Family Fun

Last week we went to Jackson before going to Oxford on Friday. Tripp had to go to Jackson for hospital recruiting, so Caroline and I went along. We had a great time hanging out with our family. On Thursday, Tripp got to play golf with his Dad, my Dad, Tyler, and Jeremy. I met my Mom for lunch and a little shopping. Then we all met up for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant (we missed Tyler and Taylor!).


Caroline with her 2 favorite people!


The sisters!

Friday morning we headed to Oxford. After the dedication, Lesley and I shopped on the Square. Then we all went to dinner at Old Venice. Of course, it was a 2 hour wait so we took Caroline to a new store on the Square called Holli's Sweet Tooth. Caroline had so much fun eating ice cream and playing with her grandparents.





Here are a few more pictures taken on the Square. We had so much fun, as usual, with our family. I cherish being with them so much since I feel like we miss a lot of family time living in Huntsville. And Caroline loves every second with her grandparents and aunts and uncles!

Luckyday Residential College Dedication

On Friday we went to Oxford for the dedication of the Luckyday Residential College at Ole Miss. My Mom is the executive director of the Luckyday Foundation which gives students scholarships to attend Ole Miss. It was started by my Mom's late boss, Mr. Frank Day. Mom worked for Mr. Day as long as I can remember and now she is the director of his foundation. It was a wonderful day honoring Mr. Day.

The day started with a luncheon at Bryant Hall on the Ole Miss campus. We got to hear Dr. Jones, the Chancellor, speak as well as the chairman of the board for the Luckyday Foundation. I also got to visit with Chancellor Khayat (he was chancellor when I attended Ole Miss and has kept up with me through my Mom). After the luncheon, we took some pictures of the family since we all looked so nice!









Then we walked by the Grove to the Luckyday Residential College for the ceremony. It is a beautiful building where Luckyday scholars will live their freshman and sophomore years. In front of the building is a statue of Mr. Day. We were all so amazed at how the statue looks just like Mr. Day.







After the dedication and the ribbon cutting, we toured the residential college. It is so nice. For starters, every room has its own bathroom (no hall bathrooms like I had to use at Ole Miss!). Also, there is an awesome cafeteria and the Luckyday scholars get unlimited meals (I told my Mom I would have gained more than the freshman 15 if I had lived there!). There is also a kitchen if you want to cook your own meals, a library filled with computers, and an exercise room. I was very impressed!

Tripp and I were so glad we got to be there for the luncheon and dedication. We were so proud for the Day family, the Luckyday board, and my Mom. It was a wonderful day honoring Mr. Day and all he has done for Ole Miss and the state of Mississippi. Tripp and I talked later about how we left the dedication wanting to give back in anyway we can to Mississippi. We are encouraged and challenged by Mr. Day and his legacy to give back to our home state where there are so many needs.

New Orleans

Last weekend I went to New Orleans with some friends from work - Jodi, Judy, and Curt. We went to celebrate Jodi's birthday. She and Judy had never been to New Orleans before so I had fun showing them around! We decided to take a train to NO (not exactly sure whose idea that was!). It left from Birmingham at noon and was supposed to arrive in NO at 7:30pm. We thought it would be a fun experience and no one would have to worry about driving. The train ride started out okay, but then our train hit a car crossing the tracks in Petal, MS. We knew we were in for a long ride when the train stopped and it was announced that we had hit a car and it was a fatality. Apparently the person had gone around the barriers and tried to outrun the train. So what was supposed to be a 7 hour train ride turned into 12 hours. We were not allowed to get off the train so we started getting a little anxious. We finally got to NO at midnight. Needless to say, we were so happy to get off that train!

Once we arrived in NO, we had a great time! The first day we were there we took a walking tour of the Garden District. I love the Garden District. It is so beautiful.


Judy, Jodi, and Curt in front of our hotel


Judy and I waiting on the tour to start

The tour started in the oldest cemetery in New Orleans.




A tomb for members of the local fire department

Then onto the beautiful homes. We saw many homes of famous people.


Sandra Bullock's home


Archie and Olivia Manning's home


Beautiful tree-lined streets


This picture was taken after the tour. We were so hot and sweaty!

Friday night we walked around and we went to Pat O'Brien's to see the flaming fountain.


On Saturday, the girls went shopping on Magazine Street. We had a great time in the cute boutique shops. On Sunday, we went to Cafe Du Monde (which is a must if you are in NO!). We are wearing black and gold to support the Saints! It was so fun to be in New Orleans when the Saints had a game. The city was electric and everyone was pulling for the Saints!




Jackson Square

On Sunday, Judy and I were on a hunt to find something for her grandson Jonah and Caroline. We had bought them Saints t-shirts, but we knew they would want a toy to play with. We walked all around the French Quarter and found one toy shop, but we decided to try the Riverwalk before we bought something. Well, there was nothing at the Riverwalk. So Judy and I walked back to the French Quarter to the toy shop, but it was closed when we got there. Since it was Sunday it closed at 6pm and we got there 15 minutes late. We were so upset because we had to bring back something for Jonah and Caroline. As we were walking off, the owners of the toy shop came walking out of the store. Judy ran up to them and talked them into opening up the store for us (I learned on this trip that Judy can talk anyone into anything!). We went in and shopped and came out with toys for Jonah and Caroline!

