Apple Festival

Aaron and I were able to celebrate the incoming of fall at the Apple Fest in Ellijay, GA - right at the the Blue Ridge Mountains. We went with a group of friends from church - a.k.a the Discover Atlanta Group. The best was eating all the crazy junk festival food. Loved it!! We had a wonderful time, even though it was absolutely freezing.

Our fun group displaying the apples!!

Jill and I showing off our Ginny's Fudge and Nuts purchases.... we even got to taste test some of the fudge!

Aaron and I sharing some Apple Dumplings! So good... worth eating icecream in 40 degree weather.

Fried Oreos!!! They taste like oreo flavored donuts. I'm so glad I tried one. I wish I could have had all 4!

Just a picture of apples - It was the apple festival afterall.

Complete Apple Festival tasty photo album

Sisters in the ATL!

Lucky me! My sister was able to come visit me for a fun and exciting weekend in Atlanta. We met after I got off work on Friday to watch Glee before heading off to grab some delicious pizza at Fellini's. We didn't really know what we were doing so we ordered the Sicilian pizza.. which we thought just meant it was larger in diameter. We didn't realize it also meant that it was about 3 inches thick!! It was hard to eat much of it, so we ended up bringing home leftovers for Aaron to have for lunch over the next week. After pizza, Rachel and I dropped Aaron off at the apt and headed off for some good sister time. Dessert at the Marietta Diner. Yep, that's the place I mentioned here that had the amazing looking desserts. I finally made it back to try one and it was so worth it. Rachel and I split a piece of their Strawberry Shortcake and we still had leftovers! Gosh it was melt-in-your-mouth amazing... I will be going back soon. After dessert, we rented the worst movie ever - Management. I was pretty much a goner about 15 minutes into the movie. (not too much of a surprise, for those who know me). I just can't believe Aaron and Rachel actually stuck it out.
Saturday was a great day as I got to not only show Rachel some Atlanta sites, I was able to experience them for my 1st time as well. We ate lunch at a somewhat disturbing, creepy place called the Vortex that came highly recommended. I will say that the burger was definitely worth the creepiness. Afterward we finally arrived at the aquarium!!!!!! It was awesome. I was a little sad that the whale and penguins were gone, due to construction, but everything else was great. All of the animals were so interesting to watch and read about. And that had some really neat rooms to watch the animals from. (it's possible that this may have been my 1st time at an aquarium.. maybe that's why I was so fascinated) It was a really cool place and I was quite impressed by it. (not quite so impressed by the price.. but I'll get over it.) Apparently there will be a dolphin exhibit in late 2010. Dolphins are Rachel's favorites.. so I guess she will be back to visit then. :)
After recuperating from a long day at the aquarium, we headed for dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant that was totally delicious. (We ate so good that weekend!). After dinner, Rachel and I headed to Stone Mountain for their famous laser light show. It wasn't the coolest thing in the world.. but a good experience anyways. Plus we got to spend time wandering around the empty grounds taking random pictures with the cool props they had all over the place.
All in all it was a wonderful weekend spending time with my sister. I miss getting to see her on a regular basis.. but hopefully we'll get to have random trips like this occasionally enough. :)

Apparently some of the best pizza in town. It was pretty yummy. I'm still looking for the next Charlies - now that was some good pizza. Another good reason to visit Searcy in the near future.

The 100% awesome Strawberry Shortcake. Anyone want to come visit and split it with me??

Here it is: the famous Georgia Aquarium!! Aaron wasn't featured in too many pictures that weekend - thought I would throw that one in. :)


My beautiful sister and I checking out the jellyfish. They were pretty cool.

One of the spectacular views we had... too bad my nice camera was dead.. sad.

The fireworks that followed the laser light show at Stone Mountain. They were pretty awesome.

One of the many places that we decided to take pictures at while we were at Stone Mountain. We were covered in hay after that.

And so begins our silly sister shoot. :) fun times.

Of course Newton wanted to join in. haha

and the traditional Rachel & Newton picture. Aren't they cute?

Complete album of the awesome weekend!

Doin' the Charleston

Things have been crazy busy in the Howell household lately. I finished up at my job in Nashville and made the final move to Atlanta. Aaron and I decided it would be a great opportunity for a just-because/yay-i-have-a-job/we're-finally-back-together little weekend get away to Charleston, SC. I figured it's a great time to go visit Charleston since we are so much closer to it now and because things at work weren't too crazy yet and because Aaron had fall break. Everything looked good. :) We had originally planned it for the weekend before I started work but due to the weather forecast of constant rain, I decided otherwise. Aaron and I had a wonderful time driving out to Charleston, enjoying each other's company in the car as we talked about all kinds of stuff.
Saturday in Charleston was filled with all kinds of site-seeing. We walked all around the parks, including Waterfront and the Battery. We then strolled along the water enjoying the sun beginning to set on the water and gazing up at the beautiful homes along the shore. There were so many fountains and trees that were absolutely beautiful. We also enjoyed checking out all the great architecture throughout the city.
On Sunday we spent most of the day at the beach just enjoying walking with the sand between our toes and watching the water crash on our side. There were some pretty amazing homes along the beaches as well that were lots of fun to look at.
All in all we had a wonderful time eating some yummy food, seeing some beautiful sites, and spending some quality time with one another. I can't wait to go back, the weekend just wasn't long enough!!

My absolute favorite picture from the trip. I went to take a night shot of it and when I got there, the lights weren't on! After awhile of trying to take the picture using the back lights.. I was about to leave when all of a sudden the lights were on. It was perfect. :) I love that fountain!

