Wings and Waves

Last week I was able to take a much need day and a half off work and join Mom and Dad on their way down to Jacksonville for the weekend. I really didn't think it would work out for me to go with them since it was such short notice, but I am so glad it did. I was able to surprise Mom on Thursday afternoon...she didn't know that Dad had talked to me about going on the trip! She was super surprised...and a little confused as to how I was standing in the kitchen when she thought I was at work. (We love surprises don't we Al:)

Charlie, Aunt Karen's cat is cuddle bug. He slept with me Thursday night.

We packed up and made the 5 hour drive from Dothan to Jacksonville, FL to visit with Uncle Dennis and Aunt Karen for a night. I love going to see them...they are so welcoming.

Friday, we packed up and headed to Daytona for the rest of the weekend. The girls made a day out of it and stopped at the outlets. Dad only lasted about an hour I think before he unloaded his bike off the trailer and headed over to visit with Uncle Cass. Shopping is not his idea of "relaxation."

We made it to Uncle Cass and Aunt Mary Sharon's condo Friday afternoon just as the sun was setting! It was beautiful to be right on the beach again! It was hard to believe that the last time I was there was right after Sam and I got married almost 4 years ago.

These are the views from Mary Sharon and Cass's condo....we had great October weather.

 Mary Sharon and Cass cooked for us both Friday and Saturday night. It was restaurant quality gourmet in my book. The steaks were amazing!

The highlight of the weekend was going to the Waves and Wings Air Show put on by Embry-Riddle University, where Uncle Cass teaches. He has apparently told Dad to come to this for years, and I am so glad I got to tag along. The show was incredible. I am generally fascinated with planes, so to see these kinds of planes up close and personal was a treat.

The Canadian Air Force

 

Mom and Mary Sharon

An Air Force Thunderbird making a slow pass

The Thunderbirds were most definitely my favorite. The sound they carry is phenomenal....The funny part is that the first time a Thunderbird passed by I thought for a split second, "wow. these jets are incredibly quiet......" WHHHHOOOOOOOM. The sound hits my ears and a I barely have time to cover them. It was awesome. I felt like I was standing next to a subwoofer.

Sunset watching with Dad

Breakfast on the pier with Dad at Crabby Joe's

Overall the weekend was a lot of fun. Minus Dad's truck breaking down and delaying our trip back to Dothan for about 5 hours. I didn't get home until 1 a.m. and drove through the worst thunderstorm Birmingham has probably seen in months. Needless to say it was a rough day on Sunday. But, spending time with the parents for a few days was worth it!

A trip to the zoo

Al! Hope you are doing well this week and enjoying some nice weather! We are currently in the midst of a pre-fall "cool" front (not cold front, it's not cold yet), and it feels amazing!! Hopefully, it will continue to just get cooler-we are ready for it!

So, we have traveled to visit both parents the last two weekends. Last week we went to Atlanta for Labor day weekend and had a great time. Sunday, I got an itching to go do something a little more adventurous than my "normal" 3 hour Sunday afternoon nap since we usually don't take advantage of being in Atlanta when we're there. I remembered that you had taken a trip to the Wild Safari Adventure somewhere in GA, but I figured out that it is in La Grange...way too far away for an afternoon trip. So, we opted for the Atlanta Zoo instead since it was right down town. (And when I say, "right down town," I mean you could probably see into the zoo from some of the front porches directly across from the zoo parking lot...I would still seriously consider living there though.)

I was reminded how huge elephants are again.

I think it is safe to say our favorites were the chimps and gorillas. They were fascinating to watch

and very humorous. I really enjoyed the ones that had some attitude. It felt like they knew 

we were watching them and were just giving us some attitude. 

Excuse my all naturale look...unlike the past few days here, it was soo hot that day-

 the hair went up in seconds. 

Notice Mr. Poser straight above. 

There were a couple really young baby chimps, and the female would not

let them out of her sight. She held on to the older baby, by the leg, for what seemed like

forever, so he wouldn't run away before they got their afternoon snack. 

A Red Panda just chillin' in the trees.

