February Fun!

Well, I actually have no "real" pictures (meaning I took them) to accompany this posting. However, I have found pictures to spice it up a bit!

This past weekend proved to be quite exciting! First, our friends Chris, Brandy, and Skylar came up Friday night. After staying up late catching up, it was early to rise Saturday morning. The morning was spent relaxing and waiting for me to cook a breakfast casserole...yum! We enjoyed a late lunch at a vegetarian place downtown A-ville called Laughing Seed. (also yummy!) It was after lunch that the "real fun"began!

Travis and I decided to go skiing..both for the first time! This is a smaller place to ski and they were running a special this past weekend for night skiing. We paid for skiing and rentals what most places around here charge for just skiing. So, we just couldn't pass up the deal. Plus, we have been trying to go since January! So, Travis and I packed up the borrowed gear (goggles and pants) and headed up the mountain to meet his cousin. Lucky for me that both Travis and Tyler were there. Let's just say I think I'm the first person to ever hold up the bunny slope tow....I seriously think there were 20 people, easily,waiting!

I should back up for a minute. Getting up the VERY small incline to the rope was a struggle. Either Tyler or Travis were constantly grabbing my jacket to keep me from falling backwards. One lady (in regular boots) pushed me up, let go, and I fell! Another man held on to my poles and pulled me up the rope. This is all after about 30 minutes of trying to make it up myself! Once I finally made it to the rope, I fell three times trying to grab the rope! The not-so-nice rope manager told me I should take off my skis, walk to the top, and come back when I was 'more comfortable'. Let's just say that I made it down skiing without falling, was able to stop by myself, never used the tow rope, had to take my skiis off each time I got the bottom, and walk with them up the hill! Travis was pretty much a natural even venturing to the ski lift! Overall, it was an exciting night of skiing! (I tried to take pictures but my camera froze up...brrrrrrr!)

Sunday morning, I awoke not in too much pain. (I later found the aches come 2 days after the skiing trip and can last a few days!) We met up with our friends who were now staying in A-ville for a wonderful lunch of grilled chicken and steaks! Afterwards, we all ventured downtown to hang out before going to see music. We saw Tony Rice and Peter Rowan open up for Yonder Mountain String Band. Great night of Bluegrass! (This picture was actually taken out west at one of their shows. The pictures I found from A-ville a few years ago were too far away to see.) So, overall we had a jam packed weekend filled with friends, firsts, and fun!

Raleigh, Cary, Apex

After leaving school an hour early Friday, I headed to the Raleigh area to see my friends. I arrived at Heather's house Friday to meet the girls for dinner; as well as meet the newest Sauls member, Jack. I arrived at Heather's house to see Heather, Rob, their boys Nathan and Jack; Jill, Casey and Elizabeth and their baby Grant; and Lisa and her daughter, Olivia. I felt pretty important! In the picture to the left, you see Nathan (3 1/2 year old) entertaining Olivia (6 months old). Nathan is a good big brother and is lots of fun to play with. After a dinner filled with new house plans, baby stuff, and wedding plans (yeah Jill!), I stayed with the Sauls. We got up Saturday morning and I was able to help take care of Jack while playing with Nathan at the same time! Amazing!

After breakfast, it was on to my next stop of the trip...the Lewis household! I arrived to see William, Jessica, and Eliza outside playing while Anna slept peacefully inside. After throwing discs (into the side of their house...oops!), drawing with chalk, and watching Eliza ride her scooter, it was inside for lunch and the Carolina basketball game. Jess made yummy pigs in a blanket for appetizers followed by homemade peanut butter with banana sandwiches! For those of you that don't know, Carolina won the game...easily! After the game, Jess, Eliza and I went over to see the Bryants. In addition to Ori and Asa, they welcomed another boy, Ilo in January. So, not only did I get to see the family, but I got to see the new house. However, all the memories are stuck in my head because I forgot to take my camera! After a yummy dinner together, I got to watch bathtime with the girls. Eating foam alphabet letters seemed to be the dessert of choice for the evening! I even got to read a bedtime story to Eliza! After breakfast, I went to see Aunt Laura for a rather quick visit. Hey, I'll take what I can get when someone comes home from CA!!! We caught up on the latest and even began planning my trip out there with mom in April!

As in the words of Jill: ' It was babypalooza' this weekend!

Whew...not it's time to rest!

Superbowl Weekend

Well, I won't say when I actually began this project! Instead, I'll just say that I finished the mosaic table project this weekend! Grandma Gribble had this old table, and was getting rid of it. I have always wanted to mosaic a table. So, it just couldn't have been a better match! To the left you see the before picture and obviously, the finished project is on the right. (I'm sharing this just so you know I've been up to something good!)

In addition to projects, homework, and cleaning; Travis and I managed to find some new recipes. Actually thanks to the cooking show as we were flipping through channels waiting for our Thursday night dinner to cook! I have actually never found myself watching it before, but I could see how people might get hooked! We decided to try them out for Superbowl Sunday. We cooked ribs and 'Mama's Black-eyed pea casserole' ...or at least that's what I think it's called! Either way, you can see we enjoyed the meal!