Some of the beautiful architecture that was all around Charleston.

Lovely trees and buildings. I loved looking at it all.

I loved this fountain too...

I especially loved watching the kids play in it. (and a dog too!)

Some of the beautiful homes along the coast near Battery Park. They were so lovely and grand! I wish I could have seen inside some of them!

Posing in front of some of the houses on rainbow row.

In front of the pineapple fountain.. just couldn't get enough. This was after Aaron got to sit on a park bench for 30 minutes or so under a big shade tree, reading a book. It was nice under those shade trees... a bit warm elsewhere. I was off checking out the dolphins! yep, that's right.. I saw dolphins. :)

Eating lunch at Poe's Tavern. Aaron said that I always find the most hole-in-the-wall restaurants. possibly true. However, this one was recommended by a friend. Good choice! It was absolutely delicious. The inside was plastered in all kinds of pictures of Edar Allan Poe and the bathroom stalls were lined with all kinds of writings. Crazy but delicious place.

Enjoying the views of the beach and the lighthouse. Some random stanger offered to take this picture for us... however he snapped a few of himself before he did. funny man.

Enjoying the sand between my toes.

Doin' the Charleston - a picture diary

Funny Snapshot...

Here's a funny snapshot of Ethan. I was able to spend some time with him recently in Nashville while he and his mom were in town for an event. Sucking toes was a brand new thing and he was pretty good at it!
I absolutely love him and can't wait to see him again!
PS. I'll be getting another nephew in January!!!

Some more random September photos (including more of Ethan!)

Happily Ever After

Aaron and I were able to attend Matthew and Heather's fabulous wedding in September. It was at the Factory in Franklin (basically Nashville) which was absolutely gorgeous. We had a wonderful time seeing them and many other friends from our Tusculum church family. I'm so glad we were able to share in their special day. We're so happy that they are finally happily married. Here are a few photos from the evening.

One of my favorite pictures from the night. They looked so happy and perfect dancing away on the dance floor.Swaying under the beautiful white lights.

the blushing bride

Oh Mindy! Looking good in the bm dress. :)

Aaron and I posing with the cake. I decided to try out the curly hair for the night. Rocking out some new heels. The shoes were definitely off before the evening was over.

One of the beautiful flower girls, Abby. They were all so adorable in their cute green tutus. :)

Mehaffey-Howell reunion.

Matthew and Heather smooching in the antique car before heading off. :)

Complete M&H Mehaffey Wedding Album

Saying Goodbye to FDH

Well I recently had to say my final goodbyes to FDH. My last day was September 23. I will say that I held up pretty well for the most part. Until I had to hug Mindy goodbye for the last time. That was hard. It was like I was just going through the motions for the most part and not really thinking about it. Once I got in the car, I called Aaron and started telling him about my day and I just lost it. It was a very sad day for me. A bittersweet day for me. I'm so happy to finally be living in the same home again with Aaron. sharing dinners and tv. playing with Newton. but I really miss all my friends from FDH. They were good to me. Here are a few pictures from my last day... we even had a little going away lunch at Logans which was delicious. :)

Celebrating Labor Day

Ok, so as usual, my excuse is that life is crazy busy which is why my blogging has been so infrequent lately. I'm finally settled in Atlanta and I now have all my pictures and sorts organized on one computer, so hopefully I can start doing some updates again.
Aaron and I were lucky enough to celebrate Labor Day weekend with Aaron's folks. They drove over from Memphis... I'd like to think it was just to spend time with us, but I know that just isn't true. Atlanta offers tons of eating places that they used to visit frequently in Houston, but no longer have access to in Memphis, so of course we tried to hit up as many of them as possible during their short stay. Honestly, the weekend was pretty much centered on where we would be eating.. that was our entertainment. Well, that and a Braves game. :) It was my very 1st major league baseball game and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully we'll be able to catch a couple more next season. And of course, what's a visit to Atlanta without stopping in the IKEA store?

Aaron and I showing off Fuddruckers. This picture was sent to a few family members to make them jealous and wish they were with us. :) Of course we ate there twice in one weekend!

Aaron chillaxing in some weird chair at IKEA. We had a lot of fun checking out the store and we currently have a list of things we plan on getting from there as soon as we can get down there.

Aaron and I at the Braves game. The weather was very nice and the company was too.

Just a picture I took at the Braves game.

After the game there was a fireworks show. Unfortunately our seats had to be evacuated due to where the fireworks were to be shot off at. We headed out to the car but were able to watch some of the fireworks from outside the field. I really like this shot.

Pappasitos - this was the 1st time I had ever been and I absolutely loved it. Aaron and I split some steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas. We were so full and not even able to finish it all. yummy. We also had some Pappadeaux that weekend... talk about delicious. :)

Aaron and I enjoying the beautiful outdoors at Pappasitos. This was right before I caught my toe on their door heading back inside. Right then we started heading to our tables and I started getting very light headed and my vision became very blurred. I walked into a section of the restaurant looking for Aaron and Byron and I couldn't see them but I wasn't sure if it was because they weren't in there or because I just couldn't see them. Shortly thereafter my hearing got pretty bad for awhile. I was afraid I was going to be that person that passed out in a restaurant and the ambulance comes and then everyone is just looking at you.. i'm glad I survived. :)

the in-laws in front of the Marietta Diner. It was our 1st time to visit. We ate lightly from their breakfast menu as we were saving room for some Fuddruckers for lunch. Their displayed desserts looked amazing... so we will be going back soon to try out the lunch/dinner menu. :)

Complete Labor Day Weekend 2009 Album