Loxleypalooza...part 2

...I bet you thought she was done, didn't you!?

Mo LOVED the beach!! AND we ALL loved watching him love it!

 

He would run, run, run as fast as he could... 

laughing the whole way

 

and crash in to the "waves"!

  

after he mastered that, he was ready to graduate to the boogie board

or at least toss some seashells

and build some sand castles with Mama J

at dinner he cheered on a game of beach volleyball

What a fun memories and a fun weekend!

 

Loxleypalooza...part 1

Loxleypalooza did not disappoint! 

Time with family is a gift. I SO enjoyed having all EIGHT of us together for an entire weekend. The weekend was spent taking turns squeezing Mo, delighting in his every move, enjoying each other, and of course eating!

The mornings began slowly, as they should..sipping coffee and stepping outside in our pjs to see what the day had to offer.

We read books, visited and took afternoon naps.

(eyelashes?!?)

We went to Fairhope to stroll around and visit shops...of course taking time to smell the flowers!

We visited the Fairhope museum and "drove" an antique fire truck.

The guys had some "man time" while the girls wandered in a few shops.

(John and three generations of Jeff men)

Mama J soaked up every second of her time with her favorite little guy.

Grande and Mo watched the boats while we waited for lunch.

We went to Burris' Market for fruits, veggies and of course cobbler and ice cream!

(For those of you who know Grande...you know how amazing this picture is. Grande under NO circumstances shares his food. Proof Mo is the exception to every rule! Just a sweet smile and the "more" sign was all it took to break him!)

We ate boiled peanuts after nap as fast as Aunt Rachael could shell them.

Most of all we wished we could find a way to slow down time!

Loxleypalooza

This thug is leaving his "hood" and heading south....this time WAY south.

Loxley.Alabama.

We are picking him and his awesome parents up Friday morning, for the FIRST.EVER.

Jeff Family Weekend

Excited would be a major understatement.

NOLA

Thanks to my generous in laws, John and I were able to sneak away for a long weekend in New Orleans. 

I love my husband every day, but what a fun gift when life slows down just enough to remind you how much you downright enjoy each other. When "i love you" AND "i LIKE you" days are combined. bliss.

John and I honestly have very little to "escape" besides the hustle of everyday work and life, but this was our first trip just the two of us, since our honeymoon almost five years ago. I am always amazed how much easier it is to just "be" away from home...no distractions of chores and responsibilities...our daily "to dos" only included having fun and enjoying our time.

We gathered tips from our most NOLA savvy friends, and set out with our own agenda which of course had to kick off each day with BRUNCH...

Quite possibly my favorite company for any meal, especially my favorite meal... AND if you ask him to smile in the morning with his bacon and toast...

Court of Two Sisters

odds are he'll probably make you take an awkward solo shot with your mimosa

 ...Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait

  

...Pat O'Brien's courtyard for the infamous hurricane...

i think one will do!

...Stopping in the Cigar factory to watch these craftsmen hard at work

...Walking lots and lots with my favorite "double fist-er"

...taking a street car ride all the way down St. Charles 

...stopping to enjoy the beautiful trees, scenery and fun shops, the d-day museum and eat, eat, eat!

We came home fat and happy.

...goin' on a treasure hunt!

Earlier this month I went on a treasure hunt.

My friends Rebekah and Annie hunted along side me.

Huntin' for treasure is a lot like huntin' for animals.

You wake up early. Eat a hardy breakfast. Drive a few hours....and HUNT

When you return home from the hunt you display your trophies proudly.

treasure #1: lamp 

husband's response, "..cool um, I'm surprised you chose a lamp"

darn, well at least it makes me happy. AND he had just worked over 16 hours.

happy shade already feeling at home...collecting dust

treasure #2 fabric

this fabric was love at first site. It yelled for me to take it home. How could I say no?

Scott's, thanks for the hunt and the treasures! I hope to see you again sometime soon! 

California dreamin'

...on such a winter's day!

We loaded up on a cold morning and drove to Atlanta, dreaming of victory and the chance to head to California!

...And for Alabama our "California dreams" came true!

me, Sarah Beth (and Addie Grace), and Leslie getting ready for the game

my pre-game nerves made me just a little frisky with my shaker!

Saturday I had the honor of witnessing first hand The University of Alabama WIN the SEC Championship game against Florida!! What an INCREDIBLE game! I was honored to be there, and so PROUD of Alabama!

For probably the first time since before my collegiate career, I was able to sing Rammer Jammer and actually mean it!!

Hey gators...we did ACTUALLY beat the hell out of you!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

September?

Somehow when I wasn't looking September shaped up to be a crazy busy month!

I kicked off the month with some much needed time with the rents. Labor Day weekend I crashed their little get a way to Loxley, Alabama for a little R&R and LOTS of Labor Day outlet shopping. Mom and I also took a little trek to go check out "Duh" an interiors store I was hoping to see...and it did not disappoint.




The next week I headed off to Charlotte, North Carolina and then road tripped it to Fredericksburg, Virginia for a work trip...

Got home just in time to hop in the car and head north because these precious girls turned one!


Kept the suitcase out and headed to Nashville for another work seminar last week.


which meant I had to miss this guy's 28th birthday. AND managed to put his cell phone in the washing machine before I left town for the week...


but SO thankful the trip didn't cause me to miss this guy in Birmingham this weekend!


I looked at my calendar this morning and realized I have spent NINE days at home during the entire month of September...so looking forward to settling in for a while!

...just keep swimming...

Last weekend after our rafting adventure the group all ate lunch in Chattanooga. When John and I realized the restaurant was literally three blocks from the Tennessee Aquarium we knew we needed a date with the fishes before heading home. I had never been to the Tennessee Aquarium. What a great place! If you have never been to the aquarium you should jump on your next chance to go! Here are a few pictures from our day at the aquarium!