A Year in Pictures

Happy New Year's Eve!! I can't believe 2011 is over, here are some of my favorite times this year!

New Year!! (January)

Our trip to Vail, Colorado. Simply beautiful out there. (March)

Anniversary Trip to the Homestead. (April)

Me and Emily at the Monument Avenue 10k. The race that started it all! (April)

Enjoying Easter with the family. (April)

Us at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. (May)

Camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains. (June)

Us in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. (June)

Rebecca gets married!! At her rehearsal dinner. (June)

Beach trip to OBX with the girls. (July)

Me at Falling Water in Pennsylvania. (August)

Me after my first half, ran during a hurricane! (August)

Camping with friends. (August)

Apple Picking in Charlottesville. (October)

Rachel gets married! (October)

Me and Clarke before the marathon. (November)

Me and mom on Thanksgiving. (November)

Christmas! (December)

Family at the VMFA for my birthday. (December)

It's blog posts like these that make me feel so blessed!! What a wonderful year!

Labor Day Camping

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. We definitely did! Last night me and Clarke went camping with some friends at Pocahontas State Park. We got so lucky with the weather, and had such a great time.

We had the best dinner cooked on the campfire. Hobos made with ground beef, lots of cheese, potatoes, peppers, onions and seasoning. So good!

We also had smores made with Reese's Cups, instead of regular chocolate. It was really good, we definitely want to make smores with them again.

Camping is such a fun summertime thing to do, so glad we got to go one last time before it's officially over.

On a separate note I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of school. I am really ready to go back. Can't wait!!

the great outdoors

This past weekend we went camping with some friends from our bible study group. We were in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 15  minutes west of Charlottesville. It was beautiful out there, and luckily we had great weather. (It was really hot, but no rain which was in the forecast.)

We stayed up late hanging out around the campfire Friday and Saturday nights. We made great meals on the campfire too. I really think everything tastes better when made on a campfire.

On a side note I woke up really early Saturday morning and decided to do my run. I ran all through these little farms and saw some beautiful countryside, it reminded me why I love running. Although I got so into the views I got lost and had to call Clarke from a little gas station and have him come pick me up!

Saturday we went for a hike near Skyline Drive. We didn't realize what we were getting ourselves into, as it was over 30 minutes of going directly up this mountain. We were so happy when we got to the top. The view was worth it.

We had such a great time. We woke up early Sunday and made it back in time for church. Then I went home and crashed. So thankful for great friends and the great outdoors!

Mini Vacations

I love mini vacations, as we call them. Just getting away for one or two nights. It doesn't even matter where we go, sometimes you just need to get away.

This weekend we went camping at Bear Creek Lake State Park for Clarke's birthday.

It was our first time camping there, and we really enjoyed it.

This morning we went hiking.

It was a beautiful day.

We have several more "mini vacations" planned before summer is over. Trying to make the most of it all. Although, I'm not sad for summer to be over, I'm ready for the fall. Ready for the crisp cool air and the leaves to change color. But I hate to wish time away, so for now I'm enjoying what is left of summer.