Labor Day at the beach!

Bill, Henry and I loaded the car and headed to the beach with Molly & Eric, Alyce & Billy, and Patsy & Winn for Labor Day weekend. It's the first time we've taken a family trip together since I married Bill... and we had a blast! Bill got out early Saturday morn and returned with chocolate glazed donuts... a traditional beach breakfast for us. Alyce walked Henry in the mornings... or actually pushed Henry while he drove his car. Once everyone was up and ready for the beach, we set up a tent and pool for Henry on the beach, but of course, he preferred the water of the ocean to his pool. Lucky for me there were many other arms to hold him because it is exhausting especially when all he wanted to do was jump waves! Molly & Eric took Henry on a much enjoyed float ride to jump the waves. He laughed so hard! Actually, we all enjoyed the ocean and beach. Henry fed the birds his animal crackers and then chased them. Then entertained us with his poll dancing and chocolate chip cookie addiction (you'll see the remains on his face in one of the pictures).
On Saturday, I joined all the other Auburn fans on 30-A to watch the Auburn game at Shades, while the Robertsons watched the Alabama game at the beach house and ordered pizza. On Sunday, Bill and I went to dinner with Molly, Alyce, Eric and Billy while Winn and Patsy took Henry to Seaside for dinner in the park. It was a great weekend... and we didn't want to leave on Monday. However, back to life at home... but hopefully we will make that trip again next year.
On Tuesday after Labor Day, Henry started back to school. He has lots of friends in his class and loves going (it's really just Mother's Morning Out at our church). Here is a picture of his first day. Time is flying by... Henry is 18 months!

summer is over, fall is here

We have had a wonderful summer. Henry is growing so fast and our family is changing constantly... I love it! Alyce married Billy Addison in May and Will is engaged to Margaret Ewing and getting married June 19, 2010. We attended a party for Billy & Alyce the first weekend of August. It was a celebration of their marriage given by Sara & Jere Beasley. It was so much fun to share their excitement with family and friends.

The second weekend in August, I went with friends to the beach. Allison was a gracious host... and the trip was so relaxing. I returned Saturday night so Bill and I could help host a baby shower for Beth & Blake Oliver in Auburn. We are excited about the upcoming arrival of Davis in October. That Sunday, Henry and I accompanied Bill to the golf course where Henry wanted to play and well, I don't think Bill got much practice.

The third weekend in August, I hosted my high school girlfriends at our house for the weekend. We get together once a year and this year was my summer to host. We had a blast! We did a river float on the Tallapoosa River with about 100 other people. It was so much fun... and honestly, just fun for us all to be together. By the way, Bill told us to blow up our floats at home because so many would bring theirs to the launch site deflated. We drove like this for about 30 minutes. There was no need to wear a seat belt in the backseat.

That next week, we visited Jennifer, Tate, and Mary Carter in Birmingham where we went to the McWane Center. Henry and Tate had a blast.... I could hardly keep up with them. Mary Carter is such a sweet baby and absolutely precious! Robert joined us for lunch afterwards before Henry and I headed home.

The weekend of the 23rd (Bill's b'day), Bill played in a golf tournament in Eufaula while Henry and I attended Lola Campbell's baptism and pool party! Henry, of course, didn't waste a minute getting in the pool and thoroughly enjoyed himself. We joined Bill in Eufaula later on Saturday where we went swimming (yes, twice in one day) with Poppa and Keitt, and then spent the night with Mom & Dad.
Wow! We have been busy.... and of course, this past weekend Henry went to spend the night in Eufaula with Will, Mom & Dad so Bill & I could attend Mandy & Adrian Johnson's wedding and then kayak on Sunday. We met Elba, Blake Oliver, and Matt & Kelli Alfreds in Wetumpka at the Coosa Outdoor Center and paddled the Coosa. When I say paddled... I really mean we paddled. It was exhausting! But, I'd do it again tomorrow.
Most of you that read this blog know that Bill's friend, Lynn Jinks, died a month before we married. He was one of Bill's closest friends and meant so much to both of us. He died while kayaking in Colorado the weekend after his sister's wedding and a month before returning to Alabama for our wedding. On Sunday, he was thought of so much. He died doing something he loved and now I wish I had let him teach me how to kayak (since he was a pro) so the next time I do a class 3 rapid I won't bust!!! I'm not even sure you can say "bust" while in the water... all I know is Lynn was laughing at me from Heaven, while a group of kayakers had to tow Blake and Elba and their canoe to the side of the river so they could regroup, and I had to have help from another gathering my belongings and getting back into my kayak. But, like I said... I'd do it again tomorrow.
Now... we are ready for football... and in fairness to my other family (the Robertsons), I'm posting a pic that I would normally not allow to EVER be seen. However, I love both sides of my family and well, we only live once... maybe Henry will truly love both teams.... ha!! If you live in Alabama... you know that's impossible. Either way... may the best team win!

War Eagle!