40 Years Together

This weekend we headed out on a little road trip to Atlanta to meet up with Hubby's side of the family. There, we celebrated his parents' 40th wedding anniversary. We had an incredible time. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, the activities were super fun, and the company was great!! Here are a few highlights:
The girls love going on road trips cause they get to watch movies on the way. Here they are watching ELMO, totally mesmerized.

After Elmo was over we were thinking Arby's, so we stopped and ate. It wasn't long before both of the girls conked out. I love me some sleeping babies!
We checked into our hotel downtown and then went off to visit the Coca-cola museum. Here we are posing with the giant polar bear. He moved around and could blink...very realistic. As you can see by Brooke's face, she was not that fond of him!

We checked out lots of cool vintage coke stuff and then it was on to the tasting. Yep...we tried ALL 64 flavors...this was Brooke and Bailey's favorite part of the museum. Later, we really had to go potty! ;-) Gigi, mommy, and daddy's really loved the museum tour and tasting too....specially the 4-D movie about the secret of Coca-cola.
After sampling all those sugary and caffeinated drinks, we stopped at Centennial Olympic park to burn off some extra energy.

Later that night, we went with Aunt Holly and Gigi to eat at Cheesecake Factory. We have always loved the CF in Atlanta. We used to eat there before we had one in the Ham. Oh and I now have a new favorite cheesecake there....White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut....you gotta try it....it's way too good!

We stayed up till midnight visiting (even the girls) and then woke up early the next morning. We all met for breakfast in the lobby (there, I snapped this pic of Grandpa & Brookie looking so sweet) and then we found our way to the Atlanta Zoo.

Here are Grandpa & Nana Meerkat...aren't they cuties?

After visiting several of the animals, we had to stop for a rest. I had to get all the girls together to pose for a "three generations of sisters" picture. From Left to right: GiGi (Hubby's aunt), Brooke (Bailey's big sister), Nana (Hubby's mom), Heidi (Hubby's big sis), Bailey (Brooke's baby sister), and Holly (Hubby baby sister) Did you get all that?

Our last stop at the zoo was a ride on the carousel. Brooke's favorite animal lately is the elephant, so of course she had to ride on one.

It was also fun visiting the live elephant exhibit where they have several female African greys. One was even pregnant due to artificial insemination. That poor girl has to carry that baby for 22 months...can you imagine?? She is due in April. If cookie is still on her elephant kick, we may have to make plans to go back and see the new baby!

Later, we broke out the wooden blocks that Nana and Grandpa brought from N.C. They were daddie's when he was a boy. Brooke and Uncle Gregory had fun building a castle in the lobby of the hotel. Actually, Brooke was connected at the hip with Uncle Gregory the entire weekend. She says he is her favorite person because he is so sweet and cuddly.

That night we had a special reservation for a "southern style meal" at Aunt Pitty Pat's Porch. It was the epitome of old Atlanta~Gone with the Wind~style. The restaurant had great period decor and the menus were even written on fans~very cute! Before the meal, the waiter brought out a bread basket. (You know me and bread) It was filled with an assortment of southern yummy carb-loaded treasures. The table favorite had to be the sweet potato muffins!! I had the fresh catch of the day grilled with shallot butter. It came with julienne veges and the side board (a salad bar with seven different southern classics) My meal was really delicious! And you know a true southern supper isn't complete without peach cobbler, bread pudding, and coffee. If you are ever in downtown Atlanta, you have GOT to try it out!

Here we are after dinner, resting on Aunt Pitty Pat's Porch waiting for George our carriage driver to pick us up.

A close up of Aunt Heidi and Brooke~such pretty girls!

A little background on the carriage ride: An hour after we arrived in Atlanta on Friday, we saw the "white horse with the red feather" and Brooke was in love! Even though there were tons of other horses and carriages, it was obvious, Brooke HAD to ride THAT one. I tracked them down, sweet talked a good deal, and got George to come to pick us up after dinner. Brooke even skipped dessert (CRAZY BEHAVIOR FOR HER) because she was too excited about the carriage ride. George and Lady Eryn (the horsey) arrived and Brookie was beside herself. We went on a $150 carriage ride for $40. Brooke even got to hold the reins for a bit. It was the highlight of the trip for my sweet girl. She hasn't stopped talking about it since. Now we even have to go online to look at pictures of "her" horse.

The next morning, I looked out the window of the hotel and said, "The horse with the red feather is passing by!" Brooke was still half asleep and jumped out of bed faster than lightning. It was awful that I did that because I was just teasing...there was not even a horse and carriage within miles. She was so disappointed that she almost cried. I am such an evil mom. At least I know how to get my girl out of bed now! ;-)

We packed up the room and brought our "luggage" down to check out.

As we we parting ways with everyone, Nana and Grandpa realized that it was October 5th at the exact hour they got married. So...Grandpa kissed his bride and drove off into the horizon. Happy 40th y'all!! Thank you for sharing such a special weekend with us....great memories!!

On the way home, we stopped at the American girl store for a little shopping. Our mission was to get a bitty baby for our bitty baby's 1st birthday that is coming up in 2 weeks!

Brooke was totally surprised. Her eyes were as big as saucers looking around the baby doll paradise. She pushed around this stroller the entire time. She even named these twins Icky and Heart and loved on them. We told her if she wanted some bitty baby twins, she'd have to ask Santa. I love that she can accept no for an answer and doesn't ever throw a fit. She really is an exceptional little three year old.

Here we are with our American Girl shopping bags. Daddy bought Bailey her birthday surprise and Miss Brooke got a new outfit for her Bitty Beth. We cannot wait to go back there really soon! Next time, we'll have to eat at the bistro.

What a great weekend had by ALL who attended!! A special shout out to Heidi B. for the great idea and making it come to fruition!!

This morning Brooke was so bummed to be back in the "real world." She said, "I want to live in the hotel forever and I sure do miss Lady Eryn!" I thought that living in the hotel didn't sound half bad and riding around in a horse and carriage instead of the mini van sounds swell, but there is only one problem.....its not in the budget. ;-)

Happy 40th anniversary Nana & Grandpa...October 5, 1968....from here to eternity!

We love you!