Happy Anniversary to us! Beau and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary (14 year dating...) with a weekend in Asheville, North Carolina at the Grove Park Inn. I used to work at a summer camp in Brevard, NC about 30 minutes from Asheville and we would spend our days off in Asheville. I've always loved the city, but had never been to the Grove Park Inn. It's such a unique place overlooking the mountains and Asheville. I'm kind of a history dork, so anything with a little historical element intrigues me.
But honestly, just getting away was the best part!
I have always felt parents should make time for each other, not just their children. It's so easy to slip into a bad routine where you're only being parents, instead of a couple together. Date nights help, but I really think getting away is the best! I even liked that it required a 3 hours drive, so we talked and "reintroduced" ourselves in the car to get the weekend started. When else do you get 3 hours alone to talk??? NEVER!
One day we went on a short hike and then out to lunch in Asheville. It was a beautiful day (and Memorial Day Weekend), so the streets were packed, vendors on every street corner, and lots of fun people watching!
We were able to get in to one of Rachel Ray's favorite spots, Tupelo Honey Cafe. It was delicious!
On our last night, we ran into some friends from dental school, Brian and Lindsey Jones. They were celebrating their anniversary that weekend too! So after plenty of romantic alone time, we had a fun night catching up with old friends :)
I have always felt parents should make time for each other, not just their children. It's so easy to slip into a bad routine where you're only being parents, instead of a couple together. Date nights help, but I really think getting away is the best! I even liked that it required a 3 hours drive, so we talked and "reintroduced" ourselves in the car to get the weekend started. When else do you get 3 hours alone to talk??? NEVER!Grove Park Inn has a few great restaurants on the resort, so we ate there and rocked on the porches and enjoyed not having to move.
One day we went on a short hike and then out to lunch in Asheville. It was a beautiful day (and Memorial Day Weekend), so the streets were packed, vendors on every street corner, and lots of fun people watching!We were able to get in to one of Rachel Ray's favorite spots, Tupelo Honey Cafe. It was delicious!Our favorite part of the weekend was the spa. GPI is known for its spa and we decided to take full advantage. You really can enjoy all the pools, waterfalls, jacuzzis, sauna, etc all day long....and no kids allowed. It was so relaxing to sit in a chair and know I didn't have to get up until I wanted to (or when a nice lady came to get me for a massage). I'm so spoiled, but it was worth it. Amazing!
On our last night, we ran into some friends from dental school, Brian and Lindsey Jones. They were celebrating their anniversary that weekend too! So after plenty of romantic alone time, we had a fun night catching up with old friends :)
On our way home we decided to take the scenic route through Brevard. When I worked at camp Beau used to come visit me and many times we went to Looking Glass Falls nearby. The water is freezing year round, but Beau always challenges himself to get in and swim to the rocks. I was the wimp that stayed with our stuff :)
And then after all our adult fun, it was time to get back to our babies. I love to get away, but coming home is best part. It feels so good to get home and all be together again!
Beau, thank you for being the most wonderful husband I could ever dream of. You are forever dedicated, hardworking, challenging, sensible, silly, supportive and loving. Thank you for loving me and creating the beautiful life we have together. 7 years has flown by and I look forward to at least 50 more :) I love you!
(I love the running with a helmet! You can never be too safe!)
The competing crew...
The kids had on "dad's #1 fan" tshirts. I guess they would have to be #1 and #2...
Ragan, Beau and Chris all placed in their divisions! Overachievers....
Before school ended, Mt. Bethel hosted a "sibling photo shoot" with Ken Rada the photographer that takes school pictures. I decided to take Wade and Bree, NOT because I don't have enough pictures of them, but because Wade refuses to sit with his sister when I ask him. I wanted to see what he did for someone else. He did exactly what the photographer said (as I suspected) and we actually got some pretty good shots. ENJOY!
On May 23 my mom turned 60 years young! She is still the most energetic, vivacious, caring, thoughtful, and ENTERTAINING mother I could ever ask for and we were THANKFUL to celebrate her 60 years of life!
When asked how she wanted to celebrate, she wanted nothing more than to have a picnic in the park with her family. So that's what we did! All her kids and grandkids, extended Atlanta family (minus Ashley & crew), and two best friends were there.
I found a bunch of old pictures to hang around the pavilion. This is one of my favorites from Christmas morning circa 1984. Please note Shawn's massive boom box (for break dancing), Alicia and I with death grips on new Cabbage Patch dolls, and Nathan cuddling his new Gremlin. Awww, the good old days :)
(three toddlers swinging bats...a little dangerous?)
Sack races...
And of course, naked croquet/cornhole. Doesn't everyone play that?....
We were lucky enough to have a friend of a friend photographer come and take some pictures of the festivities. This was a treat for me, even more than my mom, because I could relax a little and not have to run around trying to capture every moment with my camera. Thanks CJ!!!
