Bluebirds

I was so very happy to see that the bluebirds did succeed in building their nest and have four eggs in the house.  I was leery that I would get them back considering the sparrows actually got in the house early Spring, nested and had babies.  I immediately cleared it out once the babies left and just a day before we left for NC I noticed the bluebirds in and around the house.  One of the first thing I checked was the house when I got back and was so very happy to see that an egg was there too.  We now have four eggs and should have babies hatched by the fourth of July....and just couldn't help but post this cutie pie's pic as well...he is loving summertime and having his Gabi home from school!

Father's Day

This year we didn't get to have the boys home (they are still working together for Terra Boost and still in Connecticut), nor did we have a big get together at my parents' house.  Grandpa Jones just wasn't feeling up to it so we had a layed back day...Gabi and I got Ben a fish cleaning station that he got a couple weeks early and a couple of books for our vacation this week.  It was a very relaxing day and Ben did talk to the boys...I am very, very lucky to have two of the most important men in my life be my best friends and heroes.

Choreography

This year Mishawaka's Competition Team had Lisa Norville (from ICE and Indiana Ultimate) and her daughter, Kristen, come in and do the Choreography.  Lisa is also the Coach of Northwood's Cheer Team (last year's competitive cheer state champs!)  We are VERY excited about this!!!  She knows what she is doing and she made the girls WORK!  

  

North Carolina - Saturday

Our last full day had arrived.  Friday evening we visited with Aunt Boots, Uncle Bob, Chris and Kary after we got back from the Biltmore Estate.

 Saturday morning we went with Aunt Alma and grandma to the Jupiter exit flea market - or say they call it.  Picked up just a few items - Gabi some jewelry and Ben some tools.  Ben, Gabi and I made our way up grandma's mountain to grab some barn wood off an old barn (for future crafting) and we wanted to do a little hiking since the place made it hard to do with everything being so grown up.  

We made our way over to visit some very cute pups at Joan and Owen's place (they even had a dapple daschund) that were only 4-5 weeks old! Gabi loved it.

We slid over to visit with Uncle Bob and Aunt Boots for the last time and then got our last visit in over at grandpa's.

 Gabi and Curly

Sabrina, Dot and Top Knot

 Cocoa

It's always so sad leaving the simplicity of life and the love of family in North Carolina...

North Carolina - Biltmore Estate

We wanted to do one fun thing while we were there and we decided on being a tourist at the Biltmore Estate.  None of us had ever been there so we decided to go.  It was absolutely breathtaking.  The views were stunning from the house.

Basement of Biltmore

 Bowling alley inside house

 Pool inside house

 Panorama of the balcony outside the second level of house

The gardens were so peaceful and the house itself...we were just in awe of how much detail was put into this place 200 years ago!  The land it sits on was spectacular.  One thing we were surprised to see was the bamboo that was planted...we learned that George Vanderbilt did this to make his guests feel "closer to the sun."  

We spent a couple of hours just going through the house and gardens.  We drove to the winery on the way out.  Considering the place had 10 miles of roads inside the property should give the vastness of the property.  We spent well 4-5 hours at the Biltmore and easily could have spent more time there.  The visit was worth it.