Goodbyes, JT, & the Beach

Sort of lazy to clump them all together as they are all more than worthy of a post all their own, but in an effort to catch up on the blog before we load up our truck and move several states away, here goes...

Goodbyes
No one will ever say we didn't live up our last few weeks and months together. Cookouts, wine nights, karaoke, Mexican, jacuzzi afternoons, homemade carrot cake, impromptu pasta dinners, you name it.

Only a couple of these events were documented on my camera, but in the words of Alec Baldwin as Parker on Friends, "My God, I don't want to forget this moment: it's like I want to take a mental picture of you all... click!" (That one's for you Lilley.)

Two emotional goodbyes later and we were headed to...

James Taylor @ Chastain Park
WOW. Best concert ever. One of the most fun date nights ever. We love love love James. Cameras weren't allowed but I snuck a couple shots. (Side note: Spellcheck underlining snuck inspired an internet search for the proper past tense of sneak. According to dictionary.com, snuck has become "a standard variant past tense and past participle of the verb sneak". So there Spellcheck.)

We sat at a table with one of Walker's dad's co-workers and his wife. John and Beth (names changed to protect the innocent) were a blast. Plus they had been regulars at Chastain Park concerts for many years, so they knew how to do an outdoor concert. Chastain has a pretty brilliant set-up, allowing you to bring in your own food and drink. Catered Maggiano's + wine + perfect weather + good company = a good time.

By the time he got to Mexico and Shed a Little Light, the whole place was standing and dancing to the music, even President Carter (apparently a pretty regular attendee at this concert). So. Much. Fun!

Thanks James - you put on quite a show! The next morning we got up and headed to...

Seagrove Beach, FL
I know. Two trips in a month. We are a little spoiled. But given that we are moving approximately 750 miles away from these beloved waters, we soaked it all in. Adding to the fun were these cuties.

One night the guys watched the babies which allowed us to have one of the more memorable girl's nights I have ever experienced. Our house was walking distance to 30A and WOW - so delicious.

I never took my camera down to the beach for fear of a water or sand accident, but did snap these two on my camera phone. Amazing isn't it? These babies loved their naps on the beach. I love the one of Campbell using the sand directly as a pillow.

One night Walker and I had date night, and it was a blast. We ate at the Shrimp Shack in Seaside - the food was delicious and the view tough to beat. A strong breeze off the water made the temperature 100% tolerable, and maybe we went back to order seconds simply b/c we weren't ready to leave the peacefulness and fun of that evening.

Our last night we had an early birthday celebration for sweet Laney, who after brief hesitation made quick work of her cupcake.

Her dad took her mom's suggestion to "hose her off" quite literally, and even though I felt bad for how much the cold water surprised and angered her, these shots were too priceless not to post. Plus she has a wonderful daddy who she immediately forgave.

We returned home to a sad little house full of mostly-packed boxes. 4 days until we head north!

The Last Graduation.

It was a weekend full of celebration. We LOVED having so much family in town. Now, after 20 straight years of schooling it's time to put on my big girl pants and head into the real world. It's a degree with zero eternal significance, but it feels pretty darn good in the moment :)

 

Now all that's left is packing, a trip to the beach, and figuring out how the heck I am going to emotionally handle saying goodbye to a city I love and the people that have been my rocks the past 4 years. A sappy but sincere "I-love-my-friends" post will come soon I'm sure, but suffice to say that combined with all of the other changes ahead are taking me on an emotional roller coaster. So thankful my best friend(s) (Bella included of course) are on this ride with me!

SG Beach Weekend.

That's right. 2 blog posts in one day. Mainly I just don't want to start packing, and this is a (sort of) legitimate reason to procrastinate.

This past weekend we headed down to the FL panhandle for the 2nd Annual Southern Gentleman's Beach Trip (a self-named group of best friends from Auburn that allow their significant others to be a part of their planned activities).

These boys are such an entertaining group, and I love that they include their female counterparts in on the fun.

I have never seen the Gulf's water this crystal-clear, and the weather was absolutely perfect.

We entertained ourselves with cornhole, excellent food, talk of the Royal Wedding (even the boys got involved on that one), dancing to Bieber at the Red Bar, people-watching at Bud & Alley's, a disturbing $40 bet, a questionable comment to a stranger that was the source of relentless jokes for the remainder for the trip... I could go on. It was a blast and flew by way too quickly.

This group vacations together splendidly. We missed those unable to attend this year (shout out to the Beasley's and David & Anna), but continued the tradition of all-out fun they helped initiate at last year's first annual. Thanks Seagrove for another perfect SG weekend!