Bama Bound!

Note:  My barely-a-year-old-camera died.  It died a sad death of falling-from-a-toddler's-hands-onto-the-cold-concrete-floor-of-Walmart.  I won't even tell what I had to go through to get the pictures off the camera.  That is why this (& the next few) posts are so late.

Nora & I hadn't ever been to Alabama so when one of Aaron's cousins, Lauren, sent us a wedding invite a trip was planned!  Since we are the proud parents owners of 2 baby chicks, we decided to let them stay with some of Nora's friends for the weekend.  It was the first time we left them to go out of town.  Nora wasn't very happy about it.  The poor girl cried.  Quite a bit.  

Chicks left on our friends' porch

Nora watching them as we drive away

After what seemed like forever, we made it to the Alabama welcome center.  Here's Nora (excuse the car seat hair) proving we made it!

We arrived Friday night (April 13th) & spent the night in a hotel.  Saturday morning we met up with PawPaw & Dee Dee, who were also in town for the wedding.  We did a little shopping and had some yummy lunch at Olive Garden. 

Paw Paw being silly, 'drinking' his soup

We went around town a little and met some of Aaron's extended family members.  Finally, it was time to get dolled up for our 3rd wedding in 4 months.  =)  We arrived and the wedding was gorgeous! Lauren was a beautiful bride! It was outside near the water.  Lauren & some talented family (see Vintage Shore) worked hard on the wedding and it was perfect!  (Want to see more pictures?  Freshly Bold Photography) Congratulations again to Lauren & Brandon!

Brandon & Lauren

About to hide under Lauren's dress...

Family photo with the bride

A cousins picture of those at the wedding

The 'get-away' car...General Lee

There was a beautiful candy buffet of white/pearl & tan candies.  The wedding favors were bags to fill of candy and some darling bird magnets.

Enjoying ANOTHER piece of candy

Nora & Paw Paw

While most of us were downing candy or lemonade, Nora was entertaining the guests with her dancing to the band.  She is not shy!  She went right up to them to dance every chance she could.

These next pictures crack me up.  Nora took off with my camera to have a good time.  I found these pictures after the wedding.  Some of the other little girls 'helped' her take some.  (By the way, I have an on-going post that will one day be published full of Nora's photography skills.)

We loved getting to meet and/or see family in Alabama.  Here's Nora with Aaron's great aunt Regina.

After the wedding, Nora quickly fell asleep in the car.  We woke her to eat at Cracker Barrel.  That wasn't a good idea, until she found the toys.  Poor Paw Paw gave in to her insistence for this fancy ball. (She had been eyeing it since our last trip to TN.)  Lucky, spoiled girl!  I will say it's been almost 2 months and she still plays with it almost daily.  Maybe one day I'll post about it...it's that special.

Sunday we checked out more family at PaPa & Grandma Beth's beach house.  It was fabulous!  We ate, visited, ate, & visited some more.  Just the way we like to hang!  Aaron got to help his uncle, Alan, empty & set the crab traps for the feast later.  One was a tangled and we weren't sure Alan would make it out dry!

We took a short ride on the gator over to the beach.  Isn't it gorgeous?!?  I've finally found another beach I like as much as Siesta Key.  (I've also decided a gator is a must for the beach!)  It was cold, but Nora loved putting her toes in the sand & ocean.  She is a beach lover!

When we finally pulled ourselves away from the good times, we started our ride home...the scenic route.  We followed Paw Paw onto the ferry to get over to Dauphin Island.  It was Nora's first ferry ride and she did enjoy it!  

Following Paw Paw's truck onto the ferry

Waiting in the car

GPS shows our car in the water

Our handsome chauffeur

We stopped by Aunt Regina's house to see family (especially baby Evan) and eat some more.  That is when we were fully introduced to the gem called Duck Dynasty.  =)  After pulling Aaron away from yet another episode, we finally left.  Really late.  Lucky for Nora & I, Aaron drove us home safely.  We love when we can travel to visit family!  We had a great time & can't wait to go back to really enjoy the beach!  Roll Tide!