Bele Chere 2012

  Our lives in Asheville would not be complete without Bele Chere every year.  This year Andrew had a work conference so we were only able to make it down one of the nights, but we had a great time... despite that lovely heat!  Thank goodness for an air conditioned kids area! :)

Ben and his Crazy Bele Chere Hat... you can't see it, but there is a large orange and blue spider perched on top.  :)

Naomi and her Crazy Hat :)

Our friend Mark, the Balloon Guy... he Rocks!!!!

Naomi and her "Lellow Boon!" from Mr. Mark!

Two children high on Sunshine and the Chocolate Lounge Coconut Macaroon Brownie

Bye House!

This was our first house. 
We laid all the tile and hardwood, put in all the trim and interior doors.
Painted its walls.
Brought home two babies.
Had more parties that I can count.

Many, many memories made here!  Time to make them in a new home!  

 At the end of July I was able to escape with my Titus 2 group for 3 days at Dottie's family's lake house in Greenwood, SC.  What an amazing escape it was too!! 

We all attempted to water ski, rode around the lake in the boat, cooked meals together and ate them on the screened in porch, played Bananagrams until way too late, and did all the other things that 6 women do when they are away for a few days (and a few things that most women probably don't! :). 

Dinner on the Dock!

The beginning of 3 days of bliss.  :)

Dottie attempting to teach us how to water ski.

Becki - getting her Water Ski face on!

Melanie - after an attempt at water skiing!

We Celebrated Lara's 24th Birthday!  Chocolate Cake!!

Dottie & her Amazing Hat!

Weeds...

I may have let the weeds get a little out of hand while getting the house ready to rent.  I will be glad not to have any flower beds to weed for a while. :)

Sweet Cheeks

Moving!

 Well, we have moved!!  Long story... but to make it as short as possible...we have tried to sell our house for several years, and when Andrew lost his job in April we put it in the rental market, not knowing where we might end up.  God then provided an amazing job in May...in Asheville, however by the time we decided to stay it had already rented!!  :)  So we moved!!  So, we are now in a 2-bedroom townhouse that is less than half the size of the old house, but 2 minutes from church, grandparents, the mall, grocery stores... and walking distance to the park and the library!  So, hopefully we can save some money and have a good time doing it! :) 

A BIG BIG thank you to all the friends and family that helped us move!  We loaded the truck, unloaded the truck, scrubbed the old house and mostly unpacked the new in less than 6 hours!  It was awesome!!

Atop Mattress Mountain!

Mama's "Helper!"

Night Before The Move!

The New Kitchen!

Who Needs Normal...

... when you have a 2 year old that drinks rain water off the deck like a dog??? Normal is for the birds.

Wipe Out!

This is what happens after your Uncle comes for only 3 days and you don't want to miss a minute!

July 4th!

 We had a wonderful, crazy, jam-packed 4th of July!  My brother Micah flew down for a few days, as did his roommate Nate, and we managed to pack-it-in!!  Here are a few pictures, although I am not sure if accurately shows the chaos that was the three days (between missed flights, 3 trips to the Greenville airport, 2 kids, and 3 LATE nights... well, you get the picture!).  But I think it shows the fun! Watch the video in the next post to get an even better idea!

Ben & Micah at the Dupont State Park Waterfalls!

My 4th of July Pies!!  Blackberry, Peach and Blackberry/Peach! 

Micah & Naomi all ready for the 4th!

Siblings and a squished nephew (Leah, Ryan, Ben & Micah) at Tupelo Honey on the 4th! 

The "Other Halves :)" Meredith (Ryan's Wife), Nate (Micah's roommate) and Andrew (the hubby :).

Patriotic Sangria!! 

Yes, he paid REAL money for those shoes.  And just in case you thought they were a little much, there is a picture of Uncle Sam on the bottom. :)

At the Tourist Game!

Melanie & I!! 

Waiting to get on the field to watch the fireworks!

Aren't We Cute in Red, White & Blue?? :)

Zip Lining for Micah's 25th Birthday!!!!  (We also tried the Purple Bus Tour, but they hit a parked car 20 minutes in and well... that was the end of that...)

That's Right Folks, I really did it! 

Welcome to the Quarter Century Club!!!!

July 4th "Weekend" Video

My brother Micah came to visit for the 4th of July and for his birthday on the 5th!  It was a whirlwind few days (hiking, baseball game, zip lining, birthday party, fireworks and more!) but we had an amazing time!!  He has a GoPro camera, so here is a little video he created!!