We left Lakeland at 630pm on a Thursday and decided to drive straight through the night. My little brother had finished up his training in Oklahoma and after a two week stay in Memphis, was leaving Friday at noon for his new station in El Paso, TX. We really wanted our little guy to meet ALL of his aunts and uncles so we drove 13 hours through the night. We got in at 7am and were greeted with a warm fire, the Lawrence family and a warm breakfast. GranDebbie was SO happy to have all her little ducklings together. I think this made her Christmas complete. Even though our visit with Uncle Bubba was short (and a little delirious) we are so happy we made it in time.
My parents were so kind to open their home up to all of our friends and family. With the colic this made life much easier than dragging Isaiah around at night. It was still a bit stressful because when company would come our little fella would get wound up. We had SO many visitors. It was so fun to meet our friends kids and watch our family interact with Isaiah. The first night in Memphis my bestest, Ashley, came for dinner and cocktails. We have been best friends since we were 5 and I was so excited for her and Jay to meet our little blessing. She, in true Ashley fashion, came with the cutest little onesie that has a tie stitched to it and BAGS of Cole's old baby clothes. We had a ball and this night will be etched perfectly in my memory forever.
Isaiah got to meet most of the Leathers' crew. Jane was IN LOVE and the afternoon we spent at her house was a little piece of heaven. Great conversation and SO relaxing. I started baby-sitting for this fam when their 3 girls were newborn, 2 and 3. They have grown up to be beutiful young ladies and watching them snuggle with him kind of brought things full circle. They are now 17, 20 (next month) and 21! While the girls loved on him, Mike and Eli had NERF wars and opened fire on us. Boys will be boys! ha!
Most nights were spent with our entire family loving on our newest addition (when he wasn't pitching a fit). As I said earlier, Mom and Dad graciously opened up their home to everyone. We were abounding with grandparents, aunts and uncles. Such a fun time. Here are a few pics that captured some of the moments.
Sadly my tired little brain forgot to take pictures of other family members and friends. SORRY! Isaiah also got to meet my good friend Carrie and her beautiful daughter Sutherlynn Grace, a life long friend Natalie and her precious daughter Addie (who is going to be a fabulous piano player one day...hahaha), Matt and Karen brought their newest blessing Mr. Ryder Lee Holley to visit, family friends Donna and Buddy, Ms. Judy,Lesley and Noah, Cole and Kate, and Mike's grandma Jean, aunts and cousins. It was a whirlwind and I am so sorry if I left anyone out. Oh yea....we had lunch at our favorite little Mexican place, El Porton, and visited with Mike's best friend Matt and the lovely Mary. They had just driven in from Charleston and brought Isaiah and Ugly Doll....WE LOVE IT! I can't wait for them to start a little family. We are hoping to meet up in St. Augustine sometime soon.
Once we wrapped up in Memphis we headed to Birmingham for my grandmother's 89th birthday. It's always bittersweet when we visit her. She is my only living grandparent and she misses my Pawpaw so much. I took a picture of him on his 90th birthday and put it in an album and everytime she walks past it she talks to him. It is the cutest thing I have ever seen. On this day she told him what a great time he was missing and how she wished he could meet Isaiah. Her day was full of visitors. My cousin Kim brought her family and left me with a special little treasure (more to come on this in a later blog), the entire Palmer crew came for a visit, even Pat and Aunt Sparkie. Isaiah truly is loved and we feel blessed that so many people came out to meet him.
This is one of my favorite pics from our trip:
So, if you are tired just reading this imagine how we felt when we got home. hahaha...we got in at 540 on Christmas Eve and had to be at church at 6! CRAZY! I felt like a weight was lifted off my chest as soon as I got there. I couldn't wait to hug Steph and that Baby Lew in the making! My girl, Jen, even shared in a hug. Cheri was happier to see Isaiah than me but that's ok (just kidding). I love my church family so much and it was a great way to come back "home". We ran out for some last minute shopping and awoke to a wonderful first visit from Santa...including gifts from aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends.
We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you a blessed and happy 2011!
