Boys??!!

I swear sometimes I think the male gender comes from a different planet. I always knew they were strange but I don't think I fully realized how strange until I had two boys. Here's a video of how they were entertaining themselves the other day. This went on forever!! Who knew banging your head on a cabinet could be so much fun. I can't picture little girls attemping this form of entertainment. Needless to say, they are always amusing!

School Pictures

Grady had school pictures taken about a month ago. They encouraged Myles sit in as well. Poor G had a horrible cold and had broken out due to a runny nose. His little face was covered in scabs. Despite feeling bad, he happily sat for pictures.

A Visit to the Biltmore Estate

The City of Asheville is pretty much synonymous with the Biltmore Estate. Most folks that visit Asheville make Biltmore a number one priority. So, it's crazy that we have lived here for 6 years and have never made a journey to this famous house. For those of you who don't know, the Biltmore Estate is the largest private residence in the US. It was built in the 1800's and is now, largely open to the public. There are a few sections of the house that remain private. It is amazing, to say the least.

The main reason that we have not made a visit before is the cost of admission. Luckily for us, the park that I work for has an agreement with the Biltmore and several other attractions. We get into some great places for free. It's a pretty sweet perk of the job....besides hiking and getting paid for it!

This is a side view of the house. I didn't get a pic from the front so you can't tell how big it really is. Grady didn't like the house. He said it was, "a little scary". I think it was the massive gargoyles that threw him off. We didn't take the kids in the house. I know they wouldn't appreciate it. Plus, I can't afford to pay for any broken items! It would be like releasing a bull in a china shop. Josh and I will go on our own sometime.

We headed to the Gardens and the Conservatory. The boys loved running around the gardens. The flowers were breath taking. (almost as pretty as my mom's garden!)

Myles was all smiles when he saw all the colors.

Me and the boys in the gardens.

Can you spot G? He is camouflaged in

all the bright colors.

Grady had to find the bass pond and see if it was full of fish.

Myles loved the guitar player in the Conservatory. He even played a few special songs for Moo.

After the gardens we headed over to the farm. They had a petting area where the boys terrorized the animals.

Myles really wanted the chicken to peck his hand. He chased them around the entire time. I know those chicks were happy when the Scala boys left the farm.

We stopped off for a bite of ice cream. They have a little village inside the Estate with shopping, restaurants and a winery. Josh and I are going to come back another time for a wine tasting. Yummy!

Family Bike Rides

Josh and I have always loved riding our bikes around Black Mountain and into the downtown area. Now, with two kids things have gotten a little complicated. We debated about getting a trailer that Josh would pull behind his bike. I wasn't to sure about the boys being in close quarters for an extended period of time. They can get a little rowdy!

A friend of ours suggested that we borrow his "tag-a-long" bike. It's a great invention that clamps onto the back of an adult bike while the kid can ride on the back. Grady LOVES it. I was pretty nervous about him hanging on to the back of Josh's bike but he had no reservations about it. He jumped on right away...."faster, Dad". Josh was concerned too as he couldn't see what G was doing while he was riding but we haven't had an mishaps yet. I'm just glad he is behind Josh and not me.

Grady's feet can't reach the pedals to actually help pedal but he can keep them on there enough to sit steady. It is so funny to watch them on this thing. What a great invention.

I can't believe how big G is getting!!

Heading down the hill. Hold on, Grady!!

Myles rides behind me, on Grady's old seat. He has really enjoyed the bike rides as well.

First Baseball Game of the Season

Today was the first weekend game for the Asheville Tourists. The Tourists are the minor league team for the Colorado Rockies, pretty ironic as we use to live in CO. This also marked Myles first baseball game. I wasn't sure how the boys would do as I can barely sit through a baseball game but they did great. We watched a little, then walked a little. They didn't really pay attention to the game (who can blame them) but they loved all the people and the music.

As a true sports fan, Josh attempted to follow the game. Not so easy with the boys climbing all over you.

Myles loved the Mascot, Teddy the Tourist.

Dad and G watching the game.

We had to chase down Teddy and take a picture with him.

Myles first taste of a stadium dog. He liked the ketchup more than the hot dog.

This is just a taste of Grady's habit of making friends. The kid would talk to a brick wall. Most people were pretty cool with it but not everyone. He attempted to hang out with a group of 8 to 10 year old boys. His opening line, "Hey, will you guys be my friends?" They just stared at him like he was insane.

He definitely has a little of his Great Papaw and Uncle Will in him!!

A Beautiful Easter Weekend

We had a wonderful Easter weekend, complete with gorgeous weather. We started things out right with Easter baskets from Gramma and Grandpa. They were full of great little boys items, trucks, dinosaurs, books, DVDs, stickers, pencils and candy (well, the candy was hijacked my mom and dad). Easter would not be complete without the great treats from their grandparents.

On Saturday, we went to our second Easter Egg Hunt of the year. The boys now know that the eggs are candy filled so they went full out searching for eggs. I think Grady ate 1000 jelly beans!

On Sunday, we decided to head up to Chimney Rock Park and do a little hiking. It was an amazing day, sunny and in the 80's . We enjoyed our day in the sun as it's been a long time coming.

Here's G with his Easter basket from Gramma and Grandpa. He LOVED the rubbery dinosaur!

Myles received his very own pair of rain boots. He stomped around in them all day.

Here's G scoping out the best Easter egg spots.

And the race was on.....

Myles and Dad walking around after the hunt.

Moo wasn't really into the eggs. He preferred to put the bucket on his head and run around blindly. I wish I would have gotten a picture but I was too busy laughing. Oh, and trying to protect him from running into things....

Grady was amazed by the rock climbing at Chimney Rock. He really wanted to try it but you had to be 6 years old. Someday, buddy!

Here he is taking notes on the rock climbers. He watched them forever.

Then, right when we turned our backs, he took off up the rocks. Who needs ropes??

Myles was the smarter of the two and decided to keep his feet on the ground.

Uhh, I take that back maybe not the "smartest"....Here he is licking a traffic cone.

We are SO lucky to know the Chimney Rock folks. My good friend, Emily, is head of outdoor education and all of the wildlife housed at the park. She is a wildlife rehabilitator and has a bunch of injured animal that she keeps for programs. Here is Grady holding his favorite animal, Wilbur. Grady talks about Wilbur on a daily basis. I have to tell stories about Wilbur every night before bed. He is obsessed with this little hognose snake.

Myles and Grady got to help Emily feed her possum. Dinner was yogurt, broccoli and grapes. She is a fat and happy possum!

Daddy Daycare

As an Environmental Educator, April is a very busy month. Why, you may ask?....Because of Earth Day! We celebrate Earth Day all month with offering a slew of programs at Chimney Rock. I have started working with Chimney Rock Park part time and it has been wonderful. I had quite a few programs this week and Josh decided to stay home and watch the boys. It worked out great as we didn't have to pay for childcare and Josh got to spend time with the crazy kids. They all had a blast and took full advantage of Mom not being home. As you can see from the pictures, clothing was optional....

Apparently, cribs are not necessary for naps. Just a blanket on the hardwood floor.

Naked wrestling in the dog bed???

A little naked reading. As a side note...Josh managed to install a new back door and get rid of our old sliding glass door. Yippee!! (pictured above)