A Crazy Week in Atlanta!

In early November, we traveled back to Atlanta to go to my friend Erin's wedding. While we were there, we made as many friend and family stops as we could, and took the opportunity to help my mom move into her new place. Here's a rundown of the jam-packed week.

A LONG FLIGHT

This was Jack's second cross country trip and it was much harder than the first. He was only 5 months on our last visit and slept a lot of the flight. This time, he was a little over 7 months and was starting to crawl, so he was a little wiggle worm. It was impossible to keep him still during the flight. Joey and I tried our best to entertain him but we mostly had to take turns standing with him in the back so he could flirt with the flight attendants and people watch as people came to the bathroom. It was a long five hours!

Standing in the back

More interested in chewing the book than reading it...

We finally arrived Friday afternoon around 3pm, met my mom who was also flying in (from her stay in San Diego as our nanny), and picked up my dad's truck from the parking lot. We dropped my mom off at a hotel for the night and then started to head up to north Atlanta to spend the night with some friends when we ran into a little car trouble. Not a good way to start the trip. The truck just died and it took a good hour to get it going again.

Car trouble - not a good start to the trip!

Eventually we found out it was the battery and the Holiday Inn shuttle had enough juice to jump us off - and off we went to the suburbs!

FRIEND HOPPING

Our first stop was at Marcus and Jessica's new house. We got a great house tour, ordered in some local italian food, and spent the evening catching up. Their new house was very cute, with a nice new kitchen, large yard, and some great eccentric decor from the previous owner. Joey and I definitely got a little house envy. 

Friday with Marcus and Jessica

Jack and I headed to bed early while Joey stayed up and hung out. The next morning we got up bright and early to have a breakfast date with Pradeep and Sarah at their new house, not too far away. Unfortunately, the truck battery was dead again and Marcus' car couldn't get it up and running. After a quick run to auto store, we were about an hour late but we had a new battery and were on our way.

The Mangalapalli's just built a huge brand new house in a new neighborhood and had recently moved in. They gave us the grand tour, pointing out all the little custom changes they made, and we were very impressed. I especially loved the beautiful dark color of the hardwood floors and the stairway in the middle of the living area. Our house envy started to grow again and we just had to remind ourselves that we choose to live our tiny townhouse in SD, and we could always move back!

Pradeep and Sarah loving on Jack

After the tour, we had a delicious bread pudding breakfast prepared by the very talented chef Sarah, and had a little time to chat. Meanwhile, Jack took the opportunity to explore their floors and play with the dog.

Jack getting some puppy love

Jack showing off his walking skills

The visit was short but sweet and we were off again, this time to Henry County for Erin's wedding.

ERIN'S WEDDING AND FAMILY

We picked up my mom at the hotel and went over to my cousin Earlene's house to get ready for the wedding. We decided to leave Jack home with her so we could have a grown up night out. Plus Mr. Wiggle Worm would've been too much of a handful at the wedding.

Erin and Andy got married at her childhood Catholic church at 2pm and then had the reception at the Locust Grove event center.

Congrats Erin and Andy!

It was a sweet ceremony and I definitely cried. My favorite part was when the priest talked about what each of them said they loved about each other during their Pre-Cana. It was so sweet. :)

The reception was a great party and Erin looked amazing and so happy. It was also fun to see a lot of old friends from middle and high school that I hadn't talked to since. It really took me back!

The beautiful bride

Grown up night out!

Meanwhile back at my cousin's, my mom had a blast with Jack as usual. And Jack got a chance to ride his first big boy toy!

Jack on the little scooter!

We spent the next morning hanging out with my mom's extended family at my cousins. As always, it was great to see everyone and show off our little Jackpot.

Visiting with family - Earlene and Kelly

My cousin Stephanie also came by with her little one Wyatt - who was just over a year old. He's a cutie!

Jack and Wyatt

MOVING TIME!

After lunch it was time to get to work moving my mom in to her new place! She didn't have anything but her suitcases yet so we had to make a few stops around town to pick up all the donations from our family. First stop, my mom's cousin Dyanne's for her couch and other odds and ends.

Joey and Brandon lifting the super heavy couch

The ladies and babies chatting while the men worked.

It was late so that night we stayed at Joey's sister Jenny's house in Lawrenceville. The next few days were a whirlwind of cross-city trips to pick up furniture, unpacking, stores, painting, and take-out. It was crazy. Poor Jackpot was confined to his carseat way more than he wanted to be but he was a champ. Unfortunately, Monday was a holiday so we couldn't get the water and electric turned on until Wednesday so we did all the moving in a relatively cold apartment and had to drive 45 min each night to spend the night at various places - back to Jenny's in Lawrenceville one night and one night at my dad's in Hiram. It was a crazy few days.

