Ahhhhhh Augusta ...

What can I say ... we have truly enjoyed our time here in the south. Great friends, great food, great kids and more. We arrived at 1:30 AM on new years Eve (as in really late Tuesday night), and Lori and I stayed up until the wee hours chatting like old friends do. Wednesday was a BUSY day preparing for the New Years Eve Party scheduled for later that evening. We all pitched in to really impress the neighbors with our awesome menu. We made beef and pork tenderloin, many side dishes, brie en croute x 2. marinated shrimp and cheeses, and many other dishes. Lori and I spent many hours preparing for the event, and by the time the party started, I was still in my nightgown in the kitchen. Luckily I was able to get myself cleaned up in time to enjoy Lori's neighbors and the party. We even rented a GIANT inflatable jungle gym at the last minute for the kids! We all toasted at new years ... 20 adults and 14 kids! what fun!. The kids toasted with sparkling grape juice, of course. Then one by one, they took turns passing out around the living room! Thursday was a lazy day, and we had leftovers for lunch after cooking a bg breakfast. Dinner was casual, and we stayed up way too late again! Friday was a day for the kids, and after naps, we went to Monkey Joes for the kids to burn off some pent up energy and followed it with Mellow Mushroom and Starbucks for dinner. After dinner the kids exchanged christmas presents and went to bed too late again! Today we were meant to leave early in the morning to make it home in time to have a sleepover at grammyda's house with aunt joni and uncle nick. Here it is 4:30 pm and we are still in Augusta! Lori had replaced some furniture in her den, and graciously handed it over to us, but a couch and chair and ottoman just wouldn't fit in the marshmallow with 2 grownups, 3 kids and all of our stuff ... imagine that! So, we rented a u-haul to tote it home in, and Mark is out picking it up at this very minute. He should be back soon with a pick-me-up coffee for everyone, and then we will be on the road. Thanks Lori and you-know-who for a great time. We can't wait to visit again. Do i see a joint vacation or two in our future? I sure hope so. The ease with which our families meld is comforting to all of us, especially Mark. I haven't seen him this relaxed in a very long time. It is refreshing to see him just chill out and enjoy for once and leave the office behind. Thanks again guys for a super weekend ... a great way to kick off the New Year. Marks here, so i better finish packing!