Happy Easter!

Asheville Trip

Two weekends ago we made the trek across the state of North Carolina to Asheville, where we stayed in a little log cabin for two nights. It was a very needed break from the daily grind and great family bonding time!

Upon arriving at the cabin Moses asked, "Is our house made from Lincoln Logs?"

We stayed a mile from Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, two beautiful natural attractions. We had a great time taking pictures, driving through the mountains, and climbing Chimney Rock.

The gang on top of Chimney Rock

We also hiked to a waterfall. It was only a mile and half round trip but with two little hikers and a backpack it seemed much longer. We finally made it and you can see our triumphant faces at the end!

Brush Brush Brush

Sometimes even the simple things in life can become an adventure or an opportunity for a photo shoot! Here are some pictures of Moses & Silas brushing their teeth in their matching "twin" pajamas. Silas thinks he is big stuff and he is! Moses just recently went to the dentist for the first time and takes the job teaching his little brother how it is done very seriously!

Kids...

Silas walking with Mommy

The ever adventurous Moses

"Miss Sarah"

Mo & Silas driving off into the sunset!

Visitors

Last weekend my parents and sisters came for a visit from Pennsylvania. Thanks guys for the great time!

Spring is Coming!

It is starting to feel like spring on the island! Dafodils are blooming and the weather is getting warmer! Sometimes it is still hard to believe we live here! We are definitely savoring our time here!

Silas loves birds. He freaks out whenever he sees them. The other day we saw a redtailed hawk at the park and he was screaming and squealing the whole time because he was so excited. He also loves to chase seagulls. It is awesome to watch him. So one day at the park in New Bern I chased them with him. It was fun and freeing. Oh, the simple joys!

February Fun

Here are some pictures from a bike ride that we took to the beach last week. We spend a lot of time together on my days off laughing and playing with the kids.

Mommy and Silas!

Daddy's Hands

Rub-A-Dub-Dub...

These days it seems like we do everything in sets of threes...three carseats, three sippy cups, three kids meals at RuckerJohn's, and one, two, three kids in the tub!

Some days having these three at the ages they are, 4, 2, and 1, can seem very demanding and overwhelming but yet at the end of the day I can't really imagine it any other way. Most days they love playing with each other and in some ways it is easier to have them all doing somewhat of the same things. Remind me of that when they are all crying "HOLD ME MOMMY!". But truly this season is a blessing and I want to cherish it because they grow so fast!

Moses with a bubble beard

Brothers

Moses and Silas showing off their water guns

Bogue Sound- 'Lewis and Clark'

I have off on Mondays and we often go for walks to the beach or hikes through the woods to a long dock that sits on the Bogue Sound - I love to take Moses, Sarah and Silas and watch the sunset over the water. These pictures are from yesterday- the fourth of February. A few days before Moses and I were starting down the trail in the woods and Moses said, "This is just like Lewis and Clark." Dull moments are few and far between in our house right now.

North Carolina is treating us well. I love watching Heather and the Kids - She is such an awesome mom. It is fun to watch her and Sarah continue to bond as mother and daughter. We had a lot of fun on this hike!

Mother and Daughter having fun

Eqipped with the right outerwear and a good walking stick our crew is ready for the journey.

Do I seriously have to carry this thing any further?

"Not suitable for everyone?? I'm going!"

And they're off!

A perfect North Carolina afternoon.

A comfortable combination of plaid flannel, jeans and anything camo ensures success for this adventurer. Believe it or not Moses picked out the entire outfit himself.






We are surrounded by various Pines and Live Oaks that stay green year round - that is how Emerald Isle earned it's name. We are enjoying our first winter here.