Road Trip {1} : Tupelo, Mississippi.

Last week we returned from our ten day road trip from Florida to Mississippi to Tennessee to Louisiana.  It was a lot of time in the car, but it was worth it!  On the way to Tupelo, Mississippi (my mom's hometown) we stopped in Montgomery, Alabama for the night and then headed to The Summit in Birmingham, Alabama for lunch and shopping.  We arrived in Tupelo in the late afternoon on Wednesday July 25th and then went to dinner with two of my mom's sisters and my Uncle Morgan.  We don't get to see each other too often, so it's always tons of fun when we are able to get together (remember this post).

{Tupelo's iconic TVA sign near downtown}

One of my favorite parts about visiting Tupelo is all the yummy (and unhealthy) food that I get to eat while I'm there.  One of my favorite (unhealthy) stops in Tupelo is Connie's Fried Chicken for breakfast.  Of course, Mom and I went there first thing on Thursday morning.  The chicken biscuits and blueberry donuts are my favorite! Yummy!

{Connie's Chicken Biscuit & Blueberry Donut}

{After dinner at Harvey's with my mom's best friend, Lynn & Aunt Janice, my mom's oldest sister.}

On Saturday Gigi, Mom's youngest sister, and Uncle Randy came to town with their grandson Smith.  He was almost one year old and looks so different from the last time we saw him.  He is growing so fast!  He can walk now, it was so much fun to see him!

{I can't believe my sweet baby cousin Smith turned 1 last Friday!}

Isn't this the cutest picture you've ever seen?

On another note, my cousin Mac and his wife, Chaney, gave birth to a baby girl last Thursday named Maisie Sage!  I cannot wait to meet her.

xoxo

trip to baton rouge.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I would be traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the Florida/LSU football game.  Well, the Gators did not come out on top... In fact, we were horrible fans and left before the first half was even over.  I hate leaving games before the end of the third quarter.  I think if you're going to waste a ticket you should at least stay that long... But, not this time!  It was so hot, it was an afternoon game and the sun was beaming down right over the visitors section.  I got a weird sunburn on only the right side of my forehead (not fun!).  Not to mention our teams performance was embarrassing!  We didn't expect to win, I mean we haven't had the greatest season so far and it's always hard to play at Tiger Stadium... but this was pathetic!

Luckily, some of the group we tailgated with did not go to the game and were still hanging out, watching the game on TV.  So, we knew we had somewhere to go to wait for my wonderful uncle (who also did not attend the game) was able to drive right up to our tailgate area to pick us up!  During the game my aunt and uncle were babysitting my new baby cousin Smith, so they were very happy not to go the game. 

Tailgating with my cousins before the LSU/Florida Game.

Gator chomping the UF bus as they drove through our tailgate area.

Albert at Tiger Stadium!

Inside Tiger Stadium

Me & Dad inside Tiger Stadium

My Gameday Outfit: J.Crew Floral Embroidered Sundress, Lilly Pulitzer bangle, J.Crew Jackie cardigan, Ralph Lauren sunglasses (similar)

Despite the horrible game (for us!), the trip was a lot of fun, because we got to meet our newest family member, Smith!  Obviously, this was the highlight of the trip.

Holding baby Smith for the first time

Smith with his Florida relatives (me and my parents)

Me with the new Mom, Niki

Isn't he just adorable?  He's stolen my heart!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

xoxo

two weeks.

In two weeks I'll be in Baton Rouge, LA for the UF v. LSU game.  I am so excited! I have never been to an away game, well a normal one...I have been to the SEC Championship in Atlanta, GA and the National Championship in Miami, FL.  But, this will be a totally different experience.  At a championship game for the most part the schools get the same number of tickets.  Some sponsors and other people get tickets, but in general the two school have equal opportunity for fans to attend.  During this game Florida will be out number by A LOT!  This will give me a chance to observe the culture and traditions of another SEC university.  I am so excited!

Not only am I super excited for the game, but I also get to meet my new cousin Smith.  I cannot wait to finally meet him.  He was born on August 3 in Houston, TX to my cousin Pete and his wife Niki.  I kinda met him on Skype, but I am very anxious to finally see the little bugger in person and hold him.  He is so cute!

Me with MC and Niki in 2007 at Niki's bridesmaids brunch.

I'm excited I get to see them both soon.

one month.

Happy one month Birthday to my new baby cousin! 

He is so cute! I met him via skype, but in just over a month I will meet him in person! EEK! 

I am so excited to finally see the little nugget in person.  My cousin MC keeps sending me pictures when she visits him.  He is growing so fast already.

So without further ado... baby Smith.

photo via his mommy

Smith Hollis.

I mentioned a while ago that my cousin was pregnant... well she gave birth last week to a baby boy named Peter Smith Hollis II.  I cannot wait to meet him.  He is so cute!  I Skyped with him last week so I kinda met him.  But, I cannot wait to hold him and see him in person.  Everything went well and we are all so glad that Niki and Smith are home and healthy.  Now it's time for all of us to spoil him with presents all the time!  Baby clothes and toys are so cute... it's hard to resist buying everything.

Isn't this Ralph Lauren sweater adorable?