Am I Really 30?!!!

My birthday weekend began Friday afternoon when several of us from school went out to enjoy some quality time together. Saturday, my sweet mom decided to come up and spend the day with me. She and I enjoyed a lunch at Blue Sky (yummy!) , went to get pedicures, walked around downtown Asheville, then met up with Travis for dinner. After breakfast on Sunday, mom went back home. How sweet to come spend time with me!

On Sunday, Travis and I found a local water hole in the Pisgah. We put on our bathing suits, sunscreen, and headed out! Once we arrived, there were 6 butterflies fluttering around...neat-o! The water was FREEZING, but felt good since the temperature was in the 90's. We had our own private beach...very relaxing!

Monday was my real birthday and the LAST day of school! SO, it was a BIG party day! My assistant and her two daughters came to school on Sunday and decorated the K-1 hallway. (The big "30" I am standing beside was signed during the day by kids and teachers.) The kids and some teachers bought in gifts to fill up a basket. It was filled with items such as gift cards to Target& Subway, chocolate, lotions, and soaps. We had pizza delivered to school for lunch and let the kids ice a homemade cupcake with sprinkles! The kids sang to me and the principal even announced my b-day that morning! After school, a teacher had an adult only pool party which was a perfect way to end the day!




To come...Travis takes me to Hilton Head for my birthday!

Memorial Day Weekend

Saturday morning, we headed down to Augusta for CC (Travis' sister) high school graduation!!!!
I haven't been to a high school graduation since mine...what memories! She was certainly excited to been done with high school! I remember that feeling too!

Sunday afternoon, we were able to keep Zion! We played inside for a little bit, then decided to take her to the park; despite the rather warm weather. Maybe it just felt that way since we were used to the cooler mountain air. Either way, she loved the slide..as you can tell from the video! What a cutie! She is waiting the arrival of a little sister in September! **Oops, no video. New camera...have to figure out what I did wrong to download. So, just enjoy the pictures!

Check out Trooper...he was even Patriotic! I bought these necklaces for Zion and she kept putting them on Trooper. He is such a good dog!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!
On Sunday, we had breakfast for everyone at our house. Mom requested croissants, crisp bacon, and strawberries. To that I added grapes, cantaloupe, and a breakfast casserole.
After breakfast and a little bit of playing, everyone was on their way to see Grandma Gribble. Once everyone left, Travis and I crashed! It was a great long weekend, but definitely full of activity!

Graduation Evening

After a cook-out back at the house, Travis' parents and sweet Uncle Kyle all left for home. Thanks again to them for making the trip up to celebrate with me!
After supper, Travis, Trooper, and I took my family to Dupont State Forest. We walked down a easy trail to see a waterfall and let Sawyer throw rocks into the water. I think he's falling in love with the mountains already!!!

The Graduate!

Here are a few pictures taken right after I became a graduate!!!!

Graduation Weekend: Friday

Mom, Dad, Phillip, and Sawyer came up Friday morning before graduation. We had a relaxing lunch at my house; enjoying the warm afternoon sun! When Sawyer and PaPa laid down for their afternoon naps, we headed for a "hike". What was supposed to be a long hike turned into an hour drive to the hike, about a 30 minute hike, and another hour long drive home! Phillip said he wanted a view, so we gave him one! We drove him up the Parkway to the Art Loeb Trail.
As you can also see from the pictures, once we made it to the top it was extremely windy! (Phillip and I aren't really being blown away, we had you fooled though right?!)
"What a biew!"

Highlands

On Sunday, May 4th; We went up to Highlands for the day to see some friends. We saw Bryon, Meredith, and Keller's new house! Afterwards, Travis, Chris, a tired Skyler, and I headed down the road for a picnic lunch. I was only able to snap a few quick pictures before my batteries died! Enjoy what I have...

Saturday Afternoon

Last Saturday was a rainy day. I worked on my final paper in the morning and we decided to go to the movies early afternoon. We saw the movie 21. We both thought it was good; but man was it still expensive to go the movies!

After getting out of the movies, the sun was trying to peek through the clouds. So, we headed downtown Asheville to walk around. We started out at Mast General Store and ended up at a store we both love. The name has left my mind right now, but it's filled with different vendors. Every booth is a little different from the first. Everything is handmade. I have purchased photographs, pottery, and a necklace there before. This time, we both walked out empty handed. Either way, I enjoy walking around in downtown. You never know what or who you might see!

Game

Take Me Out To The Ballgame...
Sunday morning, Travis and I decided to catch the afternoon game of the Asheville Tourists. We headed downtown around 1:00, to have plenty of time for parking and walking to the game which started at 2:00. After purchasing box seats..for a whopping $10.00 a piece...we settled in for a warm sunny afternoon of baseball. (We actually discussed traveling to Atlanta on Sunday, but decided to save that for another day; hopefully soon!) It was about this time they announced that due to the large amounts of rain the days before, the game had been postponed until 3:00. They actually put the Braves game up on the "big" screen, so we had the best of both worlds!!!
Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I'm thinking this could be a reoccurring event!
(The picture was taken with my camera phone...but at least it shows how close we were!)

Easter Sunday

After the party, GiGi and Sawyer dyed Easter eggs. He made a "G" egg for GiGi, S for Sawyer, P for PaPa, M for Mommy, D for Daddy, B for Bethie, and T for Travis, Trooper, and our family friend Tate (all his ideas! He can recognize these letters...isn't he smart?!). Easter morning he found a basket full of McQueen (his new fav) stuff from the Easter bunny. When Trooper came out, he stopped looking and said to him, "Hi Troop. I got candy!" After church, we had just enough time to snap a few shots. There are videos and pictures to show the fun!

