The Mountain House

This week my mom, dad, Aunt Nan and Uncle Bill came up so they could attend Nora's 1st birthday party. Since it is a pretty big trek up from Florida they decided to make a vacation of it and rented a house in the mountains south of Marion near South Mountain State Park.

On their first full day at "the mountain house" we made the trek down for a visit. It was a nice laid back day in the middle of no where. While we were there Nora opened her presents from her Ama & Papa T and Aunt Nan & Uncle Bill. I love how much she enjoys looking at cards.

After she read her cards (and stashed her cash) she carefully opened her presents.

And then she had to wait patiently while I undid the packaging so she could actually play.

Once all the toys were free of their boxes, Nora and Maggie had a great time playing together.

Nora got the full set of Wheel Pals which are so cute. I only wish the interconnecting parts worked better.

Maggie brought her Strawberry Shortcake dolls to the mountain house and the girls also enjoyed playing with those as well.

Uncle Bill and Nora loving on the wheel pals.

Nora found the stairs! And then quickly climbed all the way to the top.

This photo takes me back about 25 years... Only I had brown hair and Aunt Nan's was a little brighter red.

Nora, Noel and I had to go home each night, but Maggie got to stay at the mountain house for most of the week. One morning they went on a hike and apparently saw a waterfall, some deer and a turtle.

Then Ama took Maggie to see Winnie the Pooh.

On Saturday Grandpa and Naomi joined us (along with several other family members and friends) and we celebrated Nora's birthday.

Then on Sunday everyone joined us for church. After a great service, the Florida crew headed to Linville Caverns with Maggie.

While they were up in the mountains they also stopped by Linville Falls.

On Monday Noel, Nora and I met back up with them in Black Mountain for lunch and a walk around town. We ate at the Veranda Cafe and Nora enjoyed her first lemon!

It was a terrific week with my extended family. This was the first time Aunt Nan and Uncle Bill ventured up to "my" house and it was great. We loved having the whole crew in town and I think they had a terrific vacation overall. This is the sunset from their last night in the NC mountains:

I packed 4 people into a rental car and bid them farewell this afternoon, but it was only a little sad because I know we will see them before too long. It was great to have my family in town and I am already looking forward to our September "girls getaway" with Aunt Leigh.