A few things I love about North Carolina

I posted last week about Kylie's wedding but didn't ever mention the rest of the trip.

You probably know by now that our family loves North Carolina.

We lived there for  a few years, so it kinda grew on us.

The following are just a few items that I love.

Greensboro airport!!  One terminal!!  Enough said.

Our dog Molly, who we had to leave behind.  Such a good dog!

Our friends the Jenkins as well as everyone else we saw.  I wish I had someone following me around to take pictures of everyone I hugged.  I just didn't want to stop talking to use my own camera.
But I did long enough to get this gem of Anna (mother of the bride).

The best part of picking kids up or going on errands, was the beautiful drive to get there.
Pictures just don't do it justice.

We loved having Joseph and Sarah with us and that they could support their friend Kylie.
It was great to see the church building we attended when we lived there too.  

We loved hanging out at the Eldredges (not pictured) and at the Jenkins....

and staring at their view while we talk.

The weather was perfect and the mosquitos minimal.

It's just a beautiful place to be.

Ahhhh.......

In NC for Kylie's wedding

I know it seems like we've gone to a lot of weddings this year,

but that's because we've gone to 3 in 5 months.

This weekend we've been in NC for the sealing of one of our very closest friends' daughter, Kylie.

She was Sarah's best friend in high school.

We were thrilled to travel back with our oldest kids Joseph and Sarah 

to support them for the wedding.  

I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do because I really just wanted to enjoy visiting with all of our friends in NC.  So I started off good when not many were around.  We spent our first day helping to set up the church gym for the reception.  Unfortunately, I got more before pictures than I did after.

When we got back from the temple where the wedding was, everything had been finished and it looked beautiful.  There were little battery tea lights everywhere as well as white lights on the walls and hanging from the "chandeliers".  It was so pretty but I'm sorry I don't have a picture to show it.  Kylie had a great photographer that surely will have some great shots.

Kylie and BJ were glowing when they came out of the temple.

It's been exciting to see her grow and mature over the years, but it's obvious

that BJ has had a tremendous positive effect on her as I'm sure she's effected him.

They really are a great pair!

We couldn't be happier for the two of them!

It's been a year

I've failed to mention something fairly significant in our lives.

It's been a year and a month that we packed up our household and traded coasts.

Even though I didn't mention it here, I certainly was thinking about it.

The following are a few things that I miss.

Our playground, trampoline, trees, and big yard.

I never thought I would miss this old broken down kitchen, but I certainly miss it's charm and space.

And Molly, of course.

What is not pictured are all our wonderful friends.

Miss you guys!

Not all Walmarts are created equal

The long awaited closer Walmart is finally here! Since we moved here ive had to stop shopping ther since they are far, dirty, and scary. Today is the grand opening of one that is close, so I thought I'd stop by and see if I could bring Walmart back into my life.

The disappointing: it's a baby "super Walmart, which means it has food but half the choice.

The good: it's clean, new, and has fabric!

Conclusion: only occasional visits; Davie County sure spoiled me.

Our friends' wedding

Another wedding!

But this time, it wasn't in our family, but in the family of our good friends the Sebrights from NC (some of the nicest people you'll meet).  We miss them!

Their daughter, Megan, found the man of her dreams (who happens to be from CA) and

married him today in the LA Temple.

We were so excited to see everyone!  Joseph came from work so that we could attend the sealing together and thoroughly enjoyed the comments made by the man who sealed them.  I think he did the best that I've ever seen. 

 It was beautiful!

Enjoy the pics of the happiness and some fun pics of the temple grounds.

 Aaron, Albert, Garett, Megan, Cheryl, Nelson, Catherine and her "men".

 Albert (who will be married in Dec, congrats!), Aaron, Rachel, and Sarah

Abby, Kaylin (neighbor), and Esther

 Notice the shoes . . . backwards.

Friends (family) from North Carolina

We had the great joy of having a taste of "home" (NC) when our friends the Eldredges, who were visiting their family close by, decided to come visit us (I actually found myself saying "home" a couple of times).  

One of the great things about the Mormon Church is that we have the opportunity to make life long friends through our service and activities in the Church.  Our ward (congregation) in NC, Tanglewood Ward, truly felt like a family because we were always looking out for each other.  When we moved there, it was one of the few times that I felt at ease almost immediately.  We watched each other's kids, worked together, played together, worshiped together, and lifted each other.  

We sure miss everyone in NC. 

 Thank you Eldredges for being such good friends.

It was good to see you!

We miss you NC

Thinking of another life and friends left behind.  Joseph got to fly back to NC for a special ceremony that brought a family together forever.  As their recently past bishop, he had a special relationship and love for them.  I'm grateful that he got to go and support them and see our other friends.

Tonight, I got to attend our first scout court of honor here. 

All I could think about was the troop we left behind and the comfort of knowing everyone in the room.  I think both Joseph and I got a taste of how much we miss our friends.

  As someone was asking about Rachel and Bekah adjusting, I related to them how after previous moving experiences, our older children came to be thankful for the change. 

 Although we may not feel that now, it  (hopefully) will come someday.

Below is a picture of  a road that I would often travel  to and from the high school in NC.

Beautiful.