Sweet Caroline

Early Saturday morning we headed up to Lake Lure/Chimney Rock, NC for a quick mountain getaway with some friends.  I always love to try and squeeze in one mountain trip in the fall and we are so glad this worked out!  We ate an early lunch downtown Chimney Rock and then headed to the park to do some hiking and take on Chimney Rock.  Side note- I have pretty bad anxiety with heights/edges with my kids...  I was terrified, but Mikey kept Collins and I death gripped the boys on the top and we survived.  Yes, there's a fence, but still.  It makes me a nervous wreck.  We hiked about a 1.5 mile trail (total) that ended at a 404 ft tall waterfall, it was gorgeous.  It was a bit foggy that day so the views at the top weren't the best, but it was still pretty cool.  The kids had a blast and are definitely asking when we can go "hike a mountain" again.  Our cabin was so perfect and cozy and had a hot tub, which the kids AND adults took advantage of!  This area is such a short 2

Goodness, pure goodness. We had three full, wonderful days celebrating Thanksgiving (Wednesday- Friday) with no school, work, or extra curricular activities- just plenty of family time. It was my favorite. We actually started the festivities Tuesday night with a visit from my best friend and her little girl who live in LA and we never get to see, it was just a few hours, but so, so good to catch up in person.  We hosted Mikey’s family Wednesday afternoon and then headed to the zoo for the lights before Christmas and a special visit with Santa. We relaxed most of the day Thursday until it was time to head to my parents house to celebrate with my family. And Friday was spent playing, riding bikes, online shopping and going to see the Grinch! So fun and festive were we:-). I absolutely hated to see this holiday come to an end. I’m just so incredibly thankful for the many blessings in my life - days are long and sometimes hard, but life is short and I’m trying to remember that on a daily b

How in the world are we already here at Thanksgiving week?!  I know everyone else feels the same way, Halloween was like 2 days ago and now we are gearing up for the most fattening week of the year.  But, let me be clear, Thanksgiving is also one of my favorite holidays.  I love the "simplicity" of Thanksgiving compared to Christmas- it's a time where we can just BE with our families and loved ones... no craziness of the Christmas season, a time of true fellowship where there is no agenda.  I am so excited because I took off Wednesday-Friday to enjoy some much needed DOWN time with my little fam.  I don't want to cram every second full, just enjoy "being" with my people.  We got our Thanksgiving festivities started Friday night at a little Friendsgiving event, where we took no pictures.   Actually, I took no pictures all weekend, WTF.  Saturday was spent gettin' blonder, taking some family pics, relaxing, and then going to hang out with friends Saturda

Last week was extremely emotional around my part of the world.  My SIL (my brother's wife) lost her dad suddenly and we all loved that man, and he was without a doubt, my SIL and niece and nephew's BIGGEST fan.  And then, on the night of his funeral- I learned that a dear  friend for life lost her husband suddenly.  I was in their wedding 14 years ago and she was pregnant with her second child in our wedding- she's like my older sister and I am simply devastated and heartbroken for her and her babies (who aren't really babies anymore).  Life is hard, friends.  Life is also way too short.  It just got me thinking about the way we treat one another and live our day to day.  I'm making it a personal motto to try and spread more LOVE and KINDNESS everywhere I go.  I ride around and see people get so pissed driving and honking horns...in the grand scheme of things, does it really matter? Or being rude to a sales person.... or getting feisty on facebook over something you