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We have had many exciting adventures since we have returned to the south. Most are visiting family and friends. We visited in New Orleans twice and we wish to thank Katie, Stephen, Grady, Bob, Maggie, Kevin, Kerry and Danny for always making us feel welcome. We always have a great time visiting with you.
Grady scooting down the hall
Grady has grown so much over the summer. On our first visit we got to see him scoot across the floor, sit up and practice the new skill - pulling up to stand. On the second visit only three weeks later, standing was second nature and he had learned to crawl. Now he's really mobile! It's hard to hold him now unless he's eating or tired - he's really eager to be about his business of learning about the world. I love the scientific method according to babies: look, grab, taste! Everything goes straight into his mouth.
Grady has grown so much over the summer. On our first visit we got to see him scoot across the floor, sit up and practice the new skill - pulling up to stand. On the second visit only three weeks later, standing was second nature and he had learned to crawl. Now he's really mobile! It's hard to hold him now unless he's eating or tired - he's really eager to be about his business of learning about the world. I love the scientific method according to babies: look, grab, taste! Everything goes straight into his mouth.
Grady eating supper (and wearing it!)
We spent a few days in the Anniston area visiting family and friends. T D and Melanie; Wayne, Becky and Colton; and Mark, and family. It is always good to see you. Especially in the Fall with football in full gear and the end of the baseball season.
Tom and Mark on the porch - catching up on the stock market, I guess
After Labor Day, we parked the motor home in Eufaula and then headed down to Florida to see Whit, Karl and Anne. It is very special to visit family.
We made the most of a very short trip to Atlanta. Ate dinner in Duluth Friday night with Kelli. We went to the Duluth Fall Festival Parade and Sally spent the afternoon with Sandi (while Tom watched Alabama win). Then made our way over to Seth's on Saturday where he and Tom jammed with another friend. Tom even go to try his hand at an electric guitar. Finally on Sunday, our friend Chuck came home from Costa Rica. He and Tom watched the Falcons with Don while Sally took the opportunity to spend an afternoon at IKEA (which Tom would HATE!) We missed the family there, and only got to see a few friends, but we will get everyone else in soon.
After Labor Day, we parked the motor home in Eufaula and then headed down to Florida to see Whit, Karl and Anne. It is very special to visit family.
We made the most of a very short trip to Atlanta. Ate dinner in Duluth Friday night with Kelli. We went to the Duluth Fall Festival Parade and Sally spent the afternoon with Sandi (while Tom watched Alabama win). Then made our way over to Seth's on Saturday where he and Tom jammed with another friend. Tom even go to try his hand at an electric guitar. Finally on Sunday, our friend Chuck came home from Costa Rica. He and Tom watched the Falcons with Don while Sally took the opportunity to spend an afternoon at IKEA (which Tom would HATE!) We missed the family there, and only got to see a few friends, but we will get everyone else in soon.
Tom, Seth and Alan jamming in ATL
Our main weekday activities have been at the Eufaula NWR. They have a new manager, John Earle and a relatively new office person, Lorri Johnson. We have now put the waterfowl hunt draw to bed for this season. This is a large process with a lot of effort, so we are glad to get finished with it. Wish all the staff there the best as they actually conduct the hunts!
Our main weekday activities have been at the Eufaula NWR. They have a new manager, John Earle and a relatively new office person, Lorri Johnson. We have now put the waterfowl hunt draw to bed for this season. This is a large process with a lot of effort, so we are glad to get finished with it. Wish all the staff there the best as they actually conduct the hunts!
Rustic Sands Campground in Mexico Beach
We also rewarded ourselves with a trip to Mexico Beach near Panama City, Florida. We met up with some of Tom's friends from college. Terry and Kim came up from Orlando with their travel trailer and we camped in our pick-up. We chose Mexico Beach to go to another friends restaurant. Michael, Kim and Kevin at Killer Seafood put on a great spread. Michael and company were really busy, so we hope to visit them again in the future. Terry and Kim are a lot of fun to hang out with. Thanks for a good time folks.
We also rewarded ourselves with a trip to Mexico Beach near Panama City, Florida. We met up with some of Tom's friends from college. Terry and Kim came up from Orlando with their travel trailer and we camped in our pick-up. We chose Mexico Beach to go to another friends restaurant. Michael, Kim and Kevin at Killer Seafood put on a great spread. Michael and company were really busy, so we hope to visit them again in the future. Terry and Kim are a lot of fun to hang out with. Thanks for a good time folks.
Tom, Michael and Terry at Killer Seafood
Sally, Tom, Terry and Kim at breakfast
Tom in classic form - it really was cold and windy (note the long sleeves)
After another quick trip to New Orleans for a weekend, Tom went up to Anniston and Jacksonville for JSU Homecoming. Lots of time to spend catching up with old buddies. He had a good time watching football and sweating out the end of the Alabama-Tennessee game.
Sally rented a car and drove down to Florida to visit her dad and attend a cousin's wedding (first cousin once removed). She got to drive a new Prius - quite enjoyable and frugal at 53 mpg. We should have taken a picture of the car, but we weren't thinking... The wedding was fun. There is never enough time for visiting at an event like that, so we'll have to get together with the cousins sometime this winter.
Mission Hills (Howey-in-the-Hills)
Lovely setting for a wedding
Ashley and Jay's First Dance
We left Eufaula on the 28th of October heading to the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR in Gautier MS (near Biloxi). We plan to post more often and fill you in on our activities this fall and winter. Stay tuned!
