Matt and Elizabeth's Big Adventure: Midnight Plane to Georgia

Reagan, Taryn, me and Ansley

Okay, so yes, technically we took the midnight plane to Georgia almost a month ago. I promise I've been meaning to blog about our awesome visit, but I think I've been subconsciously putting it off for fear of becoming incredibly homesick. BUT, I will try my best...

We left Honolulu at 5:00pm on May 15th and arrived bright and early in Atlanta on the 16th...which just happened to be my 30th birthday. Mom picked us up and we drove straight to Athens and got in bed (around 10:00am). Matt and I proceeded to sleep the day away and finally drug ourselves out of bed around 4:00 that afternoon. I bolted over to Ansley and Michael's as quickly as I could to meet sweet Quinn and visit with them. Later we had a great Birthday dinner at The Last Resort. Oh, it had been too long since I indulged in some praline chicken! It was fabulous! Of course jet lag sank in and I ended up staying up till 5:00am, which is only 11:00pm in Hawaii, so seemed perfectly natural. I got to hear Alex come home from downtown at 2:45 (Some things never change) and dad get up to go hunting at 5:00 (and more things stay the same). Needless, to say Matt and I were pretty much worthless every day before noon.

Ans, me and Quinn

The next day I was pleasantly surprised! Matt, my parents and my dearest friends had planned a surprise birthday party for me. It was so great to see so many people that we might not have gotten to see otherwise. I am so grateful for the truly wonderful friends and family I have. Okay, starting to get sad..., but living so far away and really missing those you are closest to, has taught me not to take anyone for granted. Thanks so much to those of you who came by and helped me celebrate...it was awesome. Reag and T thanks so much for making the long drive..it meant the world to me.

Matt and I had a wonderful time early in the week spending the night with grandmama. She knows that I miss her tons and staying at her house (which I hadn't done in awhile) was so fun! We ate like champs and even made a trip to the Lavonia Waffle House...we had been craving some scattered, covered and smothered!! It beats a spam musubi any day...you don't even want to know!

Matt and I with Grandmama

We made it to Atlanta by mid-week. We hit up Smith's Olde Bar, The Brick Store Pub, The Flyin' Biscuit Cafe, the O.K. Cafe and of course Cliffy's front porch. Cliff hosted a keg for us and we got to see all our old ATL buddies. It was so great to see everyone and we had a blast! I spent a morning at Clairemont (and yes, was forced to sing at morning assembly...I loved it!). I loved seeing all my kids from last year and it was funny being called Ms. Kidd over and over again...just when I had gotten used to Hogan! I really miss that special school and sweet Rachel, and Karen and Jan and all my wonderful friends there. Matt and I also have to send a thank you out to my Aunt Penley, Uncle Doug, Fields, Jack and Beau for letting us crash at your house while we were in the ATL. Y'all always hook us up...Thank You!

Cliff, Matt, me, Matt Hoffman and Shelby

Coincidentally, we were back in Athens in time for Clarke Middle School's graduation. Normally this would not be a big deal, but the graduating class happened to be the kids that I taught in first grade during my very first year teaching (2000)!!! Wasn't this an eye-opening birthday present!!? So my first group of first graders are off to high school...totally crazy!! It was so great seeing them all grown up. I was so proud of them and of course I cried through half the ceremony.

Quintavious...can you believe it!?

Raisa and YhakeyiaShamarious

Emma and Kate

As our last days in Georgia wound down, we headed to the middle of nowhere (Cumming, GA) to see Dave and Amanda's (oh, and Johnathan's) beautiful new house! We had such a good time hanging out with the Csontos'...just like old times, plus a baby! Their new house is really amazing and seeing those two as parents is a trip...they're naturals! Check out the Csontos blog for pics. of Matt and I with sweet Johnathan! I can't seem to get them over here!

On our last night in town, Ans, Michael and Quinny had us over for an awesome dinner. We didn't want to leave. It breaks my heart to think about how much Quinn will grow before I see her again! Thank goodness Michael is promising a return trip to Hawaii!

Mom and Dad got us to Atlanta in time for our 11:00am flight. We were back in Honolulu by 5:00pm and were lucky that neither of us had to work the next day (memorial day). Since we've been back we've been running around like crazy folks. Matt worked for 14 straight days, I wrapped up the school year and Jersey Girl has just been crazy happy that we are back.