Our trip to Alabama! (Aug 25-Sept 2)

Well, I know you're all eagerly awaiting an update from our big trip to Alabama! So, here are the details and some pictures. :)

As you all know, I received a family trip to Alabama as a gift for graduation. We were so excited to spend time at Jeremy and Wendie's where they have been harbouring Max (who is now 6 months old!!). This was our first big trip as a family of 3 and Lily's first airplane ride (4 in total on this trip!).

So, we packed up and left for Seattle on Monday afternoon. We stayed in a hotel for the night and got up extra early for our first flight, Seattle to Atlanta.

In the car at the border

Daddy calling the desk for the millionth time for Lily's crib that should have been in the room when we arrived. :)
Lily watching Animal Planet
She's so cute when she watches TV like this!
Looking at the planes
"Which one is ours, Daddy?"

The 5 hour flight went REALLY well. Lily had no problems with her ears and even slept an hour in Daddy's arms. The people around us were very understanding. There was a 3 year old girl the played with Lily in the aisle for a while. That helped a lot. So did the TV's in the back of each seat. Lily loved pressing the buttons.

We had to get some lunch in Atlanta before our second flight to Birmingham. It's amazing how difficult it is to find something nutritious for a 16 month old to eat. So, spaghetti and meatballs was the best we could do. :)
Mmm... sgetti
Lily likes to wash tables. It's cute, actually!

Ironically, there was an FAA "glitch" during our first flight that kept most planes in the States grounded for hours. So, we waited over 3 hours for our last flight and when we boarded the EXTREMELY hot plane where we waited on the runway for another hour. Thankfully there was another baby around Lily's age right infront of us. So they played together until we were able to finally take off. We ofcourse all clapped when we arrived.

Lily's silly hair (ponytails out)

Trying to turn the air on (ugh it was hot)

We arrived in Birmingham and had to adjust to the time change. The weather was hot and humid We picked up our car (Jeep Patriot) and had to fight to get the car seat we reserved (that was a nightmare!). We finally drove in the dark for about 45 mins to Wendie and Jeremy's house in Helena. We arrived to open arms and we were so happy to have Lily safe and sound in this beautiful place.

We woke up the next morning we enjoyed a great breakfast Wendie cooked for us and got to meet Max for the first time.
Wendie and Jer opening gifts we brought from home from us and other family members. Lily playing with her favourite toy of the trip, a tiger that belongs to Tulip the dog! *laughs*
Tulip (she was so great with Lily!)
Lily was fascinated with the stairs
Enjoying some breakfast

And here's Max!
A jumping machine!
Our babes meet :)

Later that afternoon, we got the opportunity to take a tour of the Blue Bell Creamery (the company Jeremy works for). It was an awesome experience!

Max and Mommy
Cousins (sorry, I think Jeremy got the better picture of this one!)

We got to eat some ice cream right off the line!! It was the BEST strawberry ice cream I've ever had!
Lily got some too!
Lily asking Daddy for more
Milk mouth

Max, smilin as usual
He's a Blue Bell Baby!

Jeremy and Wendie bought this cute hat for Lily

This is my favourite picture of Max!
This one too! :)
Our kids outside the building
Nice hats! :)
Kevin wanted a picture of the building even though that IS us standing infront of the doors. *laughs*

Ok, so this was VERY ironic. We were getting ready to take a picture of Jeremy and Wendie and Max and I accidentally took this picture, and all of a sudden Max projectile vomitted! Later on that day, we realized he was quite sick and actually spread it to Wendie and Jeremy and then to Kevin and I. We were all very sick for most of our visit. I just think it's funny that I captured the moment JUST before our whole week changed. *laughs*

Back at home, ready for bed
Tulip
Jeremy on the phone

Kevin hates dogs and actually let Tulip sit on his lap!
Lily in her Blue Bell cap

Kevin and I took Lily to a local park that Wendie had suggested. It was super hot outside so we only planned to be outside for a short time. It was a beautiful walk around to the park with many different birds and water-life.
The park

The BIGGEST goose we've ever seen (this picture doesn't really show it!)

Daddy showing Lily the turtles

There were lots of Canadian Geese to remind us of home
The playground! It was HUGE!!

Lily doesn't know where to start first!
So she just runs :)

Just went down the slide together
Daddy reading to Lily
Ready, set.....
Goooooo!
Lily wanting to be different :)

Weee!
Ready to go home! Ugh, it was so hot. I've never seen Lily so sweaty and red! Thank goodness for airconditioning!!
Daddy wanted to take more pictures of the turtles :)

Lily back from the park, ready to play with Max
Mommy and babe :)
Lily and Max
Lily wanted to steal Max's toy
Happy boy!

He was rolling around like crazy!!

We filled up the pool in the back yard to cool off. Lily loves the water, even when it's ice cold!

Lily loved going in and out of this screen door

Back in :)

Our beauty




The boys
Kevin and Max

Lily (almost 16 months) Max (almost 6 months) Too cute!
Lily cuddled with Jeremy for a while while Mommy and Daddy had a nap! Thanks Jer! :)

On Saturday, the boys left for Atlanta to go to the Alabama/Clemson game at the Georgia Dome. Although we were all not feeling so good, they managed to have a great time at the game while Wendie and I stayed home with the kids and watched the game on TV. It was a good night. :)
Lily favourite place in the house was at the bottom of the stairs (as we blocked her off with the gate). She spent hours here. :)

Wendie and Lily snuggling
Max is ready for the game

Lily and Max playing :)

Watching the game "Roll Tide!"
Daddy's boy :)

So, Jeremy and Wendie had a leak from the last rain storm. Thank goodness for Al, their 80 year old neighbour who got up on that roof everyday to fix it! *laughs*


The buckets and towels Wendie had to put down because it started raining while the boys were away.

Lily back on the stairs

Looking for Tulip, the dog
The only swing Lily liked

Again at the door
Peek a boo!
Relaxing with the group
Feeding time
More fun with the door

More time in the pool



Max in the pool


Sometimes when you're the one always taking the pictures you feel like you have to prove you were even there. So, here I am. :)

As a thank you for Jeremy and Wendie for having us, we bought Max his first Exersaucer. It was something that saved our lives so we were so happy to get one for him.




Lily's second favourite toy (when you throw it on the ground, it yells, "Roll Tide!" and sings their anthem
Here's Lily demonstrating how it works :)
Family photo on our last night together
Jeremy, Wendie and Max :)

Our flight home was at 1pm their time so we left around 10am. Here are some pictures of the house before we left. :(


Our ride

The flight on the way home was great. Not as good as coming here, but still good. Lily slept from take off for about an hour. We had to sit in a row with another gentleman who was very patient. Lily really didn't enjoy him, but I think it was just the mustache. :) We crossed the border at about 11pm our time and we were exhausted. The cats were really happy to see us and Lily was glad to be in her bed. Hopefully the next couple of days will allow us to get back to normal. Poor Kevin had to to go work today but I'm sure he managed. :)
Lily on the first morning home. :)

Thank you to my family for purchasing this trip for us and thank you to Wendie and Jeremy and Max for opening up your beautiful home. We loved the time we shared with you and can't wait to see you here for Christmas. :O)

xoxo