Life is Beautiful. You come too: What we've loved in Alabama

I wrote this as my facebook status the other day: I love Sunday drives through beautiful Alabama. Truly, my heart is in mourning. This place is lovely and in a month we'll be gone! Wonderful adventures are ahead but I will be leaving a love.

And it's true. I love the area. I love getting in the car and driving on Daphne main street through Montrose on the way to Fairhope. The trees hang over the streets and the large, old houses send you dreaming about what life would be if you lived there.

I loved memorizing streets, landmarks, and distances as I pushed baby Kennedy along in her stroller, learning the area and watching the seasons change. (Ok, that's kind of a joke. The seasons don't change much, and it hardly got cold during wintertime. But, different flowers bloom at different times. So I guess that counts.)

I loved playing at the beach together as a family and getting in the car afterwards talking about how lucky we are to be so close to the ocean.

I loved escaping into Blakeley State Park and going camping together. I loved finally discovering that there are hiking trails here.

I loved Friday night art walks in Fairhope. Seeing the old and young wander the streets admiring art under gas burning lanterns, perusing small shops filled with antiques and old books, and sipping their free wine samples. I loved the days we splurged to buy some lavender citrus soap, Belgian chocolate, and an overpriced t-shirt that I want to wear every day.

I loved my friends. Texting them the day of and coming just to hang out. Kennedy playing with the kids while we chatted. Eating dinners and desserts together and playing lots of Word on the Street, Bananagrams, and Apples to Apples. (I will never think of Asthma the same way again.)

I loved hanging out with Derek after Kennedy was in bed to relax and watch netflix shows. The characters in our shows seriously feel like friends. (I know, kind of pathetic. But truly.) [If you need life recommendations, I highly recommend White Collar, Psych, Chuck, Gilmore Girls, Fixer Upper, When Calls the Heart, and The Office (minus a few episodes)]

I loved the community events. Mardi Gras Parades, Christmas Parades (in our t-shirts and shorts), 4th of July parades and gatherings, story time at the library, attending the Nutcracker,

I loved attending Derek's soccer league games, sending him to play basketball with the guys from church, and attending an Auburn football game and sitting so close to the field (and the real life eagle).

I loved having missionaries over for dinner every week and becoming friends with them. I always seemed to burn something or forget to buy something at the store, but it was always uplifting and they always brought the Spirit into our home. [If you're still shopping for life recommendations, I can't recommend feeding the missionaries highly enough. It's the best. Plus they will laugh at your jokes. And who doesn't want that.]

I loved teaching piano lessons. I loved the perfect peach ice cream at Mr. Gene's Beans.

I loved our family visitors. We got to hang out with Rytting cousins, Aunt Megan, Leslie, Kyra, Andrew, Mom and Dad Paulson, Jessica.

Anyway. We're going to miss so much and we are so grateful for the adventure we had here!! And now, enjoy a photo dump. I don't care if you skip them...it's mostly for our sake :)