The O'Bannion's

After Christmas, we headed to Virginia to see some friends and to take part in a very special day.  Our very good friends, Brian and Rita, asked Brad and I to be Hadley's God parents. We were so excited. We packed everyone up, put the kids to bed early, and were ready to go.  Well, just so everyone knows and keeps this in their back pocket -when is snows in the East and causes delays at the airport, getting to Austin an hour and a half early is NOT early enough.  We were flying out at 6:30 AM, we got there at 5, with two happy kiddos(really, not being sarcastic, they were the best), and we pulled up the curb...we were number 10, 500 at the airport that morning.  It was a race to get everything in, car parked, get checked in, go through security and get on the plane.  We waited in line for 30 mins to check in, we waited in line for 40 mins for security, and the kids and I got through security just fine...then, Brad had an issue.  They were looking through his backpack several times and he was getting a little angry. He could see the light on the plane blinking...it was ready to take off.  Well, after Ashlynn, Liam and I ran to the gate to tell them we are here, Brad stops being angry, because the woman pulls out a box cutter.  Now, he has gone from angry to "Oh my, I am so sorry...". Needless to say, it's funny now, but not then.  We got on the plane, last 4 on and we could not sit together.  Brad sat in the middle of two other tall men and the kids and I sat behind him.  The flight was OK, Brad was uncomfortable, but we got on and we were on our way.  We still have not eaten, Ashlynn is starving, we are eating the snacks they have given us and asking for more.  Liam is as happy as can be, he has his bottles, he doesn't care.  We arrive in Maryland, Brian and Rita are there to meet us(they met us, left a car for us, and went back home- they are crazy, but wonderful hosts).  We got everything in the car(barely)- make sure to insert circus music- it seems to be our theme everywhere we go these days. We were so hungry, Brad had heard of a great place to eat from Adam- Man vs Food, in Baltimore.  We plug it in the GPS, all excited, 10 minutes away...drive up, CLOSED FOR THE WINTER.  He had to pull over for a moment.  We found a Burger King.  We did, however, make it to Charm City Cakes and take a picture.  We love Ace Of Cakes, it's one of Ashlynn's favorites.  She didn't want to get out and stand in front of the building, so we just took a picture.

Brad wanted to see Tick Tock liquor, it's in a Clutch song.  We drove another 10 miles or so...and we made it.  Brad wanted to stand in front of it so I could take a picture.  Well, he went to throw something away and was going to stand in front. (Circus song)  He turned from the trash, I tried to snap a picture, he was asked by a homeless man...for some money.  He walked away, trying to tell the man we didn't have ANY cash on us, which we did not, (note, we barely made our plane, we were gonna get cash at the ATM at the airport).  Needless to say, here is his picture of Tick Tock Liquor.

By this time, we JUST want to go back and meet Ms. Hadley and see the Barr family.  We headed to Alexandria(which the GPS took us on a hwy that was NOT a hwy) and got there an hour later(should have been sooner) insert circus song....

We finally make it to the Barr residence.  It was so GOOD to be there, out of a plane and out of a car.  Ms. Hadley is PRECIOUS and Mr. Emerson is getting so big.(he's precious too)

Miss Hadley Marie Barr

We had a great time catching up with the Barr's.  I don't think any of us really feel like we ACTUALLY caught up.  Rita is a great host.  Too great actually, she never sits down.  She is always cooking, cleaning, trying to get things for other people.  When she wasn't doing that, she was dealing with her two kids.  Brad and I were dealing with our two kids. (oh, where was Brian?  sitting in his chair watching TV)  hehehe, just kidding Brian.  This trip was mainly for Hadley.  The next time we get together, we need to leave the kids somewhere and visit.

The fun contunued.  The next day was the babtism.  It was great.  Hadley was great and did everything she was suppose to do.  I, unfortunatley, do not have any pictures, Rita will have to send me the ones from her camera, but it was great.  The picture of the four of us at the top of the blog is from after the babtism at their house.  Rita has all the pictures of us with Hadley. Once the baptism was over, she was down for a nap.

Thursday, Rita, Brian, Emerson, Brad, Ashlynn, and I went on an adventure.  Nana Bev was visiting for the baptism, so she kept the babies, our adventure was going to be too cold.  We headed to the Gaylord for "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" ice scultpture exhibit.  It was awesome.

Once we were in, we had to put on these parkas.  It's 9 degrees in the building so the ice won't melt.

Great fashion statement

The highlight of this trip... They have four slides you can slide down. Well, Brian and Em were going down.  The problem is, Em had to go by himself.  He did...and he got stuck.  It was too cute.   He just wasn't heavy enough and we couldn't get him to scoot. He just sat there, and very slowly moved, little by little.  He FINALLY made it down, but it was too cute.

This picture is for you Brian.  I think we got a better one with your camera though.

Overall, we had a great time with the Grinch.  There are so many more amazing pictures I could share.

Thursday night, the Barr's took the O'Bannion's out for my birthday.   We went to a great French place and had a wonderful meal.  Like I said, they are awesome hosts.  We drank and laughed(we had no kids, so no circus music) and we had a great time. I think we actually got to have conversations at dinner. 

Well, Friday was my birthday.  Nana Bev had to get home, Rita spent the morning taking her back the airport and getting back home.  Brad and I did laundry so we could pack and get back to the airport on Sat. Every other year, for the past 6 years or so, we have made the trip to Alexandria for my birthday.  We always have a great time.  The best part about New Year's Eve in Alexandria, is the basement.  After the kids are in bed, we are all in our PJ's watching TV, sometimes playing Wii, and hanging out.  (I know everyone is jealous) Well, nothing changed this year.  We were all down in the basement hanging out....and struggling to make it to midnight.  We did, we had our champagne, and at 12:15, we were cleaning up and going to bed.  You may not think this is a good time, but we LOVE it.

We headed home the next day.  The fligt home was not as exciting as the one going out there.  We were there in plenty of time, we ate lunch, in fact, our plane was delayed and we waited in the airport another hour or so for it to show up.

We had a great time in Alexandria.  We hope the Barr's will join us in TX soon.  Thanks again guys for a great trip.