#11 Visit my parents in Alabama

You know those moments in life where you're just so frickin' happy?  You're sitting around a table (or in this instance, a bar), looking at the faces of people you LOVE, laughing and talking, and you're just grinning from ear to ear... and you want that moment to go on forever?  Yeah.  I had that moment when I visited my parents in Alabama (#11).

Alabama means so much to me... it's the place I grew up, went to school, learned how to drive (not stick shift, though ;)), survived tornadoes, fell in love, had my heart broken, and finally, left... Huntsville reminds me of simpler times, when you walk barefoot across thick, green grass to a small garden and pluck a juicy, ripe, sun-warmed red tomato right off the vine, and take a giant, juicy bite.

And while I have these amazing memories, I have not been back to Bama in a while, so I wanted to make sure I visited.  And, I had a good reason - my sister's baby shower!!  If you want to check out her version of the weekend, it's here :)

My gorgeous sister!!

A few of my best friends also wanted to visit Alabama, so they came with us... and we had an incredible trip, charming my parents, being charmed by my parents, drinking vino, eating Mom's home cooking, visiting the local sites, and just enjoying LIFE. It was fabulous.

Mom, Dad, Ellie and Katrin around the downstairs bar :)

Mom's infamous pineapple upside down cake... FRICKIN AMAZING

Cheese?  Cheese!!!!

One of the omelets, hash brown casserole and biscuits, ever...

At the US Space & Rocket Center

The first astronauts to be on the moon wrote a book - a signed copy is at the US Space and Rocket Center's museum

Dad and Dave trying to land a plane :)

Katrin, looking over Dave's shoulder :)

Astronauts in the making?!?!

Us girls, posing in front of the rockets...

Diego, me and Dave on "SPACESHOT".  We rode it about ten times in a row :)

Me in front of the big plane :)

Visiting one of the places where I used to work - Applebee's!!!!

Baby shower food - Southern chicken salad, of course :)

I think the chair is the perfect size for Ellie :)

My favorite baby shower gift - "I drink til I pass out" :)

The above pics were just a few from the weekend - but they highlight some of the best memories... great food, a visit to the US Space & Rocket Center, great wine, lots of laughter, lots of family and great friends.  Simply perfect! :)