HOME TO JAX & SAVANNAH

This past weekend Josh and I were able to take a long 4-day weekend and go home to Jacksonville. Josh has spring break this week and so he did not have class on Monday. It worked out perfectly so that we could go home to see our family and so that I could spend time with my friend Jackie at her shower and bachelorette party. Josh and I left Thursday afternoon and got in around midnight. We tried something new... listening to a book on CD. It actually made the 8 hour drive fly by and put Molly right to sleep in the back seat. It was nice.

We spent Friday with my Mom, sister and my sister's boyfriend Dan - who we got to meet for the first time. On Friday night my mom's family all came to her house for an early dinner. It was so good to see everyone. Later that night I headed over to Paula's house for Jackie's Bridal shower. it was really nice and relaxing and Jackie got lots of good stuff. It was nice to finally be able to meet all of her sister-in-laws. She has such a great close family.

Jackie & her Bridesmaids (minus 2 who were not at this shower)

On Saturday morning we woke up and then Paula, Jackie, Jackie's friend Jessica and I carpooled to Savannah. We went straight to check into the hotel - as we drove through downtown we realized how crowded it was going to be with the St. Patrick's Day festivities going on. Everyone in the city was wearing green except the four of us... we missed the memo I guess. As we were checking into our rooms the hotel manager informed us that the original rooms we reserved with 2 double beds in each were now booked and they could give us 2 rooms with 1 king bed in each. We knew this would not work and Jackie promptly said "We have 7 WOMEN staying here." They ended up upgrading both rooms at no cost and it was great. We ended up with a suite and a room with a balcony - sweet! It was great to get there in the afternoon and be able to walk around and do some shopping or looking. We found so many cute little shops... A candy shop, a Knoll Home Boutique, the best consignment shop ever. On Saturday night we found a great place for dinner called Rocks on the Roof. It was wonderful - Jackie and I split a pizza and got something called grit cakes as an appetizer. Here are some of the pictures from the weekend... you can view the rest on facebook.

Paula at the Knoll Home Boutique

Green Pralines for St. Patty's Day

The girls on the balcony in our upgraded room

Me, Jackie & Paula at dinner

On Sunday morning Paula and I drove back to Jacksonville and I went straight to meet Josh and his family for lunch at Times Grille where I promptly ordered SWEET POTATO FRIES - YUM! It was good to see all of Josh's family. We got to sit near his cousin John who told us all about how he is going to hike the Appalachian Trail this summer - very cool. Later that evening we got to hang out with some of our good friends the Capertons and the Acrees for dinner at Barbara Jean's in Ponte Vedra. I am so glad that we got to see Emily and Spencer - they are moving back to Texas in a couple of weeks and so we may not see them for a while. Plus, they just found out that they are having identical twin boys - HOW COOL IS THAT?!?! So exciting. It was so good to see Winnie, Alan and Miss Clara too - She is getting so big so fast.

Emily, Me & Winnie

The group at dinner - after the 3 in the back took a huge bite!

Josh and I made it back to Birmingham on Monday evening after another 8 hour trip. I am so glad that we were able to make this trip home this week. Next major trip I am on will be back to Jax and then to Ormand Beach on the weekend of April 24 for Jackie and Billy's wedding - can't wait!!