Sunday, August 3, 2008

Our Adventurous Weekend...

So... it all started when Spencer's dad found out he needed to go and pick up some of his trucks in Houston, Texas.  He needed three drivers.  I, of course did not want to drive back, but I thought about going.  Needless to say...I bought myself a plane ticket and off I went with Spencer, his dad, and Mike (Lauren's dad) to Houston.  I haven't been anywhere all summer because of graduate school so I was ready to go somewhere, even if it meant driving a truck back, or actually riding. 

We arrive at the airport and pick up our boarding passes and proceed through security.  For some reason on Saturday the security level was "high."  This made me nervous.  Especially considering this is only my fourth time (in my life) to fly.  As we are going through security I place my purse in the plastic container and it goes down the conveyer belt.  Well.....then I notice the security guard is looking at me very peculiar.  He takes my bag from the container and asks if this belongs to me.  Of course I say, "Yes," and he asks me to come with him.  This is where I begin to get very nervous.  He repeats some memorized phrase about going through my belongings and I am not to touch anything as he pulls them out and yada, yada, yada....He pulls out my Pepto Bismol bottle and tells me that it is supposed to be in a plastic Ziploc bag, and I should have pulled it out of my purse and laid it in the bucket beside it and there wouldn't have been any question.  I apologize and get my purse and head down the concourse to meet everyone else. You better believe I learned my lesson though.  I had no idea it was even in there.  It's just there.  Oh well, LESSON LEARNED!!! 

So...we board the plane and off we go to Houston.

These are pictures of us circling Houston preparing to land:

Houston Adventures 005 Aren't  the clouds beautiful?

Houston Adventures 001 

Houston Adventures 008

Houston Adventures 012  Me, once we arrived at Hobby.

We also ate lunch at this place called Jack in the Box.  The name itself should tell you not to eat there, but my opinion did not really matter.  Let's just say, it will be the first and last time I ever eat at a Jack in the Box!

Houston Adventures 015

Once we picked up the trucks, we proceeded the 650 miles back to Alabama.  However, Spencer and I decided we would detour a little before coming home.  We stayed straight on Interstate 10 to Mobile.  Originally we thought we would stay in Gulfport or Biloxi, Mississippi, but there really wasn't anything available.  So we drove the next 35 miles to Mobile.  We found this really nice Renaissance Hotel in the Bay.  We stayed in a king suite with a corner view on the 23rd floor.  It was awesome.  The bed slept so well!!

Houston Adventures 024 The view of the shipyard from our hotel room.

Houston Adventures 027Same room, different angle.

So, we got up on Sunday morning and proceeded with our adventure.  My dad went to Mobile College now the University of Mobile so I wanted to have a see for myself what it looked like.  My mother says I have been there, but I was only 6 months old, so I do not remember.  Check it out:

Houston Adventures 056 

Houston Adventures 054 Houston Adventures 047Houston Adventures 052  This is the housing similar to what my dad lived in when he was there, if not the same one. 

Then, we proceed up Hwy 43 to come home.  We like to travel two lane roads.  It gives us the opportunity to see things we otherwise might not have seen. Houston Adventures 065

We were going to try to visit Gees Bend, but we got lost and it ended up being out of the way.  That will be another one of our many Alabama adventures this fall.  So, instead of visiting Camden and Gees Bend we decided to get onto Hwy 5 and visit Marion Military Institute and Judson College  where Spencer's grandfather and great aunt attended school. 

This weekend was quiet an adventure for both of us.  We saw many things we have never seen before and traveled many roads we have never traveled.  This fall we plan to take small excursions on Saturdays and visit our lovely state.  Stay tuned for our next adventure. 

Friday, August 1, 2008

Happy Birthday Spencer!!!

Okay, well I am out of order just a little, but that is because I am way too excited about finishing school.  So...now I am going to go back and post some photos from Spencer's family birthday get-together on Tuesday, July 29th.

Spencer's 27th Birthday 019 Linz and Spence posing for a "Sony" moment in the kitchen.

Spencer's 27th Birthday 031 Okay, so there is a little history as to why this picture was taken.  Eleven years ago Spencer and I stood in the same spot in front of his license birthday cake for his 16th birthday.  We even stood behind the same kitchen table.  I don't have a scanner or else I would have scanned the other picture so everyone could see. 

Spencer's 27th Birthday 097 Spencer opening his birthday cards.  Is that money I see in that card???

Spencer's 27th Birthday 017 Buddy was Spencer's birthday gift 11 years ago.  How precious is it that he is still around to celebrate with us??  We love you Buddy!

Spencer's 27th Birthday 063 Owen enjoying his spaghetti supper.

Spencer's 27th Birthday 131 April, Lindsay, Lauren, and Katie smiling for the camera!  Say "Cheese" ladies!

Happy 27th Birthday Spencer!!! 

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Graduate School is over...

