Fall Frenzy

So, I know it has been a couple weeks since my last post... and I'm going to blame Philip for that.  Sorry sweetie!  We only have one laptop and the best time for me to use it is on Sunday's because he typically doesn't need it at work.  Well last Sunday that stinker took it to church, which left me computer-less and Post-less.  Due to that miss, I am going to cram a lot into this post.  We have had so much going on and I have just a couple minutes before the little man wakes up from his nap, which means no more blogging for me.

Not only have we been so incredibly busy, but we have also gone on a few trips already this fall.  It started out with a very last minute quick trip to Asheville (three hours away) to see my very good friend  Cara.  She happened to be visiting her friend Britney in Tennessee and then realized we were only a few hours a part from each other.  So, Parker and I hopped into the car and met Cara and Britney (and their to kids Eli and Keller) in a lovely town called Asheville.

We met at a park, because what else do you do with kids in a strange town?  And then we headed to a restaurant called Tupelo Honey Cafe.  Let me tell you the Biscuits were incredible!  I even took one home to share with the hubs and it was still delicious.  So were their Pumpkin Pancakes.  I do have to say that it wasn't the most relaxing of meals, and to be honest I can't even remember the meal that I ordered.  It ended up being a two hour lunch that I'm sure the people around us were hoping we would have left a little sooner than we did. Although we did attract a lot of people to tell us how cute our kids were.  Did I mention that at one table we had a 6 week old, one year old and almost two year old?

It was so nice to spend time with these lovely ladies and their kids.  It's always nice to have a conversation with an old friend.  Having been in Charlotte for a few months we have made great friends, but those deep relationships take a while to build.  It was nice to see someone that had already made a decision to be your friend no matter what, and could jump right in where we left off.  

Two days after our Asheville trip Parker and I flew to Ohio to help with and attend my cousin's wedding.  As anyone with kids knows, traveling alone with kids is always a tricky thing, but Parker handled it pretty well!  

 The wedding was in my Aunt's back yard under a tent.  It was so beautiful.  I got to help with the set up and decorating for the wedding which is one of my favorite things to be a part of.  Parker got to see cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents and great grandparents.  He of course was spoiled as usual, and I had several moments of free babysitting, so I was lovin' it too!

The wedding was incredible, and the bride, Nicole was also.  The whole Yoder gang knows how to throw a party.  In fact I owe these people a lot of wedding throwing, because they did the majority of the work setting and cleaning up at my own wedding!  So fun to hang out with family.

When Parker and I came back, not only did we have the season of fall to look forward to, but we also had a visitor coming!  Philip's mom, Cindy decided to come out for a quick trip to see us and the city of Charlotte. We get the pleasure of both Stuart and Cindy coming again next week, but we got to enjoy having Grandma here for a couple of days.  

Now, Cindy loves a good slice of pumpkin bread with some pumpkin spice creamer and coffee to enjoy on fall mornings.  So as I was walking through Trader Joe's a couple days before she got here I spotted this little treasure. 

I haven't found many things that disappoint me at Trader Joe's, and this didn't either!  All you have to add is oil, eggs and water.  I put a little brown sugar oatmeal combo on the top just because, but I'm telling you yumm-o!  Cindy was lucky there was some left by the time she got here! 

If you are ever in need of a quick fall treat, or just don't feel like making it from scratch... believe me, you won't be sorry.

Anyways, while Cindy was here we got to enjoy some of the fun fall festivities Charlotte has to offer. 

We spent a morning at the pumpkin patch and took Parker on his first hay ride.  He loved the tractor that pulled us, and for some reason thinks it says "choo choo".  He also got to pick out his very own pumpkin, and so did Philip! We picked out a special one for Camden too.  (Oh by the way, that is what we are naming this little man growing inside of me! :))

Cindy also woke up with Parker in the mornings, which meant we got to sleep in, and helped me pack for the move.  We didn't sign another lease with the apartment, and are now renting a town home. Another post on that later.  Cindy also helped me with another fun fall treat that I was practicing  for a big staff Party for Elevation.  Check out the recipe here for Apple Pie dip with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips.

 Once again, this did not disappoint!  I ended up spending an entire 12 hour day later that week making enough of this for 300 people.  Not as easy as making it for 4 to 8, but still incredibly delicious, and not too bad for you!

I told you this would be a crammed post.... Really it's 4 posts in one, but you got the condensed version this time, plus a couple fun recipes to try out. :) 

We miss you and love you.  We hope your fall has been fun. Isn't it cool to see how we find things to love and enjoy each time of the year?  I love that God gives us different seasons to find joy in the things he has created.  Happy Sunday and have a great week. 

With Love, From Charlotte.

Food Truck Friday

Last Friday night Philip, Parker and I had a fun new Charlotte adventure!  We went to what is loved and known as Food Truck Friday.  It is in the part of town called South End, which is close to Uptown. (Charlotte's creative name for their downtown)  This event is every Friday, (I don't really know if it's year round) and about 10 different food trucks from around the city come to this one location.  This provides families and groups of friends with many different delicious food options right at their fingertips!!  If you are willing to stand in line for a while, which we were!

Here are a few of the trucks in the circle waiting to serve us some yummy treats.  There was one truck that had a long line the whole night (at least an hour wait, but probably longer) and their specialty was grilled cheese.  I know what you are thinking, grilled cheese? I'm not waiting in line for that!  I agree, this very hungry pregnant lady wasn't willing to wait it out.  Had I been prepared and brought a snack, knowing that this grilled cheese was worth the wait, and had I not had an almost 2 year old to chase and entertain, then I may have toyed with the idea.  Maybe next time when I'm more prepared, apparently it's incredible!

While we waited for the rest of our group to get there,  Philip and Parker got to play with the football while I snapped a few pics of the many people waiting in line and setting up camp to eat their delicious treats.  

Once everyone arrived we all made our choices and took turns waiting in line.  Of course the ladies are in love with our little parker, and he definitely doesn't mind all the attention that he gets from both the ladies and the guys.  He was the only kid in our group there last night, and when that happens he tends to ham it up and becomes the entertainment for the night. 

This is Nikki, one of the wives of the prodigy guys in the program.  

Once we got our burgers and tots, I didn't even take the time to snap a picture for you because I was so hungry.  However, it was delicious!  I got a burger with cheese, avocado, bacon and pineapple.  Yumm...  Philip stuck with his usual cheeseburger with ketchup, he's so crazy with his food choices I just can't handle it! :)  Even so, we both were completely satisfied stuffed and happy.

Parker ended the night by schmoozing about 5 or 6 people to share their ice cream with him.  (As he does anytime we get together)  and Philip and I split a soft serve chocolate vanilla swirl.  Simplicity at it's best!

We have missed our family and friends back home, and Parker has too.  We talk about you and pray for you all the time.  One thing that I worried about in moving so far away, was that Parker would miss out on so much, and crave the attention he once had from everyone.  No one will ever replace you! But it is so nice to see how our friends here have taken us in as family.  They spoil Parker like crazy, but they also help keep him in line.  It makes a difficult transition much easier on a mamma, when you know that your kids are loved and cared for.   So, thank you for watching out for Parker and loving on him, don't worry, there's enough love and spoiling to go around :) 

We get a little extra of that this next week as we will be in Ohio for my cousins wedding.  So we get to see family!  Can't wait to see grandparents,  aunts, uncles, cousins, and of course Grandma, Papa and Uncle Isaac. Enjoy your lovely fall weekend.

With Love, From Charlotte