Ringing in the New Year

For New Year's Preston and I visited Asheville, North Carolina. While in Asheville we visited the Biltmore House. We went at night so we could see it all lit up. They still had it decorated for Christmas so it was absolutely gorgeous! It is amazing to think at one time a family lived there! Here are some interesting facts we learned while visiting:

1. The Biltmore House is the largest home in America. At 175,000 square feet it is easy to see why.
2. George Vanderbilt began building the home when he was only 25 year old. He never worked a day in his life! He inherited all his money.
3. In the 1930's the home began welcoming tourist as a way to increase tourism in the Asheville area. This was a ploy to increase money flow due to the recession. It worked! The home is now welcomes guest 365 days a year!

Enjoying a New Year's Eve dinner at Deer Park Restaurant



Going Back to See it During the Day

A Year in Review

It is hard to believe another year as come and gone. This year was a year full of family, friends, fun, and new additions. Of course what year (of my life any way) would be complete without a wedding or two? The year of 2009 was good to us so I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store!

2009 began with snow! Although it was nice in the beginning, we eventually lost most of our spring break due to snow days. I now realize why adults didn't like snow! One day is nice, but mess with my spring break and we have a problem.



In March Preston and I celebrated our 1st Anniversary! These last two years have been the best two years of my life! I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for our little family!



This spring marked my second season as a turkey hunter! Although I have not got my bird yet I still love every minute of it! This year I am hoping to call up my own turkey! I have been practicing! A lot of people give me a hard time about it, but I really do enjoy it and I am very serious about getting my first turkey!



In June, just as school was out for the summer, we ventured out to Hall River for what was my first kayaking trip! Needless to say it was an exciting trip. Thankfully my husband, my rescuer, helped me a couple times when times got tough on the rocks. I survived, cought some fish, and feel ready for next's summers river adventure!



This summer we had tons of fun! Last year we mostly painted and went on a couple trips to the beach. This year we decided to go, go, go. We had a ton of fun! We were able to go on several beach trips (with both family and friends). We also went to many concerts (well I did most of the going to those sans the hubby) and short day trips. The highlight of our summer was certainly our cruise! We were able to visit four countries in seven days! It was a total blast!





One of our favorite events this year involves our family's newest addition. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law welcomed a new baby boy in May! He is precious and certainly has a big spot in our hearts! Over holiday break I got to babysit him for the first time by MYSELF! It was such a fun time. He is now my "#1 little buddy" as Preston likes to say.



What year in our family would be complete without Carolina football. Football is Preston's thing. Tailgating is mine! I love socializing, cooking, and hanging out with a cool beverage! Life is good during the fall in Chapel Hill!



I know it doesn't look like much but this year was a great year! We are so blessed to have had health and happiness throughout the year! I hope that everyone has a year like never before in 2010! God bless you and yours all year along!

One Proud Wifey

Last Christmas I gave Preston one of these:



I am so proud of him because today he told me he had FINISHED it! He accomplished his goal. He has read the entire Bible in one year!

Now it is my turn to read it and I cannot wait! This year my new year's resolution is deepen my relationship with Christ (along with drinking more water) so I think Preston's Bible will help me achieve my goal!

It is amazing the impact one gift can have on a person. I hope you will never forget the real reason for the season!

The first Christmas present was wrapped by Mary.

Merry Christmas (a little late)!

Merry Christmas Y'all! I hope everyone had a relaxing and fun Christmas season! It is hard to belive another year has come and gone.

We began our Christmas celebrations with the Gerringer side of our family. When we arrived look who greated us...



That's right. My mother in law and Jim were is the spirt for a Fiesta style Christmas complete with tacos, enchiladas, and lots of dips! Needless to say we LOVED it as we are big fans of Mexican food!

Preston worked Christmas Eve so I headed out with my parents to visit my side of our family by myself. Last year I pouted because he worked but this year my sweet sister in law gave me a wonderful reminder. On Christmas Eve she sent me a message that said, "I know you wish he was with you but just remember, he could save someone's life today!" That was just what I needed to hear. From that minute on I did not feel sad, instead I felt blessed that my husband loves his job and is able to help others!

On Friday Preston joined us and Christmas began! We enjoyed opening presents with family followed with a HUGE breakfast (my favorite Christmas tradition). We then got ready and headed to have lunch with the Parks'. Everyone was there so it was nice to see them all! We ended our day with dinner (thats right... three Christmas meals) in Bennett with my grandmother Poe's side of the family. That side of our family is HUGE so it is always a treat! Once we got home we opened the gifts we had for each other. It was sweet to have that to look forward to all day.

I think it is safe to say we had a WONDERFUL Christmas. Santa definatly found us this year. I guess we were pretty good!

Look at our pretty tree! I love it so much I don't want to take it down!

