Womack Vacation 2012

Last week Dane and I headed to a cabin near Bryson City, NC for vacation with the Womacks! We had such a great time. Dane's brother was able to come up from Florida and his parents met us from Arkansas. We had all visited the Gatlinburg area on a previous trip, so we wanted to try a new Smoky Mountain location. Our cabin was perfect. The time went by too fast.

We arrived on Tuesday night. Wednesday we headed out exploring the area. We were near several famous rivers.

 

 

 We had burgers at Jimmy Mac's in Bryson City.

 The area is famous for kayaking.

 Old Train Station

 Love this.

 Our cabin

 

 We headed out for a 6 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail on Thursday. Turns out the trail was 10 miles. :)

 Awesome view from Wesser Lookout

 Nantahala Outdoor Center - on the AT

 On Friday we headed to Ashville, NC to check out the Biltmore.

 yea.. it's kinda fancy.

 my awesome mother in law.

 The Womacks

On Saturday the men went rafting. The women read books and watched television. We also grilled burgers that night for dinner. Sunday we went to church in Bryson City and then ate Pasqualino's Italian Restaurant for Mother's Day. Corey left Sunday night and everyone else headed back on Monday.

Dane and I love to spend time with our families. Thanks to the Womacks for a great vacation!!

Dinner with the Workuns, Dad's Birthday in Nashville, and Gwen's Shower

Recap of the last month or so..

Several Friday nights ago we had dinner with our friends the Workuns. They are from Oklahoma and we are so blessed to have met them very early after moving to Durham. Zach is in Dane's 1st year class and Karen is a teacher in Raleigh. They are the sweetest people and we love them. 

 We also love the restaurant El Rodeo. In fact, we ate there today for lunch. They have great outdoor seating and lunch prices on Sunday. Who does that? 

Two weekends ago I went to Nashville to attend an NDT course at Vanderbilt. The course was an excellent choice and very hands on including observing our lecturer treat 2 patients at Vanderbilt.

 The course was Friday- Sunday. Sunday was my Dad's birthday. I was thrilled that my parents were able to come for a visit so that we could celebrate our dear Dad. Beth suggested we try J. Alexander's for dinner. It is a nice American style restaurant.

 Vandy football stadium in the backround.

 Ross celebrated his 2nd Birthday Thursday night. My flight arrived around 5pm on Thursday so I was able to celebrate with Ross. Dane and I got him that blue bandana. :)

 We made Dad a yellow cake with chocolate frosting and had a little ice cream on the side.

 After the course on Sunday Beth and I grabbed a little of the best ice cream on earth - Hot and Cold.

 Yum. I truly treasure time with my family. I loved getting to see them and celebrate my Dad's birthday. Special thanks for my sister for being an excellent host during a very, very busy time in her program.

Wednesday of this past week my friend Morgan and I hosted a baby shower for our dear friend Gwen. The people at the shower were spouses from the Duke Div Spouse Group.

 It was primarily a diaper shower. Gwen wants to use cloth diapers with this child (her 2nd). We collected the money and gave her a gift card from her diaper registry.

 Gwen and Morgan (who is also pregnant!)

 Jessica, Karen, Vail (also pregnant!), and Emily

 Morgan made these adorable paper diapers.

Jamie, Amanda, and Karen

Emily, Grace, Yen,  Jessica, Ashley, Lorrie, and Morgan

 Anna (to the right of Gwen) knitted this adorable hat for Gwen's baby boy! We loved it!

 Me, Gwen, Anna, Lea, Tina

Life has been very full lately. Dane is now finished with his first year at Duke Divinity. He loves his program and often tells me how blessed he is to be here. He has two days of training this week for his summer internship. We are looking forward to a wonderful summer. Dane will be serving and learning in a church in Raleigh. 

We are also very excited to be headed to the mountains with Dane's family very soon.

Weekends in Durham.

Last weekend was a much needed restful weekend. Dane and I ate at Chili's on Friday night and then we watched 2 episodes of the best drama ever on televsion - Friday Night Lights. Saturday morning we slept in late and then went to breakfast at my personal favorite Cracker Barrel. Yum. Then we headed out for a hike at the Eno River.

 I could not get over the beauty of the Eno River. It is literally 10 minutes from our house.

 There were wildflowers everywhere. Oh and dogs!! We saw 2 Westies. :)

 My sweet husband enjoying the sunshine.

 After our hike we headed to Target and purchased these two cute red Adirondack chairs and two steaks for dinner. After dinner we finished the very last episode of Friday Night Lights. We have been watching the show since we got the first season on DVD for my birthday in October. 

I found this Iris blooming in my neighbor's yard. Reminds of my Gran. I love new life that reminds of her. It makes me feel like she is always with me.

We had a wonderful service at New Creation UMC on Sunday to celebrate Easter. For lunch we had dinner with the Dunlaps in Chapel Hill. Ham, salad, and sweet potatoes. :) 

Remembering Papaw.

My Papaw (Aron Roy Estes) passed away Thursday March 29. My Pawpaw was my Dad's Dad. He lived in Cave City on Matlock Rd my entire life. My Dad and his family lived in Kansas City when my Dad was going up, but they all moved to AR when my Dad was grown. Pawpaw was 88 years old when he passed away. 

 He loved wearing baseball caps particularly Arkansas hats (and now Vandy and Duke hats as well). He woke up very early every morning and went to bed shortly after Wheel of Fortune.

 He loved his family. He was very close to both of his children. My Dad visited with him every day for as long as I can remember.

He will be greatly missed. He had a sweet sense of humor. Dad was always trying to get him to buy a hearing aid and last Christmas when Dad couldn't hear into the living from from the kitchen he said under his breath, "You need to get a hearing aid."

What a blessing to have spent my entire childhood with all four of my grandparents. We all loved my Papaw. Dane and I were blessed to be able to go home last weekend to celebrate his life with my family. It was wonderful to see my parents and hug my Dad.