It's hard to believe that it's been over a month

since we were in NC for 

Z's brother's wedding.

We loved getting to see his family, 

especially our nephew!

Holiday Road Trip! (Pt. 1)

Z & I both got some time off for the holidays

so we decided to drive to NC from CO

to visit as many family & friends as possible...

I know. I'm not sure what we were thinking, either.

Regardless of the seemingly endless miles in the car, 

getting to see so many special folks

was truly a gift.

We'll start off with family photos, 

including a visit from my great-aunt Quaidie

and a trip to TN for my cousin's wedding.

The wedding venue even included this amazing tiger print

to get Z pumped up for the Clemson bowl game!

Fall in NC: a preview

Can't do a very long post,

but I need a short break from

studying so I wanted to

share a few photos

from my time in NC so far.

I already have LOTS more

that I can't wait to post,

and I know there will be plenty

of other pictures taken this week.

I also appreciate

your blog

suggestions both on here

and on Facebook.

When I get back to CA

I will work on making them happen.

Until then,

here's a random grouping

from the last few days.

One evening we fired up the chiminea

& sat around visiting.

My parents' yard is evidently

cultivating monster mushrooms.

Just liked the way the sun was hitting this.

Lily cat hiding out in the old chiminea.

In the Carolinas: Part I

Caught up yet?

So we drove 3 days from
Chicago to California,
found a place to live
in under 2 days,
saw some sights in LA
and then came to visit
family & friends in NC/SC.

First off, one of our adorable nephews!

Saw this beauty on our way to Clemson...
any guesses on what he's hauling in there?

We made a pit (haha peach joke) stop
at the "Peachoid" water tower.

We have driven past it so many times,
but finally stopped at the little park
at its base and took some photos!

After Clemson we made a quick run
over the mountains
to Knoxville, but unfortunately
did not get any pics.

A tree grows in a silo near Z's house.

The Grands & Us

G-ma & I loving on my newest cousin.

Aunt Ginny & mama

Z's mama & aunt working hard on
food for Z's ordination...
yummy pickle sandwiches
aka. Carolina Rolls!

In the Carolinas: Part II

Meanwhile, we continued our whirlwind
Carolina adventure with a
Hickory Crawdad's game
with Josh, Arden, & mama.

If you know my brother,
you probably know that he likes
jokes of the practical persuasion.

We should have seen it coming, but...

alas, here we are: Z & I having a dance off
on top of the 1st base dugout.

Thanks, big brother, for signing us up
without our knowledge!

Z reads up on the team
(he did find out that the Hickory Crawdads
& the Bakersfield Blaze are affiliated!)

Josh got hungry.

The night before Z's ordination
we gathered with some
dear friends and family.

Old college roomies, reunited.

I was sort of busy the day of the ordination,
so no photos of that from me,
but it was great & we were glad
so many folks could be there!

Before leaving NC,
I spent a little more time
with my brother.

He was working, so I went to Gastonia
to a park that the YMCA uses for camps, etc.

The park was originally a Greek settlement of sorts,
and has a really interesting history,
including this chapel that is still used.

Greek influences are everywhere,
but since the YMCA has been using the space,
Josh has been clearing fields,
building new nature trails from scratch
& really cleaning up
for the campers.

Very proud of this guy.

Then one last lunch with my
favorite Kerri. I love her
face in this photo.

So that's it. Two-ish crazy weeks in the
Carolinas before flying back to Bako
& settling in a bit.