Deck the Halls

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. What a fun one it was! Wednesday I took the day off (go me... I never do that) and finished up some baking and cooking for our family gatherings. That afternoon we headed home to enjoy dinner with my mom's family. It was nice to do that on Wednesday night so that Thursday morning was not a big rush. On Thursday we enjoyed lunch with my in laws and that evening we visited with my dad's side of the family. Needless to say we were STUFFED! It was nice spending so much time at home with our families. We don't get to see either side enough so it was really nice! Friday Preston went back to work and mom and I spend a nice day together. We had intentions to go shopping but we ended up putting up the Christmas tree! Decking the halls is always more fun the day after Thanksgiving! Although we have had our tree up since last Thursday!

Saturday we made the mistake of going to the UNC/NC State game. The reason I said it was a mistake is because we lost. We are pretty sore losers and we spend the later part of the afternoon pouting. On a side note I doubt we will ever venture to Carter-Finley stadium again. We weren't the biggest fans of their fans. When grown women yell in your face when you are leaving it is clear your fans lack a bit of class. The fans of the year award still goes to Virginia Tech if you ask me. The highlight of the game was visiting with my dear friend Andrea during half time. Even though she said she wasn't going to associate with me during the game she ventured out with me to the concession stand. That is a good friend if you ask me! Although the Heels lost they still qualify for a bowl game so we are thrilled! We are hoping for a spot in Atlanta or Nashville. I have already booked us tickets on the Nash Trash tour (check it out at nashtrash.com) just in case.



Well there is still much to be done on this last day off before the countdown begins (to Christmas break). Off to the grocery store... it should be a sin to love grocery shopping as much as I do!

Positive Intentions

Okay so I know it has been a while (a LONG while) since my last post. Of course there is a ton to catch you up on but I guess I better just hit the highlights. Over the past summer Preston and I had a blast and accomplished a ton!

We became an aunt and uncle in May! We are totally in love with our nephew and enjoy spending time with him when we can! I think being around him makes us really excited to think about what the future has in store for us as parents.

Throughout the summer we tried to get away as much as possible! Last year we spend a majority of our time painting. This year we were looking forward to accomplishing a some projects but we were mostly excited about having fun! We were lucky enough to spend a couple weeks at the beach with both sides of our families. We also spent a week on a cruise! We were able to visit several counties which was an amazing expierence. Our favorite county was Honduras! What a beautiful county. I wonder where we will go next summer?



Aside from all the fun I also began a new chapter in my achademic life. I began graduate school this fall. Of course being back at my alma mater makes it even more special! My plan is to graduate with my Masters in Education with a concentration in Reading. When I finished I will be lisenesed K-12 in reading! It is very exciting and I am really pumped to see what the future has to offer! For now I will use everything I am learning to better my teaching! I have already learned so much!

As far as the present goes we are enjoying fall. Halloween was a sucess and thankfully I did not run out of candy as I did last year! We barely made it but we made it and that is what matters! Aside from Halloween we have also been celebrating football season! This past weekend we visited Blacksburg, VA for the UNC game at Virginia Tech. We had a great time making new tailgate buddies. Of course the game was AMAZING so that made our experience even more exciting. Although our heart belongs to the Tar Heels we can definatly appreciate Hokie fans. They put us all to shame! They are amazingly devoted to their team! Their fans certainly created a unique experience for us. Beating the Hokies was the highlight though!

It seems our life is crazy but we are enjoying every single minute of it. Until next time... (which I promise will not be months from now!) Go Tar Heels! Beat Dook!

Spring is here and so is the pollen...

Well the snow has certainly come and gone since my last post.  Unfortunately the weather is still confused on whether or not it would like for it to be warm or cool.  One thing is for sure... it is green!  The pollen was giving me a fit but thankfully I had an appointment with my ENT just in time!  They saved the day for sure!  Without my allergy meds (yes that would mean I take more than one) I would be miserable!  

Signs of spring are all around us!  March has come and gone (and so has our 1 year anniversary) as well as half of April!  Our yard looks beautiful with all the new blooms and blossoms!  We are thrilled to finally have some color  to look at!  Of course my two favorite signs of spring are warmer weather and baseball season!  Both have graced us with their presence and I couldn't be more happier.  

Speaking of baseball... Friday Preston and I went to the Thrill to see the Diamond Tar Heels.  They beat Miami so we left very happy!  The new stadium is really nice!  I hope we can get back to at least one more game before their season ends.  

Yesterday Mom and I had a fun girls day.  We started our day with manis/pedis and lunch.  Then we headed to Durham to see Legally Blonde The Musical.  It was wonderful!  After we left we admitted it was much better than we had expected.  It was funny, touching, and sweet!  We finished our day with dinner and shopping at South Point.  It was a wonderful day!  I can't wait to do it again soon!  

Our weekend ended with a fun trip to Gander Mountain in Greensboro.  Preston bought a new gun!  Who would have thought he needed one more?  I guess I should be happy too because now I have one more I can use too!  Those turkeys and ducks better watch out!  

Overall spring is going great!  I cannot wait to see what the rest of this season has to offer!  My birthday is next weekend so I know more fun is in store for certain!   

Celebrating our first anniversary at the Front Street Inn in downtown Wilmington.  We were about to eat our wedding cake!  We were surprised by how good it was!  :)