On Sunday night, we went to eat at the Redfish Grill. It was so delicious! We ate great food the whole weekend, but this was by far my favorite meal!



We had such a fun trip. I love going to New Orleans, but I had not been since before Katrina. Thankfully, we had a safe, quick train ride home because I was so ready to see Caroline and Tripp. I missed them both so much while I was gone!

Game Weekend

Friday afternoon Tripp, Caroline, and I drove to Oxford. We spent Friday night with our family who lives there. We went to dinner at Newk's and had a great time catching up. Caroline has grown very fond of Kevin and Jill and their kids so she had a great time!


Jill, Kevin, Andrew, Tripp, and Caroline at Newk's


Caroline and Andrew

Caroline slept the entire 3-hour drive to Oxford so I knew she would be up late! Jill, Tripp, and I decided to take Caroline for a stroll around the Square. After going around the Square, Jill took us to a park close by so Caroline could play for a minute (we were trying to wear her out!).


Strolling around the Square


Jill took this picture of us in the telephone booth on the Square

Caroline finally tired out around 11pm! Saturday was game day! We enjoyed a nice relaxing morning at the Gardner's house before the 11:30 game. Winnie and Granddaddy drove up Saturday morning and met us at the house.


Caroline with Winnie and Granddaddy

Sarah Gaines and her friend Molly kept Caroline for us while we went to the game. And Caroline had so much fun with them! They took Caroline to eat lunch at Abner's and then strolled up to the Square to get some yogurt at YaYa's.


Caroline with her babysitters


With our girl before the game

The game was so HOT! Since it was at 11:30, we were in the sun the entire time. The game, of course, was one big disappointment, but it did not ruin our weekend. After the game, we went back to the Gardner's and cooled off and visited with friends and family. Winnie and I decided to take Caroline back to the park. Caroline enjoyed swinging and going down the slides!



We had another wonderful weekend in Oxford with family. I love taking Caroline to Oxford on game weekends. We have started a family tradition that will last for a long time! Before we know it, Tripp and I will be going to Ole Miss on game weekends to visit Caroline!!! Thank you, Kevin and Jill, for opening up your home to us and letting us stay with you (and thank you, Sarah Gaines, for giving up your room!).

Puppy and Granddaddy

Tripp and I both had to work this weekend, so Puppy and Granddaddy came to keep Caroline. Caroline was so excited to see them, as usual! We had a great weekend together. Puppy pretty much played with Caroline every second, and Tripp, Dad, and I watched a lot of football. Of course, we watched the Ole Miss game on Saturday night and cheered them on. Hotty Toddy! We were so glad we won!

Caroline is the only grandchild on both sides so every time she sees her grandparents, she is lavished with prizes (yes, my child is spoiled and very blessed, too!). So the first thing she wanted to do was open her prizes from Puppy and Granddaddy (and she even had gifts from Gomme and Dandy, her great-grandparents). Tripp said it looked like Christmas morning when Caroline got done opening her presents!



One prize was a cupcake set. Caroline played and played with her cupcakes. She would sing "happy birthday to you" when she gave one of us a cupcake. Too cute!


Saturday afternoon, Tripp and Dad played golf, and Puppy, Caroline, and I ran a few errands. The first stop was Gigi's cupcakes!






We had a wonderful weekend with family. Tripp and I are so thankful for our parents who make the 10-hour round trip very often to come see us and keep Caroline when we have to work. And Caroline has the best time when they come!

The Grove!

On Saturday, we went to Ole Miss for the first football game. We had such a great day, except for the game! The weather was perfect for groving, and Caroline had a great time hanging out in the Grove with family and friends.

Tripp's cousins, Jill and Kevin, live in Oxford and they are always so sweet to let us hang out at their beautiful home. We met Winnie and Granddaddy there before we went to the Grove.





As we were walking up to the Grove, Caroline saw the tents and shouted "the Grove"! She was so excited to be at Ole Miss!



Caroline with her Daddy, Granddaddy, and Uncle!


Caroline and Winnie in front of the Nutt House tent!


Taylor and Tyler


The girls!


Caroline listening to the band and watching the cheerleaders!


Taylor's family was so sweet to host us at their tent. The food was delicious and the company was great! We did not take Caroline to the game. She went back to Jill and Kevin's house with Winnie during the game and played.

We had such a wonderful day with family and friends. Of course, we were very disappointed in the outcome of the game. But we are Ole Miss fans, always have been and always will be. Ole Miss is our home, our family. We will be back at Ole Miss for the Vandy game, hopefully for a victory! Go Rebels! Hotty Toddy!

Cupcakes!

One afternoon last week, I planned for Caroline to decorate cupcakes. While she was napping, I baked the cupcakes and got everything ready. If you watch Noggin at all, you have probably seen the activity making Dora cupcakes. So I thought we would make a couple of Dora cupcakes and some with sprinkles.



Caroline was not interested in the Dora cupcakes. She wanted to design her own with sprinkles! I have never seen cupcakes covered in sprinkles like these were!



The finished product! Caroline had a great time decorating and eating the cupcakes! (Please don't compare my Dora cupcakes to the examples on Noggin!)