J and I decided we were in need of a quick trip home! We packed up the pups and all my food (food allergies suck while traveling!) and we left for a long weekend! We normally travel with our friends D&K for labor day, but due to D's really awesome (but insanely stressful) job, he wasn't able to take time off...So, we decided to come to them before J and I started back to work and school.
D&K were so awesome to welcome us into their home (as always). Their new kitty wasn't thrilled with the doggie company, but hopefully her hatred for the pups will help bond her with their other cat.
We arrived in NSB in time for dinner on Friday and I cannot believe we didn't take any pictures at all! This is so unlike me, so I must have been really exhausted after a long week and drive. We had a blast at dinner though and have some pretty funny stories to tell! I can't have alcohol with my stomach issues, but it is still really fun to watch people drink! ;) The waiter hesitated and then laughed when J ordered the second pitcher of strong margaritas and we should have heeded that warning! lol The drive home was the best though!
Saturday, we were up and moving earlier than I expected everyone to rise after the crazy night. I was so ready to get to the beach! When we travel home, we tend to run around like chickens with our heads cut off; both of our families are in the same town and we try to run around to everyone's house to visit. We absolutely love seeing all of our family and miss them so much; it is just hard on us to visit all the different houses. We don't generally get to have real vacation time and sometimes we don't even make it to the beach. All that to say, this time I sent out a message to all of our family and said we would be at the beach and anyone who wanted to see us should come there! It worked out perfectly! Saturday, my dad, K, K, and D came up and my mama and father-in-law came too! It was perfect and I can't wait to do this again! We went to the dog beach so the pups could come too! The only problem was that the dog beach was close to a mile walk from the parking lot!!! Yikes!
J and J walking with the pups in the hot Florida sun!
The rest of the crew making the hike with all the food and the tent.
My bestie A drove several hours just to come see me!!! I miss this lady so much and I am so glad we got to spend the day together! She even braved the dog beach for us!
The pups generally like the water in GA, but they were not at all confident when the water kept trying to get them! Ha!
Joey decided Lilo could use some encouragement...
Flik found someone he could cuddle with
A and I can't hangout without at least a short photo-shoot!
Yes, that is a crab leg pinching his nose! lol
Flik absolutely loves his grandpa!
Thanks A for the pic of the whole family!
I can't believe my little sis is starting college next week! USF is gaining a smart and beautiful asset and I am so excited for her to attend my alma mater!
Lilo was caught digging in the sand..
After a long fun day at the beach, the crew cleaned up slightly and D and K joined us for dinner!
The fam headed home and A came back to DK's house for some game playing.
Sunday morning, we went to this really awesome cafe, photo cred to my brother B.
D & K didn't make it with us again, but we headed back to the beach! This time, is was shorter, but my mom and B came with us. While walking through the parking lot to start the long hike to the water, we walked by this dog standing just off the road...Flik ran over to greet the dog and within one second, he got bit. I felt so bad for him! Anyone who knows him, knows he is the last dog who deserves a bite. This all happened so fast, I know it is not the first time this dog behaved this way. I do not know why these people would bring him to such an uncontrolled and energetic environment!?! The very least they could have done was worn us as we came close to them that their dog isn't always friendly so we could walk further around them! I hated that he got hurt and didn't want him to be afraid of other dogs like Lilo was/is after her bite at the dog park (hers was much worse though). He was upset, but after we got to the beach, he played and interacted with other dogs like nothing had happened. I know the salt water stung his cut nose, but it was probably good to jump start the healing process. The boys went to the other area to surf while mom and I played with the pups.
We found a calmer area where the waves didn't come so far over the sandbar and Li was much less afraid.
Lilo became quite smitten with her new crush Leo.... We thought he might just have to be in our family photo!
Awesome time at the beach on day two!
We went back for an awesome lunch at DK's place, but once again I was too scattered and forgot to use the camera! :( We had a great time seeing everyone and thankfully got to see many of them at my mom's house later that evening. D and K were so great to have us for the weekend and I am already wishing we had some much more time there with them!
