1st visit to Maxwell AFB!

This past Saturday I got to visit John for the first time since he's left for OTS.  They guys had just finished their 4th week there and had earned their on base privledges!  Up until now they'd been restricted to the grounds of the OTS complex so this came as a huge milestone for the class of 12-06.  My mom offered to take the kids for the night so I hit the road!

Total drive time is around 3 hours from door to door.  John had a lot of work to do Saturday morning so I figured I would break the drive up a little and stop into Birmingham, Alabama for a little shopping.  I've been lucky enough to find a beautiful dress for the "Dining Out" portion of the graduation events, however, I was still on the hunt for that perfect graduation ensemble.  So naturally I went to a few of my favorite stores.  ;)

While in Birmingham I went to the shops at the Summit.  I browsed Anthropologie, New York & Co, and my all time fave White House Black Market.  It was at WHBM where I stumbled upon these beauties!  It was love at first sight for dress #1!  I grabbed it thinking "this is it!"  Then naturally I always grab a couple extra items to try on just in case and since I'll be back there anyway!  So I grabbed #2 & #3 as my "back ups."

Dress #1 White House Black Market

Button Back Chiffon Halter Dress $158

Dress #2 White House Black Market

Satin Polka-Dot Sheath Dress $168

Dress #3 White House Black Market

Knit Mixed Stripe Tank Maxi $128

Dress #1 was super cute!  I instantly loved it!  I snapped a picture of the dress just in case I loved the others and couldn't decide.  Silly as it may sound it definitely helps having a visual when making an important fashion decision.  ;)

Dress #1

Dress #2

Dress #3

It was really long and too casual for the event so I didn't snap a picture.

Success!!  Dress #2 was the one!!  I fell in love with the clean lines and the vintage style.  It's a dress I can see in my closet for years to come.  It's the perfect go to "little black dress" w/ a little flair of course! So $168 later.  It was a successful trip to Birmingham!  :)

From Birmingham I went straight to Maxwell AFB.  There I got to go on a little self guided tour of the base until I got to finally meet up with John.  The officer housing is gorgeous!  The houses reminded me a lot of my trip to New Orleans.  

From housing I drove by the golf course, a restaurant, and finally the OTS school grounds.  That's where I got to see John for the first time in over 4 weeks!  It was awesome to finally reunite and have some time together without the little ones.  I stayed across from the school at the University Inn which was really nice!  Hopefully we'll get to stay again next weekend for Memorial Day!  Later that night we went bowling where I almost beat John...not really but I scored really well at least!  

We got to play three games, all of which he killed me at!  After we finished up we went to the bowling alleys ice cream shop and had cookie dough topped with rocky road!  Yummm!  The night was really fun and therefor flew by.  He had to be back by 10:30 so after ice cream I drove him back to the dorms.  

The next day we had lunch at the golf coarse.  OMG huge hamburgers and awesome wings!  I felt like 1,000lbs after we ate but it was totally worth it!  That was followed by a quick trip to the bx then it was time to say goodbye.  This coming weekend is a 4 day weekend!  The kids and I will be road tripping it this time for a 3 day stay!  I can't wait!  :)