July 26, 2016

The Last July Birthday

July is our crazy month.  We celebrate Harper's birthday, our wedding anniversary, Lisa's birthday, Alex's birthday, and finally, my birthday.  We had my birthday dinner with good friends at Aishy's house this past Sunday.  It was a nice way to end the awesome weekend.  
  
Aishy and Amit's house
   
Happy birthday to me!

July 24, 2016

Mountain Mamma

Alex, Harper and I headed up to Grandfather Mountain this weekend.  I had read an article in my Our State magazine about the Linville Caverns and was excited to visit.  After looking into the surrounding attractions, we decided it was worth a weekend trip to explore!  We drove up Saturday while Harper napped in the car and went straight to the Mile High Swinging Bridge.  The bridge is one mile above sea level and has breathtaking views of Grandfather Mountain.  After we braved the bridge, we swung by the wildlife habitat exhibits on the mountain and then headed over to the caverns.  We had planned to explore the Linville Falls, but the day got away from us.  After all of our exploring, we ate dinner in Asheville and then headed over to Bay and Brad's house for the night.  It was the perfect way to spend my birthday weekend.
  
Getting ready to cross the bridge!
   
We were so high up!!  It was scary when the wind moved the bridge!
   
Hold on tight baby girl!
   
   
Hello from the top!
    
The bridge is in the back ground.
    
    
   
    
  
We loved the falcons at the wildlife habitats. 
  
Our favorite, though, was the bears. 
  
This guy was a ham swimming in his pool. 
    
     
    
    
    
    
This bear was having a very bad hair day.
  
Hello otters!  
    
    
The cougar was napping in the shade.
   
After visiting with the animals, we stopped at the fudge shop for a treat.
   
Harper loved the fudge shop.
     
   
 We were super excited for the Linville Caverns.
   
    
   
   
This is the supposed hide out spot of civil war deserters who hid in the caverns!
    
We learned a lot about the active limestone and how the stalactites and stalagmites were formed.  At one point in the tour, the guide turned off all of the lights to show what it would look like in the dark. It was very neat!
    
    
    
     
It takes 125 years to grow one cubic inch!
    
Cave coral
   
   
       
   
Little piggy in Asheville

July 22, 2016

T.H.I.R.T.Y.

Alex turned thirty this past Monday!  To celebrate, his family surprised him and flew in from California last Friday.  The group went to an aquarium, attended story time at a children's museum, drove through an exotic animal park, visited the NASCAR hall of fame museum, and enjoyed a Knight's baseball game, just to name a few things.  Alex had a wonderful birthday and is looking forward to the best decade of his life!
  
Dave and Harper after story time.
 
Little fishie!
 
The Lazy 5 Ranch is a drive through exotic animal zoo just outside of Charlotte.  The family was able to meet several awesome animals up close and personal!  This furry goat was hungry!
 
The scary ostrich terrified Harper!  She had to hide in the back seat.
  
  
 
Harper and Daddy
   
 
Emily and Harp
    
How cute!
   
  
  
 
Buffalo
 
Close up buffalo
 
Close up buffalo tongue
  
 
Pretty giraffe 
  
   
 
The nicest hair award goes to this beast.
 
They had lemurs too!
  
 
Alex and Harps with the grandparents!
  
 
Harper met a little Ramses.
 
At the baseball game!
 
NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum