New Years in North Alabama

Happy New Year, everyone! As I'm sure you noticed, I took a brief haitus from the blog around the holidays. What can I say? We just got busy. So sorry.

This holiday, we were able to go back to Mississippi for the whole week of Christmas, and were off from work until after New Years. It was really nice to have a long break and see family and friends back home!

This year, Lan started a new tradition with college friends, an annual New Year's trip. We have a friend whose parents do something similar with their college friends (and have done so since college!). Lan is really great at keeping up with friends from far away, and he's been planning this shindig since early fall. So, on the Friday before New Years, we headed to Mentone, Alabama with some friends.

While in Mentone, we hit the local shops and visited a local restaurant. We also did some hiking and went to play frisbee and football in a park near our cabin. Good times were had by all.

Us in the cabin

Day 2 - This was an overlook near our cabin

Lan joining in on the Blaine family picture.

The girls at the park (Lan creepin' in the background)

Ladies in the park

This happened over and over again at the park. The frisbee and football would get thrown in the creek accidentally and someone would have to venture into the creek to fish it out. Great teamwork, Lan and Jan!

Over the shoulder shot. Classy.

Boys at the park

Lan's senior portrait.

Half of our pictures are of Lan making this face

Sunset shot at the overlook near our cabin

Girls pic!

Waterfall!

Group pic before our hike

We took a hike down to the river. It was a really steep incline!

Us on the rock at the river

Group shot on the rock

On the hike back up the mountain, I heard running water, so we took a detour and found this!

Me with my amazing discovery :)

Boys rock climbing

Our cabin, Bear Claus Lodge!

Well, that's all for now! I have some recipes and other fun things to share soon.

Love from Houston!

L & J