Wordless Wednesday

Enjoying the View

We headed off to Blue Ridge with my roommate from college and her family. They have a son around Charlotte's age and those two loved each other! They got along so well and it was so nice for her to have someone to play with while we enjoyed adult time. Blue Ridge is absolutely beautiful and I love the little town!


We got there a little early and decided to check out "down town". Charlotte picked up this SO CUTE headband and I was so happy she would wear it!



Even though we were in the mountains, it was still SUPER hot!


Charlotte and Nathan still feeling each other out for the time being, but they would become fast friends!


I just so happened to find this baby pool in our garage from last summer, so I brought it with us and it was a HUGE hit! The kiddos jumped in and out and the parents got to sit on the deck, drink a cold one, and relax!






We also decided to check out Mercier Orchards to see if we could pick some fresh fruits. We got up and got going early so it wouldn't be too hot, and set out to see what we could pick only to find that they close the orchards during the week in the summer time. Boo. But we did get to shop in their HUGE store and buy their fried pies. Seriously, the best fried pie I have ever eaten. Ever. I am still dreaming about them....We also convinced the friendly service desk to let us at least go look at the Apple Trees, and the kids seemed pretty content with that.


She's saying "Apple Tree!"


She also got to sit on a tractor in the store



We bought her a little black bear in the store and she is still carrying that thing around....even to bed with her!


After the Orchard and naps for everyone, we headed back out for dinner. The kids were so good even though we waited forever for our food! It looks like they are sharing a little secret here!


She looks like such a big kid in this picture!


Off to buy ice cream....but all the ice cream stores were closed. We had to buy them a pint from Food Lion!


Our time came to and end much too quickly. I was so impressed with how well Charlotte adapted. Both of the kids were excellent the whole time!

Saying our good-byes to Blue Ridge:





Thank you guys so much for taking this trip with us! You made it exciting and much more fun!

Father's Day #2

This is our second father's day with child. It was much more low key than the first, but Charlotte was still so sweet to Bryce!

We went to my parents on Saturday to celebrate with my Daddy:







On Sunday we went to Bryce's parents to be with his Dad:



Charlotte was so tired after the busy weekend! She never sleeps in the car, but this time she conked out! I am ashamed to say that I did not get one picture of Bryce, but I am going to blame it on the fact that we have a new camera and it stayed in his hands most of the time. That is just Bryce, being the great Daddy that he is!

New camera, new attitude

I am really getting back into taking pictures now that we have a new camera. Whenever I can get it out of Bryce's hands, that is! The dogs are enjoying getting the attention for once, but Charlotte is already over being the sought after subject. Here are some creations so far.

21 months

So we are three months away from 2 years old, and light years away from 1 year old. People ask me every day "how old is she", and I always say almost two because no one wants to do math in their head to count the months but she is so far ahead of a year and a half. People are also amazed at how well she talks and how much she knows. She is speaking in sentences now. Her two favorite sentences are "I don't like it" and "I did it!" (or variations of I got it, I made it, etc.). She repeats EVERYTHING. If I say "Say good-bye Charlotte" she says "Say good-bye Charlotte". She repeats conversations that Bryce and I are having, she repeats everything I tell her to do, and she repeats whatever people say to her. She also talks to Lola, Baxter, and her stuffed animals. She loves to treat the dogs like they are baby dolls and give them a pillow and blanket, or feed them pretend food. They are surprisingly obliging. She really likes to have a hand in picking out her clothes and loves doing anything that seems adult. Like brushing her teeth or hair, sitting on the potty, or trying to put on her own shoes. She has used the potty a few times but we are far away from potty training still. She really just likes to put TP in there and watch it flush! She is obsessed with popsicles, yogurt, and sweet tea. You cannot even mention those things around her without "please, please, please" 50 times until you tell her no (and she breaks down screaming) or yes (and she literally jumps for joy, YAY!). Speaking of which, she also loves to jump on the ground, off of something, on your legs....and she LOVES to dance. This kid has got rhythm too. Favorite artists are P!nk, Jack Johnson, and Beyonce. Favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Sesame Street, and Clifford. Favorite books are Russell the Sheep, Is Your Mama a LLama, and Curious George. She loves any and all fruit, hates any and all vegetables and sometimes will eat meat but sometimes won't. Any you've never seen a sweet potato devoured like this girl can.
Whew! And now for pictures of the 21 month old:

Happy Anniversary

We rushed home from the wedding and dropped Charlotte off with my Mom so that we could celebrate on our own. Rathbun Steak came highly recommended and has been on our list of places to try for awhile. Yes we actually have a list. And it did not disappoint. Our service was wonderful, our drinks were delicious, the steak melts in your mouth, and the dessert was to die for. I want to go back already! The lighting is all candles so the mood is intimate and warm and the decor is very earthy but modern. It was such a wonderful end to our sixth anniversary!



My dessert. Dark chocolate mousse cake. YUM.


Bryce's dessert. Blueberry cobbler.

Since we were going to be out so late we stayed downtown at the Hilton. We got a great deal and stayed on the top floor since it was our anniversary. The girl checking us in didn't believe that we had been married for six years (she thought we were too young, ha!). Best of all, we both got to sleep in. Pure bliss.

Eat, Drink, & Be Married

"May heaven grant you in all things your heart's desire-husband, house, and a happy peaceful home. For there is nothing better in this world than that a man and woman, sharing the same ideas, keep house together. It discomforts their enemies and makes the hearts of their friends glad-but they themselves know more about it than anyone". ~Homer






Bryce's cousin, David, asked Bryce to be in his wedding. David was a groomsman in our wedding so I found it fitting that Bryce should bear witness for his commitment as well. It was the first wedding we attended with Charlotte and she loved seeing her Daddy all dressed up. She kept rubbing his face and saying "smooth". She was also quite enamored with all the pretty dresses. I was really worried about how she would behave, especially after staying out late at the rehearsal dinner the night before but the church had a crying room and she did just fine. She definitely captured everyone's attention every where we went!


Checking out the bride


Charlotte was obsessed with the stage so the DJ decided to put her to work


Dancing with the DJ


Yes, to Charlotte's delight the DJ even had props. Oh my.


Every wedding you go to after you are married rises up the emotions of your heart. Remembering your own wedding day, your own vows, and greeting the memories of the past in the years that have followed. It was a beautiful wedding and Bryce and I wish happy days upon David and his new bride Ashley. May God bless you all your days together.