Anniversary Trip to NC

So, we've been married 9 years. We got married on Memorial Day weekend and that was nice on the weekend we had our wedding but celebrating it since then creates some challenges. So, we finally took a few days to go to Black Mountain, NC by ourselves. Ta stayed with her grandma and grandpa. We love, love, love Black Mountain, but left without one single picture. We stayed at cheapy Super 8 hotel, but it served its purpose-place to sleep. We had a great, stress-free time and leisurely took our time getting home today. 171 miles in 6 hours.

This is the view of Chimney Rock, which I was bound and determined to go see until I saw the price for each adult was $14.00-$28.00 to drive up a mountain? So we walked around in cheese land and played in the river, for free!




5 second nap


ILY-Aren't I sweet?


Just a little river hiking

Two peas

Since Elias was in Mexico, Bella finally had Talia to herself. The girls had a great time together. Bella spent 75% of the time copying exactly what Talia was doing. And every time she heard the word "cousin" (which is synonymous to "best buddy" in Talia's language) Bella would sign "cousin" since she watches the Signing Time video 10 times a day. Actually it took us a while to figure out what she was signing, since it looked like tree, but Rachel on the video must rest her elbow on her other palm, and Bella doesn't have the C handshape clear enough yet. So, Talia would say "cousin" and Bella (we thought) was signing "tree." Glad I finally got a clue.

My attempt to photograph peace

I guess the pictures speak for themselves, but when we go visit my parents at their house on the lake, there is no room for stress or angst. So I was playing photogirl and trying to bring a bit of that back to home.

My child

Swinging...In her impromptu Superman cape...


Checking the engine on her Jeep


"Look, Mom, I'm driving with no hands!" And, yes, a chill went down my spine. I will not be the one to teach her to drive.



Not really sure what they are fixing on the plastic Jeep, but they are intently doing it.