Last Trip of the Summer

Adam had some work to do in Hendersonville NC which is about a half hour outside of Asheville so we decided to go with. Asheville is the home of the largest home in America- The Biltmore, which was built by a Vanderbilt. It was something I have wanted to see for a while because I hear it is amazing! We took the two little ones -(Makenzie stayed at home with a friend because she didn't want to miss the Beehive sleepover)and realized that when we got there.... it was $55 per person and we only had 2 hours before Adam needed to head to work! No way was I gonna pay that amount and not be able to view everything. We plan on going around Christmas time because that is when it gets decked out with lights galore. You can read all about it at Biltmore.com. The entire downtown area near the Biltmore is awesome... the Mickey D's was the NICEST one I have EVER seen!! It was gorgeous and there was even a grand piano playing while we ate. Taylor said "this is wonderful"- she is sooo like her Grandma Pam! There was an art festival down the street from our hotel so we took the kids there.... that was a joy! Not... Parker was hot and tired form walking.. so that lasted about an hour! That was fine... art festivals tend to bring out some weird,eclectic people don't you think? We went back to the hotel and had a rest while Adam worked. Of course I had to take them swimming... and get them really tired for the night. Finally at about 8 Adam was back and we headed to The Grove Park Inn. Amazing!! You need to check out the website under the same name. I wish we stayed there but I doubt Vita Mix would want the 700-900 a night bill!! I WISH I had a camera... you would NOT believe that rock work at the place... it was like a castle. It dates back to the late 1800s just like the Biltmore. Beautiful! In all our travels I am still amazed at how green and lush and beautiful the south is. After touring the place for an hour and deciding that none of the restaurants were kid friendly we left- headed to Texas Roadhouse, and finally filled our hungry bellies! It was a great weekend but.... not long enough! Adam leaves today for Maine and I am dreading it!! Hope all is well in your world.... love and hugs-

No Photos Please...

I really don't have much to report... we have just had a great week. I have been called to be the CTR 7 teacher and I have a feeling that it will be a real challenge!! They are a tough crowd to keep focused... but I can do it! We just spent the weekend traveling to Greensboro North Carolina. I was really relaxing for me... not for him since he worked the whole time. We have started back to school shopping which has been a lot of fun since my little Taylor LOVES shopping for herself! Parker got new running shoes today and you would have thought he never owned a pair since he tried to sleep with them! This weekend we as Georgians get to take a break from paying sales tax on school supplies from the 31st till August 3rd! Pretty cool! I still have not replaced my camera since vacation so I have no photos to share. Hopefully I will find a good deal on one soon! Hope all is well with all- love and hugs......

Hilton Head 2009

We had a great time on our vacation with our family in Hilton Head S.C. We had my in laws with us(which is always a good time) and we allowed Makenzie to bring a friend. We had a great condo with our backyard facing a pond. It was beautiful... until we realized that pond had alligators! Yes- so we were just thankful that our balcony was on the second floor because they have been known to just be on the bottom floors balconies sunning themselves. We stayed on the beach or at the pool for the most part, except one day we went into Savannah and toured the historic part. It was really interesting and so cool to see these old buildings that are still there from the 1700's. After being there for 7 days we got home on the 4th and just let off fireworks with our neighbors in the front yard. We were all too tired to head off to anything major. The next day- we headed off to Julie and Jays farm and kayaked and 4 wheeled and had a lot of fun. Monday- we kissed our Pam and Jim (Adams Parents) goodbye and THEN on Tues..... I started School! I am studying to be an esthetician.... it has been fun and really interesting. It seems that since the end of our vacation, I have been up and running. There is never enough time to do anything during the week- I knew it wouldn't be easy. It is just so weird to have the tables turned and have to really rely on Adam to be home with the kids. He has been doing a great job. He has been called to be First counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency(not even sure that is how it is spelled cuz Im sooo soo tired) It has been such a great experience for him- especially since he had to teach this past week. He was so nervous but in the end- Im sure he did just fine. I am still waiting for a calling in our new ward- we split right before we went on vacay. The Bishop said I am next! Hmmmm- Hope all is well.... Love and Hugs-

All in A Days Work...

Today is Father's Day, and while it is not MY day.... I am enjoying the peace that Sundays bring into our home. We had a GREAT lesson today on the importance of attending the Temple and on the importance of teaching your family about it. It just brought me to tears because it made me think of my Utah family, especially my Emily(sister in law) and how she recently went thru and was sealed to her husband and children. I knew that eventually we would see her and James take that step but I also knew that it would mean that we would be closer to leaving them all. I spent some time reflecting on them today and how far they have come and it really does bring me to tears. I love them all and am so grateful for the technology that we have today in being able to text and talk with them weekly and sometimes daily. The Atlanta Temple will be closing on the 1st of July and while this is sad, it is also an opportunity for us to visit the other Temples that are near by. The next 15-18 months will be a time for us to teach our children about the importance of our Family being Forever, but it will hopefully draw us closer to our friends who are not of the same faith. It excites me to know that I will be able to bring my friends and especially my children to visit the Temple once it is re-opened(before it is re-dedicated) so that they can see for themselves that being able to go to the Temple and partake of the ordinances is something that Heavenly Father wants for ALL of us! I have overloaded you on the pictures I know.... but enjoy! As you can tell we have been busy traveling and we are looking forward to this Friday- my in-laws are coming in and we are taking them to Hilton Head for a whole week! We have a condo on the beach and we plan on doing NOTHING but Surfing and Sanding!!! Love and Hugs...

It's About Time....

Finally I am able to blog and let you all know how the Wallick Family is doing! We have so far survived this summer and all has been well. In the last two weeks we have been to Hilton Head Island, Columbia S.C twice and most recent- Columbia Tennessee. Hilton Head was gorgeous- the beach is so clean and we found the most amazing shells and were able to see lots of sea life in the tide pools. We tagged along with Adam on this trip, so he worked while we played! In S.C we tagged along with Adam again to hang out at the pool and just be with him. Of course it wasn't the same, but just being able to see him at the end of the night made it worth it. This past weekend, we met up with our family- my sister in law Marci in Columbia Tennessee. We had a great time camping with her and her in laws. Yes- I said Camping! I am not a camper as most of you know, but it WAS fun, and being able to see my two nieces was worth the cold night! So- guess what? Today was my 40th birthday!! I can not believe that I am that young! I got a card from my friend Amy and it said something like "hope you can do exactly what you want on your birthday" and THAT is EXACTLY what I did! My family really pampered me before church with a new book and flowers, and a smoothie-in a black cup no less! I even got sung to and then each of the kids set off a metallic confetti popper. Then I went exactly where I wanted to be.... to Church. It was awesome- seems someone announced I was a year older, so it was fun to be teased and get lots of hugs. A big thanks to Julie and Jay, Samantha, Spencer and Melanie who came all the way out here to bring cake and ice cream. It was such a nice surprise and a great way to end my day! Jeez... where does the time go? Seems like yesterday I was waiting for my life to begin and now here I am.... wishing I could turn back the hands of time ( all for vain reasons of course!) Just a quick note... still working on figuring out how to upload the video of Makenzie in her play... she was AWESOME- she ROCKED THE HOUSE- enjoy the pics of the play. Hope you are all safe and happy.... I will be blog surfing in the morning- Love and Hugs...