Last week I spent the entire week in the South with 80 degree temperatures and sunshine every day. It was a great getaway from the city and I was able to make my rounds to a few different places while I was there. On Thursday I traveled down to the loveliest village on the plains, saw some friends, (felt really old when I walked down the concourse), and had lunch at Big Blue Bagel with Rose Lynn and Anna before heading on to Atlanta to pick up Brendan from the airport. Then we spent the rest of the week with my family (Buck and Christine were down from NJ, and sadly we missed my sister and her family who didn't make it from Kentucky) and did lots of outdoor activities to soak in the sun and Easter-y things. It was hard coming back to the city on Monday but it was a wonderful trip home!
Much to Anna and Rose Lynn's amusement, I went a little Chi O crazy when I got back to Auburn. I hadn't seen the new dorms or chapter room and it was all beautiful, but I definitely felt like a stranger there because it was all SO different. Big Blue, Spidle Hall, and Lupton (my freshman dorm), however, remained exactly the same as when I left them.
Almost everyone was home for Easter!
I'm not sure who won the egg hunt, but Tate looks like he is getting things under his control...
Besides Tate drinking the egg dye and me spilling an entire cup all over everyone (after I had made sure to tell all the kids numerous times to be extra careful not to spill anything because it would stain...) we had a fun Easter egg dying session!
Tate loved his blue egg!
Pretty Easter outfits with Mayce, McKay and Tate.
We had a more unconventional Easter lunch on Sunday after my mom cooked a delicious Easter meal on Saturday for lunch. After church we went to Dreamland BBQ so Brendan could experience true, southern BBQ at its finest! Then Mayce fell asleep.
It was a wonderful Easter week!!
Last weekend, while in New Hampshire, Brendan and I went hiking on a small mountain in southern New Hampshire, Pack Monadnock. It was perfect weather: mid 80's with a constant breeze, sunny and beautiful views. We conquered the feat with only one snake sighting, so I'd call it a success! Brendan was very gracious in letting me stop as often as I wanted to take pictures, but I chose to forego the option of capturing the snake on film and just screamed as loudly and shrilly as possible instead.
All the kiddos.
The annual jumping pic! We actually had more than one successful shot this time.
Abbey's getting better, but she still has her moments where the thought of "Aunt Perryn" is too dreadful to bear.
Until we meet again, white sandy beaches and beautiful ocean waves, I will miss you.
But, at least, I'm back in the Apple, even after a long day of traveling with delayed flights, sitting on runways, running through the airport to catch a connecting flight and a 100+ degree apartment to greet me upon my return. Whether I like it or not, I'm back.
The Magic Garden is an outdoor garden-like-house-structure with tunnels and grottos that is completely covered in mosaics. Walls, ceilings, floors- all mosaics with beautiful glass, tiles, bottles and other pieces of recycled material. Isaiah Zagar began this as an art project in a vacant lot in 1994. He completed it after 14 years of working on the installation, where it is now a beautiful work of art for residents of the neighborhood and visitors to enjoy. In 2002, when the lot was supposed to be sold to construct a parking garage, the residents of the community raised $300,000 to buy the lot and preserve the beautiful art! I'm glad they did.
A few pictures of the beautiful Independence Hall, where the first US Capitol was located.
Although I saw it on the first visit, I couldn't pass by the original LOVE sign:
A beautiful sunset from the bus window to end a fabulous weekend.
The Capitol and all that it entails.
Stars everywhere! They don't call it the Lonestar State for nothing.
Bright and fun details around the city.
And a few more.
And the one picture to prove that I was actually in Austin with Lara!
My trip to Austin will be very short and sweet, considering I just decided to go this morning at 11 AM. I'll be there in less than 24 hours from now! And then, a little more than 24 hours after that, I'll be back on my way home. Thank you, JetBlue, for great deals and a $20 round trip ticket. (Yes, TWENTY dollars! I didn't forget a zero.) I can't wait!!!
