Summer Vacation in Alabama

We are now about halfway through our vacation. Time just flies when you are having fun, there is no doubt about that. We are so fortunate to have this kind of time to spend with long distance family, especially Tony's family who are all in Alabama and don't get to come visit in Arizona.

We had a short 8 days in Alabama, which whittles easily down to 6 once you count travelling. But we made the most of our time. Jackson and Caroline, Tony's brother Ken's kids, came to spend almost the whole time with us. Jackson is a mere 3 weeks older than Charlie and Caroline is about 5 months older than Lucy...perfect playmates. Charlie was so excited about seeing and playing with Jackson that I began to worry that there was no way Jackson could possibly be as excited to see him, or that their time together could live up to Charlie's expectations. But I was so wrong. These two were peas in a pod, virtually inseparable the whole week. Unfortunately a good bit of their time was spent playing video games, but at least they were "linked" as partners and not just in their own solo world. Here's shot of a group of them on the couch, shoulder to shoulder so they can see each other's game.

Tony's sister Angela faithfully and selflessly travelled down everyday to see us. Yes, we had dragged four kids across the country, and she only had two; however, one of those two was a newborn, Ian Joseph born in May. (Here's a picture of baby Ian with gran. Technically he's a Fannin boy, but if you see him, he's ALL Horn). Any of us that have been there knows what it means to try to leave the house with a newborn. You pack your car to the lid with baby gear and bottles and diapers. When you are completely ready to go, it's time for a feeding, or a diaper change, or God forbid, an outfit change....either the baby or often yourself. Her older son, Trey (6) made a wonderful quartet with Lucy, Caroline and Alexander. They played the games of our childhood - ones involving imagination, costumes found in the dress up bin and lots of humor. It was wonderful.

Tony's oldest brother Andy was there everyday - his oldest, Meredith was struck with chicken pox on our trip there so we were unable to see her. But his youngest Abigail was there all but one night. She is at the magical age of 14 where she thinks nothing of scooping up the nearest available kid and playing with them. She was a near constant companion and friend to Florence while we were there (and therefore a Godsend to Monica). Andy also showed an unmeasurable amount of patience and enthusiasm for the kids, planning getaways to the golf course, bowling, or just to the backyard to play baseball or soccer or to the neighborhood streets to ride bikes and scooters. He kept laughing it off, but I know that my enthusiasm for outdoor play runs on the short side, and I couldn't thank him enough for being willing to go outside whenever they asked. There's a picture of Andy with Florence at a local water pad, and Abigail with Lucy, what beautiful girls.

While we were there, we visited a water pad for the kids to pl

ay in. It was a perfect day - perfectly warm for the ones getting wet and yet overcast for those of us that had assigned ourselves as the "observers". I was worried that my kids would be disappointed since the water pad was a little more low key than some we visit in AZ, but they didn't even notice. It's true what they say about kids: "For pure fun: Just add water". Uncle Andy even convinced Florence it was ok to get wet and helped her find a small "squirt" just for her and flew her into the more pressurized streams.

On another day, we took a hike in Tuscaloosa's Arboretum. It was absolutely beautiful to see all the really tall trees and wander through the woods. Alexander kept asking when we were going to go hiking - all his hiking experience involves bare steep mountains, not this woodsy stuff we were in. The Arboretum had a lookout at the end of a bridge built out of a higher hill. The kids, while still not at the top of the tree level, got to look out over the forest from about 3-4 stories up. It was gorgeous. Florence really kept up well, though she allowed Andy to carry her quite a bit, and also conned Andy and Abigail into carrying her between them a few times. It was cute. The picture on the left is the entrance to the arboretum trails. Andy had cut walking sticks for each kid. The picture on the right is taken on the observation deck. You can see a tree coming right up the middle of it.

We also got a chance to visit the new church built at Mary Lou's home parish: Holy Spirit. I know that Mary Lou was excited to fill up a pew with her kids and their kids. It was under construction when we were here last year, but it's finished now with the exception of a few more stained glass windows. Next year when we go, we hope to see one Mary Lou has purchased in honor of Tony's dad, Charlie. He was very active at that church and he deserves a permanent place there, that's for sure. We did all go (also that Sunday) to visit Charlie's gravesite. All the brothers and sister were there and all the kids. I know Charlie must've been tickled to see everyone together all in one place.

All in all, it was a great trip. There were wonderful adventures with all the cousins and I don't think any of them will forget it any time soon. Here's our annual picture on Mary Lou's deck with all the kids, from the top: Trey, Florence, Abigail; Lucy, Caroline, Jackson, Charlie; Mary Lou, Ian; and Alexander.