A Day trip to Noccalula

My first Friday off day in quite a while (Outage for Hatch, then an outage for Farley), so we were quite excited to get away for a while. Or maybe it was just me, and we had also just purchased our first mini-van. We are so cool. We bought a Honda Odyssey from Jasper where we found all sorts of deals and had to buy.
So our first test drive was to go to Noccalulu Falls in Gadsden, AL. I had been there once as a kid, but Magan had never been. The drive was nice, with Sam now doing several screaming episodes (mostly just playing, but it was rather annoying at times). And Magan and I both can’t seem to stop laughing at his crazy personality, and it great aim as he frequently throws his juice cup at the front console.
But we arrived, and let the kids sleep as we ate some fast-food. We then went into the park and enjoyed seeing a deer up close and some ducks and turkeys. We then got on the train for a ride around the park.
Davis had a blast, we don’t know if it was the train whistle or the wind blowing in his face, but he was smiling the whole time. He is really sweet and cute and I can’t wait to get to know him like we know little Sam. Sam is at a stage where he is scared of a lot of things, and the train was one of them.
But after the train we made our way towards the falls, enjoying the covered bridge, the “fat-man’s squeeze”, and Sam and I climbing out of the many rock formations.
Sam and I then took the stairs and trail to the bottom of the falls, where we found a nice place to sit at the water. We had a friend duck waddle near us and sleep on a neighboring rock. I sat with Sam enjoying the moment, remembering crossing these same rocks with my Dad. I love being a dad, I love seeing Sam smile up at me. He is my little friend that makes me so happy. I know their have been so many moments that I have had with just little Sam in my lap, but this is another one that almost makes me tear up. We threw some rocks in the water, and talked to the duck for awhile. Nothing special about this time we had together, but it was definitely one of those moments you could stop time forever and enjoy.
But…we had to make the trip back up, and after several breaks for an older out of shape Scott, I made it back. And Magan caught that on video for all who would like to watch. I was sincerely out of breath, and my legs were shaky. Oh well, that beautiful lady at the top still loved me, and Davis was happy to see us back.
A trip to the playground, a trip to the falls to feed the ducks, and a rest in the middle of the park on a swing was all we needed before we left. Magan and I began reminiscing of our honeymoon in Bellingrath on a similar swing. I love her so much, and our two boys are so great. We left the park and went to Top O’ the River before going home. The food was good; just don’t ever eat any pickled onions…as Sam would say Shooo.

A Hectic Mother's Day Morning

This day began unlike most others. Sam slept in late, which was very rare, but Magan thought it was his gift to her on her third Mother’s day morning. Church began at 10, so we all slept in, enjoying the peace and quiet. After waking, and taking my shower, I began to cook breakfast for everyone. I decided homemade French toast would be very good.
With a little directions from my mother, I make 6 french toast using some of the fresh eggs we had received the previous night from our chicken growing, arsenal keeping, peacock raising, church friends Rob and Pam Britt. Magan enjoyed her breakfast, and as time starting running out for us to get to church, I began to take over duties of getting the boys ready.
I fed Sam, and dressed him. Then I dressed Davis. Feeling very rushed because I like to get to Church early to pass out the bulletins with Sam, I began calling Magan to hurry up. With both children in the car, and fairly proud of myself (with the sweat running down my forehead to show for it) I went back to the door to let Magan know everybody else was ready.
Thus began the trip to church, a little late, and becoming later as Magan asked me a few questions. Where was the baby’s blanket? I forgot. Where was the baby’s pacifier? I forgot. Did you wash Sam’s face after breakfast? I forgot. So Sam and I made it to church on time, but Magan went back home to clean up my mess. Magan made it back in time for the Lord’s Supper, then silently giggled as she Sat down. I had put Davis’ shirt on backwards as well. Oh well, what a morning. Oh yeah, I also lost Sam’s blue at nanny’s house later that day.
But Magan and I talked all the way to Cullman about our life together, and our love for one another. She is my best friend, and even tho I forgot also her card and any present, she still loved me. And that is very important.

Around the House

I thought you guys might enjoy these, since we haven't seen most of you so long!  The one in the highchair were he is smiling so big, he has my "clean" underwear around his neck and Dad's cup in his hands.  He loves playing with both every time he can get his hands on them. 

I gave him peanut butter on his banana this morning and he picked up the peanut butter off of every piece.  He had to eat that first b/c it tasted better than that banana.  The pictures of him playing golf were from last weekend, he had so much fun his cheeks were red from playing so hard.  He kept wanting to pick up the ball when Scott hit it on the green, it was a lot of fun too.  We are looking foward to coming home this weekend, we miss you guys! - Magan   

Anniversary in Savannah

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil...so I read the book, and we had to take that trip to Savannah.  Very beautiful city, and we toured much of it.  River Street Sweets, Juliet Gordon Low house, all the sights from the Good and Evil tour...and even a late night ghost tour.  I think this was for our 2nd year anniversary, but may have the dates a little off.  We did visit Paula Dean's restaurant, and memorized the maccaroni and cheese recipe from her cookbook...shhhhh, don't tell her.  Cleary's café was made famous in the book as the restaurant where one of the characters often told everyone in their that he was going to poison the city's water system.  So we later toured the local cemetery, weird, but it seems to be normal around there, and out to tybee island before heading home to Dothan.  Oh and our hotel had windows that you would climb out onto the balcony from...something about an ordinance charging hotels by the number of doors, so they just changed them to windows.  ...and man, I look chunky in these pictures.   Right?

 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Wow, not a care in the world.  College days flying off to San Juan for a Chemical Engineering conference, I knew there was a reason I ran for office in AICHE.  I did have to buy Magan's ticket and I think we stayed one extra night in the hotel, so there was some expense, but not much for these crazy college married kids.  We flew out from Jackson, MS, and stayed the previous night with the Storms (family name...9 kids...crazy big house) in that area. 

 

Don't remember much from this trip, as most memories have slipped on by.  We had a very short walk to the beach from our hotel.  I tried to order McDonalds in spanish, and I think the lady just told me to give it up.  "Tomo un numero uno y un cherry pieyo".  Me and Magan roomed with Transito and Marcia (Storm...#3 of 9).  Don't remember a thing about the conference, but it was great getting to visit old San Juan.  We also skipped the Bacardi factory tour for the El Youngue rainforest, which was OK. 

 

The Pool at the hotel was pretty great, and had fun with friends from college.  And...I am 100% positive I did not take the picture of the long blonde haired, bare chested Frisbee guy.  I don't remember his name right now, but he was super cool...back to the picture...that was not me...so surely it was not..."Magan, Magan, do you remember taking this picture".  Just a small giggle from her at her computer when she is confronted with this 15 years later.  Hmmm....  Anyway, a fun trip.  Lots of virgin pina colodas, and fried bananas seem to make the memory bucket.