Jordan Lake Camping

A beautiful fall weekend, spent with our family camping.  This was my first REAL camping experience...tents, campfire, nature, family...it was great!  I never really thought much of camping just because the only time I did it was in girlscouts, and I never really enjoyed screaming girls...lots of them.  When Sharon & Brittney asked us if we wanted to go camping I really didn't want to go at first, just because I didn't see any fun in it.  To my surprise, I am SO thankful we went. 

We packed our camping gear, thanks to Laura & Steve for use of their tent, mattress and queen size sleeping bag.  I was so spoiled on my first experience.  We had the hook-up!!!  We camped at Jordan Lake which is right outside of Raleigh, NC.  It was beautiful.  I forgot most of the time to take pictures but Brittney took a bunch.  It was so relaxing to get away.  I say this all the time but I love to get away and be disconnected from the hustle and bustle of our noisy world.  We enjoyed hanging out, fishing, playing games, hanging by the fire and chatting.

Sharon, Brittney and Andrew planned so many fun things for us do do on our trip.  Andrew planned a few games for us...and there were prizes!!  Playing bingo I won a strawberry topsy-turby and Chris won a grooming kit (he was so excited about it lol).  Britt made lots of pumpkin goodness including pumpkin cookies, pumpkin french toast and Sharon even found pumpkin iced coffee which was there upon our arrival!!  MMMmmMMM!!!!  We also had a pumpkin carving contest.  We had random people who were walking by our campsite vote on their favorite pumpkin...

Working on the brain...Chris saw this on food network, turned out really neat.

Our creation, the winning pumpkin!

Sharon & John's sick pumpkin w/ a nose ring!

Rachel & Desi's pumpkin, yes that is a dead fish in the mouth and mushroom for a hat!!

Aaron and Wesley made a hat which they wore to win votes!! HA!!

Brittney & Andrew's "Partied too hard" pumpkin

Britt made chilli for dinner which was SO yummy and then we had smoores over the fire.  It was amazing how quickly it got dark and how late it felt when it was only 8PM.  Chris and I slept very well on our air matress snuggled in our queen size sleeping bag, it was nice.

Next morning we enjoyed hot chocolate/coffee and pumpkin french toast.  MMMmmMMMm it was yummy.  Here's Saturday morning...it was crisp and cool.  It was so lovely.

Look at sweet baby Mason, ahhhh it was so good to see him :o)

Until our next camping trip...

Goose Creek Getaway.

Spent the entire day in the library and had to get outside and enjoy the BEAUTIFUL weather.  We really wanted to hop in the car and head to Wilmington but opted for a closer trip to Goose Creek.  It was quiet and relaxing...exactly what we were looking for. 

Chris has never been, he was in for a sweet surprise.  Driving into the park doesn't look like much but as you venture through the hiking trails you'll come up to the most beautiful waterfront view!

Oh hey!  I love this pic...looks like the backgroud is fake...but it's NOT!!  Love this.  Quiet.  Peaceful.

 

Chris got me to climb a few trees...

And I let him climb a few without me...HA.

He is such a YOGA nut!!!!

...one day i will be as good as him...

Crabby?!  Hang around my husband for a day and you will quickly learn how to not take life so seriously.  I am thankful for the laughter and smiles he brings my way :o)

Check out those clouds!!!

And a little acro-yoga!  So much fun.  Love the challenge. 

And that feels really good to your back...if you can get there HA.  Really enjoyed our little getaway.  Ended with some pizza + salad in downtown Washington, one of our most favorite getaways. 

Sometimes I wonder why I'm always trying to get away from the noise.  I love people but I love quiet more.

Anything Pumpkin.

I love pumpkin!  Pumpkin coffee, scones, bread, muffins, creamer, ice cream, waffles, pancakes, SOUP!  When we were in Wilmington we bought a Pumpkin Soup Mix at World Market.  It was incredible and so easy.  Added a can of pumpkin and some heavy cream and it made a delicious, creamy PUMPKIN soup.  Wish we had a World Market here, they had a ton of pumpkin seasonal items.

Made some cheesy breadsticks from some left-over Little Caesars breadsticks and added a salad made by this stud...

I sure am thankful my husband enjoys cooking with and for me...makes life more fun & exciting :o)

We go back...

Got to catch up with Allison a few weekends ago when we made a trip to Wilmington for Chris's Thai Yoga Massage classes.  He took class and I took off to have some girlie time with my long-time friend Allison.  We've been friends since our freshman year of college...like 7 years ago!  I love our friendship.

 It wasn't the prettiest weather but what's there not to enjoy about being at the beach?!?!

She is beautiful :o)

One night we ate in.  It was SO yummy!  Allison always has good recipes.  I still need to get this one from her.  We coundn't find any RedBox so we watched Soul Surfer again....such a great movie!

YES it was a good as it looks, with caesar salad. MMmMMmM!!!

Next day we went to PC3, an amazing church in Wilmington and spent the morning and afternoon wandering through Wilmington.

After spending the weekend with Allison I got to spend a few days with my best friend, in Wilmington!  It was so much fun.  We ran, did yoga, sat at the beach and watched the sun rise and set.  Such a relaxing and rejuvenating trip.  And we forgot to take pics so this is all you get...

Chris spent the entire weekend and Monday night finishing off Thai Yoga Massage Level 1 & 2 with Gabriel Azoulay.  Kas & Monique invited us over for the most fabulous dinner, it was SO thoughtful & delicious!!  Gabriel also joined, it was an amazing experience.  I felt like a sponge soaking up everything I could.

Our last morning we got up for the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen...

I think I could live in Wilmington.  It's beautiful, even when it rains.