Babymoon

So we FINALLY took a break from area code 704 and headed on up to the mountains of North Carolina for a little break and relaxation! It's what's now called a "babymoon." Since so many people (including my OB) have clue what a babymoon is I'll take the time to define it. According to wikipedia, one of the most realiable sources in the world. . .(this is a joke). . . Laugh here!

More recently the term has come to be used to describe a vacation taken by a couple that is expecting a baby in order to allow the couple to enjoy a final trip together before the many sleepless nights that usually accompany a newborn baby. Babymoons usually take place at a resort that offers appropriate services like prenatal massage.

Our original plan was to head to bright and sunny Florida however those plans didn't work out as expected. So things changed and we headed to Asheville, NC. Neither of us had ever been there so it was something new and we're always up for a change! We were only going to stay for 3 days versus the 5 original for Florida, but since it was only 2 hours away we took our sweet little time actually leaving. Friday morning we got up WITHOUT THE ALARM CLOCK which starts the day off just right. Dropped off our baby girl, Milley with Dana and Chris and headed out. The drive down was very easy . . . basically a couple of turns and we were there.

Upon arrival we did 2 of our regular past times. . .went looking at cars and to the pet store. Go figure! After that it was time for me and Kayla to eat! We went to a cute restaurant right up from the hotel and asked for the warmest place in the restuarant. It was cold in Asheville. . .let me not omit that minor detail. I mean I know it's December but I don't think we were expecting temperatures quite like that. After eating we headed back to our hotel to rest and re-up for our Biltmore visit/adventure. Now many may or may not know but William LOVES to plan our trips. He LOVES to sit and look at all the visitor brochures and books and plan our excursions. Me (especially these days). . .not so much. Just let me hit the hot spots, a couple restaurants and a good mall and I'm good! But not Mr. Gardin. He proceeded to go in and out of the room for a good hour calling places making reservations/appointments etc.

We then headed up the highway to visit the Biltmore Estate. Now I'm not sure we covered this in NC Social Studies but I'm pretty sure they didn't leave the details of the Vanderbilts out. This house was freaking amazing!!!! The Land, the House, the Interior. . .all of it was almost unreal. In a nutshell, Biltmore House is a French Renaissance-style mansion near Asheville, North Carolina, built by George Washington Vanderbilt II between 1889 and 1895. It is the largest privately-owned home in the United States, at 175,000 square feet (16,300 m2) and featuring 250 rooms. Now this house was built in the 1800s and can still marvel the minds of today. I mean for a man to dream/design and construct this mansion in the 1800s with the many amenities and luxuries of modern times is pretty darn awesome. It was HUGE and at Christmas time it was packed. Everything is lit up with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. Christmas at the Biltmore is one of their most busiest times of the year. And they've opened up a lot more rooms than they're ever had before. I would DEFINITELY suggest visiting it so you can see it with you own eyes. Afterwards was dinner at the Bistro near the Winery section of the Estate. EXCELLENT! And William and I pride ourselves on knowing good food. . .and yall . . .that was some goooooooooood food! Our compliments to the chef! Saturday my honey surprised me with a visit to the spa. Now again my husband is great and doesn't hesitate on the pampering. . but he LOVES a good massage too. So it was a treat for both of us. We went to the Spa at Biltmore Village where they pampered us for 3 hours or so. And then that night we went to see the Nutcracker performed by the Asheville Ballet Company. Pretty clever Mr. Gardin. . . good planning! Good times!

All in all we had a great time. We were happy to get away. But we've made the decision that any and all further vacations will be to areas with warm temperatures. We don't do well in the cold at all. I mean we ate whole meals sometimes with our coats on b/c everyone else was comfortable and unfazed by the temperature. I have more pictures to post. . . but I took my camera to be cleaned so I'll have to post them later. Now that the babymoon's done, we have Christmas, New Year's Day, then gotta get prepared for the arrival of Little Miss Kayla! Then we'll have to let her daddy plan her trips all over! B/c if she's got my blood running through her veins. . .she's gonna be OWT! It's too many things to do and places to see on this planet to sit home and not ever do anything.