Day 2 and SEC Championship

I cannot finish catching up from our Thanksgiving trip without mentioning the Auburn Tigers and how they dominated in the SEC Championship game! It was fabulous to be there and wonderful having so many Auburn fans here in Atlanta. A memory we will never forget!

Post-Game Celebrations

Ok, back to Thanksgiving. Friday after Thanksgiving was the Auburn/Alabama game so of course, our whole day was planned around watching the game. Another unbelievable Auburn win. By far the most amazing comeback I have ever seen and even sweeter that it was against our biggest rival at their stadium. We always love Auburn but it has been extra special this year (as if you couldn't tell by our excitement and my numerous posts about AU!!)
I didn't take pictures of us watching the game because it was way too stressful 90% of the time. But, in true bachelor fashion, this is my brother's Christmas tree (and only Christmas decoration for that matter). Yes, this is for real! WAR EAGLE!
Friday also consisted of watching this deer right outside the window. It scared all of us half to death because it was so close (no zoom on camera). Literally, his house sits so close on this "cliff". After the excitement of watching the deer for a few minutes we started to panic again worrying the sweet thing might walk off the cliff. Thankfully, we did not witness that and it never happened! Whew.
Another great view from the patio when the sun came out. We actually had great Seattle weather. Not too cold and never rained. Pretty rare this time of year there.
Later Friday afternoon, we headed to Deception Pass bridge. The only bridge to Whidbey Island. Most people ride the ferry to the island, but this is the only way by car. The bridge is so high! I have walked across it once but couldn't do it again this year. It freaks me out to stand in the middle of it and look down.
The water below is beautiful though!
And here are a few more pictures from our Thanksgiving lunch Thursday. Sorry, I jumped all over the place today.

Caroline's first attempt with crayons.
So happy to be off the place and with Mimi.

I still have many pictures to share from our trip and hope to soon! I am so behind I cannot even get to our Christmas celebrations yet! Goodness, I love this time of year! So many blessings and so much to be thankful for.

The Journey

This time last Thursday we began our journey to the Northwest. We were up early and made it through security at the airport by 6:30am. Unfortunately, Christian and Linsey's first flight from West Palm was cancelled and so they missed their connecting flight (with us from Atlanta). We were bummed not to travel with them, but the good part was baby girl took one of their seats on the plane instead.

I would give Caroline about a 7 out of 10 rating on her first flight. We had no meltdowns so I considered that success. A little antsy, a little fussy at times, but then happy some too. Eating/snacking and reading books seemed to be the best activities. Don't let the picture below fool you...this only last 30 mins!
And 5 hours later, we made it (bags and all)! I have to admit, it actually went by pretty fast. They even had the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade playing live on the plane! Then, remember how C and L were bumped to a later flight...well we had to wait at the airport until their flight arrived so we could all get the rental car we were sharing.
2 hours later C and L made it and we were off to meet my mom and Matt for Thanksgiving lunch (which was basically dinner time for us on the east coast). C took another little cat nap on the way to lunch.
Beautiful view by the water for lunch. I didn't take a picture, but Seattle had a big snow earlier in the week and there was still snow on the ground everywhere Thanksgiving! It melted by Friday, but it was fun for the day.
Finally, after a long day of traveling it was wonderful to arrive at Matt's house and not to mention having this peaceful view as well.
More pics from the rest of the trip to come!

Thankful

I have been thinking about gratitude and thankfulness a lot this week. Probably because it is Thanksgiving, but I wish it was a perspective I had more often. I think gratefulness is one of the most attractive qualities in people. It embodies so much: wisdom, humility, selflessness, and contentment. A grateful spirit has such a unique outlook on life. Truly living life in the Lord’s presence. I feel like I am typically always looking ahead to the "when this happens" or "if I had this" mentality which can make you easily forget a grateful perspective. I posted a devotion on Thanksgiving last year and I always love to look back read it too. Check it out here. A very good challenge and reminder for me.

We are headed to Seattle this year for Thanksgiving with my family. I am so excited! My older brother, Matt, lives on Whidbey Island, WA (outside Seattle) and I have not been out there since Christmas '05. AND it is snowing there this week! I hope it sticks for a few more days.

This will be baby girl's first flight and it happens to be 5 hours long! Yikes. I have no expectations. Thankfully, Christian and Linsey will be on our flight too. You would think I am packing to take our family to the moon I have SO much stuff! John is going to flip when he sees all our bags!
It is also Iron Bowl week!! That's right, the Auburn/Alabama game is Friday! I am already nervous. If you are not familiar with this rivalry or game it is pretty much the biggest day of the year in the state of Alabama, ( I know that may sound pitiful to some of you out there) but it is like no other!

My mom made this precious Auburn dress for C this year. It has been her "game-day" outfit every Saturday this season.

I'm off to finish up packing!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

Happy Thanksgiving and War Eagle!

Slumber Party

We have one more wedding to attend in 2010 and I am so thrilled for this couple! In a little less than a month Ivy is going to marry Drew. Her bachelorette weekend might be one of my all time favorites. Definitely best theme ever...bachelorette: "junior high slumber party style." It doesn't hurt having a photographer, a cake designer, a graphic designer and many other super talented friends plan the weekend as well!

Bride to be - Ivy

The perfect set-up for our party
making pizza
a closer look... jackpot!


who didn't love the game of twister?

And of course, time spent on the lake



And we got to skype with Melanie
So grateful and blessed by all these friendships.

Party photos by www.jrawlingsphotography.com

Halloween

Pizza. Costumes. Sugar. 5 kids under 3. Lots of pictures. More friends. And parents = lots of chaotic fun for our Halloween festivities!

Our little cow

C learned the "mmmmmm" of the mooooo

Cute little horse

The construction worker was quite smitten!

Best pic we could get with the dads.

We didn't even attempt to have a picture with only kids.

Trick or Treating to see Uncle Rob and Aunt Rachel

And Trick or Treating just turned into staying...

Have I mentioned C likes to "talk" on my phone?

I think she has watched me talk too much!

Lindsey and Blake

This weekend we celebrated Lindsey and Blake. I have known Lindsey as long as I can remember. Lindsey (and Anna) are the like little sisters to me. The 3 of us have endless memories playing dolls, sleepovers, swimming together all summer, talking about boys, riding to school together, Auburn, sorority, and many many lunch dates. I have loved watching Lindsey fall in love with Blake over the last 2 years. And it was a honor to stand beside her this weekend. We do not all have many opportunities to be together now and so I have loved seeing them so much in October.

Bachelorette weekend

Bridesmaids luncheon

Mom and her friends host the best bridesmaids luncheons

Isn't she beautiful?

Of course, we all transported in Barb's mini-van!

Congrats Lindsey and Blake!