Fall Break was absolutely wonderful. We started out early Saturday morning last week so that we could be in Daphne in time for the Alabama kickoff at 11. We just made it in time, and we got to play with Bridger and Taplin and munch on pizza while we watched Alabama win. Roll Tide! Bridger was shy for a few minutes and then warmed up to Grandma and Grandpa quickly, showing us all of his school work from St. Lukes. He showed us his career week creations -- fireman, doctor, mailman...it sound like St. Lukes suits him.
We took a stroll through the fun shops in Fairhope, a romp at the playground, and then a stop in at Old Bay Steamer for dinner. We all liked our seafood, but Taplin seemed to really love the potatoes. Who knows what inspired him to put them on his head! What a silly fellow! Taplin's antics keep us all laughing. Aren't the curls something? Meghan dumped both boys in the bath after we got home, and she trimmed those sideburns.
Monday, Allen and I took off alone for Savannah. We drove as far as Tallahassee on I 10 and then took the turn northeast and drove through Georgia's small towns to Savannah. It was fun being off the Interstate, even though we had lots of slow downs along the way. By time we rolled into Savannah and found our hotel, it was time for dinner at a great, colorful little neighborhood place called The Toucan. Tuesday morning, we strolled along the riverfront. Allen got a kick out of the practicing black hawk helicopters.
We loved the old buildings, most of which have been converted to shops, restaurants, and bars. The streets are brick and cobblestone, and the stairs to the street up from the riverfront are frequently steep narrow alley-like passageways.
One of my favorite buildings was the Cotton Exchange. We stopped in some shops, but mostly we just enjoyed walking and watching. SCAD studnets didn't seem to mind when we stopped to snap a picture of them working on some art assignment. We were such tourists!
We decided to drive to Tybee Island to see the
lighthouse. It is one of the oldest lighthouse stations in the country, welcoming ships to Savannah River for 270 years. Of course, the lighthouse was closed to tourists the day we were there, but we didn't mind. Later, when we were at Fort Pulaski, we could look back and see the Tybee Lighthouse light.
Even though the whole day was overcast and damp, it was plenty bright on the beach. We walked a good distance and watched the water birds play. It was quite a bit cooler on the beach than on Savannah's streets. I don't think I'd enjoy the visit as much in August because it was hot enough in October.
We could have eaten at any number of Savannah restaurants, but we had a fun time at the Crab Shack on Tybee Island. We ordered a giant plate for two with crab legs, shrimp, mussels, sausage, and potatoes. Pretty decadent, actually.
After stuffing ourselves silly, we stopped at
Fort Pulaski and wandered the grounds for the rest of the afternoon. Poor feet. This was one of the sets of stairs leading to the maze of rooms below ground.
I felt like I was at a castle with the moat and drawbridge entrance. Apparently turtles, alligators, and other marine life inhabit the moat. The Confederates had to surrender to the Union Army after the two day battle. Brick forts were no longer built after that.
Wednesday, we were pretty tired after all of that sight seeing, so we were happy to stroll through several of the the amazing park-like squares downtown and take a drive across the bridge downtown into South Carolina. Thursday was a long drive home, through Macon to Atlanta and the over the mountains in northeast Alabama back to Huntsville. We both loved our time in Savannah, and I imagine we'd be happy to take a return trip some day, but it's always good to be home.
Alas, Allen and I both had to go back to work today. Sigh. One thing vacation does for me is to remind me why I work -- it's fun to spend money, and to spend it you have to make it (and yesterday we spent even more by adding a Bosch dishwasher to the kitchen project). I don't like going back to school the first week in August, but I would sure hate to give up Fall Break. We had such a splendid week!
What a wonderful week we have had. Here's Ozzie, waiting for Christmas. He has had an attention filled week. What choice did we have? Without eyes or hands on him, he was scouting for trouble. He's actually doing very well training us (well, Allen) to take him outside at all the right times. Ozzie's a smart little fellow, especially if stubbornness is any indication of intelligence.
Ready, set, open! Shannon and Nathan, Meghan and Justin, Bridger and Taplin, Jean and Allen -- that makes for lots of presents. The big fun, of course, it watching the boys. Bridger was appropriately excited about his Lego table from Grandma and Grandpa, and Taplin seemed to like his little oak table and chairs too. I was most excited to give Shannon her Red and Cheddar quilt. I think it took almost two years, and it has a gazillion little one inch squares in it. 
I don't have a good picture of it yet, but I'll post on when I do. I still have to put a label on it, but I was happy enough to have time to sew on the binding after my quilter returned it to me in the middle of December. Looking down, you can see Taplin climbing on it while Shannon tries to fold it up.
The day after Christmas, and all is well. Meghan has a rare, quiet moment with her little angels. They are busy little men, on the go most of the time.
Taplin keeps us all in stitches. He is one fun fellow, and he sure likes pizza.
Bridger is getting so grown up, most of the time, that is. What a good lookin' guy!
TaDa!! My block of the month, designed by Sue Garman for The Quilt Show, is complete on this last day of 2009! One year in the making. I finished it just this morning. I have never made anything this complex or challenging. It has its problems, but I am pretty dang proud of myself. Now we will have to take a road trip to Franklin so I can get the backing, and then off to the quilters.
