Color Me Rad

I had the fabulous opportunity to participate in a 5K this weekend, it was so much fun!  Seriously,if it comes close to home again I would love to go time and time again.  Basically, you get "bombed" with color throughout the course.  Some bombing stations were dry and others were wet, you start with a clean slate and end up doused in color.

My BFF (if ya know what I mean) got the crazy idea to do it and invited/forced people to do it with her.  There ended up being 6 of us, our team name was Color Theory so we all dressed as part of the good ole ROYGBV. (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Violet for those of you who don't speak color wheel!)  Somehow, we never got in order for the pictures!

Before and After

The aftermath

Glamour Shot!

BFFs before the 5K

4 out of 6 at the start line

In the beginning it was uphill and I was thinking "what did I just get myself into", but then it leveled out.  All of my "training" has been just walking/jogging around my neighborhood with Lo.  Very laid back, but I do around 2 miles many times a week, sometimes twice a day.  What I didn't take into consideration was that my neighborhood is completely flat.  At the very end there was a super steep climb, but you could get through it because you knew it was almost over. There were tons of families out there with young children, it was very family friendly.  All in all, it was an absolute blast to be at!

Mountain Retreat

We had the most fabulous trip to the mountains last week.  It was so much fun and so relaxing- it was a perfect balance of go and do & rest and relax.

The first day was spent in Asheville where we saw a man riding a gigantic tricycle wearing a nun costume- just doing his best to "keep Asheville weird".The highlight of mine and Heath's day was the stop into Miss Kim's wig shop where we found fantastic earrings for 50 cents.  So, we dumped the contents of the earring basket out and loaded up on ear bling.  We all enjoyed all of the local art, Japanese food at a sushi bar and gelato.

The second day was spent in Cherokee where we fell into many tourist traps!  My goal for the day was buying Lo a sweet pair of moccasin booties to rock out with her leggings this fall/winter...but alas, my child refuses to uncurl her toes making it impossible to put any shoes on her feet.  I guess I can't have it all!  One day she'll beg me to buy her shoes, one day.  We were able to load up on local honey, fresh apples, pottery.  Heck, we even bought locally made pork rinds and I found an amazing huge shell for sale that I brought home to hold random jewelry on my nightstand.  We also climbed the 9 story tower to look out over the mountains in Maggie Valley which is where our cabin was located.

The third day was spent in Waynesville,NC.  We had the most delicious Thai food there.  I think I'll day dream of my curry dish for a few weeks!  We antiqued, browsed all of the little shops in the adorable downtown area and Hubby racked up on emergency essentials.  Waynesville was one of my favorite parts of the trip,it was such a neat little town.  I loved how centrally located everything was and how you could walk to everything. The latter part of the day was spent in Maggie Valley buying more local goods, specifically fudge!  Oh, we had an amazing dinner at this fabulous bakery.  Hubby got the biggest prime rib of his life and Heath and I enjoyed our shrimp and grits.



Our adorable cottage "13 Moons".  It was completely redone inside- had a fireplace that we used daily, 2 beds and 2 baths, a separate loft for TV watching. We have vowed to go back to this place as often as possible.

A path around the house.  I just loved the leaves everywhere and the crisp mornings...so fallish!

An adorable Lo cuddling her Daddy by the fire. She was a little under the weather but such a champ!  The girl is quite the traveler, she loves a good adventure.

The fam before the 9 flight trek up the observation tower in Maggie Valley, NC.  Apparently the entire town is competetive about their fall decorations.  Thank heaven for our fantastic Maggie Valley expert/travel companion,  Heath.

Our view at the half way point.

Who is that super model sassing up Maggie Valley?!

No words are needed.

2 little indians

There was even a bear sighting in Maggie Valley.

An artistic photo by Hubby of the leaves on our balcony on a rainy morning.

The fam in Greenville enjoying the outdoors at Reedy Falls Park.

At a store in downtown Greenville- These gorgeous things are called "witch balls".  I would like to have a window full of them like the store display- alas, I didn't win the lottery!  Heath did take one of these gems home though.

We loved the Nutmeg Cafe so much that we made reservations for brunch on our final day.  It did not disappoint!  We spent the rest of the day in Greenville where we got to enjoy more outdoor time at the Reedy Falls Park before coming home. What a great trip!

Weekend In Review

Friday night we had the opportunity to hang out with some of our friends.  I just cannot say enough about having good friends.  It doesn't matter what we do, where we are or what we wear...we just like being together.

Saturday morning began with trip to Phipps Farm to scout out the set up for the fall festival that my Dad is in charge of.  All of the grand girls,Hubby,Bab, Pappy and myself all went out and had such a good time on the farm.  We picked and ate pears and figs,saw the quail and chickens, the girls took home a quail egg and Pappy took home some regular eggs.  We also got to see Phipps farmhouse that he built himself, it was so cool.  While we were inside he serenaded us on his guitar, he is such a sweet man.

After the farm we had worked up an appetite- for Italian food so we went to the Italian Festival downtown. We had a blast there, everyone was there from our family except for Babs boys who were camping.  We had some really good gelato, Italian ice, Italian soda and Hubs raved about his sausage and pepper sandwich. Yum!  We got to see a gondola, the girls got balloon hats made just for them,played on the bounce house/slide, stomped grapes and did a little shopping at the different booths that were there.

For some reason my photos uploaded backwards-

Hubby and Lo at the festival

Lo loved playing with and popping her hat.

Munchie stomping grapes.  And, Gigi in the background in Lo's stroller...her shoes were rubbing a blister.

