A wedding, flood and family time

Our first trip in May didn't go as smooth as we were hoping. After a tornado watch right above our neighborhood the night before we left, we should have been more concerned, but we went to bed still thinking we would be leaving as planned the next day. 

The Wednesday morning we were supposed to leave around noon, we were woke up to alerts on our phones at 5:45 a.m. for flash flooding in Pensacola and a cancelled flight. Stefan got right on the phone to work out a solution so we could make it to the east coast for a wedding and a visit with the Blissmer cousins. After an hour and 10 minutes on the phone we finally had a new plan. We learned the Pensacola airport was closed all day, there were no flights the next day that could get us where we wanted to go and most airports around us didn't have anything left that would work for our schedule. We pretty much had one option to get out in time to make the wedding, so we risked it after Stefan tested the roads and made it out to the main highway without many issues. 

At 8:45 a.m. we packed up the car and the little guy and ventured 3 hours east to Tallahassee only having to drive through one short section of flooded road and less than 15 minutes of heavy rain. The flight was on time, the layover in Atlanta went well and Gavin slept on the two hour flight from there to Hartford, CT. That was not the original airport destination of our choice, so we had a 1 hour 45 minute drive to cousin Bryan's house and finally arrived at midnight. Thanks for the late pickup, cuz! Gavin was a sport through it all. We of course were pretty wrecked, but not as bad as Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.  

In Pensacola - several sink holes gave way and a few roads ended up like this along with one right by our house. Luckily it is the way we don't usually need to go. 

In Gulf Breeze - just 8 minutes from us. This was the section of road we drove through that was still somewhat flooded, but by the time we left it was only midway up to our tires.

The next day we made our way an hour to Leicester, MA and enjoyed a fabulous wedding to celebrate our friends, Libby (faithful blog follower!) and Shane. They were beaming with happiness, and I was smiles all night. They are a perfect couple and we were so glad we were able to share in their day! Thanks to the cousins for watching Gavin.

Mr. and Mrs. Reilly - still smiling. Aren't they fabulous?

Reunited with some former FL friends (Calli in blue and Jill in aqua). 

Gotta love the photo booths!

Bringing some two step to the east coast.

Friday and Saturday we spent the day with the Blissmers. First it was the children's museum and then the zoo plus some playing at the house of course. Evan (9) and Nathan (7) were champs with him, although poor pup Bubba got the brunt of Gavin's visit. Gav wasn't used to him and wasn't a big fan despite him being the sweetest dog.

Children's museum - Daddy and Bryan

Getting a lesson in walking.

Look what I have!

He could have played with this huge light bright board all day I think. He mastered pulling them out and putting them back in.

Swinging with Evan at the house

A pro baby holder!

Picking up the boys from the bus stop while Mommy and Daddy were at the wedding.

Nate gets a turn pushing the chariot.

Anne loving some baby snuggles at the zoo.

Thanks to our wonderful hosts for having us only three days after their 10-day trip to Europe! They had everything set up for Gavin and even sent us home with some fun toys and a car seat travel bag!

After two nights at home, Stefan made his way to Phoenix for work and should be back tomorrow morning. Then we have another adventure next weekend. Until then we'll celebrate my second Mother's Day all together on Sunday. Happy Mother's Day to all you fellow mamas.

Goodnight picture to Daddy.

Testing out his bath toys from Evan and Nate.