Trunk or Treat

Tonight was Trunk-or-Treat at Bethany Baptist church.  Andrew and I went as cowboy and cowgirl.  It was a long journey to get him to finally decide on a costume.  He first wanted to be a skunk, then he wanted to be a pirate, then he wanted to be a snake, then a porcupine.  He finally settled for cowboy when we went to Walmart with a gift card the other day.  He wanted a cap gun.  There was a gun set that came with some cowboy accessories, so he decided he'd be a "bad guy cowboy."  (He's a bad guy cowboy because he doesn't think the good guys carry guns.)  So here we are in our attire:

 Granna's trunk

Andrew's trunk

 My Sunday School class trunk:  Jennifer and Jerika

 Mackynli (I'm sure I misspelled that)

 Blueberry Muffin

 April with one of our youth

 Malia was a very cute ladybug.

 Mr. Dunn looking sharp in his Auburn colors.

 Maggie was a punk rock ballerina.

 Andrew's favorite, Lila Jane, dressed as Strawberry Shortcake and her Mom is Lemon Meringue. 

(Blueberry Muffin is Strawberry Shortcake's sister)

 After trunk or treat Andrew and I went over to Maggie's house to make some sugar cookies for her class party.  Andrew and Maggie each decorated an "extra" cookie.

 Pumpkins that Erin and I decorated.

War Cam Eagle!

Kellye and I went to the Auburn vs. LSU game on Saturday.  What a game!  We walked around so much that day that I had 6 blisters and very sore legs, but I tell you it was totally worth it. The crowd was going crazy after the game and Cam was soaking up all the love!  It's great to be an Auburn Tiger!

In case you're wondering we're making an 8-0.  This victory launched us to the #1 spot in the BCS! (which makes me very nervous by the way).  Let's just hope we can hold on to that spot.  But in reality, as all true Auburn fans will tell you...there's really only ONE game that matters!

 While we were in Auburn at the real toomers corner, Andrew had his own celebration at Granna and Paw-Paw's house.  He rolled his Toomer's Oak and did a great job!  (His Aunt Gracie bought him this Toomer's Oak when he was born.  It has grown from a tiny sprig into this:

War Eagle!  Go Auburn...Beat Ole Miss!

Day 15: We're Home!

After a very enjoyable two weeks, we finally made it home on Sunday night a little after 10 pm.  We traveled over a total of 4400 miles.  (The exact mileage is written on a napkin that I can't find at this particular moment.)  It's approx. 846 miles from Kim's house to my parents' -in case you were wanting to take a road trip to Albertville!

Here's our round trip travel map!

Travel Log: Day 14

 

Day 14 was the day I was waiting for the whole trip!  After a four hour drive down from New Jersey, we finally made it to the Turner's house.  Nick and Kim figured that it was exactly one year to the day that we said goodbye to them in Hawaii.  (That was a sad day that we're not going to talk about)  When we got to their house, which is gorgeous by the way, Trevor came running out first.  He jumped up into my arms and gave me the biggest and best hug e.v.e.r.!  (Yes, I teared up a little)  The rest of the clan came running out next.   Andrew ran right up to Kim and gave her a big hug and then he, Addi, and Trevor disappeared into the play room.  We didn't see them for several hours!  They were having way too much fun playing.  

Shortly after our arrival, Julie drove over from California, MD.  Us girls had so much fun catching up.  That night Nick grilled some yummy Iowa chops and invited the Minaldi's over to join us.  (FYI: the Minaldi's used to to be in Hawaii too.  Lt. Col. Minaldi was the Commanding Officer of the Ugly Angels when Drew and I got married.)  They just had a beautiful little girl named Anna Grace.  It was nice to get to meet her.  I have no idea why I don't have a picture of her.  You can see her on Kim's Blog!

After dinner Kim made some ice cream and each of the kids took turns with the hand crank before giving up and switching to the electric motor.  Here's Trevor giving it his all.

Addi joins in.

 Andrew and Trevor waiting for the ice cream.

 Addi never turned me down for a smile.

 The original 3 amigas: Me, Kim, Julie

 This one is just to show you how much fun we have when we all get together!  (sorry girls...had to do it)

 I miss these girls so much!

We spent the night at the Turner household.  I believe Kim and I could have sat up all night talking but since the next morning was church day, we called it a night around 11:30pm.  The next morning Nick made us a delicious breakfast to fill us up before heading home.  

