Sweet Home Alabama

We just returned from a week’s trip to Alabama. Well, technically we were in Alabama about five days, with 2 days of travel. (This whole not living close to a large airport thing is quite inconvenient.) During our stay we attended a good friend’s wedding and another’s reception, since they were on the same evening; saw both sides of the family, and spent time with as many friends as we could fit in. Unfortunately we didn’t get to see everyone, and of course the trip was way too short. We were reminded of everything we left behind; but also all the things we were happy to say goodbye to again; number one: the Birmingham traffic! I know it’s no Atlanta or NYC, but we now live in a town about 2.5 square miles in size and a speed limit of 25 mph on most streets. We can walk anywhere here in less time than it takes to drive out of our neighborhood in Birmingham! We felt like we literally spent most of our vacation in the rental car. It really is a totally different kind of life when you live in a small town.

Despite the things we don’t miss about Alabama, saying goodbye to the South and the friends and family we have there was really hard, for me at least. Chris had such a panicked look on his face when I started sobbing on the plane on the way back. I composed myself, thankfully, and was able to enjoy the rest of the ride back thinking about returning to the home we’ve made, and the Virginia dog that was there waiting for us.

I got to see my best friend Anna and her almost 4 year old Ava, the little dancing queen:


Also, two of my classmates have had babies since we graduated, and I got to meet their little boys as well. Here’s Julianne with little Jeremiah:


And Courtney with Stryker, who wasn’t feeling the photo op:



Chris and I spent the night in Vegas before we flew out. We had never spent any significant time there, and I was in awe at the décor in the casinos and hotels. We ate at one of Emeril’s restaurants, Table 10, and definitely recommend it. I could have explored in the Bellagio forever, it was definitely my favorite, but we were trying to hit as many places as we could in one evening.

The blown glass ceiling at the Bellagio:


The indoor garden:




Inside the Venetian:


Outside the Venetian:


View of the strip:


Me and my man:




We were sort of amazed by all the families with small children out at midnight in Vegas, with call-girl cards littering the ground and all. Oh, well. I guess you can take the girl out of the bible-belt...