Easter Egg Hunt

To get mom and dad over to Kathryn's house, she told them she was having a Kitchen Open House and an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. The Kitchen Open House part was sort of a lie, but the egg hunt was actually for real. I was glad to see there would be one because that's all mom kept telling Sawyer Friday night and Saturday morning! I was afraid he might really be disappointed!!! Luckily, our family from D.C and NY were able to come down and bring along their kids too! So, Sawyer, Zoe, and Tommy were the egg finders! Once again, I'll let the videos and pictures speak for themselves.

Surprise Party!!!

On Saturday, March 22nd; We had a surprise 60th party for our parents, along with LOTS of help from Kathryn and Jim. This was the 1st surprise party I have been a part of and it was great! Although I will say I was ready for the party to happen...it's hard keeping secrets and getting your lies straight!!! I'll let the videos and pictures speak for themselves!

March into...

the woods! Last weekend, we set out for an afternoon hike. Along the way, I happened to look up just as we were passing this tree. I think it looks like a "heart" tree. You may think otherwise.
This weekend we spent mostly inside. I tried to get the flu Thursday, so Travis had to play doctor all weekend. He even woke me up when it was time for medicine! By Sunday, I was feeling much better! After working all day (on my portfolio and Travis on his business), Travis decided to burn all the "stuff" he had from fixing up our yard. Lots of excitement up here!!!!

Birds!!!

I know this video is not great and it turns sideways. However, my next step would be to learn editing! (I was trying to not get our neighbors house in the video.) Anyways, it's a video of the birds that gather in the trees in front of our house. The noise that sounds like a faucet running is thousands of birds talking, singing,...plotting against us! :) The first time we heard it from inside, we were shocked! This happens at least once a week and lately both days of the weekend! Sometimes even starting at 6:30 in the morning! It's really foggy here this morning, but those little black specks are the birds moving. Crazy! Gotta love nature!

Yonder Mountain

On Valentine's Day, Travis and Trooper picked me up early from school and we headed down to Athens, GA! We met up with our friends Chris and Brandy. That night, we saw Yonder Mountain String Band play at the Georgia Theater!!!! (The pictures are from Brandy's cell phone...pretty good I think!) We stayed with them until Saturday morning when we headed to Augusta to celebrate his grandmother's 80th birthday!
One week later, Yonder played at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium here in Asheville. So, once again we headed on a "mini tour"! Click here to see a video from this show!

Sittin on Top of The World!

Today (Sunday), we headed out to the Pisgah for a hike. Originally, we were going to climb Looking Glass Falls without Trooper. It's a long hike that we didn't think he is ready for yet. However, when we started out the door; he was just too excited! So, in the car he went!
We traveled through the Pisgah up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This time of year it's great because the road is closed to cars. So, you park in the lot at Cold Mountain and walk the road! It's beautiful and relaxing! Did I mention cold?! (check out the ice!)
You're on top of the world! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

Dog Days of ...Winter!

During the "good" Carolina game this past Wednesday night, it began snowing!!!! During halftime, Travis, Trooper, and I went outside to play in it! Troop wasn't so sure about it, but we enjoyed a snowball fight! We have been out of school every since! We got about 4 inches here but Thursday it was freezing rain, so we never made it outside to make a snowman. Maybe next time!

So, we have been basically inside since Thursday because of the cold temperatures. We have braved the cold long enough for quick grocery store stops, Church, and quick walks around the block. We are all ready to get outside though. If it's going to be this cold...we should have feet of snow! 9 degrees is far from warm! Trooper sums it all up in these photos!
(In case you can't tell, he is laying on his bed with his bear beside him... to lazy or bored to play anymore!!! )

Happy Birthday Mom!

On Saturday, January 12th; my mom celebrated her 60th birthday! I surprised her by showing up at breakfast Saturday morning. Kathryn and Jim graciously allowed me to stay with them Friday night. I woke Saturday morning, got ready, and headed down to Hill's to decorate the table! Everyone got there and we waited and waited. Mom finally arrived! Jane made some corrections to her napkin...60 & Super & Slow! After mom got all "dressed up" the party started!
After breakfast, we did a few things around the house. Mom wanted to go see a movie since she hadn't been to the movies in about 10 years! So, we headed to the movies with all intentions of seeing P.S. I Love You; but once we got to the ticket counter, The Bucket List had won!
Overall it was a: Great movie! Great birthday! Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Starting 2008!

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Holiday Season

Celebrating Christmas lasted from Sunday in Georgia to the day after Christmas in North Carolina. Travis and I were able to spend time with both families; celebrating with his before Christmas and mine after Christmas. I took some pictures from the Georgia Christmas, but realized after everyone had left that I never took a picture of the NC time. Every time I went to get my camera, there were already 2 cameras and one video going. So, you'll have to wait for the Gribble's to update their page to see Christmas with the cutest kid!
It was great to see everyone though. My family from California came into town for the celebration after Christmas at Kathryn and Jim's house. As always, we had a blast together! Looks like I'll have to plan another trip out there soon...maybe for my 30th b-day this summer?!
For now, enjoy these pictures of Christmas! Hope everyone had a great one!


The best news at Christmas was...
COMING SOON: A New Baby Gribble in July!!!!!!!!!!
Sawyer is going to be a big brother!

Flowers

Travis surprised me with this last week!
Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was spent back home again this year. Unfortunately many of the family did not get to come into town this year. However, we had a great time with the family that was around! Of course, most of the focus (who am I kidding? All the focus!) was spent around Sawyer! Here are a few pictures from "making" breakfast with GiGi while daddy and mommy were still sleeping:




And here he is "reading" to us before bath time...I think he's a genius!!!