Hold on to your hats-I have a lot to say!

As many of you know, I returned from our 2 week trip 3 weeks ago. I'd like to say I've recovered, but things are just as crazy around here as when we left. Two weeks sounds like a long trip. You'd think it was relaxing, and it was at times, but truly, we didn't sit still. Here's a brief synopsis of the events.

B, the girls and I left in one car on a Saturday, and drove to Raleigh, NC to stay the night with Chris & Caron and Emery. It was a LONG drive that day, by far the hardest b/c you have to go through NJ, skim Philadelphia, Baltimore, DC and everything in between. The traffic was all headed south for the Cherry Blossom Festival in DC as well as spring breakers headed south for warmer weather. We spent one night there and said goodbye to B. He was headed back to NJ via Amtrak. Unfortunately, we hit the start of spring in NC, and all of us were hit by our allergies. It slowed us down slightly, but the girls and I headed onto Atlanta, GA.


It should have been a fairly easy 6 hr drive, but it turned into 8 or 9, and we didn't get to Jeff & Alex's house until dinner time. We had a quick visit there, and loaded into the car headed towards Daphne, AL (Mobile) to stay with Amy, Michael & Trey. The kids had a wonderful time playing, and with only a short drive left to Louisiana, we were able to stick around for a little longer visit. We were sad to leave, but anxious to get to Louisiana. We arrived in Hammond on Tuesday, and had a delicious dinner of sticky chicken. I had to call B and gloat a little. After being on the road for 1500 miles, it was nice to have a home cooked meal and free child care!

You'd think at this point things calmed down, but no. The next morning, we headed to Baton Rouge to celebrate Grandma's birthday. On Thursday, we went shopping, on Friday, the girls had haircuts (Abri's 1st), and that night, we went back to Hammond to squeeze in a visit with Steve, Tanya, Clare & Kaye. It was back to Baton Rouge on Saturday for the 2nd Annual Wale Family Easter Egg Hunt and dinner at Mom & Dad's with my grandfather and Uncle Johnny, PJ & Arielle, and Addie.

On Sun, after a delicious brunch at Another Broken Egg , the girls and I made a quick trip to Gonzales to a baptism party for one of B's cousin's new baby. On Monday, we said our goodbye's to Grandma & Papa and once again returned to Hammond for 2 nights. (No, we're not done yet).

On Wed, we left for Orange Beach, AL to meet up with Ms. Jennifer, Ira & Flossie at the beach. I'll include the details of that on a separate entry. I'll just say that we had a great time.

On Friday, we had to be in Atlanta to pick B up at the airport at 5:30pm before heading just NE of Atlanta to stay with Todd, Mandy & Emma for 2 nights. The guys fit in a round of golf in the morning before Mandy and I headed out for lunch and a trip to the spa for manicures and pedicures. That night, Dad joined us for dinner after driving the truck over from LA so that B could drive it back to NJ. We still had 2 days left with a stop over in NC once more.



Our final day of driving was exhausting. It rained the entire drive, and with 2 adults and 2 cars, there was no switching off. I've never been happier to see my driveway at this house before.

Total: 16 days, 11 states, 3157 miles (the majority of which was done alone with the girls), and you know why I haven't posted before this.

The girls playing dressup at Grandma's Abri's 1st Haircut Dying Eggs at Mimi's with Clare & Kaye Abri & Clare well on their way to turning into strawberries. Practice Egg Hunt with Mimi & Papa

2nd Annual Wale Family Easter Egg Hunt Eggstavaganza





Almost all of the great grandchildren


Abri was so happy to ride a big bike that she didn't realize Papa was pushing her along with a stick.

Lise' requested to visit Mike

Abri had fun in the rain on Easter Sunday while Lise' napped in the car.

I think the rubber boots was the best thing I could have packed.

Lise' enjoyed playing with centipedes & planting flowers with Mimi