loving NOLA

After the half marathon, the runners wanted to rest for a little bit and shower.  So we went back to the hotel, while Greg's parents, Jordan and Eric went to hang out at the pub next door.  We met up with them for lunch at a restaurant near the boardwalk.  It was so yummy!! I got a burger which was seriously SO GOOD.  We ordered some crocodile hushpuppy-type appetizers, and get this...I actually ate one!  And it wasn't terrible ;)  But one was enough.  And we just had so much fun together!  I'm so thankful that I love spending time with Greg's family.  I can't imagine having "the dreaded in-laws."  Thank goodness that is not how either of us feel about each other's families.  We just laugh and have a good time.

 After a while, Greg's legs and feet were really starting to hurt again, so he headed back to the hotel to rest some more.  Kendall wanted to hit up the casino again, so her and Mr. Boggs hopped on a rickshaw and got a ride back to Herrahs.  So then it was just Jordan, Eric, Callen, Houston and me, and we decided to walk to Cafe du Monde for some delicious beignets.  And I don't want to speak for everyone, but I know I was certainly a little tipsy at this point...and I'm pretty sure we were all having a good time ;)

 

Once we sufficiently enjoyed out beignets and made a total mess (although who doesn't at Cafe du Monde), we walked to the other side of the French Quarter to stop in a fancy bar for a quick potty break.  Well that quick stop, turned into 4 hours hanging out in this river walk bar.  It was so nice because the main bar was downstairs and pretty typical, but there was an upstairs bar that had huge doors that opened up onto a patio that overlooked the river.  And there was hardly anyone up there. So we decided to stay and have a drink, and then decided we would just stay forever!  The breeze was blowing in off the river, football games were playing on a few tvs, and we had no agenda.  So we just made ourselves comfy, and eventually Greg and his parents met up with us to eat dinner.

It couldn't have been a better weekend!

I'm So Proud!

I'm way late with this post, but I wanted to write about our trip to New Orleans 2 weekends ago for the Jazz Half Marathon.  Callen (my sister-in-law) ran it last year, and challenged more of us as a family to run it with here again this year.  So around the end of this summer Greg started training to run the half marathon.  He ran several days a week for about 3 months (and lost about 25 pounds in the process!!).  And at the end of October we all headed down for a little family bonding weekend in NOLA!  I realized once we got down there that I had never hung out with Jordan and Eric without the kids.  It was so fun!

The first night we all rolled into town, checked-in to our hotel, and started out grabbing appetizers at a pub next to the hotel.  We were still waiting on Jordan and Eric to get into town so we could all have dinner together.  After appetizers we headed over to the casino so Kendall could have a little fun at the Black Jack tables ;)  How many times do you go to a casino with your in-laws??

 Once Jordan and Eric arrived, we all went to a really nice dinner at a steakhouse (really wish I could remember the name!).  We had so much fun.  Mr. Boggs actually got the reservation by telling them it was to celebrate an anniversary (total lie!).  So of course when we arrived they congratulated the Boggs and even took a celebratory picture of them once we sat at the table.  Too funny!

The next morning it was race time.  Greg was sooo not thrilled about doing this, but he did a GREAT job.  When we saw him at the half-way point, he didn't even look that exhausted yet.  I was so proud!!  Callen and Houston were trucking along too doing great at their own paces.  We caught all of them at the half-way point which was in a park, and then we caught Callen and Greg at the finish back downtown.

 There goes Houston!

 These firemen did the whole run in their full uniforms and even had a tank on their back, AND carrying flags!

Here comes Callen, and then we saw Greg!!

 After the halfway point we headed back downtown to catch them at the finish line.  Since it was Halloween weekend, there were several funny costumes that the runners came up with.

 

HE DID IT!!!

They all three did such a good job!  I'm seriously so proud of my husband.  He put his mind to it, trained for 13.1 miles, and made it to the finish line!!!  Now I just need to get MY butt in shape ;)

back in Bama country

Last Saturday, Greg's parents invited us to go with them to the Bama game.  With all the wedding craziness during last year's football season, I didn't make it to Tuscaloosa for any games.  So, it was good to be back this week.  Saturday morning we actually made a quick visit to the Pepper Place farmer's market, but unfortunately by the time we got there all the goodies were mostly all gone.  We're going to have to make an effort to get up a little earlier next time.

After the farmer's market, we got home and jumped in the car with the Boggs and the four of us headed to T-town.  Greg's dad has some old fraternity brothers from their days at Samford University together, who always tailgate for the homegames.  So, we met up with them, ate some good food, talked and visited, and there might have been a little dancing involved. They are a fun group of folks' :)

  My sweet in-laws!

Our buddy Michael came by to hang out for a bit too!

We headed to the game, but actually didn't get to sit with Greg's parents.  They were in their season pass seats somewhere along the 40 yard line, about 35 rows up (I think).  And we were actually in some upper level seats right next to the press boxes (underneath "the Zone," if you know where that is!).  Apparently "the Zone" is the place to be.  Air-conditioned box seats with free drinks (and food, maybe?).  I was just happy to the in the shade!!  Oh, and we had seat backs, which was awesome.  So the whole game was cool, shady, and comfortable for us! :)  Can't beat that!

The game was good. We won, no big surprise ;)  We played Florida Atlantic, soooo....yeah.  I was just happy to be back in Bryant-Denny.  Hopefully we'll get to go to another game this year.  But until then, ROLL TIDE!

 

helping with the babies

Our oldest niece Evey is experiencing her first trip to Disney World this week, and by the Instagram pics her mama's been posting all week, I know she is ABSOLUTELY loving it!  I'm honestly shocked at some of the things she is doing, like riding Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain (and having a blast doing it!), and taking so many pictures with all her favorite characters (ok it's really just a particular picture with her and the giant Beast from Beauty and the Beast- thought for sure she'd been a little scared of that one!).  And the best part is it's just her, her mama and daddy, and her best friend (along with her parents).  Evey and Evelyn (yes, her best friend has the same name!) both just turned 4, and I know they are having so. much. fun!  I mean, it's Disney...WHO DOESN'T LOVE IT?!  I wish I could share some of Jordan's pics, cause they are precious!

Anyways, so while they are all out of town, we've been hanging out and helping with my other niece and nephew who are too young to enjoy Disney at this point.  Saturday, Greg and I went over to their house to watch the Bama game, and visit with Greg's dad, grandparents and the little ones.  Cate is getting so big and I love that she is so much more open to allowing other people to hold and love on her now :)  (When she was just a month or so old, it seemed like hardly anyone else could hold her besides her mama and daddy).  But she is the happiest baby and has been great this week!  Here we are cuddling after one of her naps Saturday.

Then Saturday evening, Greg's dad, Greg and I went to the Samford football game and we took Bennett with us.  He loved watching the football and hearing the band play.  And that boy can spot a football from way up in the stands!  He pretty much spend the whole time going back and forth between "Bubba," "Mamy" and "Bean's" lap!  (that would be us).

 

Then today, Greg and I met Callen and Cate for lunch at Mr. P's in Bluff Park.  The weather was so nice today, we actually decided to take our sandwiches across the street and eat outside at Tip Top Grill.  It was such a pretty day.  And hanging out with this little cutie makes it even better.  Love this girl so much :)  Just can't get enough of her!