Jack can count... Sort of...

I had to include a video of Jack on the swing. He and Seneca can count to ten (English and Spanish), but when he gets above ten... well, you'll see. But, I can't help to smile everytime I hear him say, "Eleventeen."

Our NJ Trip

Hey Family,

Here's a slideshow of some of the pics from our most recent trip to New Jersey. We had the best time up there, but be forwarned- the most exciting things in NJ were Jack and Seneca (so there are lots of pictures of both) Enjoy!

Ahhhhhh!

It's a miracle I even remembered my password and username to get back into blogger! Three months is too long to not blog. But, I feel like life is slowly returning to normalcy. Is that a word? Pictures speak a thousand words. After I post, I'm going to try to scrounge up some pics from the past!

And so, tonight, I made dinner. It was a chicken-pasta dish (with peas and broccoli). It was cheap and easy and probably the healthiest thing we've eaten since Thanksgiving. This weekend I slaved away, washing every dish, every can, every bottle of vinegar and evoo. Most everything has a home (again). I took the day off today (to rest) and to do a few residual things.

There are still a few things left to do (like the cabinet door that's missing on my coffee cubby). And the powder room isn't quite done yet... that's why no pics- but it will be the finest powder room ever- once all's said and done! Royce did an A+++ job on the wood work, and I pushed him to the limit on my crazy bathroom, but it will be all worth it in the end!

The green paint in the laundry room is actually very soothing (doesn't quite photograph the same!). It's a Sherwin Williams paint, "Rainwashed"- you get the idea. You'll probably just have to visit (and do laundry) to be soothed.

Good Job Becky!

On New Year's Day, Marcus and I ventured up to Kingwood to see our sis-in-law run her very first full marathon! She had a sizable support team, and we drove from one site to the next to cheer her on. Everytime we saw her she seemed to be in good spirits, and was able to complete the race in just over four hours!

Here she is at the end, see, still smiling. And, I had Chris and Sarah on speaker phone so they could hear us all cheer her on!

When it was over, Becky received a ridiculously huge medal with a longhorn on it and some lilies. She was exhausted, but what an inspiration. I mean, I'm not going to run a marathon, but still, WOW. I'm amazed!

Welcome, Aunt Dorie!

Well, she's not my aunt, she's Woogie's aunt. This Christmas, Mom got a little doggie. I ventured up to Cleveland to see the little pup- so sweet! I think mom's got her hands full with house breaking Dorie though! Good Luck!

Our Trip to the City

This Christmas, we ventured into the City.... the very big, rainy City. Though, I'm certain sometimes it's not raining and freezing, it was the particular afternoon that we planned on being there.

Rockefeller Center was very easy to find because we said, "Cabby, take us to Rockefeller Center." It went quickly downhill from there. We kept getting turned around, and trying to find your way on a little I-phone is a trip! So we did a lot of walking, and we did see a lot of things. But, we're going to have to go back, for sure, in the spring or fall :)

I-Phone

Times Square

Happy Feet

I thought I'd share this picture of our happy feet. What a good ol' dog.

Happy Untraditional Thanksgiving

Hey Friends and Family - Sorry we won't be with you this Thanksgiving, but we'll see most everyone at Christmas. It is only 8:30 am here; look what we've been up to!

Love you all!

Shan

Good Advice!

This was the best part of our trip to Grandfather Mountain - the wildlife reserve (which was like a tiny zoo). But, unlike a zoo, we could get really, really close to the animals!!!

The worst part was that the otter exhibit was closed. I love those guys, could watch them for hours. I wonder if there are any videos on utube... Yup - otters in love!

Golf and Flying Things...

On our first full day in Asheville, we headed to the golf course... I don't recall the name of the course that we played, but we were paired up with a couple of local guys about our age and we had a blast!

Sure, I can't tell you the name of this course, but what I can tell you is that it was located directly at the end of a landing strip! These HUGE planes were constantly taking off and landing directly above us. It was very loud, and a great excuse for crappy shots, and even I had a fun time that morning. Side note for those of you who might not know - I don't actually play golf... I just ride alongside. I like being outside, being with Marcus, and I can usually get a decent amount of a book read over 18 holes!



And all golf courses have something to offer by the way of Mother Nature. Although these little Tawny Cresents aren't that uncommon, they were a treat to watch... just soaking up the NC sunshine.

I like to Win!!!

Those who know me, know that I'm a little bit competitive... okay, maybe more than just a little bit. So, when I heard about the Grove Park Inn's Annual Birdhouse COMPETITION - I just couldn't stop myself!

I tried to be sneaky (which is another quality trait of mine), and so, I built my little birdhouse out of a monopoly board while my dear husband slept upstairs. My thought was, I'll send it up to Asheville for the competition and when Marcus and I go to have dinner at the GPI one night I can surprise him! And even BETTER if I win one of the glorious prizes of cash and/ or nights stay at the hotel.

But, a few weeks before our trip, the GPI sent me a letter stating that they had received my entry (no word of having won anything...) Marcus and I will open each other's mail - not like birthday cards, but general mail is fair game to whoever gets home first. Unfortunately I was in Seattle when the letter arrived. Surprise spoiled. Boo. But, I refused to tell M anything about the little birdhouse, because I was still so proud of my hard work and wanted him to be surprised.

My entry is below. There were about 50 entries this year. I did not win...

I thought this was interesting, but I don't think it won anything either.

These didn't win... That chick with the red hair is very Tim Burtonesque...

Here was the grand winner. Terrible picture, I apologize, but this glass house was produced by a local artist and was very breath taking indeed.

I don't have any plans to learn how to blow glass or learn any other fabulous skills by next May, but I do have a little idea jumbling around in my head.... hmm, if I get started now....

Dinner Time

One evening, after golf we went out for dinner on the Sunset Terrace at the historic Grove Park Inn. The hotel itself was unlike any I've ever seen. It was out of our price range to actually stay there - so we just ate there instead.

Our dinner reservation aligned beautifully with the sunset - what a view! The food was amazing. We ordered more than we could eat, but with a full kitchen at our cabin, we opted to take our leftovers with us. Steak sandwiches the next day were supurb!

Happy Second Anniversary to us! As I write this, we are just days away from 2.5 - but who's counting?!?

Grandfather Mountain

One morning we left our little cabin in search of Grandfather Mountain. It was a little bit of a drive, but very worth the view! We thought we'd be doing a little more hiking, but there was a road almost all the way to the top. So, we spared ourselves the work out and just took the car up instead of parking at the base and dreadging up that trail!

This is the Mile High Swinging bridge. It wasn't that scary.

I forget what this rock was called, but it's a profile of a face... can you see it?

But the best part of the park was.... I'll post it soon....

I'm a dork

Hey - last weekend, I wrote all these blogs and then spaced the "post date" for every other day or so... but I didn't know you had to hit "publish post" to change their status to "scheduled". So here they are; better late than never.

Marcus and I are going to go shoot guns today - will let you know how that goes!