Our Adventures in ...

On Friday afternoon, I got this bright idea that I wanted to go to Atlanta for the weekend! We haven't really gotten to do anything "fun" with Car this summer, so I thought a few days in Atlanta would be GREAT! Of course, Dad didn't have a problem with it at all knowing that he could go to a Braves game on Saturday night! I made reservations on Friday afternoon for a Saturday night stay at the Omni at CNN Center. As soon as I received confirmation from the Omni, I began planning our itinerary. (which of course included plenty of SHOPPING!)

On Saturday morning, we set out on our road trip! Both children were WONDERFUL in the car! (A MUCH DIFFERENCE EXPERIENCE THAN I HAVE BEEN USED TO!) We stopped at the outlets in Commerce. And believe it or not, the only stores I wanted to go into were Gap Outlet and the Gap Clearance Center. I was most proud of my $7.99 demin jacket bargain! I would have to say the Gap Clearance Center was a BIG disappointment! They only had a few racks of clothes!

We left Commerce in record time for me, and headed to our next destination- IKEA! My wonderful friend, Sara, has been telling me that IKEA was a fabulous store! I was blown away!! I would have to say that is my new favorite store! When we pulled up, we found a whole section of the parking lot full of Uhaul tucks. I could not figure out why moving trucks were needed at a store! Well, as soon as we walked in the door all my curiosity vanished! IKEA had EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING you could ever want for a home. All the merchandise was unique! I know think much less of Target's uniqueness. Everything was so reasonably priced too! Whenever we move into a new house, we will be taking a Uhaul to IKEA! Despite the awe I was in, I have to say I was a little disappointed with them. I really wanted three items for the house- a bookshelf for Car's room, a lamp for Ella's room, and a shower curtain for the bathroom. All three items were on display several places throughout the store, but all three items were SOLD OUT! My only complaint to IKEA is that if an item is out-of-stock the display should be removed! Of course, I didn't leave IKEA empty handed!

We spent more time than planned at IKEA, so we had to rush to the hotel so the boys could make it to the Braves game. Downtown Atlanta was PACKED!!! There was some sort of festival going on, plus as we later found out the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert was going on that night too. The traffic was horrendous!!!! It took us forty-five minutes to make it one block! With Daddy on the edge, we finally made it to the Omni just in time for Carson to get his Braves gear on. Daddy was DETERMINED he was NOT going to drive to Turner Field in all that traffic! So, he asked the concierge how to catch a shuttle to the game. My sweet dear husband, who by the way can't follow directions, gets LOST with my four-year-old son in DOWNTOWN ATLANTA!!!!!! He said they ended up on some street that made him get knots in his stomach!!!! They ended up walking all the way to Turner Field. They arrived to the stadium just to find out that it was SOLD OUT!!!! Luckily, they were selling 10.00 standing room only tickets. The boys found great seats, and no one ever claimed them! Carson enjoyed watching the game, Daddy's knots loosened just a little in his stomach, and the Braves won!!!! Carson also enjoyed playing a little game of baseball himself in Tooner Field. They caught a shuttle back to the hotel- SAFELY! :)

On Sunday, our sweet tired family of four ventured out to the Georgia Aquarium. It was AMAZING, but there were TOO many people there. It was very difficult to see any of the exhibits because of the CROWDS! Also, every time you entered a different exhibit you had to park your strollers. I didn't think it was too BABY friendly. I wouldn't recommend going on the weekend during the summer.

After our trip to the aquarium, we made our way back to the Omni so we could head toward home again.

We had such a WONDERFUL adventurous weekend together as a FAMILY!!!! Ella was a PERFECT baby!!!!!! I don't think she even cried except when the boys came in late from the game and woke her from her beauty sleep! Carson experienced a little LIFE outside of our small town! Daddy got to see a Braves game! Mommy got to shop! Good times!!!! :)