In the bounce house

Singing kareoke

Jared and Ella playing washers

Lauren on the tire swing

Cousins

The girls had a great time. We hardly saw Princess while we were there. She was always running around with her cousins, staying busy. And Pumpkin was in and out of the pool all day, and playing with the little cousins. Family has always been important to me and Drummer Boy, and I really love to see my girls having so much fun with their extended family too!

Cousins

Pumpkin and Pe-pa

Trayson

Sweet Hunter

Little Emma

We've Got a 6 Year-Old in the House!

Princess's 6th birthday was last Wednesday. I really love to celebrate birthdays on the actual day, so we planned a pool party for Wednesday afternoon at Mimi and Grandad's house. Princess invited 20 of her friends and all but 6 responded that they would be there. She was SO excited!!

Pretty much the entire month of June has been hot and sunny with very little rain, and then, of course right at the time of her birthday, Tropical Storm Alex starts pushing a bunch of rain and thunderstorms up our way. The forecast was 80% chance of thunderstorms. Drummer Boy and I talked to Princess about the possibility of canceling the party and postponing until the next week. I think I was as disappointed as she was about that possibility. On Wednesday morning, we woke up to overcast skies and a few sprinkles. The forecast was still 80% chance of rain.

We started her birthday celebration at a great little breakfast place called The Egg and I. Nana joined us for a nice breakfast and then she took Pumpkin back to her house while Princess and I went to have a mommy-daughter pedicure. She really loved that! She picked out some hot pink nail polish with a pink flower design on her big toe, complete with glitter and sequins. When we got back home I checked the forecast one last time before sending out the email to postpone the party. Amazingly, the forecast had changed and was now predicting a break in the rain from 4-6PM, just the time of the party. "Okay God", I thought to myself, "you obviously want us to go ahead with the party". So we did! And it was perfect!

It wasn't very hot because of the clouds, but it also didn't even sprinkle! The kids had a great time swimming. We played a few games like Marco Polo and a relay race that didn't really work very well, but was fun anyway. I had made an ice-cream cake that was supposed to look like a pool. It was cute! We finished the party with a pinata. And Princess got a TON of presents! She told me several times that it was the best party ever. She has no idea how glad I am to know that all my effort was worth it! Happy 6th Birthday My Sweet Princess!