Sweet Home Alabama

Almost every year for the past 6 years since Matt and I have been married we've always headed to his hometown in Alabama for Thanksgiving. This year was extra special because we now have a sweet little man named Cannan in tow! Going to the Flummer house for the Holidays is like walking into Mrs. Claus' home because it seems to magically transform into a Christmas castle overnight! Seriously! Sandra was a teacher for 30 years in the public school system and all of those Holiday gifts and treasures given to her from students through the years now hold a special place on display throughout her home at the Holidays. In addition to those sweet gifts, her father, John James Moon, loved Christmas too! Every year he could be found making the most unique Christmas decorations in his little backyard workshop out of wood, glass, ceramic and other materials that most people would never think to use. Everyone in her family has a creative streak and there are so many beautiful handmade things to look at and behind almost every one is a special face, time, place or memory to her. So, if you are ever around Alabama near the Holidays, I would highly recommend taking a detour over to the Flummer house. Don't worry, you won't be a stranger at all they will welcome you with open arms and a home cooked meal. That's just how they are.
With that being said...everything that you would normally see in the non-holiday months comes down and everything Christmas goes up....

















And here are the two lovebirds on Thanksgiving Day! While the house looks beautiful and the meal was unsurpassed by any other Thanksgiving meal I that I know of...Sandra was in her element being at home with family. But, I know it was no easy feat to pull off and she doesn't ever stress one bit.








Cannan's great Aunt Gloria and Uncle Terry.

We packed up and drove South

Like it does so often the south calls us to come home. At least it does for our little family. I love the North, the snow and crisp cold weather but I LOVE the warm blanket that is the south.

So, we packed our bags and headed down for a long southern Holiday. It was a special trip because my Aunt Dawn, who lives in Savannah had planned a special early Thanksgiving for the days that we had planned to be there and invited everyone...Cousins, Friends, New Babies, Grandpa, Just Sheryl, Uncle Donald, Crazy Aunt Jackie, who brought this amazing dessert that we won't mention by name but it involved pretzels, chocolate and peanut butter and it was super delicious!!! There were so many people there. It was great. We had a wonderful dinner and for the first time, Cannan started eating real food! Not just solid food because he's been eating that for awhile, I mean, turnip greens, stuffing, turkey, and courtesy of my wonderful rebellious aunt (this is where I get my streak from) and to my disapproval, he even got his fill of banana pudding...

Cannan & Dawn


One happy and stuffed little man...


I wish I would have thought to bring the camera out more but I was so excited to see and meet everyone that I forgot to take pictures, so I will just have to tell you a little about what is going on around us in the photos that I did manage to snap. My cousin Branndon and Stephanie brought my new baby [2nd] cousin, Autumn Tressie, who is named after my Grandmother and who I fell in love with in a matter of minutes. Truly. I already have a love for this baby girl that I cannot explain. I am kicking myself for not snapping a picture of her and her sweet mama.
Dawn loves animals and takes in strays wherever she can (including people, that's why she and I are so close ;-) so just outside, Cannan met his first Pigs, Sweetie & Wilbur and the dogs: Jadis, Travis, Lily, Selena and Yoda, she also has a bird, cats and I think a few other small caged animals. Who needs a petting zoo??? I have family that's got us covered!! Yes, it's a sort of like a miniature farm I guess you'd say. Anyway, wish I had gotten a picture of Cannan with those pigs. It was pretty funny watching him check out these new creatures that he's never seen before.

We had so much fun and look forward to the next visit!


Dawn, Cannan & Grandpa
He was fascinated with Grandpa's glasses!


Grandpa & Cannan had a good time playing on the floor. I'm not sure who wore who out first...









The Fam...Steve, Dawn, Cannan & Grandpa