On the Road Again!

We have just returned from a two week long trip back to the south. The boys and I headed to Memphis on September 25th and were there (or around there, really) for two weeks. We really missed William, but we had a great time seeing lots of friends and family. My best friend from high school, Emily Gray,  was getting married and I was asked to be the Matron of Honor and the boys were asked to be the ring bearers. We're always looking for an excuse to head to Memphis, and this was definitely a good one! We flew in on Tuesday and headed to Long Beach, MS on Thursday for all of the wedding festivities!

Boys on the Plane

My parents went with us as well, so we weren't alone on the journey! We got in around dinner time on Thursday and met several of the wedding people for dinner. We enjoyed hanging out for a while and then headed back to the hotel to get the boys in bed. Friday morning I got up with the boys and had breakfast and then headed to the beach!

TOO MUCH FUN on the Beach!!

Just lounging in the hotel room!

The weather was great and we enjoyed playing in the sand and the water for a looonng time that morning. Porter didn't last too long before it was nap time, but Pop was glad to sit in the hotel room and watch golf while he napped. Missy, Arden and I stayed on the beach and played and relaxed (well, I relaxed, I'm not so sure how relaxed Missy was playing and digging and running with Arden!). That afternoon I hung out with Emily Gray for a long time and then we met up with Laura Allen (our other BFF) to sit around the pool for awhile while the boys took naps. It was so good to be able to see them so much and visit and catch up. Laura just had a baby and it was so fun to get to meet little Eli and see Laura in all her motherly glory! I love when my friends have babies and I'm not the only one with kids around! After we hung out at the pool, we headed inside to get ready for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. It started raining before the rehearsal so we didn't get to go to the beach as planned, but it worked out anyway. Later that night, after putting the boys in bed, I went to hang out and watch Father of the Bride with Emily and Laura. Again, it was so good to be with them! It was still raining the next morning - the day of the wedding that was supposed to be on the beach - so all sorts of different arrangements had to be made, but everything worked out and they had a beautiful wedding in a coffee shop that is in an old bank building. Arden pretty much crashed the wedding by coming up to the front where I was and asking and whining for some water. I was so embarrassed and didn't know what to do, but it was fine and everyone got to laugh about it later. The reception was fun and the food was delish and I was so happy that I could be there to experience it all!

 Arden and the Beautiful Bride!

 Arden's new BFF for the weekend, Mia, the flowergirl...they had so much fun together!

 BFFs!

We headed back to Memphis on Sunday and stopped in Jackson to spend a little time with William's parents and brother. We had stopped on the way down to have lunch with them, but wanted to see them again on our way back. It was still raining, so we stopped at the mall so that the boys could get out of the car and run around a little bit. There was a little play area that we just hung out at and visited with Honey and Grandaddy and Uncle Paul. It was good to see them, and I know they loved seeing the boys. 

The next couple of days we just hung around Missy and Pop's house with the aunts and cousins and friends.

Playing with our friend Gardner!

Then, on Tuesday, we got up and headed to Arden, North Carolina to visit the Ashtons - our dear friends who lived in California, but moved back east for a new job and to be closer to family. We miss them so much and were so excited to spend a couple of days with them!

Welcome Arden, to Arden, NC!

It was an 8 hour drive with just me and the boys. Everything went really smoothly until we were about an hour out and Arden threw up in the car! Disgusting. Enough said. We finally made it though and after throwing up a couple more times that night, Arden was fine. I thought it was just car sickness, but boy was I wrong. The next day we had a blast though. We got up and had cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then played for a bit. Then we went to the nature center to see some animals and run around and have fun.

 Brushing some goats! Porter was SO excited about this!

Boys on a tractor is always lots of fun!

We had a picnic lunch together while we were there and then headed home for naps. After naps we put together their new wagon that was delivered to them and took it for a spin to the park!

We played at the park and had a great time being outside. Then, after dinner and a 4 boy bath, we got the kids in bed, and Anna and I headed out for a little girls' night.

We went to the Chocolate Lounge in Asheville and enjoyed some truffles and hot chocolate and visiting. It is always so good to talk to her and such an encouragement knowing that we're in the same boat pretty much - moms of two little boys - it's always good to compare notes! After we got home that night and were getting ready for bed, I started feeling sick. After tossing and turning for hours, I eventually threw up - all over the bathroom, mind you. I felt a little better, but realized that Arden was not just car sick and that I had gotten whatever he had. The next day I felt terrible as did both Zach and Anna. Later that afternoon Owen and Caelum threw up as well, so we were all a ton of fun that day! After a dinner of saltines and ginger ale, we all went to bed really early to get some much needed rest. I was so sad that we were sick while we were there, but the boys felt better the next morning and got to play for a little while before we had to head back to Memphis. The boys had a great time together and I was so happy for Arden to get to see his "best bud."

On the way back, we went through Chattanooga to see Uncle Stevie for a little bit. We stopped and had some pizza with him and saw his new apartment. It was fun getting to see where he lives now and visit for a bit. We made it back to Memphis late that night and the boys were definitely ready for bed. 

The next day was my 10 year high school reunion. A night of dinner and dancing was planned, and I had coerced Emily and Laura into agreeing to go with me. I figured since I was in town anyway that we should go and just see who showed up and what everyone looked like, etc. I was a little worried that I'd revert back to high school Lora and clam up and get all nervous and awkward, but I am proud to say that I did not in fact do that, but quite the opposite. I totally did not care what anyone thought and just did and said whatever I felt like. After standing around for a little bit, talking to a few people, and then eating dinner, I was ready to dance! We requested a few songs for the lame DJ to play and headed to the dance floor. For the most part there were only 4 of us dancing the whole time. A few songs I danced to all by myself and it was awesome. I had so much fun and did not care how ridiculous I looked. Emily did get asked at one point how much I had had to drink, but she reassured them that I really hadn't had anything and that that is just who I am. It was fun and awkward and lame and exciting all at the same time. We were glad that we went, but probably won't show up to the next one.

Bustin' a Move with Emily Gray (McCord)!

Sunday we went to church and then the sisters came over to hang out. That night we had a little birthday celebration for Porter since the fam won't get to see him on his actual birthday. He LOVED the cake and I literally had to cut him off before he ate entirely too much. He loved it though and had fun opening some new toys and being the center of attention for a change.

Monday the sisters came over with the stomach bug and lounged around all day. I was sorry that we'd passed on our sickness, but was glad to get to see them another day that we wouldn't normally have gotten to. Tuesday Emily and Laura came over one more time to hang out for a little bit before we had to get ready to head to the airport to come home. It was fun seeing them one more time!

The boys did well on the airplane even though it was delayed like 2 hours. We went out to dinner after we got back and then the moment that we walked in the door at home, Porter threw up everywhere. It finally hit him and I knew then that William would get it too! We brought the bug to CA with us! Boo. Anyway, we were home and glad to see William and sleep in our own beds and play with all of our toys!

Reunited and it feels so good!