Our Labor Day Trip

We hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Unfortuantely I had to work all weekend, finishing up reports, and poor Jason did not have much to do, but relax :) So we decided to take Monday off (like normal people) and travel over to Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Unfortunately, the weather was not very good...there was an unexpected front that came through and when we first got there visibility was zero! But we decided to enter the park anyway and we were glad we did. After a nice lunch at the restaurant, the temp jumped up a little from the initial 58 and the clouds cleared out a little. Later, we decided to trek over to Linville Falls and enjoyed a nice hike to the Erwin Lookout.

Enjoy the pictures!

Me at the bear exhibit - Just for you Suz!!

And Jason - feeling not so happy about being so close to black bears...

Next we visited the Eagles - this one's for you Brooke...he's bathing...

Next we went to Split Rock...literally a split rock...which is over 461 billion years old

This is a picture of me at another split rock...I like to call this one "Kellee in the Crevasse," for those of you who are nature freaks like me and LOVE the show "Man in the Wild" you would understand that it is not pronounced "Crevice" but "Cre-vasse" with the emphasis on the "asse".

Jason by the road...

And then Jason relaxing by the fudge shop :) Looks like our front porch!

Next, we climbed out on some cliffs...unfortunatley, that zero visibility thing came into play here...

It's funny that although everyone climbs out on these cliffs like it's nothing, Jason and I were nervous being that we are SUCH HUGE CLUTSES!

No explaination needed!

If Jason had a thought bubble in this picture, it would say..."Let me get this straight...you want me to walk across WHAT?!? And it's secured HOW?!? The things I do for love..."

More pictures of us...on big cliffs...

Next, because he's such a great husband and married to such a nature freak...I convinced Jason to hike down a trail below the bridge with me...This is us in front of a cave...I wanted to go in but that was where Jason drew the line :) Can you see the thrill on my face? :)

Jason insisted that I add this picture - his favorite that he took today...

On our way out of the park...this is Jason with Grandfather Mountain in the background...And me...

Next, we headed over to Linville Falls, where again, I convinced Jason to hike quite a way...this is us at the top of the overlook...You can just see the waterfall in the background...the river is VERY high right now!

A better view of the waterfall...

Just chillin' at the top of the world...

This is at a lower observation area, right next to the vortex of rushing water...I wonder how deep that water is...

Jason and I by the upper part of the waterfall...

After that, we headed North on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Boone, where we ate a YUMMY dinner at the Daniel Boone Inn! A full day of exploring, exercise, yummy food, BEAUTIFUL scenery...and home before dark...I know I've asked this before, but honestly...how could you possibly want to live ANYWHERE else?!?

Smooches!

Our Weekend In Florida

Jason and I ventured down to Florida to visit family and to attend my 10 year high school reunion! 10 years - where has the time gone?!? We had a WONDERFUL trip and I am FINALLY getting time to post the pictures!

We flew into Orlando on Thursday, 8/14, so that we could spend some time with my family. This is Jason and Mom, enjoying a glass of wine after our long flight...

This is my dad, showing us how much weight he's lost by going to the gym...he had to tie his clothes on!!

The next day we stayed at Suz's house all day and ate and relaxed! This is a picture of me at the pool with Doolie (her kitty)...

This is Jason and I ate the pool...it wasn't very sunny, but when you're as white as I am and you're planning on wearing a black dress for your reunion the next night...you'll take what you can get :)

This is me and Mom and Suz in the kitchen...

This is Me and my Dad and my cousin Dee...

Jason playing Jenga with my cousins Dakota and Dillon...

Me and Dakota and Dillon...

Me and Jim...

Me and Dakota...

And even Mike, one of my favorite friends from high school, stopped by to see us!

All the girls...from the left we have Cassie, me, Suz, Dee, Mom, and Dakota...

The next day we left bright and early for Ft. Lauderdale! On our way, we stopped in and saw Amy (my other mother and wonderful boss) in the hospital...she's doing much better! Then we headed to Misty's house...this is a picture of her boys, Dylan and Landon!

Kether, my good friend from Canada, and her two girls were at Misty's too. This is Kether and I with Tessa (the older girl) and Kara!

Jason LOVED Baby Landon and enjoyed caring for him while we were at Misty's!

These are some pictures from the reunion...

Me and Misty and Kether...

My good friend in high school and my best friend in college (and my roomate throughout college) Kristina and her boyfriend (and Jason's life partner...long story) Pedro...

Like I said...here's Jason and his life partner...Pedro...

Me and one of my favorite girls...Elysia!

Me and Rob (Misty's husband)...

Misty and Jason and Rob...

Me and Afsheen - we have been in school together since 4th grade!

Me and my friend Christine Smith (ironic name...isn't it Misty)...

Me and Kether with our friends Christina and Michelle!

The ladies...Kether, Misty, Elysia, me, and Kristina...

And the boys...Christopher, me, and Mitchell...

Me and my friend, Gigi...

Me and Chris and Mel...

And last but not least...just for you, Cascia...

Thanks to everyone who made this trip so wonderful! We had a great time!

As most of you know - last week Jason's stepfather, Greg, underwent a liver transplant. Thanks for all of your wonderful thoughts and prayers. Greg is doing very well and is recovering from the transplant now. I had to throw this picture in, even though some of you have already seen it :) We are watching Jason's mother and stepfather's dog, Kona, right now, as they will be at Duke for a while. This is a picture of me working last night, with Kona, assisting :)

The Virginia Highlands Festival

Jason and I decided to kidnap his mom and travel over to the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon on Sunday. It was a great festival with live music, lots of food, and tons of booths with cute little crafts. Right up my alley. Enjoy the pictures and I hope you're all doing well!!! Can't wait to see some of you in 2 weeks for our 10 year reunion!!!

Creeper Trail in Late July!

On Sunday, Jason and I decided to take a break from the norm and get a little outdoor fix. We rented bikes and biked 18 miles on the Creeper Trail in Damascus, Virginia. We had a BLAST and it's truly amazing how good the outdoors can make you feel!!!

This is me on my bike on the trail...

Jason on his bike...

This is a Christmas tree farm up on the mountain...

This is Jason by some Rhododendrone by the creek...

Enjoying the cool creek!

Riding through the valley...