Mountain Weekend

What seems like ions ago now, I spent a weekend getaway with my dinner club girlfriends. We had manicures and pedicures in Charlotte and then traveled to Blowing Rock to shop, relax, cook, talk and laugh. A daring few of us (that could ignore all of Dr Oz's gross warnings) hopped into the hot tub during the first snow of the season. (I'm still alive. It was worth it.) I love these women. They make me laugh. Until I cry. And, oh how I love to laugh with them. We share recipes, advice, miscellaneous shoes that no longer fit, books, music, matching pjs, a growing collection of ornaments, weekends away, funny stories, motivation to tackle new things (triathlons, home renovations, a filing system that will change-your-life), comfort and support during our trials and sadness, bottles of wine, rockin' eggnog, contagious laughter, a handful of silly songs & poems, maybe someday a fancy necklace or convertible (remember that article, girls?), and so many memories (that the girls often fill me in on, since my memory is equivalent to a sieve). This group gets it right. We are the perfect balance.

While I was away, my parents were in town. My dad and Mike took the boys to the Southpark Mall to have breakfast with Santa. This entire season, Miles and Noah have been on to the visiting Santas and know the secret -- that these Santas are really just the real Santa's brothers. They are so smart. :)