North Carolina

Erik has wanted to go skiing since we got married. We finally decided to go on a trip to North Carolina that would provide both skiing and family time, since Erik has some cousins who live up there. We had such a good time with everyone, and Erik's cousin, Karen, is quite the hostess.
We left Thursday night and drove to Athens. Friday morning we woke up and drove the rest of the way to North Carolina, promising Kayleigh she would see snow when we got there. We were all surprised to see that most of the snow had melted since they were having a warm front this weekend. Kayleigh did get to see a patch of it in the yard when we got there. That night, we went to a Japanese restaurant and sat a the hibachi grill. Kayleigh thought it was pretty neat, but Brian was not too thrilled with the big flames.
On Saturday, the kids (13 and 14 year olds) had Saturday school to make up for one of their snow days. We headed to Beech Mountain to go sledding. We found a little hill that was designated 12 and under. Kayleigh was excited, but when she went down the hill with Karen and me, we got snow in her face when we dragged our boots. She did NOT like that, and I think you can see in a picture where she is covering her face. The little Snow Elf that you see in the picture is the closest we came to a snowman.
Saturday afternoon, Erik's cousin, Kathy, came over with her 2 youngest girls. After dinner, we went ice skating. Kayleigh is a perfectionist, I think, and was afraid to skate because she didn't want to fall down. She is quite the drama queen, too, and would yell, "WHOOOAA! WHOOAAA!!!" while going around the rink. I think you may be able to hear it on her skiing video.
On Sunday we finally made it to the slopes. Kayleigh really wanted to try skiing, and the price was right, so we got her out on the slopes. Again, she got out there and then said she didn't want to go because she was afraid she would fall. She watched Erik go down the bunny slope and eventually we got her out there. She never really got to ski all by herself, but she got to see what it was like.
Brian again was a trooper, hanging out while Kayleigh got to do the big stuff. He still got to play and was entertained by new toys and new friends.
Enjoy the pictures and videos!

Kayleigh ice skating. We got that bar for her, and I think it made it better for all of us for her to have it. She would only let us let her go at the end, though.

Brian entertaining himself while Erik skiied

Kayleigh skiing

Sleepy fellow

We were on our way home from Publix this morning, and Kayleigh said something about Brian falling asleep with food in his mouth. I thought she meant the cracker that was on his cheek, but when I went to get him out of the car, he really did have cracker coming out of his mouth! I couldn't believe it! I took it out before I got Brian out of the car, because I didn't want him to choke.

The many faces of Kayleigh

I was trying to take pictures of Brian using his fork like a big boy, but Kayleigh butted in, wanting me to take her picture. So, she gave me a bunch of looks, and here's what I got.

Yesterday morning, Kayleigh and Brian were sitting in our room plotting something, I'm afraid. I didn't get a good picture of the two of them sitting together talking, but this is a sweet one.



And here is Brian feeding himself and then looking very proud. And yes, that's a purple cup.