Invading Mississippi

Every year since we moved to Starkville in 2005, LL's brother Andy and his wife Taryn came to visit us the week after Christmas, and Andy went deer hunting. The first year it was just the two of them, and the next year they brought brand-new Isaac, not yet one month old! After that they came with a very active one-year old and revealed they were pregnant again! The year after that, two year old Isaac and 3 month-old Tabby made the trip! Last year, since we had moved back to PA and Collette wasn't even two months old, we didn't make the trip down, but Andy was itching to get back down this year!! So we decided to make the trip with SIX of us-- Andy, Taryn, Isaac, Tabby, and Collette and I!

To avoid the imminent snow storms along the east coast, we decided to go west and then south. In terms of missing the snow, that plan worked perfectly--the roads were dry and clear the entire way. Of course, in terms of actually DRIVING with three small kids, it was THE. LONGEST. TRIP. EVER. It ended up taking almost TWENTY HOURS and despite driving overnight, none of the kids slept really well. And when one (read: Collette) would wake up, the others weren't far behind. Add to some....er.....gastrointestinal upset from both Tabby and Collette, and it was, well, GRIM.

Here are the kiddos on the way down, during a happy moment:

After TWENTY hours, we arrived! I am officially nominating Lydia and Scott for sainthood, because we stopped at their house first upon our arrival in Starkville, and Lydia volunteered to wash the soiled and smelly car seats and clothing, while Scott volunteered to grill up burgers and feed us all! So, so, SO appreciated!

Our week definitely got better after that first day and the drive down. I know you don't have time to read all of the details of the trip, so here are some highlights:

Visiting with John, Leanne, and Mary Audrey:

The girls showing off their bellies:

Collette giving some sugar to sweet MA:
Aunt Leanne and Collette (please ignore the spaghetti sauce stain! Ha!)
Loving her some Uncle John!

Andy got his buck! Andy, Isaac, and Tabby:

Uncle John and Collette:

New Year's Eve Collette and I met Kathryn, Nathan, and Chris, Ashley and Jax for lunch. My camera was being difficult (it has since died completely) so my group shot came out fuzzy. So sad. Kathryn is sending me one, so for now, just pretend that picture is * here*.

Collette LOVED Nathan. I mean LOVED. This little girl is definitely NOT shy!


Happy girl at Ms. Kathryn's house!


New Year's Eve party at the Colemans:

The whole group:

Olivia, Emily, and Riley (they are getting sooo big!)
Emily and Collette:
Tabby and Collette, the pigtail girls:


Gator Bowl on New Year's Day! Scott, Lydia, and Reed joined us at the Long's house to watch us TRAMPLE Michigan 52-14. (My condolences, Dad and Uncle Wally! LOL). I may be a smidgen biased, but aren't these the cutest Little Bulldogs you've ever seen?

Collette sporting her new MSU dress:
MA, Reed, and Collette:
SO sweet. This will be a great pic for their wedding slideshow someday! LOL
Collette, Reed, and Tabby:
Collette and Uncle Scott:
Collette and Young:
TRUE MAROON, BABY!!
So happy to see these girls!!!


After church on Sunday. Leanne and I did not call each other to discuss wardrobe, but Mary Audrey and Collette matched well. I guess it was a good day to wear Maroon! :o)


My little Southern Belle sporting a new "C" monogrammed outfit. Can you say PRECIOUS!?! Thank you, Aunt Leanne!!

We had such a wonderful time seeing all of our precious friends in MS, and of course eating all of that great food! :o) Hopefully we can return again soon, and this time bring LL with us!