Floyd Festival

Still not feeling so motivated to blog, but these pictures are too good to not share. A few weeks ago, Esther and I heading up to Floyd, VA with some dear friends for Floyd Festival. It was a 4-day music, dance, and art festival in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We camped, we danced, we hooped, we loved. Though it was a big-time bummer Ben couldn't join us, we really loved our time with my girl, Samarah, and the kiddos. I'll let the pics be a testimony to the fun had.

Samarah and I relaxing between sets
Climbing wall

What a view!

The girls with their ribbons in the dance tent
Ike and E looking for koi (there weren't any)

Lilli and E sharing a sweet moment

Rocking out int the kid's music tent

My friend Melanie, made Esther and Avery matching dresses. Precious!

The GA crew. Whoop!

Tiny dancer

A little bit of cuteness to pass along. Esther has been attending dance camp this week and loving it. Her favorite is tap, but ballet will do. She has a performance tomorrow that the grandmamas will be attending and videotaping (I have to work -sniff, tear). Dance was such a huge part of my life that I love seeing Esther have interest. I won't push her to do it, but would be delighted for her to fall in love with the art of movement.

Blogging burdens...

So, I really try to keep up with this blog. Really, I do. I've been really busy with work and we've been enjoying these last two weeks of having Ben home on break. I'm also a bit FB obsessed and upload most pics there and don't like uploading twice. So, I guess what I'm saying is. Does anyone still check this out? I know most of the family is now on FB. I'm sure I will get another whim of inspiration to blog, but it's just not here right now. I will be back to posting soon enough...
Here's some sweetness to hold you over :)

Sock-Hop at E's school

Wordless Wednesday

The new pool on a hot day last week :)

Asheville Family Visit

A week (or so) ago, Mom, E and I headed up to Asheville for my aunt's and grandmother's birthdays. It is exactly what this lady needed. A trip to those mountains that feel like home, even though I've never lived there. Nice visits with family and friends -much love shared by all!

Hike that was shortened by a totally irrational fear of bears and falling off the mountain - not sure where she got that from.

A snack break always helps :)
Cousin Leland and his gal, Ashley

My favorite Aunt Donna!

Mimi and her favorite granddaughter (her only)

Cousin Sarajane and hubby, Kyle

Papaw teaching E how to play Wii

Thanks to our lovely family for putting us up and feeding us so well. We love you. So Much!!!

Bluebirds and Bluegrass!

Now isn't that a beautiful girl? Yes, indeed!
My Mom, E, and I headed south for a little bluegrass festival at Dauset Trails park - Bluebirds and Bluegrass. Two of my favorite Athens bands were playing there, plus an Easter egg hunt for E, lots of live animals, and FREE....how could we not go. Of course, Ben had school work and we missed him greatly. We are at the one month countdown until the end of the semester - Can.Not.Wait!!!

Waiting for egg-hunting "GO"

Glittery flower arm painting

E dancing to Packway Handle Band

Mom and E checking out some farm animals

Dancing with my gal

She tuckered out not 10 minutes into the trip home. She danced and played hard.

Hope your Easter weekend was filled with lots of joy, happiness, and smiles!

More of the chickies and Signs of Spring!

The lovely weather of Spring has finally graced us. We have been taking advantage with seedlings, chicks, and as much outdoor time as possible. So, so glad Spring is here - you have know idea :)

Eleanor and Georgie enjoying some outside time

1st lettuce cotyledon

Playing w/ the newly fallen Beech leaves (they don't release until Spring)

CHICKS, man!

After months of discussing and researching (and some begging by Esther), we got us a couple of chicks yesterday. We found a coop (below) on Craigslist and plan to build on a chicken tractor for roaming. They will be free range once they are big enough.

The interior layout

Esther just loves the little cuties.

The one on the left is Eleanor and Georgie is on the right.

We will keep you posted as the little ones grow, make their move outside, and eventually start laying eggs. Peep, peep!

Stone Mountain

Esther has been begging for us to take her to Stone Mountain for a good year. I'm not sure what took us so long, but we finally got there last week (Ben's spring break). She made it to the top of the mountain with very little help from us. She had to climb and hop over every large boulder there was. And don't forget checking for fairies...

Ben was never two paces behind her - so nervous she was going to bust it.

Pretty windy up there!

Going to Stone Mtn brings back fond memories for us. Ben and I both spent much of our childhood around there. We also had the majority of our dates at the park once we met - lots of hikes through the surrounding woods, frisbee throwing, swimming in the lake, and laying under the trees on the lawn. As our 7 year anniversary is tomorrow, it seems a good time to reminisce :)

Wordless Wednesday

Promise I'll start doing regular posts again ;)