William, Laura & Wally Patrick: I HEART the panhandle

We had a lovely time in Tallahassee last week -- packed it full, but it was not nearly long enough to see everyone and do everything. After a terrifying, chair gripping, turbulent flight into TLH, we joined mom, dad and Ryan for a Hopkins lunch and a couple of slices of FGF cake. YUM. Then we were off to the Cake Shop where we were "helped" by a less-than-friendly cake girl... prompting us to consider Cheney's chef skills?? (she bakes a mean carrot cake ya'll) Then we were blessed to meet Taylor, Warren, Anna and new baby Addilyn Grace in the hall way at TMH. Man is Addy cuddly! We got hugs and hellos from MP and Porgie and then had a really special chat full of many many "I love you's" with sweet Gramps. We left the hospital famished and headed to William, Josie and Nikki's to crash.

Ryan and Lindsay brought us delicious dinner, Carrie M. cuddled up on the couch and Chase provided us with a few hours of entertainment! Will and I introduced the Nuggets vs. Lakers and the Cavs vs. Magic's: LeBron, Dad, Pharaoh, West, Soccer Girl, Jason, Russian, Big Bird, Lip Neck etc. to Will and Josie and spent a few hours yelling at the TV. (Man! Soccer Girl is useless! -- GO MAGIC!)

Wednesday was wonderful! Will stayed home and played in the pool, practiced his best cannon ball and did some light reading (1776) while I tried on some dresses with mom and a possie of gals. Laurie, Carrie, Lindsay and Nikki joined mom and I to yea or nay my choices. SO great to see ALL of you. After hitting up Chick-Fil-A with mom and LaLa (and the stick on bra haha), we set out to find my momma a dress! SUCCESS! With a little finagling, a helpful lady at Macy's (mom, did you fill out that survey?) and lots of mall powerwalking, mom found a beaut. I look forward to her unveiling in Sept. Then we hurriedly searched for our lost car, trying to beat the rain and headed off for Granna's bday surprise. We met the Strickland family and all the little kids out at McCord park, and mom and dad brought Granna blind-folded to 3 planted flower bushes and a plaque in her honor. Pizza, kids in the pool, family time and rich chocolate cake followed.

And then we headed to the beach...

Will took FLA pics the entire ride down: a karate van, boiled peanut stands, old houses, and massive 4x4's. We bought "American Pride" koozies, fireworks, Dorritos and as many sweet tea bottles as we could carry. We popped in to check out Syd's handy work, then were off to the Rosenbergs "Mansion by the Sea". Heaven.

Thursday and Friday were chillax days. I collected shells and walked to the gator. We visited the Graham's house and measured out the tent and mocked up a ceremony. We even did a little dancing on our "dance floor". We set off ALL of our fireworks and fancy sparklers on the beach and did the wedding dance and chant around them. "This is the wedding dance, oh yeah, oh yeah." It goes something like that!

William joined in the morning and the fellas took kayaks out over past St. T and did a little fishing as I had a girl day and baked in the sun. William mowed the yard, Willy napped in the hammock, and I attempted a yogg in 90 degree weather!