Southern Vacation - Birmingham

So many people have asked us, "Why did you choose to take a family vacation to New Orleans?"  Well, several months ago when we were thinking about a summer vacation spot we realized it might be a difficult time to get away since I would be quite pregnant in June and July.  After considering the fact that we would be in Alabama for John's brother's graduation in May, we decided it was a great time to make an extended vacation out of the trip down south.  John lived in New Orleans for 4 years when he was a child, so we thought it would be fun for John to see his old stomping ground and for me and the girls to experience someplace new.   We invited John's family to join us and we're so thankful that everyone came!

We arrived in Birmingham on Friday evening and our time there was filled mostly with graduation festivities.  Stephen graduated from Samford University, and we're so thankful for the God-given gifts that enabled him to acheive such great academic success.  Stephen is a smart, humble, kind, and patient young man, and we pray that he continues to use his life to glorify God. 

 

Eating pizza the night before graduation.

When we left Ohio it was 80 degrees - barely reached 70 when we were in Alabama.  Can you believe it? 

Stephen and his lovely fiancee, Danielle.  They're planning to get married in March.  What a blessing!

 The family

Can you tell that the girls are tired?  This photo was taken after the long ceremony.  They did very well - thankfully I was armed with books and snacks, but Papaw's iPad is what really kept them occupied : ) Children of the 21st century : ) 

 Here we are trying to get a family photo. Oh, and look at that prego pooch!

still trying

Anna and her beloved Uncle Stephen.  I can't write about this vacation without mentioning their sweet relationship.  When Anna was a baby she called Stephen, "dee -dee,"  and she adored him.  When he was around she was attached to his side and she would literally cry when we had to pry her off of him.  During his college years, she wasn't nearly as enamoured with him, but that changed this past week.  She wanted to be with Stephen all of the time - on his shoulders, on his lap, holding his hand.  He was the star.  So cute and special : )  I think Danielle was jealous : )