Movin' on up!

I am moving to the mountains.  There is a lot of fun to be had, and I plan to have as much of it as possible.  Here are ten cool things that I must do:

10- See waterfalls (Transylvania County has 250)  http://www.visitwaterfalls.com/
9- Go skiing (Cataloochee and Wolf Ridge are nearby) http://www.skinorthcarolina.com/
8- Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; hike and watch animals http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm
7- View Christmas lights in cute downtown areas  http://www.visitdillsboro.org/specialevents.html
(scroll down Dillsboro Lights and Lumaries)
6- Go to local festivals (the Apple Harvest Fest is on 10/20) http://www.haywoodapplefest.com/
5- Observe elk in Cataloochee Valley http://www.romanticasheville.com/elk.htm
4- Run around Lake Junaluska http://www.lakejunaluska.com
3- Cook yummy food with locally grown apples (from above said apple fest)
2- Breathe in lots of mountain air
1- Pack my suitcase to visit the folks back home! :)

It's Football Time!

For the App State game on the 1st, I tailgated with Marc and Shelley.  Marc and I grew up at the same church.  Shelley and I took Spanish III together with Mrs. Messina.  This was an early (and HOT) game.  We feasted on Bojangles and tailgated over by the baseball stadium.  We were taunted by the sight of a giant, blow-up mountaineer.  We won 35-14 and proceeded to guzzle down the Gatorade. 

http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/Despite-ECU-Efforts-Hundreds-Treated-For-Heat-Illness-At-1st-Football-Game-168556576.html

Happy Four Months, Little Man!

My super cool nephew turned four months old on September 12th.  Anderson weighs 18 lbs, 11 oz and is 26 inches long.  I think it's time for GiGi and Papa to start babyproofing their house.  Happy four months, little man! :)

A photo taken by his Aunt Kelly.  He's our big boy!

The Amazing Anderson

I have to brag on my overachiever nephew.  Anderson turned three months old on Sunday, August 12th.  He is currently at 17 pounds and wears size 3 diapers.  Before reaching three months, he was already in 3-6 month clothing (some of that was even getting snug).  He's also exploring 6-9 month clothes.  He's also a very long boy.  He is about 25 inches long.  I think that we have a linebacker on our hands.  :) And now, for your listening pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt3IOdDE5iA

Have you ever seen such a sweet face?

Precious grin :)

Look! I found my tongue! :)

Aunt Megan's big boy! ;)

Off to the Duck Pond

There's a pond near my apartment.  It's on the ECU health sciences campus.  Rebecca and I met there last week to feed the critters.  There were ducks, geese and turtles.  I had no idea that turtles were so crazy about bread.  Here are a few shots from our outing. 

With Honor- Mission Serve 2012

Mission Serve

This year’s focus was WITH HONOR.  The project coordinator was Wesley Smith from Boiling Springs.  The construction coordinator was Steve Swann.  Steve works for the City of Charlotte.  We worked with Steve on another project and it was great to see him again.  As a side note, people from Boiling Springs talk VERY country.  We stayed at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Matthews.  They were gracious hosts and fed us very well.  Our girls were blessed with a large room. 

Worship

Our speaker was Rusty Stroupe, the baseball coach at Gardner-Webb University.  The band was Transformation 22. 

The job site

The Foxtrot squad had the pleasure of serving Mr. and Mrs. Turner.  We were given the task of re-shingling the roof.  Some of the wood also needed to be replaced.  For several days, our vocabulary was full of words like button caps nails, plywood, architectural shingles, chalk lines and felt paper.  The squad completed its task in three days.  We definitely felt God’s hand on us, as no one got sick or injured.  We were also blessed with some shade.  Our squad was led by construction captain Bret Sprecher and co-squad leaders, JoAnn Bolton and I.  We had squad of mostly high school students, which proved to be a hard-working group.  Squad members were from Maryland, Georgia and North Carolina.  The final day, which ended early, was spent helping the Echo squad complete their roof.  Echo and Foxtrot had a great day.  There were no conflicts between the squads, as well as no bragging about Foxtrot finishing first.  Echo was blessed with great leaders, including ‘’Uncle Tim.’’  Tim was the first aid supervisor for the project.    We were blessed with having all of Wednesday off.  Due to a Thursday morning interview, I took the whole day off.  I spent the afternoon job searching and submitted an application (Red Cross).   

Molly- Foxtrot

Andrew- Foxtrot

Rachel and Bret- Foxtrot

Members of the Echo squad

Free day
The Bethlehem youth group went to Carowinds.  We got our discount tickets (thanks, SECU).  After a few roller coasters and the swings, we headed to lunch.  We bought food at Wal-Mart and made sandwiches in the parking lot.  We rode the Roaring Rapids and then split off into different directions.  I spent the rest of my time at the water park.  There’s a lot to be said for the lazy river and the wave pool. 

Here is my photo album from the week:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100697503589233.2577581.22210366&type=1&l=ed2a98723c

These are notes and pictures from the Mission Serve staff: http://www.mission-serve.com/mission-serve/2012-projects/charlotte

Independence Day

The highlight of my day was a running field trip.  We did nine miles through Goose Creek State Park in Washington.  It's a challenging run, as you have to watch your step.  The trails have a lot of roots.  So, I tripped...and then three other people tripped...not over me.  ;) I also turned my foot a few times, but no injuries.  It was a hot morning, but well worth the trip.  A few of us dressed in our red, white and blue.  Jamie brought little flags and we took a picture with them.  I wore my patriotic cape and red tutu.  They were part of my outfit for a race in DC.  You only live once, why not? I'm happy to add that my bug repellent worked.  Not all were that fortunate.  ;) Marion is a great field trip organizer...thanks again for planning it!   

Left to right (back): Jamie, Donna, me, Tony, Leslie, Anthony

Front: Tyler, Marion