So... it's official, I have taken my last class for my master's degree at UAB.  However, it will not be official to me until I receive that pay raise and a diploma in the mail.  UAB does not offer commencement ceremonies in August, therefore I must wait until December to walk.  I do not have a problem with this, because I will already be there since my sister, Katie ,graduates in December.  I might as well get credit, so I am going to walk. 

I'm very curious as to what I am going to do with my time now that I do not have to focus on school work.  I am not going to know what to do with myself.  I am trying to talk Spencer into buying me a monogramming machine.  (Hint Hint)  Anyway...I really need to post some pictures of Spencer's birthday, but I thought I would update everyone with my school status first. 

Check back for Spence's birthday pictures. 

Monday, July 28, 2008

Our New House on Laredo Drive

Okay, so I have been promising to show some pictures of what we have done.  I took a few today so I am going to share what I have. 

Misc 101

This is the front of the house (obviously)

Misc 102  This is our wonderful 40ft. back porch that Spencer built about three years ago. 

Misc 099 This is the view from up near the street.

Misc 094 Here's Buddy sunning in his new backyard.  I love being able to let him out and not have to watch him.  It's fenced in so he can't go too far.

Misc 108 Piper taking it easy in the shade on the porch.

Misc 113 Bella dug herself a hole to lay in.  Apparently it's hot outside.

Misc 097 This is all the brush, Spencer, my parents, and myself pilled up for the city of Hoover to pick up.  We just did a "little" cleaning up. 

Misc 103 A view from on the deck.  It is quiet massive.  Great for entertaining. 

Misc 115 Our family room.

Misc 114The view of the family room from the kitchen.

Misc 117  The dining room.  I love the blue walls.  Normally I am not a big fan of blue, but this particular shade turned out to be fabulous!!!

Misc 119 Another view.

Okay, so that about sums up what we have done so far.  We still have some pictures and mirrors to hang, but we are definitely in the house.  

Sunday, July 27, 2008

We've Moved In

Now, of course not everything is its place, but we are in!!!  Today was completely exhausting once again.  My parents came over and thought they would help tidy up the yard.  It was major destruction.  They trimmed tree branches, cut down trees, used the weed eater, mowed grass, etc.  Needless to say the yard looks great.  But, we weren't finished here. Since my dad brought all of his tools, Spencer thought we should go down to the Deo Dara house and spruce it up as well.  That was a lot of work too!  We cut the grass, edged the sidewalks, blew the driveway, sidewalks, and patio, trimmed the bushes and Dad killed all the weeds and stuff he didn't like with this magic concoction he came up with.

Spencer and I then came back home and unloaded the truck with a few of the things we had left.  (We have still yet to bring the stuff in the garage) We also attempted to set up the washer and dryer.  It's set up, but now I think the washer is broken.  I am going to have to look into that tomorrow.  Then...Spencer and I took cold showers (the gas still has not been turned on) and sat down to watch some cable, now that we have it.  But, it doesn't work at all.  We are thinking we have a bad cable line.  Last night the cable sparked, Spencer said cable lines are not supposed to spark.  So this another issue Lindsay is going to have to look into.  If it is not one thing it is another.  But, I have access to the Internet so I can work on my school work and finish graduate school on Thursday, so I can't complain too much.  Once I get things a little more organized I will take pictures and post them.  Check back soon!

Shout out to Mom and Dad:  Thanks a million for your help in the yard!  It looks great, and you can see the front door!

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Katie's Poem for Dr. Burns

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Ode to the Bee

On my page lies the bee,

I chased around the yard ‘til he exhausted me.

I finally caught him in an old fruit jar,

And watched him die on the kitchen bar.

I hope his life was worth it all,

In the name of science he gave his all!

I taped his butt upon the page,

For Dr. Burns to have a gaze.

His life will be remembered each and every day,

If all this trouble results in an A.

By: Katie Belcher

July 23, 2008

 

So, my sister had to write this poem for science class.  I thought it was rather funny so I decided to post it to the blog.  Hopefully she will receive an A for all of her troubles. 

Friday, July 25, 2008

We're Moving In.....It's official

Okay, so Lauren just connected me to the Internet through my router!  She is an absolute GENIUS!!!!  Spencer and I have had this router since March and it has never worked.  All it took was a real woman to make this work.  I of course am not computer savvy, but apparently Lauren is.  So....Shout out to Lauren, Thanks a million!!!

Now, that I am connected to the Internet I can blog about our adventures of moving into the new house.  Of course, I don't have any pictures available at the moment.  But, later on in the weekend I should have some available. 

Tonight will be our first official night at Laredo. Spencer asked some of his employees to come over and help us.  They are doing an awesome job.  Betty, April, and I (oh, and Owen and Henry) did the majority of the moving during the week, so all the guys had to do was move the really heavy stuff.  Lauren and Russell are also over here helping us as well.  So....I just thought I would update everyone on our progress, pictures will be coming soon.  Goodnight :)