Goodbye Asheville!

Just a few more fun pictures from Asheville. It was sad to leave on Friday and know we aren't coming back for a while, but we are excited for our trip to Utah! Our summer is off to a great start...

The NC Arboretum is a gorgeous place to explore. And to make it even more fun, the kids got to use the Arboretum's discovery backpacks that came with treasures like binoculars, bug-catching equipment, field journals, and--Liza's favorite--bandaids.

Grant and his buddy Matthew

Since Mark had to work all day, the kids and I would go out and explore. These three are pretty fun to hang out with.

We loved having the Preeces come play!

We stopped by Music on Main one Friday night and did some dancing with the kids and lots of older folks :)

Downtown in Pack Square

Showing off their treasure from the Colburn Earth Science Museum

Splashville!

Making the drive home from Asheville, once again

Asheville Adventures -- The Biltmore

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is one of my favorite places. I went with some friends the first year we lived here in NC, then Mark and I went for our anniversary this past year, and then I was able to share it all with my kiddos this summer. The grounds are amazing, with beautiful gardens and lakes and walking paths and mountain views, a farmyard, a winery, a fun ice cream shop... I even got up the courage one morning and took all 3 kids on a speedy tour through the house. The Biltmore is the largest home in America, and it is really something to think that it was all built before 1900. I will miss hanging out there, but I'm sure we'll be back!

Having a snack before our tour of the house

Checking out the kitchen garden

Our friends the Preeces came to play with us for a couple of days last week

I looked over and saw that Grant and Liza were reading the little sheep a book about sheep. :)

Kimball and Ashley were serious about their checkers game

The root beer float was good, but the dreamsicle float was amazing!

That sun dial was really cool. I want one in my yard someday. 

Grant was very proud of the ladybug he caught

My lovely friend Jenny

Anyone want to come out a visit us? If you ask really nice I might take you to the Biltmore. :)

Chimney Rock

We are loving being a family here in Asheville! After more than a month of living apart (with Mark working in Asheville and me at home with the kids finishing up school), it is so nice to be all together. Today Mark had the day off, so we headed out to Chimney Rock State Park and spent the day hiking and exploring that beautiful place. It was rainy all morning but cleared up nicely in the afternoon. Rain or shine, we were determined to enjoy our day! :)

Umbrellas actually make great hiking gear!

Not sure who these weirdos are... (and yes, Mark does have a mustache in these pics. He did it to tease me about him trying to fit in more with the Asheville crowd.)

Lunch in the van--perfect place for a picnic in the rain 

We ARE enjoying ourselves :)

Even though we're atop Chimney Rock here, these two are happy just playing with rocks and puddles.

Buddies

I'm so glad I caught this little moment. These two fight a lot but really are cute friends.

Grant got SOAKED in the waterfall and loved every minute of it (until the ride home, of course)

Enjoying the view atop Chimney Rock (once the sky cleared!)

The fam

Touching snakes

Petting the groundhog--who was happily nibbling on a sweet potato! :)

I always love seeing new places and having new adventures with my family. So even though today was exhausting (we hiked more than 5 miles and climbed hundreds of stairs) and wet, it was a happy day.

Sunshine Lavender Farm

Our cute friend Miss Pam invited us to visit her brother and sister-in-law's lavender farm for the harvest celebration. The Andersen family joined us, and all of us had a fabulous day at the farm. It was oh so beautiful up there and the weather was perfect. We saw ponies and horses, learned all about lavender and its many uses, made fun lavender crafts, had a picnic, and even ate lavender ice cream. On the way home Grant asked me, "Can we go back again next year?" Yes! :)

Miss Pam and the crew, eating yummy lavender ice cream

Kate and Grant brushing Daisy the pony

Kimball and Kate made lavender wands, and I made a lavender basket. Liza and Grant chose to make little bags of dried lavender.

In the middle of the lavender garden. Look at that cute house in the background. The whole farm was seriously picture perfect!

Riding Trotter, the most kid-friendly horse there. :) 

Grant loved this horse

Checking out the horse pasture. Don't you love Liza's boots ?