Sweet Home Alabama Anniversary

Four years ago today, the kids and I arrived in Alabama on the first Wednesday of the month. It was chilly, windy, sunny day, almost like today. Our first stop in Tuscaloosa was to the trailer Jon had been renting out a room to take showers before unloading our trailer. While taking our showers, we heard the sounds of a tornado siren. One of Jon's roommate, nicknamed Lulu, started running around the trailer freaking out. Lulu's panic did not help the kids and I. Elisa was in the shower at this time. Just arriving from California, we knew tornadoes and trailers did not get along and we were in a strange land in a trailer. Jon calmly explained that on the first Wednesday of the month the tornado sirens are tested.

Over the past four years in Alabama, we have learned a new way of life and culture. We discovered what tailgating really means and the correct definition of a BBQ. We have had snow every winter, not enough to make Jon move, but just an inch or two until it melts the next day. We have seen two tornadoes and the damage caused by them. We learned that Taco Casa is not like the Mexican food we ate in San Diego. In fact, it has been hard to find Mexican food like home. We learned that Hokkaido is Elisa's favorite restaurant in the whole entire world.

Did you know that it is good luck to eat black eye peas and collard greens on New Year's Day? It is a tradition in the South to eat black eye peas and collard greens on New Years Day, maybe next year we will try that. Jon isn't the only dude on the block frying his turkey for Thanksgiving. A commonly asked question when I meet someone for the first time is "Where are you from? Because you don't speak like you are from here."  I still reference California on a weekly basis. Well where I come from California, we have good donuts from a mom and pop shop, not Krispy Kreme.

We miss having the cool breezes of the ocean and beaches of San Diego. The summers are definitely not the same here. I do enjoy the summer's thunderstorms that bring some cool air for a little while. We miss our California family and friends. I wish the distance wasn't as far, but think they would enjoy living here as well.  We are grateful for the friends we have met the past four years, that have embraced our California crazy ways and helped us feel welcomed in the South. I will close with some photos from the past few months. Most of them are of Elisa, but that's what happens when you buy a camera for a teenage girl. <-- but they're flipping awesome pictures and Elisa looks great in them. BAM.

Elisa looks good in turtlenecks and sweaters.  She is "Gertrude" in this picture.

LOOK! No expander and and her teeth are all lined up.

Look at her bee-yoo-tee-FULL teeth now.

Elisa's best friend- Jada.

My very good looking daughter <3

Jada and Elisa going to a field trip.

When she spent 4 days with her friend in Tuscaloosa they had fun with glitter.

Elisa and her Hillcrest friend, Melody when she went to visit.

The tornado family minus Kerri and Jon.

Elisa and an old church friend, Talli.

Elisa and Madison when she stayed for 4 days in Tuscaloosa.

Melody took this picture of Elisa when they went to Atlanta together.

Melody and Elisa when they stopped at Cracker Barrel on their way to Atlanta.

Melody and Elisa on their way back from Atlanta.

Our Christmas tree this year.

Elisa and her friend Kara.

The quad

Again

Elisa's friend Collier with a giant Big Al

The quad

Elisa made this 

Elisa, Jada, and Rebecca at Chick-fil-A

Elisa. My model.

Elisa and her friend Sarah

The main street in Chelsea before the parade.

The other end of the main street in Chelsea. I told you we live in a small town.

There's the cheer float and Elisa as Sting.

Sting brings us fun times

The cheer team and Elisa at the banquet.

Sting and Jay

Sting

Elisa getting dressed as Sting

Bark Ingram loves Jay

Bark Ingram

Elisa got coal

Elisa's mad photography skills