Poor DAWGS

So while my trip to Jacksonville, Fla had its hiccups...it of course ended up being so worth the travel troubles! I finally arrived in JAX around 11pm on Friday night. I took a noon flight from San Diego to Minnesota (looked gorgeous and now I want to go and visit!) had a brief layover...enough time to sample some local Oktoberfest brews and then from there headed to Jacksonville. Not exactly the route that makes the most sense...but it got me there and that is all that matters!

Saturday morning Ginny, Cory, Hayden, and little Piper arrived from Savannah! The Salley family is simply ahhhdorable! Piper is just shy of 10 months and already walking...so cute to see her wobble around and be so curious. Hayden is talking up a storm, asking questions, and as sweet as ever. We visited for a while and then the 5 of us headed to the stadium to sit outside in the gorgeous weather and watch the GA/FLA game on the big screens they set up outside. Lauren and Eliana stayed back at the house...probably a good thing since they are Gator fans anyway! haha----just kidding. The game was a nail biter and going into half time things weren't looking the best for UGA...then a great comeback...only to lose in OT. Heartbreaker. It was fun to be in Jax for the game though and be around people and the atmosphere...as I have said before...SoCal peeps have no appreciation for college football :( We then headed to eat a yummy Mexican dinner...shocker I know.

It was so much fun to stay up talking and laughing with Ginny and Lauren until after 1am. We have all been friends since middle school and it was fun to reminisce as well as talk about what is currently going on in all of our lives. As much as I love having their kids around and spending time with them...it is sometimes hard to have a long conversation or an adult conversation so it is nice when there are some moments when we can catch up!

Sunday was a lazy day around Lauren's house of carving pumpkins, eating breakfast, and just hanging out. We also attempted a photo shoot with the kiddos and I have such a new found respect for kid photographers...it was nearly impossible to snap a photo where all 3 were looking. My card is messing up but once I get it figured out I will upload the photos...none the less...they are CUTE! Lauren has a great pond in her backyard that made for a pretty backdrop...despite the houses in the background as well. The Salleys headed out about lunch time and Lauren and I got ready for Halloween. We made her mom's chili that we used to enjoy as teenagers and got Eliana ready in her princess outfit...she was such a trooper and did a great job. She made a pretty princess and loved going to the houses for candy! I think she actually enjoyed answering the door with Lauren and I even more than going out herself. She was so cute picking candy out for the kids and placing it in their bags and buckets. She was such a handy little assistant :) She was funny as she would come and hide behind one of us when older kids or kids with masks came to the door.

Trick or treating died down and we watched as Ellie enjoyed candy for the first time! She loved her some M and M's. We settled in for a movie and some popcorn while E was still awake and then Lauren and I were glued to this ridiculous show called "Sister Wives" You know...so bad you have to watch. It was so bizarre and I DON'T recommend the show...but what else do you do with girlfriends other than watch terrible tv together and talk/yell at the screen?! ha

I headed out this morning and was sad to leave...it went by way too fast but I am hoping our travel plans work out to where we will both be in Atlanta at the same time for Christmas. I had a short layover in Atlanta and my friend Tracy and her 2 kids came to meet me for a beer (not the kids obviously) and some grub. It was such a brief visit but fun to see a familiar face, have a few laughs of course, and kill some time. Boarded the plane and slept the entire way home to San Diego except for the last 3o minutes of the flight. Perfection. We landed right before sunset so it was a gorgeous landing! I came back to a heat wave of the next four days being sunny and in the mid 80's. As I see ATL will be rainy and in the 50's this week...I am smiling all the way to the beach :) Back to work tomorrow....not so great but looking forward to getting back in the routine and spending time with the pup of course.