Grove Park Inn

A couple of weeks ago a friend called and said she had a night at the Grove park Inn and could not go and was I intersted. Of course but I was sure David would have to work (he always does when something really special comes up-like Christmas Day-ha). I couldn't believe it when I looked on the calendar and he was off the exact days.
This place was amazing! The Grove Park Inn was bulit in 1913 in Ashville, NC. We got there late on Sunday and went straight to the pool where we enjoyd a couple of hours of R&R then a beautiful dinner on the terrace. The view was amazing and it was a gorgeous night! We woke up early Monday and headed to the Spa to see if was even possible for us to go in. The Lord blessed us again with a great deal and we entered the most amzing place I have ever been to. The spa cost 40 million dollars to build! It's rated in the top 5 of spas. I can't even describe it to you in words. There were 2 hot tubs, inside pool, outside pool, sauna, steam bath. When we arrived they gave you your own shoes and robe. We had the best day and pretty soon it was time to pack up and go home. Thank you NaNa and PaPa, Chelle, and Tomari for helping with the kids. I will never forget this trip.

"This ole world we're livin in is mighty hard to beat. We get a thorn with every rose but ain't the roses sweet." Engraved in stone beside a HUGE fireplace in the lobby.

WHAT A ROSE THIS TRIP WAS!

A Great Day In Jasper

This was the first thing we saw when we arrived at the cabin. They did not even move while I took these pictures.



Mom and the cousins on the front porch (Jacob was at camp).



Fun at the pool.

My brother has a cabin in Jasper that we have been going to off and on for about 14 years. We have so many memories there of the kids growing up. They have missed coming for many years because, well, you know, kids change our lives! My nephew Allan had tennis matches near the cabin this year so they were able to come. We met up with them on Tuesday. Mom came with them and we had such a good time swimming and cooking out. But GREATLY missed was my sister and her four children!

There's something about that cabin that just relaxes you. Boy, I could have used a few more days there!

What A Difference A Week Makes

Well, we did not have the best Staycation and we continued to struggle (and are still struggling a little bit) with Jenna's "tummy issues". Friday we tried to go to the mall and had to turn around and come home. Throw up at Ruby Tuesday was not all that much fun! But last week took a turn for the better. We had a fantastic day Wednesday at Lake Lanier. The weather was great, the kids did great, even played together. Jenna LOVED water slides. She went down with me on the inner tubes. Every time she got off she would say: "That was awesome!" and the people around us would just laugh. We stayed the entire day and had such a good time.

A Great Week

The traditional "muscle" picture.


Celebrating Jared and Daddy's birthday at Red Lobster.


Aunt Jonnie and Jenna at the pool.




It seems like I am always catching up with my blogging. We had a great time at my aunt's a couple of weeks ago. The weather was great. David and I would start the day with a 3 mile walk which I really enjoyed. It's amazing how much you can talk about in such a short time without kids! We would spend all morning in the pool and then do some fun things in the afternoon. Thursday we saw Kung Fu Panda for Jared's birthday and Friday the boys saw The Hulk while the girls went shopping. We're always so thankful for our time with Aunt Jonnie (Uncle Don is in Kansas helping out with the family farm). Thank you for such a great time!

We're Off!!!

Tomorrow we leave for my Aunt's in South Carolina. This is always a treat for us. She has a pool, great food, shopping, great food and we always have so much fun! Did I say great food? Ha. Let's just hope I don't gain too much weight this week.

Magical Week-Tuesday

Wow! What a day. I love the Magic Kingdom. We started our day with breakfast at Crystal Palace then had the rest of the day to ride! We all rode Space Mountain (except Mom and Jenna, of course). Jenna did all the fun Fantasy Land stuff. We went to storytime with Belle, rode Buzz Lightyear, Pirates, and everything else we could ride! By 7:30 everyone was wiped out, Jenna was not feeling well so we decided to head back to the room. We missed the fireworks but I didn't care. The whole trip was amazing!

Magical Week-Monday

By today, Jenna was wiped out! We went to MGM, saw Beauty and the Beast (loved it!), I rode Rockin' Roller Coaster (walk this way!), we ate lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe' then went back to the hotel. Jenna took a 3 hour nap then we headed to the pool to chill out. The boys stayed at MGM and enjoyed all the "boy stuff" there.

Magical Week-Sunday

Today was Epcot. We ate lunch with the Princesses at Norway: Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Ariel, Jasmine, and Cinderella again. Our favorite ride was at Epcot. We rode Test Track over and over (even Jenna). The boys rode it 6 times! We ate dinner at Chef Mickey's then back over to Epcot to ride Test Track some more.

Magical Week-Saturday

I'm not sure where to begin to tell you about this trip so i decided to go day by day:

Saturday-we headed to Animal Kingdom where we saw amazing animals and rode the new Expedition Everest-great ride! Then on to my favorite part-we headed to Bibbidi Bobbidi Botuqie to get Jenna made up for our dinner with Cinderella. This was so much fun!!! The dinner was great and Grand Floridian is amazing!

Thankful Thursday (well, Friday)

D I S N E Y W O R L D!!!!!!!!!!

I'm late posting this week and may not have much time next week because we are leaving Friday for Disney World. I'm so excited becasue this will be Jenna's (4) first Cinderella experince. I don't know who is more excited her or me! We have all our dinners booked and the plan of where we will be each day.

I'm most thankful that my Mom will be going with us. I don't think she has ever been on vacation with us before.

I will have so much to write about when we get back!

12 Favorite Things

My friend Jodi listed her 12 favorite things about summer and since I just got back from my aunt's in South Carolina I thought I would blog my 12 favorite things about Aunt Jonnie's. They have never had any chidren and I spent many summers there as a child.
-Visiting and talking with my aunt.
-Inground pool!
-Lots of snacks and "fun" food.
-Frig full of drinks! (my kids love this)
-My favorite boutique-Little Darlins-they have great sales
-Homemade breakfast
-Homemade lunch
-Homemade supper
-Sleeping until 7:30-Wow!
-Morning walks with David (just us)
-Every magazine you can imagine (well, the clean ones-ha)
-Time to read the magazines!

Bad thing about Aunt Jonnie's-
Gaining weight-ha

Have a great summer everyone!