Reunited...And It Feels So GOOD!

Abby and I drove home from Mobile yesterday (her 14th birthday). Chris had to stay behind to work in Louisiana. We had such a great reunion with Brittany. Abby and I hadn't seen her since Aug. 21st when we moved her into her dorm room. It had been a LONG time coming!

As soon as we got to her college campus, we called her and told her we were there. We waited at the front doors of her dorm for her to come down...my heart was pounding with anticipation! As soon as I saw her face, I burst into tears. Of course, it was magnified when I hugged her. Had it really been 7 weeks? We went up to her room for just a bit so she could grab a few things, then we walked out to the car. Chris was walking Maddie and Bella. I figured as soon as they saw Brittany, they would run over to her, but that wasn't exactly the case. They'd gotten distracted by a squirrel, so their attention was somewhere else.

Here's Brittany not long after we picked her up. We're back at our hotel and she's laughing because Bella isn't giving her the time of day.

Bella...surely you remember your ol' buddy, Britt!

Oh, but Maddie remembered! Brittany's the one who always gave the BEST belly rubs!
On our 2nd day together, we drove over to Foley, AL. for lunch and to do some shopping. Then, on our way back, we stopped at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, AL. for one of our favorite activities there. We had some hot tea and freshly baked cookies. YUM!

Here we are standing out on the pier just outside of the Grand Hotel.
Abby and Chris just taking in the pretty sights on a HOT autumn day!

Brittany glancing out into Mobile Bay.

All three of us doing the same. I never tire of looking out at the ocean.

My two beautiful daughters on the last day of our visit. We spent it doing more shopping and we took Abby out for her birthday dinner at Olive Garden. We shared so many laughs! I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to have us all together, again! It was exactly what my heart needed!

I baked Abby a birthday cake a few days before we left for our trip so that she'd have time to enjoy it. She requested a Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. I always decorate her cake with things having to do with Fall or Halloween. I think it turned out pretty good and it was so tasty! Here's the birthday girl, whom I grow to love more and more with each passing year!

We had a fun birthday celebration for her with Brittany and she got a lot of things she's been wanting. Happy 14th, Abby...I love you to pieces! Always have...ALWAYS WILL!

I realize I still have to finish sharing with you about our trip to Hawaii. Hopefully, by week's end, we can finally close that chapter and move on to the next one! 'Til then!