Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Loveliest Village on the Plains

Auburn is not a football team or a place on a map.  It is so much more than that.  Jason and I loved our time there and it will always be a part of how our family began.

It is a joy to take the boys to Auburn.  They have been a couple of times, but this was the first time we were able to take them into the stadium for a game.

We can check that off the life list.
Auburn 11.19.2011

Serious game watching.
Auburn 11.19.2011

Watching the eagle fly and eating a banana.


Watching the pre-game festivities. (Warning - people other than myself and my grandma (hi, grandma!) will find this to be the most boring video ever)



Zero boys looking at the camera.
Auburn 11.19.2011

I feel confident that at some point Colin will participate in a family picture, but not on this day.
Auburn 11.19.2011

As we were walking back to our friends' house Walker turned to me and said, "I want to stay in Auburn.  I like it here. Can we live here for a little while?" I told him we could arrange a 4 year stay, and he said that would be great.

War Eagle

Friday, November 4, 2011

I Fear No Road Trip

Trip to Atlanta 10.28.2011

My kids are great car travelers. Given the right mix of snacks, movies, music and restroom breaks they are quite the troopers.

So last Friday the kids and I headed to Atlanta to see my grandparents, with the right mix of the aforementioned necessities.

One of the great things about being on this side of the country is most of our family is just a day trip away. {don't worry great-grandparents not yet seen, the holiday season is upon us and your turn is near}

The entire way there we listened to music on my phone.  I was pretty impressed with the music on my iPhone.  I don't really look at what is there, but just load it to the phone or iPod automatically.  Well, Suri (you know, the swanky new iPhone assistant) couldn't understand what music I was asking for so she just played everything (what, a southern accent? me? really?).  Aside from one Shania Twain moment, the music mix was pretty good (if I do say so myself). And I actually have the boys saying Jimmy Buffet is "Pops' music," fantastic.

We looked at the pretty fall colors adorning all the trees along the interstate beautifully hung against a bright blue sky.

We discussed all the interesting road building equipment between Birmingham and the Georgia state line. {an aside: What exactly are we doing here? Just digging up the median and putting up cones all the way to the state line? I mean shouldn't there be some progress after the YEARS of this project?}

We sailed through downtown Atlanta and marveled at the sky scrapers and tunnels.

I love checking my rear mirror and seeing this:
When traveling you might have to find an alternate place to store your blankie on your head if your ands are full of snack and drink. #resourceful
When it is time for that on the road snack and drink, don't even think of putting down that blankie. It most definitely should be stored on your head for safe keeping.

Grandma and Grandpa's house was like my second home growing up. It warms my heart that my boys can feel the comfort of their home.

The boys measuring with grandpa.
Trip to Atlanta 10.28.2011

We pushed right through nap time and the littlest slept on my shoulder at Dairy Queen.  I know how rare these moments are becoming, so I savored it (okay I savored the ice cream, too).
Trip to Atlanta 10.28.2011

And here are some goodies Grandma has on display.
Trip to Atlanta 10.28.2011
(My grandparents kids - Uncle David, My Mom, Uncle Ken, Uncle Alan)

And here is a little gem of me.
Trip to Atlanta 10.28.2011
A pink turtle neck and a cotton headband, you're welcome. {and my grandma loves me anyway}

We made it home a smidgen past bedtime and started missing them immediately. {So, anybody have a great recommendation for a 55+ living community in the Birmingham area? We have got to get them closer!}