I'm Back Baby!!!

I know, you all don't have to scold me, I know I have been a slacker blogger.  I guess part of me thought that nobody would miss me, so why keep doing it?  But I am back whether you like it or not!! 

My trip(s) was AWESOME!!!  I had a such a good time.  The first week I was in FL was extremely busy.  We had to get crap ready for my brothers graduation and then my brother and I had to sneak off and do stuff for my mom's surprise birthday party.  Luckily she has some awesome friends that helped out alot!! 

Graduation was very emotional for me.  I am so proud of my brother.  He has become such a caring, sweet, handsome man.  I was filled with pride and saddness at the same time at his graduation.  I was sad because he is growing up way too fast and I don't feel like I have spent nearly enough time with him.  I am afraid that before we know it he is going to be married and having kids and we have grown apart.  But I am determined not to let that happen!!  Here are a few pics from his graduation.

Me, Mom, Sean and my step-dad, Wayne

I look a little goofy in this one!!

The day after graduation was my mom's surprise party.  We went to church and then told her we were going to meet some friends for lunch.  On the way to the restuarant my brother told her to look straight ahead for a sec, at that moment I put a blindfold, aka sleep mask, on her!!  She was pissed!!  The party was a  huge success!! She was surprised and everyone had a great time.  Here are some pics from that.  Listen, I never said it was going to be a short post!!

Walking into the restaurant

The second week I just hung out with the family having an awesome time!  I spent some quality time with my Gma.  I took my mom's little dog down to the vet I used to work for to have her fixed.  It was so nice to see him.  Before I left we had a family friend take our family picture.  We had not had one done since my brother was 10, he is now 19! 

I was scheduled to fly back to B'ham on Tuesday June 1 because a New Orleans trip with my Dad's side of the family was planned for the upcoming weekend and I needed to be back.  I get to the airport, say my tearful goodbyes to my family and head on down to the plane.   I got to the airport early because of if of ya'll have flown out of Orlando you know that security can be horrendous!  I get to the gate and it hit me that it is crazy busy because it's the day after Memorial Day.  I did not even think of that when I booked my flight!!  Anywho, we got on the plane and sit and sit and sit.  Keep in mind I have a connection in Atlanta I have to catch.  The captain comes on and says that due to weather in Atlanta we can't take off.  I am not kidding it was like something out of a movie, as soon as he announced that it started pouring in Orlando.  I had turned  my phone off like a good passenger, but since we weren't going anywhere I turned it back on. Thank goodness I did!!!  I had received a voicemail from Delta saying that my flight from Atlanta to B'ham and been straight up cancelled due to weather!  Well, if I am going to stay the night somewhere it is not going to be in Atlanta in an airport, it is going to be an extra night with my mom!!!  I go to the flight attendant (is that what they want to be called now?!)  and told her I wanted to get off.  I won't bore you with the details, long story short I change my flight and call my mom to tell her to come back and pick me up.  About half way home it clicked with me and mom that I should just cancel my flight and drive to New Orleans with my grandparents.  They live in Melbourne, about 30 minutes from my moms house, and I would be on their way out of town.  I call my mamaw and she is thrilled to have me ride along!!  This also means I get 2 extra nights with my mom!! 

Mamaw and Papaw pick me up Thursday and we are off to Biloxi, MS.  We stayed there one night because mamaw and papaw have a free night at one of the casinos there and why waste a free night at a casino?!  It was fun. I didn't lose but I didn't win, so no biggie.  Friday we got up and headed off to NOLA.  This was my first time there for an extended amount of time.  I went to the Sugar Bowl a couple of years ago, but we literally went to the superdome and came home.  It is such a neat city!!  Our hotel was in the French Quarter, it was great! 

View from our room

At the French Market with my Aunt Adele

Jazz Brunch at Commanders Palace

I am happy to let you know that I only gained 3 lbs the entire time I was gone!  I was SHOCKED!!  I didn't eat horrible, but I wasn't being really good either.  I think a lot had to do with all the walking I did around New Orleans.  We did a TON of walking!  I had a great trip!! 

I am going to be a better blogger too, I promise :)