Saluda, NC Day Trip

The kids and Josh were both off this Monday so we drove about 2 hours away to explore the Green River Game Lands.

The weather was amazing. Sunny and 70 in February. Pinch me...am I dreaming!?!

The area was beautiful. The towns motto is "Where the foothills end and the Blue Ridge Begins." We've been looking for mountain hikes an easy drive from Charlotte.

There was even an area with a few small waterfalls. We had fun climbing down to them and back up again as there was no trail close to the water.

The hike to the falls was all up hill so we had to take a bunch of breaks for little legs.

The lizards even came out today and Addy is the master of catching them.

Lovely trail and forest with so many leaves and trees it was like fall.

At the end of our hike we let the kids play in the sand on the banks of the Green River.

Just gorgeous. I see now why they call it the Green River. The water is actually a blue green color.

We drove into town and ate at a delicious BBQ place. Then got ice cream from a downtown shop for the ride home.

Hickory NC Day Trip

We drove 1.5 hours to Bakers Mountain Park in Hickory NC to go hiking TODAY.

Here's the boys at what's left an old homestead.

Next we came to a small boulder outcropping.

He actually asks me to take his picture!

We reached the summit of 1700 ft with a decent view.

Back down the nice path with a pretty woods view. Just what we all needed on a nice 65 degree day in FEBRUARY.

Last stop was a small waterfall along a stream.

We had lunch at a place downtown and it was delicious.

Then we went to the free art museum. And fed ducks at the park before heading home.

Winter Hiking

For Valentine's Day, Josh and I hiked a trail at Morrow Mountain State Park about an hour from home.

The place was so peaceful and empty which really added to it's beauty.

My favorite part of the trail. We hiked just over 4 miles in about 2 hours.

View of the lake and Uwharrie National Forest from the top which may have been tough to see in the summer.

Me in my goofy ear warmers by a stream. After our hike we ate at a Mexican restaurant for lunch.

For Valentine's dinner, we ordered pizza and had Joyce, Allison, and Preston over to celebrate.

Awww. Little Preston. We babysat him the next day while Allison got worked on by Josh. Such a good little buddy.

The beautiful Carolina blue sky from my car window.

Benny's 6th Birthday

On Benny's birthday I met him and Aaron at school for lunch, Chick Fil A and cupcakes in hand.

Joyce made a beautiful and delicious ice cream cake for his family birthday celebration that evening.

He insisted on having a party and inviting his friend Bryce from school. His new years resolution was to make friends this year. So adorable. He claimed he doesn't have any. But look at all these friends!!!

We had a pinata, which he was the only person to hit as he insisted on being the one to break it open.

There were gifts and he was so sweet and thankful for all the things he received.

We had a photo session with Aaron the day before his birthday so I could get a cute picture of him to post on Facebook.

But the ones of us together turned out the best. I love them!

They capture his personality so perfectly.

I just love my baby so much!!!

Random Winter Happenings

Our kindergarten wall is now complete after I found Benny's picture crumbled up at the bottom of Jackson's backpack one day. So blessed. Love these little people.

Josh and I finally moved to the master bedroom on the 1st floor! Benny got ours and now everyone is happy to have their own rooms. As a result of the move, I was inspired to paint and decorate. Here's before.

And after.

I was so motivated that I updated the dining room, office, Benny's room, Aaron's room, and painted the foyer and upstairs hallway light gray.

Addy's room was also updated to preteen status a few months before.

We got our 1st and only snow which wasn't enough for sledding.

Aaron went to a birthday party for a classmate. This is him with Chloe, a girl from his class that's crazy about him. I mean love notes and goo goo eyes. He doesn't seem interested at ALL yet.

We found a bat in our garage. It spent the entire day moving slowly to just outside the garage before dying.

Poor Aaron feel on our driveway. I let him stay home from school one day because his lip was swollen and he couldn't eat or drink well. Jackson cried harder than Aaron out of sympathy. He hated seeing Aaron hurt and bleeding.

It's been an unusually warm February. Regardless of the weather, we always see the cherry blossoms trees bloom signifying spring is on the way!