NC State Arboretum Take 2

We came here in January when everything was dead except for Cacti.  Man, this is a BEAUTIFUL place!  If I ever get around to arranging family photos, this is where I want them.

This little darling building is the BATHROOM!! I was in love with it... still might make this a focal point for family photos.

So disappointed that it doesn't have a flowery smell.

I had no idea artichokes grew on bushes.  It was my first try seeing them "in the wild".  Loved it.

Easter

Looking at all our Easter Pictures, it's very secular, so I just want to say: to me, the most glorious phrase in the whole new testament are "He is Risen." It was so humbling to teach Cambry about the Resurrection this year and to reflect on God's love for us, for giving us the matchless gift of His Son Jesus Christ.  We are so grateful for our Savior's divine atonement. 

With that said.  Here are our Easter pics:

We started Easter early because we got packages from family! Thanks Grandma Rappleye and Grandma Ber!

We had an Easter egg hunt in our front yard, and it was so great to watch Cambers scamper around finding eggs.

This is where these 2 discovered that candy is actually inside!

Dying Easter eggs is always a good laugh.

I think this is the last year the Easter bunny hides Devin's basket.  He wasn't too thrilled after helping Cambers find her basket to putter around the house looking for his Grandma Ber chocolate egg. He's a good sport.

We tried to get a family photo before church at the temple, but the sun was so bright, none of us could really open our eyes.  Good effort team Rappleye.

We had our Easter feast with our good friends the Rivers.  Becky and I are making Resurrection rolls.  They're marshmallows (symbolizing Christ's purity) dipped in butter (the oils put on Christ's body), then rolled in cinnamon sugar (spices), wrapped in cinnamon roll dough (the tomb).  When they're cooked, they are hollow- Chirst is risen! It was a cute lesson for our kids.

Another great Easter egg hunt.  C was much quicker at finding eggs, probably remembering what's inside.

 Little break to push V in the swing

The Rivers were so nice to host the Easter dinner. Too bad we were to busy feeding/chasing our kids around to take pictures of the delicious dinner. The food and the company were supreme.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Tuesday before Thanksgiving we took a little family outing to Pullen Park in Raleigh just by NC State Campus.  It just opened up and it reminded me of what Liberty Park in SLC must've looked like when it was brand new. we rode the little train that was a hit with the Rappleye girls

Vienna is loving it!

Cambers was a little unsure when we entered the tunnel, but overall had a great time.

 We spent quite a while on the stationary caboose.  

Cambers thought driving was pretty awesome

 There is quite a pleasant little boardwalk around this lake.  Walking on planks of wood is so much cooler to a toddler. I'm glad she's around to help us enjoy simple things again.

Wednesday we drove to Charlotte to spend Thanksgiving with uncle Lindsey and aunt Lil.  It was perfect.  It was so relaxing and sooo good to be with family, especially our favorite aunt and uncle (the truth comes out).  Plus, there is a special feeling about the mission home that just doesn't exist in an apartment complex. Cambry loved being in an actual house- so much room to explore, not to mention stairs.

Thursday morning we ran the Charlotte Turkey Trot 8k.  We've been training for the past few weeks.  It's our first race together. We got there a little late, and we could see hundreds of people already running when we were getting out of our car.  By the time we got to the starting line we saw a whole bunch of strollers and figured we made it just in time.  When we started, it was so compacted, it was more like we were in a stationary line than an actual race for the first mile.  About 2 miles in there was a fork in the road where the  5k and 8k routes split. EVERYONE went the 5k route instead of the 8k route.  Looks like we really made it just in time for the last call for the 5k.  HELLO!

Devin finished at a time of 47:34 and I finished at 47:47.  Devin sprinted the last 1/2 mile (while pushing the double wide) and I just couldn't keep up with that speed demon. We think we"ll try a half marathon in the spring WITHOUT  the kids (that thing is a beast up hills).

Our girls were angels the whole ride, which was a blessing. Not many things make me want to stop what I'm doing more than screaming babies.

 Cambers enjoying an actual yard at the mission home.

Friday Lindz became President Thomas again and we stopped by the office so Vienna could snuggle up to Lindz one more time.  These two must've been bosom friends in the pre-existence.  

Thanks for a fun weekend Thomas Family! The feast was perfect as well as the company.

 So 15 minutes after we left Charlotte, we got a flat tire. I don't know anyone that says I hope we have a little car trouble on this trip.  However, we were really fortunate.  My man got to show his girls how manly he really is, it happened during business hours, we were only 2 miles away from a discount tire, they fixed it in an hour, Hobby Lobby was around the corner and we got to do a little Christmas shopping, I got to feed Vienna so we didn't have to stop along the drive, and Cambry got enough wiggles out that made her very pleasant on the ride home.

Really??  What is that??

It was nice to take Saturday morning at a slow pace

Check out Vienna rocking the Bumbo

Cambry... not so much.  She saw it sitting there, and got completely stuck, the goof.

Saturday night we picked out our Christmas tree.  It was so much fun.  Devin and I have never picked one out at a lot before- we've only gone to Fish Lake to chop down our own.  Lot shopping is much easier.

Who knew Cambry is terrified of Red Necks?

This guy is the real deal, straight from the sticks- came to the city in his silver bullet trailer to sell Christmas trees.  He was so fantastic.  He gave Cambry a little pat on the head and she had a complete meltdown. Tis the Season!