I never really stopped to think about how much of my family lives in Georgia. Really though, mom, dad, bro and fam, aunt, uncles, cousins, both grandmas, my bro-in-law… it just makes me think that for all those times I spent wishing family was nearby, I guess its me that is the far one! Well, that’s the way life goes, but I am so grateful for the weekends I get to spend in GA and all the family I get to see while I’m there.
The girls and I took off for Georgia Friday afternoon and arrived to my mom and dad’s house just behind Kris, Cara and Kyla (my bro and his fam). I love when we all get together and especially when the girls get to see their cousin. The three sweet girls play SO well together and one more is on the way, due to arrive in June! To accommodate the gaggle of girls, mom and dad got bunk beds.
Blurry phone picture, but I think it still captures the joy. To kids, bunk beds are the coolest, even though Hailey and Kyla decided to both sleep in the top bunk together.
Have I mentioned my mom has the perfect kitchen for food pictures? #weirdthingsbloggerssay
Anyway, speaking of phone pictures, I don’t think I pulled out my real camera once all weekend because we were so busy. Plus, when you are keeping up with three under 4, it’s easier to just pull the phone out quickly to capture a sweet moment like good night hugs for Grandma Betty!
Saturday we headed into Athens, home of The University of Georgia, my (and Kris and Cara’s) alma mater. It was 70 degrees and the sun was shining.
Basically perfect conditions for the spring football game and my walk down memory lane.
I absolutely adore this next picture that my mom took. Boar’s Head is a downtown staple and a place I spent many of college nights with friends, taking advantage of ladies’ night specials and making friends with the hot dog man who set up shop on the patio and undoubtedly raked in some serious late night cash.
10 years post graduation (how did that happen?!) and the place is the same, but the girl has grown up. Ah, memories.
At least now we can afford something better than penny beers.
We wandered the streets, watched the crowds and made our way through north campus.
For fellow college football fans, you know we just said goodbye to Coach Richt (sniff sniff). He’s now at Miami and Coach Kirby Smart is UGA’s new head coach. Coach Smart called for #93kday – a movement to pack out Sanford Stadium for the spring scrimmage, something that has never happened. Well, the excitement was unreal and reports say there were over 100k people trying to get into the stadium that day.
via snapchat
It has me quite giddy for fall!
The reality though was that it was hot up at the top of the stands and Hailey and Kaitlyn didn’t last long. So we listened to the pre-game Ludacris concert, stayed to call the dawgs on kickoff, then took off to wander the student center and find ice cream. What a fun and full Saturday!
Sunday we all slept late then ate steel cut oats, which I never do but really should- so chewy and delicious!
Then we were off again, this time to my Nannie’s church.
My dress and the girls’ matching dresses
It was another gorgeous day and I was so thrilled we were invited to her annual Mother Daughter Luncheon. After service, we all went to the fellowship hall that was decked out in a 1950’s sewing theme, with the idea of knowing God’s “pattern” for your life. It was so well done and miraculously, the girls actually behaved pretty well, despite the fact it was day 3 with no nap for Kaitlyn.
The southern home-cooked lunch was the cherry on top. Delicious!
Afterwards we went back to my Nannie’s house for some porch sitting and chatting. I asked about some old slides she had and before I knew it, we had set up the projector, which the girls thought was just so cool.
Sigh, have I mentioned how much I love spending time with my family?
The weekend flew by and the girls I arrived back home yesterday. I’m totally going to be thrown off all week, but am feeling quite happy after my family-filled weekend.
Tell me- do you live by your family? How often do you see each other?
Where did you go to college? When is the last time you’ve been back?
Have you entered to win the $100 Visa giveaway yet from yesterday’s post yet?!
Karen says
So many green leaves on those trees around you……I miss green leaves:-(
Our trees are close but not quite there yet.
Looks like a fun trip.
Hilary says
I recently moved from Ohio to Georgia and most of my family is back in Ohio. My sister did move down here with me, so I can’t complain I do have at least one member, and one of my favorites too!
sherry says
It was great having you all here—we do miss David but I saw that he got a lot accomplished over the weekend. So much fun to see the pictures too! You & David and Kris & Cara are wonderful, loving parents–keep up the good work!
Kate says
I love the after church idea! I will have to pass that on to the ladies’ ministry at my own church. They’d love it.
I am excited for football season too! However, this warmer weather gets me excited for anything outdoors.
Heather says
I love that I live 10 minutes from my parents! They get to see the kiddos all the time and help me out when they are sick, so I don’t have to miss work. Steve went to UGA, so we watched part of the game on Saturday. I wish we could have taken the kids, but it just didn’t work out. I went to Tech and it has been at least 5 or 6 years since I have been back 😔 I’m hoping to get back for at least 1 football game this next season!
Kathryn @ Family Food on the Table says
Aww, looks like you really soaked up some good quality time with your family! I’m lucky that my parents live just up the road so we get to see them often. My brother lives in Georgia, and I’m planning to take my little ones down for a visit this summer. Cousin love is the best and they adore their older cousins 🙂
Hope you get back on track – travel can really throw things off schedule (particularly no nap- yikes!) and it always takes me a couple of days to settle back in and get caught up with cooking and laundry. But so worth it!
Heather says
Looks like a wonderful time! I wish we lived closer to my family, but alas – we’re scattered. We try to get together at least once a year, but travel can be difficult (and expensive) so we make do.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Looks like a fun weekend filled with family and food and good memories – the best kind there is! I had such an amazing experience going to Oxford, but it does mean that any trips where I take my future family to see it will have to be special occasions. They won’t get to watch the summer boat races with strawberries and cream and Pimms like it’s no big deal 🙂
Abby Wilson says
My family lives all over the place! My parents and I, and some of my younger siblings, live in Guatemala as missionaries! Another younger sibling (I’m the oldest) lives in Colorado. My fiance and I (he also lives here in Guatemala) will be moving back to the East Coast in June after our wedding, so even more distance between us all 🙁 Extended immediate ranges anywhere from China to the East Coast!
It’s fun being able to see everyone every few years, and to listen to the stories of things that have happened in our areas. We all grew up within a mile of each other!
Jerrica says
My husband and I grew up in the same small town-and started dating at 15! Our whole families live there, including aunts, uncles and other extended family. Then two years ago, we packed up and moved from PA to 3,000 miles away in CA. We have gone back twice to visit but the devastation it caused some of our family members is very real especially considering we have the only grandkids for my parents.
My husband and I are Penn Staters!
Julie says
Love the pic of you girls before church. Love your mom’s outfit! We are the ones who don’t live nearby anymore so it’s usually up to us to go back to visit, too (although I’ve started hosting Xmas!). We are planning a trip in a few weeks b/c I always walk the Race for the Cure w/ my mom on Mother’s Day wknd. 🙂
Parita says
That picture of Sanford Stadium gave me goosebumps! I need to get my butt back to Athens sooner rather than later! I miss UGA 🙂
Glad you had a fun weekend…there’s nothing like spending time with family!
Mona says
I’ve lived in a different country than my family for almost 6 years, so I see them twice a year, three times if I’m lucky! Skype has made all the difference, I speak to my parents on a daily basis. It’s definitely hard though, nothing is better than family time 🙂
Nanette says
Brittany!! That is such a gorgeous, beautiful picture of you with your Mom, Grandma and girls. Such a special photo and the colors of all your dresses just make it all the more beautiful!