Silly!  Munch got attacked by ants on the farm so Hubby gave her a lift. She immediately went from crying to laughing hysterically.

All of the grand girls showing off their quail eggs that they named and carried around like babies.

Bab trying to interest Lo in looking at the chickens...I think she was more interested in her Daddy.

My boy scout, always prepared!  The grand girls wanted to eat the pears that they picked but wanted them peeled so it was Hubby and his pocket knife to the rescue.

Lo enjoyed gnawing on a pear too!

Italian Festival 2012
All of the girls in their balloon hats.

On Sunday we went to church where I was overloaded with cub scout information, someone say a prayer for me!  After church we went to see Nana with Mimi and Pappy where we skyped with Aunt B all the way in Montana.

Greek Festival 2012

We have been wanting to go to the Greek Festival for a few years but for some reason it always got bumped off the calendar...until this year.  We had a great time feasting on the Greek delicacies that we got there, but the highlight was the baklava sundae.  I would go back every year for that thing alone!

Punky was unimpressed by it all, except for Aunt Heath.  When Heath is within a mile of my child, she will find her.  Lo just cannot get enough of her.

 Cooing and smiling at Heath.

 Happy girl!

 We got to tour the sanctuary of the Greek Orthodox Church, it was breathtaking.

 The tour guide told us about the artist that painted all of these scenes- the man comes over from Greece with a team of apprentices.  The artist does a sketch in pencil (which takes about 45 minutes) and then the apprentices paint it out without even consulting the artist about color choices or anything. They have worked together for so long that they just know.  The tour guide also told us that they only bring a few basic colors of paint because they custom mix all of their paint.

A shot of the outside of the church.

Punky Meets Foxy

The girl loves the pup.

Lo's Newborn Pictures

We are so lucky to have a fabulous photographer as a friend/sister from another mister.  Without further ado I present to you the work of H. Alexandra Photography-

I love every single picture. Heath captured the essence of our sweet little bundle of joy and I am forever indebted to her.  These pictures were taken when Lo was just a few days old. Heath suggested that we do the majority of the shoot in her nursery (which never even occurred to me) and I love the way they turned out.

Farewell Weekend

We had a really good weekend.  Not only did we get many projects done on  the house but we were also invited out for some last hurrahs with friends.  We were invited to dinner and a bonfire with a group of Hubby's co-workers  Saturday night.  We were treated to a delicious meal made by the resident grill master, and homemade s'mores and jiffy pop made over the bonfire.  We had a good time just relaxing and talking with them around the fire late into the night. 

I've already shared the emotional farewell that we had at church on Sunday but the day turned around shortly after.  We were invited to our dear friend Shell's house for lunch with her new beau.  The made fajitas for us, we made chocolate hazelnut mousse for them and then we decorated her place for Christmas while watching Christmas Vacation.  While Hubby will see her at work for a bit longer it will likely be the last time that we are together due to the move and the general craziness of the holidays.

We also attended our church Christmas party on Friday night where the Hubs and I were in charge of the Santa pictures.  My Dad and Gigi were with us and were able to enjoy the holiday festivities as well.

Baptism Squared

I am posting this picture because who wants to see a pictureless post?  Not me!  However, I do respect the privacy of others and I feel like "the hand over the face because I'm in so much pain pose" makes this child unrecognizable! This is me torturing Miss M by french braiding her extremely thick hair prior to the baptism.  Beauty is pain! 

Hubby and I had the opportunity of attending the baptism of our besties little girl this weekend.  I can't believe that she's 8!  The Hubs got to participate in her confirmation and also got to participate in the confirmation of one of his friends who happened to get baptised right before Miss M.

Weekend Wrap Up

This weekend we went to visit family and friends in the Capital City. 

We went to the new Mast General Store.

The Mast General Store, not sure why so grainy.

 And enjoyed ice cold beverages out of this guy.  We also got some of our favorite candies including the always hard to find, strawberry cowtails.

Cute little vintage coolers.

 We had lunch with some friends.  Then we went on a double date with my Shell and her Hubby to the shooting range and then a delicious steak dinner.  That was followed by dessert in the car and world class entertainment by their cute and sassy littles.

Shell's first time!  She did awesome.

We were introduced to "Back Injury Betty" by their oldest and we had to get a picture for our friend that just had back surgery.  He thought it was humorous.

Kids are so creative, aren't they?!

We spent the night at my parents and woke to the smell of bacon.  I present to you Breakfast A La Timbo!

Fresh blueberry syrup...yum!

We had lunch with Hubby's parents at a delicious new deli that they suggested.  I must go back to Jason's Deli ASAP!  After lunch and a nice visit we rendezvoused with my Padre to take him shooting for the first time.  We don't typically shoot that often but everyone wanted to go this weekend

and we enjoyed it both times. 

Proud of his shots.

Not pictured but still mentionable-
*Date night with Bab and Roc to see Xmen
*Family dinner on Sunday that was AMAZING!
*The "Grandbaby Talent Show" performed by non other that the grandbabies.  This show included stunts, gymnastics, cheerleading and a dance off that included my almost 4 year old niece doing a move that Jane Fonda would be proud of.
*Hubs finally getting his new glasses...they are so cute.
*Church at our old building and getting to see so many old friends.
*Coming home with a car loaded down with the rest of our new guest room furniture and other items that we accumulated along the way including an awesome new mirror.

We came home from this awesomely fun weekend to a broken air conditioner so the fun continues!