Celebrating Karen's 60th birthday!

We finally were able to celebrate Karen's 60th birthday with a trip to Huntsville, AL.  It was planned so it would be easy for Carolyn to spend time with us.  It's so hard for her to get away.  Unfortunately she is having severe back pain which made it impossible for her to join us!  We sure missed her!

We started the weekend on Friday when Pat, Karen and I had lunch with Luke in his cafeteria at school.  He was so proud of have us there!  Those pictures are on Karen's phone.  And though the cafeteria food looked appealing, we decided to go out for a nice lunch while Luke finished his day at school.

After lunch and a little shopping, we went to see Downton Abby.  Karen and I had seen it but Pat hadn't and we didn't mind seeing it again.  If you have followed Downton Abby, you would enjoy this movie.  If you haven't then you probably wouldn't enjoy it as much. 

We met Kaydee, Luke, Darby, Courtney, Duncan, Allie Ruth, Paige and Morgan for dinner at Ricatoni's in downtown Florence.  It's one of our favorite places.  We then had a slumber party at Kaydee's house.  Thankfully she has a big house!

Saturday we drove to Huntsville to the Botanical Garden.  We had lunch where we were joined by Kathy and Lori.  We had planned to tour the gardens but it was a rainy day.  The Botanical Gardens are beautiful and we hated to miss them.

We checked into the Westin which is walking distance to Bridgestreet, a wonderful outdoor shopping mall.

Karen, Pat and I stayed in a room together.  The girls decorated it for the birthday girl!

Karen opened her presents, some jewelry and some money.

We did some shopping, then dinner at Bravo at Bridgestreet.

Toasting the birthday girl!

Such a fun day!

We watched the Alabama/Tennessee football game for a little while, then off to bed.  

Sunday morning we had breakfast at Another Broken Egg and then we all went our separate ways back home.  

How special to celebrate Karen's birthday together with family!

Remember me?

You've probably given up on me by now and I can't say that I blame you!  There has been a lot going on and I will try to catch up one of these days!

We just got back from Cruisin' the Coast.  Stayed from Saturday to Wednesday, then Ben and Cam came down and spent the rest of the week with Doug.  Also Doug's nephew Mark spent a few days with them.  The weather was great, the seafood was delicious, but by Wednesday I was ready to come home.  I babysat Ben and Cam's Doberman Trip.  He's a good dog!

This was Cam's first time to go to CTC.  He has wanted to go for several years but Ben hates to take him out of school.  This year seemed like a good time.  He thoroughly enjoyed it!  Here are a few pictures.

Shrimp poboy at Harbor View in Long Beach, one of our favorite places.

Doug drove the wagon down for the first time.  It's actually very comfortable.

You know I always get a photo of the beautiful lighthouse in the middle of the road.

Ben trailered his truck but had a ball driving it along the coast.

Doug and Mark...denim brothers!

And Trip chilling on the couch.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!