Mountain Memories

For nearly 30 years, my family has spent a week most years in Cashiers, NC.  It's been a true blessing to share this magical place with Todd and now our three kids. The boys love coming here and have our days planned out with hikes, fishing, boating, canoeing, putt putt, swimming at the lake, exploring waterfalls, and eating out well before we arrive! It is something i look forward to all year round. This year was especially fun to watch my bigger boys exploring and to see Addison coming into her own. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for making this possible for us!

Battling the British

On the way to the mountains for our annual vacation in July, we took a side trip to see a Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment in Historic Brattonsville (Mel Gibson's movie "The Patriot" was filmed here). The boys are really interested in both the Civil and Revolutionary Wars -- they were so engaged and honestly, Todd and I were fascinated, too! 

My Sweeties

Addison loves her hot pink cowboy boots! She puts them on 

all by herself. She loves herself some shoes...

Beautiful Lake Gaston!

For 4th of July, we were invited to the Goff's lake house on Lake Gaston. Addison spent the weekend with my folks (she had a blast). We had so much fun enjoying the relaxing beauty of the lake, the warm hospitality of Dianne, Hal and Julie Goff, some extra special time with our dear friend Elizabeth before she moved away, and lots of boating, jet skiing, and swimming in the lake. Thank you Goffs for such a memorable and magical time -- we loved every minute!!

Caleb dove off the dock at least 100 straight times -- naming each dive and adding his creative flair

Coley snuggling and snacking with Mrs. Goff

Cole with amazing water dog, Rhett

Julie and Cole exploring the lake

Captain Goff showing us the lake

Our dear, dear friends Elizabeth and Julie

Elizabeth and Cole

Looks like it's going to be a Perfect 10!

Super Friends!

Chick-Fil-A had a Super Hero Night a few weeks ago. All wearing a costume received a free kids' meal. All three had a blast! It was such a fun night -- a bunch of the staff arrived in amazing costumes in a truck-turned- batmobile. They also had real life heroes -- local firefighters there. We love ourselves some Chick-Fil-A!

Hurray for the Pool!

When in town, much of our time this summer has been spent at the pool we joined. It is just 7 minutes from our house and a little oasis for us. We have several friends who are members as well which makes it all the more fun. Caleb attended tennis camp earlier in the summer and Todd and I are excited to try out some tennis lessons, too.  

Many nights are spent swimming, grilling our dinner poolside, enjoying a treat from the snack bar, and going home showered, in our PJs and EXHAUSTED!

All our time here has paid off -- both boys are swimming like pros and have braved the diving board.  Addison loves the water and is a bit of a daredevil! Come visit us next summer and we'll take in the pool! 

Watching a Little Morning TV... it was WAY too early!!

Dress Up!

This is Addison's version of dress up -- proof enough she has 2 older brothers! She did this all by herself. I found her giggling in the shower... She is such a delight!

A Visit with Great Granddaddy

A few days after we got back from Wilmington, the kids and I drove up to meet Mom and Dad and visit my Grandfather who was in the hospital in Virginia. We had a birthday party for him and the kids enjoyed meeting him and wearing super cool latex gloves!  Afterward, we went up to a dear spot to us -- a picnic pavilion at the family cemetery. Here, death is a part of life and our ancestors are very much cherished and remembered. The boys put flowers we brought on the gravestones and enjoyed hearing who everyone was and their relation to them.

The trip was very much a blessing to me -- all the more so because my grandfather passed away shortly thereafter. Todd and the kids joined me in VA for the funeral where the kids loved meeting aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had a huge feast on top of the mountain where weeks before we had had our little family picnic. It was a great celebration of my grandparents' lives. Walking around my grandparents' home one last time for me and for the first time for the boys' was especially bittersweet. 

The black raspberries and mulberries were ripe and ready for picking. What a delight to see my boys covered in berry juice running around the house that is full of so many wonderful memories!

Summer Lovin'

We have had such a busy and fun summer! It all began with a trip to Wilmington over Memorial Day -- Todd was able to work remote and joined us for a week. Jeff, Jessica, Owen and Elizabeth took the family beach vacation at Wrightsville Beach so we were able to get lots of good time with them -- it was such a treat to get that time. Thanks Jeff and Jess for making that happen!

The Cousins Eating Dinner at My Parents' House

Sandy Memories

Owen and Cole reading with Uncle Jeff

The rest of the week we played at the beach, swam at the pool and had nightly swim lessons with Daddy, went to the Children's Museum, played in the creek, caught crabs off the dock, fed and fish and turtles, took lots of rides on their 3-wheelers, roasted marshmallows... Whew!

Krispy Cream Fanatics!

Exploring the Creek at Low Tide

Civil War Tag Anyone?

One of my favorite things to do with the kids is go on a little in-town excursion. We often invite our neighbor and best buddy, Sager, along. A recent outing took us to the Charlotte Museum of History where the kids learned all about Charlotte's growth, played at an interactive wooden toys exhibit, had a picnic, and played hide and seek and various versions of tag through out the grounds. We have gone back several times since -- it's become a fast favorite for our family. Last time, Caleb insisted on sitting through an entire 30 minute Charles Kuralt-narrated PBS documentary on the history of Mecklenburg County (pre-revolutionary war - present day). He loves to learn and has a newfound fascination with the Revolutionary and Civil Wars...  Cole and Addison love it there too -- especially running around outside and hiding underneath the big liberty bell.

Caleb's Crush

Caleb has a little crush on a sweet girl from school. She came over a few weeks ago to play and make cookies. They laughed and laughed and had a blast decorating cookies -- or should I say eating sprinkles! He insisted that Cole have a friend over at the same time so he wouldn't have his little brother crowding in.... A wise move, I think! 

Battleship

While in Wilmington for Spring Break, we took the kids to the US North Carolina Battleship. As you can imagine, the ship is HUGE and offered so much to explore on and below deck. We can't wait to go back for another adventure. The boys loved all the guns -- they are very into the military right now!