Labor Day

This year, on Labor Day weekend, we stayed home!! (well, mostly)  This was so nice because it seems like every time there is a 3-day weekend, we are traveling somewhere so kind of missing out on all the relaxing we could be getting in at home.  But, this time, we stayed and relaxed.

However, we did decide to go hiking with Roy in the NC mountains.  We have not been much at all this year, so I really wanted to go.  We went to Chimney Rock, which is part of Grandfather Mountain (about 1.5 hours from our house).  Side note:  Several movies have been filmed here.   The most famous is The Last of the Mohicans.   Pretty cool!  It seems like a lot of movies are filmed in this part of the country (including Charlotte).

Anyway, back to our hike:   some of the trails were blocked off, due to renovations, so the parts we were on involved a LOT of steep climbing.  We were a little concerned about Roy's joints during all the climbing, so we decided not to go all the way to the top.   But we did get lots of fun pictures:

Taking a break near a waterfall

View to the top of the waterfall - it's pretty dry today

Us at the top of "Chimney Rock"

View of the town of Chimney Rock from the top of "Chimney Rock"

Parents Weekend: Part 4

And you thought we were done with the "Parents Weekend" posts!  Well, one more...my parents, Nick and Terry, came for a short stay the weekend following Matt's parents.  They were initially supposed to come earlier that summer, but due to a major water leak at my grandma's house, the trip was postponed until August.  They arrived on a Thursday night and left on Saturday morning (as I said, a very short trip!)  In fact, the drive here and back home took more time than they were actually here!  Unfortunately, the Friday that they were here we had a huge storm that lasted all day, so their plans to visit places in the area were ruined.  They did come to see me for lunch in Charlotte and I got to show them my new office.  We went out to eat that night, and got in a few pictures on Saturday before they left.

Parents Weekend: Part 3

Sunday morning we relaxed at home, and then in the afternoon, drove to a winery to listen to more music and, of course, enjoy the wine!  Matt and I had been to the same winery about a year ago and they occasionally have musicians  perform, so we thought it would be fun to take his parents and go again.

That day - July 31st - was also Carolyn's birthday!!  We surprised her with a cake and presents that evening.

Happy birthday!!

The next morning (Monday) Carolyn and Ron packed up and made the long trek back to MO.  We were sad to see them go.  Even Roy was a little mopey after they left.  What a great weekend!  (and it only took 3 blog posts to show all the fun!)

Parents Weekend: Part 2

Saturday we were very busy with Carolyn and Ron.  In the morning, Carolyn and  I went to yoga while Matt and Ron went to the gun range.  In the afternoon, we went flat-water kayaking at the Whitewater Center.  Matt and I had never been, so I wasn't sure if I would like it, but we had a blast!  It was a very hot day so nice to be on the water.  Then, that night we went to see a local band perform.

Getting everyone sprayed down with sunscreen

We had to wait about 30 minutes before we could get our gear and go down to the water because it was so busy that day. 

Matt got a tandem kayak so he'd have enough room for Roy to sit.  Too bad Roy was a little nervous the whole trip!! This was his permanent position in the kayak - standing up, staring at Matt, and making it difficult to paddle!

Having fun!

 Roy enjoying a swim to cool down

Parents Weekend: Part 1

Matt's parents, Ron and Carolyn, came out to visit the last weekend in July.  They got here on Thursday evening and stayed until Monday morning.  It was an action-packed weekend!  On Friday, Matt and I both had to work, so they spent a relaxing day with Roy at the Whitewater Center.  

Roy enjoyed his front-seat ride!

That night we took them to our favorite steakhouse and had a great time!

Stay tuned for Part 2!!

Fun over the 4th

This year for the July 4th weekend, we decided to go to Asheville NC since we've never been but heard it's a fun place.  It's only about a 2 hour drive from our house up to the mountains.  We left on Saturday the 2nd and spent that day walking around Asheville.  It was a great place for people-watching and outdoor music.  We stopped for a while at a few different parks that had free concerts going on. 

The next day we went to the Biltmore Estate.  It's the largest home in America and is open for tours of the house, gardens, winery, and farm.  It was built in the late 1800's.  It was very hot on the day we were there, but surprisingly fairly cool in the house, considering there was no air-conditioning.

We took several pictures inside the house until we noticed that no one else seemed to be using their cameras.  Whoops!

Ceiling in the atrium

Organ above the dining table

 Matt outside on one of the many balconies.  There was a great view of the mountains behind him.  We also saw a "swimming pool" room, a bowling alley, and a huge library in the house, but by that point, I was a little nervous taking pictures so we didn't get any of those!  But they were very impressive. 

At the farm, they had lots of the original equipment on display. Reminded Matt of life on the farm!

Rockin' it Southern Style

As my siblings all know, I played piano for many years when I was younger but quit when I was in high school and never looked back, despite many threats by my parents that I would one day regret it.  Well...I haven't.  But I have been thinking for several years about learning a new instrument, and recently I finally did something about it. 

I'm taking fiddle lessons - I think I've had about 5 or 6 lessons since June.  I can now play about 3 1/2 songs very slowly!! :)  It has been fun learning to play something new.  I like listening to bluegrass - Matt and I listen to it a lot on his XM radio when we travel - so I am learning some bluegrass songs. 

My teacher (who is only 16!) is in a local bluegrass band and we went to watch her band a few weeks ago.  She keeps telling me I sound good but I think I'm pretty squeaky most of the time.  Speaking of that, I better go practice now - I've got a lesson in 2 days!