Thanksgiving

We're back!  Robert and I finished up our southern tour yesterday evening.  Highlights included catching up with family friends in Mississippi, touring Robert's hometown in Louisiana, and visiting family in Alabama.  I had been to all of these states before but not with Robert.  It was really neat for me to get to see where he grew up after hearing all about it for nearly two years.  I had met several of Robert's dad's side of the family when they came to Missouri for Labor Day and Kansas for Bethany's graduation and wedding, but I hadn't visited them in Alabama yet. 

Lousiana: Visited Robert's two houses, church, and five schools in Slidell.  Bought pralines at Bayou Country.  Toured New Orleans: New Orleans Museum of Art, Musicians Village where I built Habitat for Humanity houses in 2007, Jackson Cathedral, Mr. B's Bistro.

Alabama: Fish fry (I didn't eat any. haha), Thanksgiving with about 80 relatives (My family usually includes about 12 of us), two trips to the beach, shopping, a trip to Bellingrath Gardens' Christmas light display, and meeting a ton of new people.  Bellingrath Gardens is where Robert's Mamaw worked for over 30 years. 

It took about 12 hours to drive each way.  Robert and I took turns, but he definitely drove the most.  It was a great time to chat, listen to music and audiotapes, nap, and play games, but 12 hours still felt like a very long time.  I don't know how my family made it through countless 20+ hour trips to Pennsylvania back in the day.

With this event checked off of my list, I have just 18 days until the next milestone: Organizational Change ends.  This class has quite possibly been my favorite so far.  I wish it could continue into next semester so I wouldn't have to start new classes that don't sound very appealing.