Halloween Dance Off

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It's Really Fall Y'all!

We have been running around for weeks and now we are finally home again.  My computer is still a piece.  I am hoping to get a new one this week.  My battery literally lasted for 6 minutes today.  Wow, why bother.  Anyway, back to what we've been doing. . . .

A train to a Pumpkin patch with Cathy and Chuck . . .

Connor really enjoyed the trip on the train and all the pumpkins.  We may always have to take a train to get a pumpkin.

After a short week at home, we packed up 6 bags (2 rolling carryon suitcases, 1 carry-on duffle bag, 1 diaper bag, 1 backpack and 1 computer work bag) and headed to Richmond.  Since we were flying US Air, (and I got a great deal on tickets) I didn't want to pay additional money to check bags.  Plus, and more importantly than 50 bucks, our connection in Charlotte was tight (40 minutes) and I was pretty certain our bags wouldn't make the transfer.  I was right.  Our flight from Birmingham was delayed about 30 minutes.  We made up time in the air but the ground crew was super slow in Charlotte so we got off the plane with 10 minutes before our next flight was going to depart.  Colin ran about 2 city blocks through Charlotte airport with all the bags but the backpack.  I waited on the car seat (oh, yeah that is yet another "bag").  Everyone, including the pilot was off the plane and the darn car seat was not in sight.  Finally, it arrived.  I didn't even bother putting Connor in the seat.  I just grabbed the Go Go Kidz handle and ran with Connor in the other arm.  I put him down with about 2 gates to go and we both ran our little legs off.  They held the plane for us (yippee!) (Goodness knows what Colin said to them to accomplish this . . . but who cares - we made it!).  Oh, and no layover - almost like a direct flight except for the stress.

Colin's mom and stepdad picked us up in Richmond and we headed to Ashland, VA (the "Center of the Universe") for Colin's 10 year college reunion at RMC.  I didn't take many pictures (I'll blame it on decompressing from the stressful but successful trip) but we had a wonderful time.  Friday night we put the kids (Kevin and Leslie both graduated from RMC so they came down to Ashland with Daniel) to bed and went to the alumni party.  Colin's mom and stepdad were sweet enough to watch our babies while we were enjoying some time out.  I rented a suite at the Hampton Inn.  I didn't even know they had suites (b/c it was NOT a Hampton Inn & Suites).  I called and asked.  Luckily they did.  So Connor was asleep in the bedroom and we could hang out in the living room.  Kevin and Leslie were across the hall and Pat and Bob were next door.  It couldn't have worked out better!  Saturday we walked to campus (thankfully Kevin and Leslie brought us an umbrella stroller to borrow because I am certain we would have missed the flight if we had had 1 more piece of luggage).  We went to the tailgate and pretended to watch the football game from the tent.  For dinner we went to Ruby Tuesday (if you know me you know I despise RT).  I have gotten food poisoning 3 times (3 different locations - actually 3 different states), a tray full of waters spilled on me and most recently RT tried to kill me by putting so much mustard on my veggie burger that I would have been hospitalized (you know how they put the condiments on the bottom of the burger - well, I didn't know and luckily I don't trust anyone at RT - any location - so I inspected).  So why would I go back?? Twice in one weekend??  Our options were limited and they had tvs so I could watch the Auburn LSU game.  I didn't get sick or wet.  Oh, and Auburn won!!!  Still not changing my mind about RT though.  I just think I got lucky (or maybe I was smart and didn't really eat anything)! 

Connor at the tailgate . . .

Neal at the tailgate the following day for the Ravens game (yes, we drove back bright and early for the Ravens game)  How much can you pack into one weekend?

P.S. Yes, he is wearing a onesie (handmade of course)

Colin headed back to Birmingham after the Ravens game and Connor and I stayed in Baltimore to visit with Caitlin, Will (and Greg).  The first couple of days were low key (and much needed).  Mid-week, we headed to Hagerstown to see Colin's dad and stepmom.  Connor got so much attention from his Mom Mom, Grandad Bob, Pop Pop and Grandma Cathy over the past 10 days - he adored it!  We went shopping at the outlets one day and Connor saw this carousel he just had.to.ride.  For 50cents it seemed like a bargain to me.  Precious

P.S. A "refurbished" of this carousel is for sale at Hammacher Schlemmer for $9K.  Not sure if you have to still pay 50 cents a ride.