This is a little hard to see, but it's a family of Otters all waking up from a nap. I watched almost all

of them yawn one right after the other. It was precious. 

This was one of my favorite stops of the day! You remember when I was in Chengdu, China back in 2007? Well these pandas are from the same zoo that I visited that summer. I might have even held one of their siblings. I was so excited to see one up close, even if behind glass. Would have taken him right on home if that wasn't illegal.

L.O.V.E.

Sam was actually there with me:) Here he is feeding some birds. They were everywhere.

Leave it to my 6'-4" hubby to reach these guys. 

Proof we were both there.

Fast forward to this past weekend. We made a quick trip home to visit Mom and Dad, and see two very important people:) It worked out that Ashley was in town, and I've been begging her and Kate to visit me, so she brought Kate over to see us Saturday morning and we had a great time playing and talking! Kate is beautiful and is getting so big!! 

 We also got to see this guy for a little bit over the weekend! Getting taller it seems every visit, but he is doing great at school!

Well! That's a quick look at what we've been up to Al! Let me know what's going on over there!

Love you,
Whit

playing a little catch up

How's that for a creative title after a long absence? Ha. Al...as you know, it's been a while since you've seen my sweet face here...but no worries. I am back. My new motto is short and sweet....we'll see how that goes.

The last few months have been a typical southern summer with all the heat and humidity one can normally dread expect to have. Sam and I have been working a lot, but we were able to get away for a week at the beach with his family on the South Carolina coast back in June. I did of a lot of relaxing and playing with my sweet nephews!

Enjoying the sunshine.

And a lot of this: Sweet Nolan is precious!

Parker, on the other hand, is "outta control"...a typical 2 year old. It 

was hard to get this picture because he almost never stood still.

Sam enjoying a cup of Joe. It was chilly when the clouds

were out...I was either in a swimsuit in the sun, or under

a blanket in the shade.

I also "almost" finished "MockingJay." I have still have two chapters

left, but refuse to buy the book just to finish it. 

We found some really big flip-flops...wait they look like they could be 

your size, Al....hahaha.

After a week at the beach, it was back to reality...back to work and then I took a couple days off for the 4th of July and spent some time with Mom and Dad and that ole brother of ours. He was in rare form that weekend. I think it had something to do with a "mustache." When dad took us out to shoot one morning, I think he was getting a little too big for his britches. I told him that "stache" had to go. 

He was pretty excited about his bullseye.

Me and the bro sporting our "serious face."

Dad teaching me how to hold and shoot a gun.

I was pretty nervous about the whole thing before we went shooting, but I actually

really enjoyed it. Although I still get a nauseous feeling when I'm around guns in

general. Hopefully that will go away the more I get to practice shooting them with Dad. I will

say that ear protection while shooting a gun is KEY. 

We also really enjoyed meeting Freddy and his wife Rebeka. They really are a cool

couple and I hope that we can meet up with them again sometime, maybe in Stockholm!!

We were able to see this kid aka my brother twin over the weekend and we had such a great time...I am so proud of him and look forward to seeing pictures of his trip to Alaska with Dad. They are leaving this Thursday!

I spent some more time with Austin a couple weekends ago. We went home to

see Kendal and Watson's wedding...it was beautiful. 

Me and Mom at Kendal's Wedding

I snagged a picture with this little gal, Mary Applin. She and Pace

were awesome flower girls and were so excited to see their Aunt get married. 

Last week, we met our good friends, Jeff and Kalli, and their daughter June (aka June"Bug") at Railroad Park for some dinner and donuts. (yes, the donuts were my idea-ain't no shame). We had a great time talking and watching June be June. The park is also beautiful at sunset.

Me and the June Bug....I love her. 

And last but not least...I've been working on some of my own DIY projects over her. I found this old dresser on craigslist for $100 and gave it a little makeover. 

                                                       

before

                                                     

After: the walls will be painted later. It will show up
better....

And there will be more DIY projects to show later.....but that will have to wait until the next post!

So much for short and sweet;)

Love ya,

Whit