Sunflowers

My kids are home from Hawaii......more on that in my next post.  They flew all night Sunday night landed about 9:45 am here in Raleigh (after an hour layover in DC).  I fed them lunch and then they went right to bed.  Their sleeping patterns are still off.  I got Jenna up late Monday afternoon because we had an appointment for sunflower pictures.  I had to do it Monday for two reasons.  First, our photographer is due August 8th and secondly, the sunflowers were at their peak.  It was really late this year.  Last year we went before July 4th!!  They really weren't as good even in "the peak".  It still made for a lovely place to grab her pictures.

Moutains of NC

Jacob and Jenna are soaking up paradise in Hawaii so Jack and I took off on Friday for the mountains  Our main purpose was to see Josh.  We drove to Ikea and looked around for a bit and then went to our hotel.  We could not see Josh until Saturday.  We checked in and waited for the rain to pass and then ventured to Dupont State Park and hiked to a couple of water falls.  Saturday around noon we were able to see Josh, although he had to get back for a banquet.  We took him to Chick Fil A and got him a haircut and some snacks and took him back.  We picked him back up around 8pm and took him to our hotel.  I think it was good for him to get away and also to eat some "normal food".  Sunday we woke up and went to Chimney Rock.  We debated about this because Dupont was free, but this one cost $17 per person.  We thought it was well worth the money.  It was absolutely beautiful.  We went on top o Chimney Rock and then hiked to another beautiful waterfall.  Needless to say I am still extremely sore today!  I was thankful to see Josh.  He will be home in three weeks.  I have one week with him before I have to start back to work, but I am thankful to have him home.

 these top ones are from day 1

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