Around the World in 7 8 Days

(Warning... this is a very long post -- feel free to skim)

There were 5 siblings in my family and my parents drove a 1980 model Volkswagen Rabbit -- It was some version of tan and had a hatchback -- The rents took the front two seats, the 3 girls sat in the back seats and the 2 boys would sit in the hatch -- We didn't know this meant our parents were struggling, nor did we realize they were only 29 and 31 years of age... I'm 31 now and drive a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit --

Dan and I drove out of our driveway at approximately 9:45 a.m. December 19th not understanding what lye ahead -- Yes, we knew we'd go to Tennessee, Florida and then home... but who knew we'd drive over 2,300 miles to accomplish this -- Good thing we had our trusty VW Rabbit that gets approximately 30 mpg --

Of the 7 1/2 hours it took to get to Johnson City, TN where his uncle was in the hospital recovering from heart surgery, 3 of them were spent intensely conversing figuring out our schedule for the next 8 days -- We arrived just in time for visiting hours to be put on hold for 2 hours, so we grabbed dinner and hurried up and waited -- Uncle J looked great, was clearly doing well and all was good -- We left from there at around 9:30 and made our way to Knoxville, TN -- an hour and a half later we arrived at his Papaw's house and I greeted all the family that was anxiously waiting for us and politely stated If I don't go to bed now, we'll be enemies soon, Good Night and just like that, day one was over and 9 hours of driving down --

Dec 20th was my birthday and with all the excitement of Cousin A's wedding that day my husband forgot for most of the morning until I politely reminded him remembered late in the morning and then immediately was excited to give me my gift -- A gorgeous pair of Roman Glass earrings... Good hubs -- We then headed on our way to Chattanooga, TN for the wedding and when we made a pit stop for some Advil, we met a man selling Miniature Dachshunds -- This is where we met Elly Mae and our lives will never be the same...

As we drove for we thought would be an hour and a half through pouring down rain, we arrived 2 1/2 hours later at the Sheraton Read House in Chattanooga (which I would highly recommend to anyone visiting Chattanooga) we realized we had 4.9 minutes no time to get ready and so the race began to throw shampoo through my hair and blow dry whilst my husband ironed my dress and fed our new puppy -- We then discovered Chattanooga, TN traffic as it took 45 minutes to drive 5.8 miles -- The wedding was beautiful although if we'd been any later we could have walked the new Mr. and Mrs. back down the isle -- Wow... and this is only day two -- How bout some pics :)

The Beautiful Bride, A



My Hot Hubs



A and I



Dancing til we can't dance no more

I. Love. Weddings.

21st -- We woke early, had breakfast with the family and headed to Jacksonville, FL -- 7 hours later we pulled into my brother and sister-in-laws driveway -- We had dinner and opened presents

Isabella and Cassidy
Don't ask :)

Bella modeling my new scarf from them --

If this pic of Dan isn't sweet, I don't know what is

We then talked for a few hours and I loved catching up with Tory... my favorite SIL -- 22nd we headed to St. Augustine, FL and spent the day with my sister, Eva and her 4 children along with Tory and her 3 and Tory's parents --

Dan and I and the nieces and nephews
Dan on the playground

Later that day we drove to Orlando and, again, stayed at the Sheraton (you'd think we owned stock) -- We spent two pain staking days trudging through masses of people celebrating the holiday glorious days enjoying the rides and sites of Disney (23rd/24th) --

Dan and I at Hollywood Studios
Elly could have been a main attraction, we actually had one family pull out there video camera and film her and us

Dan in front of this huge tree at Animal Kingdom

We then drove to Branford, FL where I grew up and my parents have lived 20 years -- This. is. home. -- We kicked off our walking shoes, enjoyed the hot tub, watched movies and finally felt like we could rest... only to realize Dan was getting sick -- ugh --

Finally! Christmas Morning!!! (25th) -- No children to wake us up at 6:00 am, so around 10 we all gathered to the living room and enjoyed coffee and french toast that my mom made (she knows it's my fave!!) -- I received the best gifts of which I have no pictures (what?!) -- The rents gave Dan and I a wedding album of over a hundred pages made by Shutterfly (which again, I recommend to anyone) -- My mom made this book a year ago and after I never ordered it, it became our gift... good move, mom :) -- I also received a gorgeous necklace, SBUX gift card and a subscription to O magazine! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Me and Elly
Dad, Mom, Matt, Dan, Me

Me and Dan

Dan, Me, Elly and Matt (my brother)

OK, Dan was definitely sick -- Yet, because he promised to help Dad out with their yard (2 1/2 acres) -- So, the 26th was filled with dirt and branches and more resting -- Ah... the 27th -- Home bound --

Dan and I listened to a fantastic Book on CD -- It took us 10 1/2 hours to get home, but it seemed like no time at all -- We had about another 1/2 hour of the story to listen to, so we left everything in the car and ran to our bedroom and through it into the Bose player and laid in bed to finish it... ahhh the joys of home --

Dan and I opened gifts at home (excepting Elly Mae was clearly not wrapped) -- Dan got me a Vicky's Gift Card (a little selfish? Sure... but why not :) -- A few books I've wanted, some sort of kitchen utensil (???) and a few other fun things --

MAY THIS YEAR BE YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL AND FULFILLING!!!
CHEERS TO 2009!