Happy Birthday, Steph

I am going to rewind back about 10 days. While we were in North Carolina I got a facebook message from one of my best friend's husband's about surprising said best friend for her birthday in Asheville. Asheville is about 30 minutes from where we stay in Maggie Valley, so I jumped on board. On Friday night, the 30th, Tim and I headed over to the Biltmore Village and spent some time alone together before we had to meet up with the other couple for dinner. 

We found a really cool hotel and decided to take some pictures in the lobby.

Being the weirdos that we are.

At least we are weirdos together.

Paul (Stephanie's husband) picked a restaurant called Salsa's for our dinner, so we met them there to surprise Steph.

I would say mission accomplished.

Aren't they cute?

The presentation of food at this place was ridiculous.

This was the salsa trio platter.

My Chicken Enchiladas

Tim's lava bowl with salmon and shrimp

Birthday Cupcake

Birthday Hats

This is a ridiculous story, so I won't bore you with every detail.

Only a few . . .

Tim found some newspaper from 1942 that he just had to buy.

He found this paper in a store that was closing its doors for the last time that night.

Isn't that convenient?

We walk in and the owner walks up to us in his black trench coat saying, "40% off everything in the store.  Area 52, no taxes.  The government will never know.  We are closing our doors tonight."

Sketchy much?

Obviously, it didn't bother the husbands that much as evidenced by the artifacts seen in the picture.

Steph is about to have her first baby.

Is she not glowing?

Before Tim and I went back to our condo, we stopped to see the Bed and Breakfast Paul and Steph were staying in for the weekend.

Last but not least is this lovely picture of Paul at the table.

Doesn't he look ready to eat?

We were so, so honored to spend Stephanie's birthday dinner with her.

She was my roomate in college for three years, and one of my very best friends in the world.

We were in each other's weddings.

I can't wait to watch her be a mom and be able to spoil her little munchkins like she spoils mine.

Steph,

You are such a wonderful friend.

I absolutely love you and can't wait to meet your daughter.

I am so thankful Paul thought to invite us to your birthday this year.

It was so special, and I will never forget the surprised look on your face.

You are a once in a lifetime friend to me, and I hope you know I want to be the same to you.

Love,

Lou

Insta-Friday 12-24 to 1-6

Here is your peek into my last two weeks through the lense of the old (and by old, I mean new) iphone. Linking up with Life Rearranged.  

This is the one picture I got of the monkey bread for our Christmas brunch.

It was during step number one before the bread rises over night.

Doesn't look good now, but it sure does taste good later.

  

Our luggage at the Greenville airport.

  

Just in case you ever wonder what a little guy looks like in a fat coat.

My favorite snow hat of the trip.

Little Bear

This is a close second.

The professional skier.

We were really excited about our hot coffee in super cold Asheville.

I made this delicious meal last night.

And as you can see we ate it on paper plates.

So why did this still happen?

It is truly a mystery.

While making the previous picture's dinner I whipped these babies out.

Pancakes are so easy to make and freeze.

I should really do it more often.

Could his profile be cuter?

I sure don't think so.

Why is it that when one has something the other must have it too?

This picture holds lettuce, lemons, strawberries, blackberries and a 5 lb. bag of potatoes.

Got it for 8 bucks.

I love our produce market.

We had an unplanned picnic at my mom's house today because she wasn't home when we got there.

Good thing my dad had the foreknowledge to put benches on the front porch.

Happy Weekend!

Vacation in the Mountains

On December 27th we left for our annual vacation to Maggie Valley, North Carolina. It is a beautiful spot to vacation, so we do so the same week every year and have been for as long as I can remember. My parents own a condo there, and Tim's family comes as well. It is truly a family vacation with all those people.  

I love pictures of little kids looking out airplane windows.

Such awe.

Cute hat on a cute boy.

It snowed the first day we were there, and we took full advantage.

We are six for six with boys between Tim's sister and I.

Cray-zee.

We went to the mountain for a day of skiing and snowboarding.

Here we are waiting in a huge line for a bus after parking a mile away.

That is a different story for a different day.

Aunt Kim helped the boys pass the time with some snow man building.

Action shot

Daddy took George up the mountain this year for the first time.

He did so great.

Self-portrait on the chair lift.

The little town right next to Maggie Valley is called Waynesville.

They have an adorable downtown, and we walk it every year.

Here is the evidence of our stroll this year:

They have a Mast General Store with a candy section like none other.

This is what Ethan did most of our vacation . . .

We ate dinner as one big group in a restaurant.

Here is what we looked like:

We had so much fun on vacation this year.

Tim let me sleep in most days, and that alone made my trip divine.

I am taking a break from vacation photos for Insta-Friday tomorrow.

We will pick back up Monday with our photographs of a day trip Tim and I took to Asheville.

Fun, fun.