We returned back to Baltimore just in time to celebrate Halloween 3 times (Fri, Sat and Sun).  Since it has taken me all 2 hours of naptime to make this post (due to my slowsky computer) you will have to wait for the Halloween pictures.  But . . . they are totally worth the wait.

War Eagle Piggies

After the Piggy story, I couldn't resist taking this picture of Connor after the Auburn/ Arkansas game.  Even if he refused to look at the camera

Look how excited he is - shaking that shaker!

Netbook v. iPAD

One reason the blog has suffered this month is that my laptop is a piece.  It is so awful and I just can't stand it anymore.  So, I am going to get a netbook or an iPad.  Suggestions?  Comments?  I only use the computer for email, internet, and photos.  I am worried I will miss the keyboard with an iPad but I am hearing that my fears are unfounded.  Would love some comments.  I want to buy one as soon as we get back from Baltimore.  Thanks (in advance). . .

War Eagle from NOLA

So, Colin and I went to New Orleans (NOLA) 2 weeks ago for his firm's retreat.  We had such a good time - I didn't take 1 picture.  Seriously, not 1.  Luckily, someone did.  Between meetings and meals we had a great time walking the streets of NOLA.  I attended a cooking class (which was the opposite of what I expected it to be - but still very cool).  Initially, I was surprised that the instructor was already cooking when we arrived (and, no, we were not late).  She made each dish entirely differently than the recipe suggested (which caused great confusion amongst our class).  It was still very cool and informative (even if part of the fun was at the instructor's expense).  On Saturday the Auburn fans defected from the planned dinner at the Aquarium and went to some hole in the wall bar across the street from the alumni bar at the end of the earth (Tulane).  The one picture from NOLA after an AU victory over Kentucky.  The bar was so excited to have our business they took down the LSU balloons and swapped out Orange and Blue ones!  (I should mention that NO ONE - not one person - was in the bar when our group arrived).  Also notice the randoms on the right . . . why do people enjoy getting in other people's pictures?? 

This Veggie Piggy (Part 2)

You may remember Connor's Piggys from several months ago.  Well, this little piggy (Connor) is sooo funny.  While we were trying to get Connor comfortable and Mary Casen's house, we were watching the Alabama/ Florida game (the game was so depressing I can't write about it).  The hilarious GEICO commercial came on about the piggy crying weeeee, weeeee weeeee.  If you haven't seen it, you need to keep the television on until you do.  Connor adores the commercial. 

Chrissy: "Connor, what kind of animal is that?"
Connor: "Pig" (said in his super deep voice)

Chrissy: "That's right.  What does a pig say?"
Connor: "Weeee, Weeeee, Weeeeee.  All the way home!"

No Oink, Oink in our house.

Peek-a-Boo

I see you . . .

Connor had a very fun weekend at home.  We have been on the road the past month and decided to stay at home this weekend.  Good Decision. Colin actually had a ton of work to get done (at work) and we needed the rest.  Colin and I went out for dinner on Friday night (courtesy of my parents and brother) babysitting/ taking Connor to eat chips, salsa, cheese dip and then on Saturday we planned (in advance) to go to Chrissy and Josh's house for dinner and drinks.  We assumed that the babies would go to sleep and we could hang out - we were WRONG.  Connor has spent numerous nights in hotels, grandparent's houses, etc, but he would NOT go to bed at Mary Casen's house.  I was seriously shocked!!!  And disappointed.  Our night out ended at 8:00 p.m. (early) when my bribes of picnic at the park were unsuccessful.  Connor was chanting "Connor, home" for awhile when I finally relented and we headed home.  He went to bed, as usual, easily.  Guess, next party is at our house.  Kids, gotta. love. em.  Chrissy quote "Our Kids are Awesome!" which is true, just didn't think so at the time. . . the Ravens won (so did Auburn) - good football weekend too.  Although our Florida Gators didn't show up against Alabama . . . Colin and I are headed to NOLA this weekend for his work retreat.  We are sooooo looking forward to this.  Now, I just need to decide on a wardrobe.