Biltmore Estates.

Biltmore Estates.

^^^

Seriously one of my very favorite dates with the Hubby!

Isn't it breath taking?! Now add in my super attractive Husband-- perfection!! 

But let me back up just a little bit.

Scott's wonderful dad took us to the annual Saints vs. Panthers game in Charlotte, one of our other favorite cities in NC. We had a blast and the best part?! They won! Although, the Panther fans weren't very fond of Saints fans after that.

After the game we stayed with his uncle&aunt and then headed to Asheville the next morning.

I know that it is not a secret, but...

I MISS MOUNTAINS. And Autumn in the mountains. 

And that crisp, fresh air. Guess what we found?!!?

Seriously. This was real!

  

I couldn't believe that I have been in NC for this long without seeing this part of it. Simply wonderful. The drive was amazing and even though they aren't the Rocky Mountains, they are mountains!! Road trips are a thing for Scott&I, which made it even that much more wonderful! 

And now... welcome to the Biltmore Estates. 

Be still my beating heart--You are married to that amazing man!

MOUNTAINS!

Swoooooooon.

 Now the gardens.

Secret Garden.

 Okay--- So Scott totally made fun of me for taking these pictures. S:What are you taking a picture of?

K:These pretty dried flowers.

S:But, they are dead.

K:But are so pretty, they have a vintage feel!

S: *add in laughter* Of course, if they look vintage.

Yep--bless my vintage soul! Thanks Dad&Mom!

Haha this lady didn't know how to take a picture. She tried and didn't think she was taking any pictures. This was when Scott was going to check on her.
She took about ten.

 

Then we took a wine making tour&had our first wine tasting together.

This was the Vanderbilts' car, one of only a few of them in the world.

  We went to downtown Asheville for dinner before we headed back to my inlaw's house. 

Our restaurant--Wicked Weed. Halloween night. 

One word: Interesting.

And we will probably not be doing that again haha 

But I did find someone..

Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice.

Then he just appeared! 

We will definitely be making another trip to Asheville before we leave North Carolina. Scott&I absolutely loved being just us, away from life, on a mini-mini "vacation". 

Thank you Honey for taking me on this magnificent date and loving me  the way you love me!

A whirlwind of emotions.

This blog post is dedicated to my Grandma B.

 My Grandma's house was the home where cousins came as family, & left as best friends. Growing up we had many traditions that kept our families close: leaf parties, birthday parties, Easter & Fourth of July BBQs, she had the best snack closet, she always made sloppy joes for Halloween, our huge Christmas party, and a wall where our height was marked throughout the years.

 Because of my Grandparents, all of us cousins grew up together. We would all go "search for the bears" as my dad would hide and scare us in her backyard, always sat together during the Fourth of July  parades, played with the Lincoln logs, enjoyed her amazing garden and flowers, always getting a new hoodie for Christmas, and teaching me how to crochet.    

My Grandma loved my Grandpa so much, and when he passed away four years ago this month, she would never let his memory die. She always told us stories of when they were younger and him as a greaser, or throughout their marriage.

One of my favorite memories is when she sat down with me before my wedding and showed me her collection of antique silverware. I wanted to use them for my wedding and she took the time to find the exact ones that I wanted. They turned out perfect! My Grandma & Scott could talk for hours and he always joked that she loved him more than me! ha So I am so thankful that we had a piece of her and my Grandpa at our wedding, pieces that we will cherish for forever.

We love you, Grandma!

   

Bestie is MARRIED! 

Allyson, who I went to Australia with, is finally part of the best club, EVER. The forever love club. 

Her wedding & reception were beautiful, they are incredibly happy, and I can't wait to see the professional pictures because I wasn't able to take any! 

So to Mr. & Mrs. Sanders--- 

CONGRATULATIONS on making the best decision of your life. 

Cherish and protect each other.

Be each others' best friend & cheerleader.

Always make lasting memories.

Build forts in your living room.

Dance in the kitchen.

Travel to see Scott & I! ;)

Go on couples trips, hint hint.

Tell her she's beautiful, tell him he's handsome.

Tell secrets and laugh until you cry.

Endure the hard times, it will only make you stronger.

Look back at this day and smile because you know that you'll have a marriage more beautiful than your wedding.

Always say "I love you" more times than you can count.

Look for a solution, not ways to "be right".

Always be on the same team.

I love you, Allyson! 

And welcome to the family of best friends, Richard! 

Bridesmaids in pink. With Maddi & Hannah.

Allyson & my roommate in Sydney, Australia. She came to America for BOTH of our weddings!!!!!!!!!! She's amazing!:)

Scott sent this email when I told him that the wedding was about to start & I couldn't talk with him. *Tear... but He is still amazingly thoughtful!

Bryce, my handsome date for the wedding!

Sister stayed at the reception with me!

My "bridesmaid in crime" Maddi! Had a BLAST with this lady and her sister.

These guys. My Grandma actually passed away right after the wedding and these guys let me be sad, but helped me still laugh. Couldn't have asked for a better support group that night. Thank you again guys! Meant the world to me. And Scott thanks you for being there for me when he couldn't be.

Making lasting memories.

 

My adorable Grandparents taught me how to make my Great Grandmother's caramel popcorn! 

  Then Grandma had to hide the bowls because we kept sneaking bites...

 

 Hahah too.much.fun!

HALF WAY POINT!

Scott's deployment is half way done. Which means what?!

 We are on the down hill side!!!!!!! 

No more saying, "He's been gone for 1,2,3,4 months." Now I can just say, "We only have 4,3,2,1 months to go!" 

EXCITING.

As exciting as this weekend was, it was also such a hard weekend. I am so fragile and I really never know what can be a 'trigger'. The wedding was a trigger because it made me miss Scott more. During the wedding my Grandma passed away & I couldn't run into my Husband's loving arms. Couldn't even call him and tell him the news. He finally was able to call me yesterday and just let me cry on the phone. He was what I needed. Scott knew exactly what I needed to hear, how I needed to hear it, and just knew what his wife needed. He is such a great Husband and I am so blessed to have found a man who knows my heart so well. 

Although he can't be here for the funeral and to physically hold me, God helped his words wash over my hurting heart and of my family's. I know that he will be praying for us all throughout the week and giving us strength. In our first year of marriage we have had to go through the death of his Grandfather and now my Grandmother. Which honestly has made our love for each other grow that much stronger because we learned very early on to run to each other.  

But another exciting point, HE IS AMAZING! His ship, the USS Bataan, helped with a rescue of almost 300 people out in the ocean. They aided them with food, water, medical attention, and temporary shelter.

Here is a picture of my amazingly wonderful Husband working! 

I love & miss you, Mr. Cummings!

My amazing Hero.