We had such a good visit.  I wish it could have been longer.  So did Andrew.  When he woke up on Sunday he said, "I don't want to go home today.  I want to stay at Trevor's house a lot of days."  Me too buddy!  

Thanks Turners for the great visit.  I hope we can do it again soon!  Julie and Minaldi's...it was so great to see you too!  Next time...it's GAME on!  (but Kim is on my pictionary team!)

 

Travel Log: Day 13

 

Today we were finally going to get to see Jon, Nancy, and Alexis!  Before I get into how much fun we had, I need to give you a little background info.  Some of you know Jon, but most of you don't.  Jon and I met at Auburn.  He lived in the same dorm I did. (Noble Hall...may you rest in piece)  The people I lived with that year are still some of my closest friends.  It's hard to describe, but we were all family and many of us still are.  Jon was like the little brother that I never had.  Mom says he's an angel.  She was worried about me being off at college and he was there to look after me.  We were pretty much inseparable.  We survived classes, sports (I still have a knot on my leg from softball), road trips, and so much more. He even spend Thanksgiving with my family since the dorms closed for the holidays and it was a long drive to New Jersey.   Jon only went to Auburn my freshman year before he transferred to Rowan University in NJ.  Here's his farewell dinner with Heather and Terry.

 I had to wake up super early one morning to say goodbye (hence my pj's)

It was hard to say goodbye to my best friend and little brother.  But that wasn't the end of our friendship.  Our tradition of Thanksgiving stuck and for the next three years Jon flew to AL to have turkey with us.  His parents even made it down one year.  I have no idea why I don't have pictures of those occasions.  Jon even spent one summer vacation with us!  He survived this week full of girls!

Mom's 3 kids

 

 One summer I flew to New Jersey to visit and he proposed to his girlfriend, now wife, Nancy.  The next summer Mom, Dad, and I drove up for the wedding, which I had the honor of being a bridesmaid.  (I think that picture is in Hawaii)  Two years later, he was a groomsman in my wedding!

And that was the last time that I had seen Jon and Nancy until this trip.  (that's almost 6 years)  So needless to say that we were all very excited to see them!  They met us in the lobby of our hotel so we could join them on a field trip to Storybook Land.  Their daughter, Alexis had a field trip, so they invited us to go along.  I didn't know how Andrew would react since he had never met any of them, but it was like he knew they were our family.  He and Alexis were great friends from the start. We all took turns riding the rides with the kids. 

 Jon in the teacups

 This is Alexis...isn't she gorgeous?

 Andrew on the carousel

 This is what happens when children disobey!

 We had to ride "Bubbles" the roller coaster a million times!

 This next picture was taken a moment too late.  This is 3 billygoat's gruff.  There was a bucket at the bottom of the fence where you could pay 25 cents and feed the goats.  Then you pulled it up to them at the top of the tower.  Well sometimes the goats would get a little anxious waiting for their food and they'd lean over the edge just a little too far.  Nancy was worried sick that one would fall.  My Dad said, "Aw, those goats won't fall.  They're really sure-footed."  No sooner than he got those words out of his mouth a goat FELL!  We heard a bleat followed by a THUD!  We all froze and waited until finally he got up, shook himself off, and headed right back up to the top of the tower!  It was awful to watch.  We're still not sure if he fell or if goat #3 gave him a push because as soon as #2 fell,  #3 was right there with his nose in the bucket! 

 Jack and Jill went up the hill...

 The North Pole was made out of real ice.

 Riding the monster trucks

 The one on the end even had an Alabama tag!

 We had a little fun in the baseball bleachers.

 Andrew didn't want to participate.

 After an exciting morning at Storybook Land, we went back to the hotel to take a much needed nap.  Then it was off to Jon and Nancy's to see their new house.  They have 8 acres; plenty of room for their horses. Andrew wasn't too sure about petting them.

 Alexis feeds them a treat.

 They had a great view of an awesome sunset.

 This is their house.

 It came complete with an Albertville fire hydrant in their front yard!  (FYI Albertville is the fire hydrant capitol of the world.  So next time you see one, check and see where it's from.  Hawaii friends...they're not from A'ville)

After visiting their house we went to a nice dinner.  As we were leaving a live band was just getting started.  I have a cute video of Andrew and Alexis dancing, but I can't upload it. (sorry)  After dinner, we all went bck to our hotel to go swimming.  It was a really fun day.    So here we are....6 years since the last visit.

 Our friendship is just the same....only we've had a few additions! :)

Thank you guys for letting us come and visit!  I miss you all so much already!  Please, let's not wait six years until our next visit!