A Vino Vacation: Part One

Several months ago I found this Groupon for a Wine Tour and immediately thought that it would be a great idea for Hubby and I to do together.  Even better yet, we could make a weekend out of it.

I ran it by Hubby and he thought so too.  So I snapped it up and began planning a long weekend getaway for our anniversary.  I contacted the tour company and booked the date for our tour.  I also went through them to arrange our lodging and get some other ideas for the rest of our stay.

To Biltmore or not to Biltmore?  It's the main attraction in the area since it's just outside of Asheville.  But to be honest I could care less about walking through a mansion and seeing all the luxurious things.  I know many people are into that but it's not what Hubby and I are attracted to.  You can't even take pictures inside the house, only the Gardens.  And it's crazy expensive just to do that.

So Friday morning we headed towards Charlotte, dropped the boy off at my parents, and then made our great escape.  A weekend all to ourselves!!

For Friday we only had dinner reservations, nothing planned for that afternoon.  So we just took our time leaving my parents' house and driving up the mountain.  We stopped at Fatz on the way to grab some lunch.

Note: We opted not to bring the Canon on the trip, so all photos were taken with my phone.

Once we arrived at our hotel we found a goodie basket in our suite!  Cupcakes = YUM!



The note says "Welcome + Happy Anniversary!"

 Then we headed downtown Hendersonville to eat at 2 Guys Pizza & Ribs, a local hot spot that was recommended by our travel agent/tour guide.  We were welcomed by the owner, Melody, with hugs!  We found a nice spot at the bar and had some drinks.  They were getting our private high top ready for us, but we decided the bar was nice enough for us and stayed there.  {It was also the coolest spot in the restaurant under a wonderful fan.} 

I ordered a new drink since I'm trying 50 new beers.  I tried out "Original Sin" - it's a hard Apple Cider.  Get it??  Original Sin...apple...  Anywho!  I wasn't a fan.  A bit too much apple for me.  And I'm not one for the sweet drinks like I was back in college.  So my next one was a Bud Lite.  Can't go wrong with that.

5* for the label though!

Hubby tried the famous ribs which were YUMMY.  He got a half rack and it was still huge.  He only ate half of it!  And I knew I was going to try his ribs so I got something different, an Italian sub.  Also YUM.  And we arrived at a great time because within the hour that place got packed.  We met a lot of the regulars.  Definitely recommend it if you are in downtown Hendersonville.  If a place has regulars then you know it's great.

When we were done with our meal we headed out to give up our seats to the next couple.  Just outside the town was having their Summer Friday night Music on Main event.  And it also coincided with their monthly car show.  {Lucky Hubby!}

We did some more exploring on Main Street.  And even stopped for some ice cream.

They had dozens of artsy bear statues throughout Downtown.  New Bern, NC should be jealous, because they are also known for their Bears and have the same statues throughout town.  Also, I loved these benches!

That was our Friday Night!

Now off to enjoy our Saturday!  :)

I'm just a Girl

We visited Charlotte this past weekend again and I took advantage of some badly needed girl time with my friend, Holli.

 

Saturday morning we went and had our nails did!  It was only the second time EVER that I had a manicure and pedicure.  The first time was for my wedding and I have to say I never really remembered the experience because I must have been in a daze.  This time around I remember every tickle as they scrubbed my feet.  Hehe.  I have to say I plan on not waiting another seven years for my next mani/pedi.

 

With it being the Fourth of July week I opted to go with a sparkly red color.  Don't ask me what color it was, I didn't pay that much attention.  Holli had actually picked out about three to four colors and had to narrow it down.  I just went up to the wall and picked out the first purdy red I saw.  I'm simple like that.  :)

 

After that we just went and grabbed some lunch from Panera Bread.  Yum.

 

The next day, we met up in the afternoon to watch MAGIC MIKE.  Hell yeah!  =D  =D  =D  =D  BIG SMILES!  I don't think I have to say much more than that.  ;)

 

And while we were at the theater at Concord Mills we did a wee bit of shopping right after the movie.  I say that because I rarely ever go shopping and I actually had my arms full of bags by the time we were through.  I did get some good deals!

 



Check out my red toes in my cute new shoes!

 

Now to back it up a bit, Saturday evening we went to my friends' annual Fourth of July cookout.  I believe this is the third I've gone to now.  Lucas got to see fireworks!!  Although next time we need to remember to bring his cool ear muffs because they are a bit loud.  And boy was it a hot one this weekend.  North Carolina was well over 100 degrees the last few days.  Holy Humidity!

 

 

 

 

Also this past Saturday, Lucas turned EIGHT MONTHS OLD!  He's such a big boy, and definitely wearing out his grandparents.  They are in for it this upcoming weekend when they get to keep him without us...

 

 

 

 

Stir CRAZY Eight

We've gone stir crazy this past month.  This past month being Lucas' eighth month.

Happy Eight Months Baby Boy!

Measurements -- again, no check-up this month and I didn't get around to the vet to see if I could weigh him there again.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see at his nine month appointment.

Milestones -- this is where the stir crazy comment comes in.

I did my army crawling like a Champ and excelled super duper fast around the house.  Eventually I was exploring new rooms.  I love zipping down the hallway to go into my bathroom.  It has one of those things on the floor that puts out air and it's so cool.  So does the entryway.  I like to go straight for the holes in the floor {vents} as often as I can.

I'm also still working on pulling myself up.  Eventually I'm gonna be able to stand up tall like everyone else.

Now that I'm getting mobile I get dirty A LOT now.  I can't keep any outfit clean.  The front of my shirts just collect dirt off of the floors.  So did my socks.  So now I get to wear my shoes more often.  I've got a few pair.  But I got a cool new pair this month because i'm a Rock Star!  Even my teacher said she wanted a pair in her size.  :)

Did you know those furry siblings of mine get to eat off the floor??  It's so cool.  But when I went to dig into one of the bowls it was empty.  And Mama caught me.  More than once.  So then they put up some thing they call a gate.  Then I couldn't even get to it! 

It does have a little doorway.  And I watched those kitties real careful and saw how they got through, and I got through too!  Daddy caught me though.

I'm still trying new foods every week and Mama introduced something called Yogurt.  I wasn't too big of a fan, at first.  It must be too healthy or something.  But eventually I got to liking it.  Oh, and Mama now gives me pieces of fruit in a mesh thingy that I can hold myself.  I love that! 

I also made another attempt with Gerber's Puffs.  If you recall the first time around didn't go so well.  We tried it again and this time I figured out that I can put it into my mouth all by myself.  And I ate about three of them too.  But I kept gagging though.  Even though they had dissovled {Mama checked} so I wasn't actually choking.  But after about the third puff I finally gagged good enough and puked it all up.  I guess I'll have to hold off a little while longer.  Or maybe try a different flavor?

But best of all I love to take naps with Mama and Dada, especially a good nap right before bedtime.