We left DK's and went to a family/friend dinner at my mom's house. It was so good to see everyone! CJ came to both lunch and dinner so we got to spend a little extra time with him. I am really excited for the new career path he is embarking on and hope he enjoys it! I think it is a perfect fit!
There are no words for how much I love and miss this momma! I am so glad we got to see her! She always sends us home with goodies and since I can't really eat any snacks, she got me some awesome athletic socks (REALLY NEEDED THESE) and some awesome travel sized items for our upcoming camping trip (will blog about this next!). Love you Momma and Thank you for everything! We appreciate it always, but wish you would spend more on you next time!
We haven't seen these friends in WAY too long!!! So glad they could come catch up with us!
My littlest cousins that are not so little anymore! I can't believe the difference in height since we saw them last at christmas!
My mom's side of the fam, but we missed M, B, and Uncle J! I am so thankful they were all able to get away from their crazy busy lives to come see us! I wish we had so much longer and that I could be there now to help Aunt B move, but I was glad for the precious time we got together! Papa and TJ made it too and time with him is always a blessing!
This girl will always hold a very special place in my heart! I can't believe her and her brother are starting high school this week!
After the party, our night wasn't over yet! It was off to see J's bro J and his girlfriend K at the in-law''s house. It was great to see them around J's crazy work schedule. Then we were off again to sleep at my dad and K's house. The next morning, I visited with Dad while J went to breakfast with J and K and our friend J (there were a ton of Js at this breakfast!). My brother works there too so they all got to see each other and hang out for a while.
Then, I met J, B, and Mom and we headed to Disney's Magic Kingdom (left the pups with their grandpa for a special day!)!!!! It was crazy hot and crowded, but we made it fun anyway!
B took this awesome shot of Cinderella's Castle!
Gotta stop for a castle picture!
Joey was amazed by The Little Mermaid ride!lol!
Dark and blurry, but I like this one of mom and I onThe Little Mermaid ride.
Thanks B for taking the next 2 really artistic pictures!
I was so excited to see my friend and old coworker A interpreting at MK! Disney has the best terps and they did great! The parade was totally my favorite part of the day. I miss working in Orlando more than anything, but it was great to see my old stomping grounds.
Waiting in line for the creepy Haunted Mansion ride.
Stupid haunted bookcase that you can't not play with while waiting!
I always thought it would be so fun to live in a tree like the Swiss Family Robinsons!
J was trying to be a good sport :)
Watch these awesome videos of Thunder Mountain!
SO MANY PEOPLE!!!
Umm so I glanced at this price tag and thought it said $375 which is outrageous! Then I realized I missed a few zeros (J and the people around me were cracking up when I said $375!)!!! UMM this is more than both of our cars combined! But, sure, why not spend that kind of money on a castle replica!
Silly boys!
This was the best part of the day!!! I will write a post soon about my elimination diet, but for now all you need to know is that I can only eat a handful of things and none of it tastes great! I text my awesome nutritionist and he gave me the go ahead to treat myself since Jeremiah's Italian Ice doesn't have gluten, dairy, or soy in it!!! I used to love the cookies n' cream flavor which does have gluten, but the cotton candy is just as amazing! I wish I had the money to start one of these in GA!!! They are the best thing in the world and I actually got to eat it!!!!!!!!!
After Disney, we crashed at Dad and K's house!!! I must have been really exhausted again because the next morning, we went to see Gaga and J's aunts and uncle, but I didn't take any pictures!!! I remember saying I should and then I totally forgot! We had a really special day hanging with that side of the family. Gaga is one of the nicest and coolest women I know and I love getting to see her and hug her!
We are so thankful for the time we had with everyone and the sacrifices they made for us to see and stay with them! We love you all! For those of you we missed, we will try our best to see you next time!
I am already looking forward to Thanksgiving so we can go back and spend more time with everyone! The way this month has flown by, we will probably hit November before I even come up for air!
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