Callway Gardens

Granddaddy took our whole family (Mom's side) to Callaway Gardens for a Labor Day Weekend get-away. There were 17 of us, Dan, John P., Dave, and Kate were the only ones missing. We really had a good time, only a few hairy moments, which is pretty good with that many family members. After a long trip down on the backroads, Granddaddy does not like to drive interstate, and a even longer check-in process, we visited the butterfly exhibit. It was pretty but really, really hot. We let the kids run around outside of it and all watched the Bama game that night. The next day we ate a buffet breakfast and then we split up and some went to FDR's vacation home and Ginny and I got to spend some incredible time at the spa getting massages and pedicures (thanks Mom and Dad) Later we all spent the afternoon at the beach, and my child had an absolute blast. She lept running into the water full speed and flopping in. We also played in a jump jump and slid down an inflatable slide, ate sno cones, and watched hot air balloons fly over our heads. Then, all 17 of us went to the lodge for dinner that night. Some of the pics:

GO DHS!!

We recently took Caroline to Decatur High School's annual tailgate party before the first home football game of the season. She loved it and even Dan (who is NOT a DHS alum) had fun. Caroline got her face painted, ate dinner, danced to the band, watched the cheerleaders, got a balloon which she released, ate a sucker, got her picture thaken with the raiders, and played with all of her friends.

Just for Daddy...

In honor of the Bird Bass Tournament.....................GO Americans!!!!!
(Even though Mommy thinks the MONTHS of preparation for this tourney are a little ridiculous!)

Where is Caroline????

Play Date

Caroline recently had a big night out/play date with her parents and her friend Maggie and her parents. Caroline and Maggie had so much fun together...they actually played and interacted the whole night. We went the Bridgestreet and it was perfect because it was a beautiful night and there was actually so much for these little girls to do.

We started at the fountains....

Checked out the toy games.....Rode the Carousel.......
Played in the bubbles.........
Ate some pizza and some bright blue chocolate "brick"......
And danced the night away to the outdoor band......

"Chuck Cheese"

We went to "Chuck Cheese" (as Caroline says it) a couple of weeks ago with MeMe and Pappy. Caroline LOVED it, especially putting the tokens in the slot and pulling the tickets off when they came out. She really got into that more then she got into playing the games. EXCEPT, for ski ball!!! A couple of pics:

Caroline and Daddy strategizing:Lining up the perfect toss:

Going for it!

Forget it Dad, this works so much better!

Back to the Beach!

Last week we headed back to Orange Beach. This time it was Caroline and I, Mammy, Ginny and the girls, and my Aunt Carol and her son Luke. The trip had very few hairy moments (though it did have some!) and we really had a great time. A few highlights include:

Playing at the beach in the sand and in the ocean. Caroline really got into going into the ocean for the first time this trip. She was fearless and loved trying to jump the waves.Getting pedicures on the balcony. Thanks Mammy!

Going out to eat and trying seafood for the first time for Caroline. (She loved it.) This also includes doing our best walrus impression while waiting for our food to arrive.

Trying to go to the Track to ride rides after 8 pm one night. (This was the most "hairy" time of the entire trip!) Mom spent $70 on tickets and the three girls all had to be pulled off the first ride screaming...it was a chain reaction: first Virginia, then Caroline, then Bibby. We finally forced everyone onto the carousel just to say that we had ridden something. Please notice the facial expressions....not our best night!
Looking at the boats, dancing to the band, and riding the giant ferris wheel at Baytowne.

And most off all just getting to spend time together....