My mom's new place!

Unloading the truck with our nice mountain view in the distance

My brother Kenny and his family came to help a couple days. It was nice to see them and let the babies play together (and by "play together" I mean grab each other's faces.)

Playing with the cousins

Spending the night at dad's - wearing souvenir gifts from Disney World

Spending the night at Jenny's 

Joey painting the living room. The yellow was too much!

A tired baby!

Entertaining Jack in the yard

Wednesday night we were able to spend the night in the townhouse and my mom was decently settled. She had two beds, a couch, and a table and all the basic necessities to get her started. Thank you everyone who donated things and helped her get off to a great start!

Saying goodbye to my mom

Thursday morning we said goodbye to my mom after 2 months of living together (wow!) and headed to the lake to spend the rest of the week with Joey's family - but not without a few more friend stops...

SQUEEZING IN A FEW MORE FRIENDS

On our way through Atlanta, we stopped to meet Joey's friend Ryan for lunch. We only had an hour but a little time is better than nothing!

Having lunch with Ryan at Applebee's

Then we made an even shorter stop to visit with my friend Jenny and her daughter Parla at a park in Dunwoody. Parla is too cute!

Parla showing us how she can walk

Jenny and Parla at the lake

Me and Jenny with our little ones

Me and miss Parla

We probably only had about 20 min with them, but I couldn't take a trip to Atlanta without at least saying hi to Jenny! Next stop was Lake Hartwell!

RELAXING AT THE LAKE

We got to the lake late that afternoon and spent a little time hanging out before Joey's mom and sister hosted a party for the ladies in the neighborhood. I have been helping Beth create a natural bath and body brand called Mom Made Naturals and this was a DIY type party where ladies could make their own masks, scrubs, and body oils while checking out her products. I designed the logo and the packaging (see her facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/mommadenaturals) so I was excited to see how the ladies liked it. 

My logo design

Prepping for the Mom Made Naturals party

The party was a hit - there were at least a dozen ladies and Beth sold a lot of products. It was very exciting. I was glad I could be there for it. 

We spent the rest of the weekend just hanging out in our pajamas (at least I did!) Jack had picked up a little cold while we were at my mom's place but was still in a pretty good mood.

Family time

Sam helping cook. He's such a sweet boy.

Luke and Jack getting some Grandpa time

Luke using his spoon like a big boy!

Big cousin Brianna spent a lot of time playing with Jack

On Saturday we had a practice Thanksgiving - with two turkeys and all the traditional side dishes. This was awesome because I was planning on keeping it super simple this year at home.

The Thanksgiving feast

Zach's thanksgiving plate

The kid table

Jack at his first Thanksgiving- eating his tray

Then Sunday was just more hanging out. Time flies when you are sitting around chatting with family.

Claire is getting so big!

The craziness

Jenny getting a little Jack time

Tired grandpa

Jack loves his Uncy E!

Samantha and Zachary

Sunday afternoon we had to head back to Atlanta to catch our evening flight to San Diego. It was harder to say goodbye this time because we don't know when we'll be back. It's always easier to part when you know when the next visit is. 

QUICK STOP AT DAD'S NEW PLACE

Since we had to return my dad's truck anyways, we decided to meet my dad at his new place he will be renting. He had just put down the down payment and got the keys so we wanted to check it out. It is conveniently located right off 20 near Six Flags and will hopefully make commuting to the city much easier than where he is now in Hiram. It's an older house, a little outdated style wise, but nice. 

My dad's new old house

It has a big open floor plan with a bar and pool table in the main area - it looks like it was a great place to throw a party in the 60s!

Jack was digging the wood paneling

This looks like a good place for a party!

After a quick tour, we were off to the airport! Jack was just as wiggly as the flight there but we survived.

Mr. Wiggle Worm

We got back late Sunday night and we were exhausted! It took us a good two weeks to recover and unpack from this trip because we both had to work the following morning and were so busy trying to figure out our new routine with our new daycare. Still, we were glad we maximized our time in Atlanta and got to do as much as we did. We still don't have plans to go back yet but I'm sure it won't be too long. 

Next up - A couple weeks later Jack gets sick and my dad and Dawn come to SD for Thanksgiving....