Thursday, February 23, 2012

Our trip to Biltmore

We spent last weekend in Asheville, NC.

It was a fun weekend - I got to hang out and catch up with one of my dearest friends Kelly and her gang and we took the kids to Biltmore.  Al had never been either so this was killing two birds with one stone (so to speak.) 

I was VERY surprised that the kids had such a good time.  I was expecting them to hate it - especially since it was raining and COLD - but they were in awe of Biltmore.  O even said that she wanted to build a house as big as it when she grew up.  Yeah, probably not going to happen O!


I was sort of disappointed in the gardens.  And yes, I know it's February but still.  There was nothing but DIRT.  The Greenhouse was fabulous though (and not because it was warm and dry but that certainly helped!) and was probably my favorite part of our tour.  The flowers and plants in there was so beautiful that a few didn't even look real.  I would have touched, but that would have led the kids to pulling leaves off of everything and us kicked out.  So I refrained.  Especially the boy - he would have knocked over some priceless tree or something and we'd be on Headline News.

O will tell you that we toured all 250 rooms of Biltmore, but I can assure you that we did not.  I do think we climbed every single stair at least twice though.  My legs were so sore the next day, they hurt when I blinked.  And I run so that just goes to show you how much walking up and down you do!  Cooper's favorite room was the pool (of course) but he kept referring to it as "the big bathtub."  He did great with his audio guide, which really surprised me.  O swears her audio guide said the Vanderbilt's daughter's name was Lila but I heard it 100 times and it was always Cornelia.   She hears what she wants too folks, that's all I can say.

I do want to go back in the spring when the gardens are in bloom and it's not freezing cold.  Or raining.  Of all the days to finally rain, it just had to be the day we went.  Oh well.  We still had a good time and the kids even passed out on the way home and didn't fight as much.


Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Birthday Big Brother!

Happy Birthday Martin!!!! 



You are quite possibly the world's best brother (it helps that you live far away) and the kids love you to pieces!  We all hope you have a fantastic birthday and hope to see you soon! 

Even Al.  And that says a lot. 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Road Trip

I'm so giddy about our road trip starting tomorrow, I can't stand myself! 

We're heading up to Asheville, NC to go to Biltmore on Sunday.  Al and the kids have never been, and I went so long ago I don't remember much, so I thought we'd make a trip out of it.  Tickets were on sale and the kids get in FREE....so why not?  :)

We're going up tomorrow and having dinner with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Kelly and her gang.  I haven't seen my friend in a few years so it'll be nice to catch up.  I miss her so much!  It's nice to have a few friends that have been around pretty much your entire life and STILL love you.  Kelly is one of those friends for me.  I don't know what I would without her. 

So, be on the lookout for some pictures!  Not sure if you're allowed to take them in the Biltmore, but if you are, you know I'll be shooting.  I just hope the kids aren't bored.  I plan on bribing them with a trip to the fancy "Biltmore themed" McDonald's if they do well!  Wish me luck!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to my loyal bloggers!!!

Al surprised me with flowers. He's the best people. For reals.

The kids had a dance at school and came home with lots of goodies. THA had gifts parents could buy to be given out at school and O was giddy that she got one. Cooper was a typical boy about it. Ha!

My little monsters are my best valentine's though!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Kids at the park

Just a few pictures of the kids at the park.

And no, I did not pick out O's outfit!

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

TNA Wrestling

Al and I took the kids to see wrestling at the Civic Center. Coop is a HUGE, huge fan of wrestling. It's seriously the only thing that boy thinks about.

We had floor seats so we were pretty close to the action! Which was pretty cool. We even got autographs from Jeff Hardy, Gail Kim, ODB, Eric Young, and AJ Styles. I don't think the kids will forget it for awhile. :)

Even Al was happy - his idol, Rick Flair (wwwhhhhoooooo!) was there.