July 4th Holiday sister's visit

Seems as though July 4th will be my sister's and my new tradition instead of our scrapbooking trips. So in honor of that, I wanted to make it really count this year, and I was ready to play too! We did so much, it may take me a couple tries to get it all documented.

This year Cassie was training in Boston, so she was able to get a flight to Charlotte instead of back to Phoenix after it was over.  We decided to take advantage of that opportunity and stay the first couple of days there, see what trouble we could get into!  She flew in on Friday night, and I drove to Charlotte to pick her up at the airport.

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte airport is small, and under construction.  What a mess! We thought we would never find the baggage carousal for Cassie's flight.  But of course it was on the one labeled from NY.. 

We got a screamin' deal for the Hyatt downtown Charlotte, and found out why - the street was nearly all blocked off by construction out front!  But we found a way in and had a great view from our 12th floor

We had big plans for Saturday, so we were up early and mapping out a Starbucks and our first stop, the Billy Graham Library.

The BGL was a beautiful campus as we drove up, with a guard shack and gate at the entrance.  The guard welcomed us warmly, asked if we'd been there before and showed us where to park.  Then he described the big barn, and the cross on the front of it as the entrance to the library.  He told us "drive straight ahead, and after parking be sure to enter right at the foot of the cross." Before even entering there was a peace that permeated the place, and we could feel the presence of the Lord already.  Tears were streaming down Cassie's face as we parked, and we had to talk for a few moments before getting out of the car.  She had been immediately struck by the words "enter at the foot of the cross." She said it created such a visual for her, that she couldn't help but feel emotional.

We decided to be sure we had tissues in our purse before making that most meaningful entrance behind us

Touring the whole library was impressive, and not just a few tears were shed by both of us I have to admit. Probably the thing that was most impactful for me was a sign which described a chain of events that lead to Dr. Graham's salvation.  It still is a wonder, and so amazing how God works in the lives of people and throughout time for His great purpose.

One final room before leaving, where we heard a message from Dr. Graham about salvation.  After the video ended, doors to our right opened up to reveal a gigantic, layered, 3-d cross and behind it a wall which had a painting by Thomas Kinkaid of the cross on a hill.  That painting was in darkness but as you walk through the cross-shaped tunnel, lights begin to brighten and it turns to day.  Beautiful.  Words are not enough.

We ate lunch in the cafeteria, and reflected on what we had learned and how we felt.  We agreed it was a most blessed way to kick off our time together, and we wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Not much time in Charlotte, so we were off to the next stop that day, Carowinds! It is the theme park of the Carolina's and I'd been wanting to go since we moved here.  We planned on spending the first half of the day at the water park, and the rest of the evening hopefully finding smaller coasters we could ride!

The water park was so fun, we relaxed in our cabana in between riding a couple of water slides

We spent most of the day talking about maybe riding this coaster in the background.. but it was too high! 

We found a section of kid rides that looked to be more our style! Had fun on a couple that seemed way too fast for being the kiddie section - or maybe we're just getting old.

Do I need to caption this? It was scary!

We were exhausted but happy as we drove back to the hotel Saturday night.  It had been an eventful day and we were ready for bed!

On the schedule for Sunday was a segway tour of downtown Charlotte.  It was my first time doing it, and I admit I was a bit nervous; especially since stories of both parents falling off and mom cutting her leg in the process has become a favorite family story.  But I have to admit, once you rid your mind of all the things you know about how to ride a bike, it's not too hard.  The one piece of instruction which clicked with me the most was when our guide explained that the segway balances YOU, you don't balance IT.  That frees you up a little and you feel like maybe you won't face plant if you lift your feet up a bit for a quick rest.  Charlotte was just lovely, we really enjoyed the tour - other than the group of cougars in our party who hijacked the young, surfer guide almost the entire time!

No wonder I was nervous, the safety video shows every last way you can get hurt on a segway!

She's the pro!

I was proud of myself for lifting my hands off the handle bars!

After the tour, we were hungry! We asked for a referral and proceeded to have the best soul food I've tried yet in the South.  Yuuuuummmmy.  Then it was on the road to head home.  A great trip.

Cassie tries fried green tomatoes for the first time!

Queen Charlotte, for whom the city is named

Back home again, and we needed a break! We hung out at the house, slept in and watched some TV, chatted and played some cards.  It was nice just to be together again, it didn't matter what we did. Then we were off again, a day trip this time.

Raleigh, NC
Cassie wanted to take the train somewhere, so we decided Raleigh, only about an hour from here.  It was my first time on the Amtrak -so exciting!

 I mis-judged how long it would take to get there, and was so scared we would miss the train.  But we made it just in time, it was pulling in just as we got to the platform.  Whew!

The train ride wasn't very long, but while we sat we discussed what to do when we hit the streets of Raleigh.  We really wanted more tours, as that is usually the best way to learn more about a city.  We tried our best to find a bike or trolly or something, but none of that was available until the weekend.  But what was available? Segway!  We debated, would it be worth it again? YES!! It was so fun in Charlotte we couldn't help ourselves.  We booked it.  Arriving in Raleigh we were able to catch a free downtown shuttle just a couple blocks away from the train depot.  But boy was it hot that day!  We were so glad for the air conditioning of public transit. We found our way directly to the segway tour shop, and had some time to spare so we sat and enjoyed a nice cool iced tea while we waited. Then it was time to saddle up once again..

The training in Raleigh was much more regimented than Charlotte. They made us maneuver around cones, and we had to go back and forth like 5 times! Then on the tour we were all in one line most of the time. 

Our tour of the City Cemetery was so amazing - this is a confederate buriel ground - they won't let them be buried in any federal cemetery like Arlington or anything, and the shape of the headstone has to be different. Woah!

At the end of this tour we were officially pro's now!

We got a referral for lunch, and headed out on foot.  We were hungry and very hot and not a little sweaty.  It was a warm day for sure. 

Lunch was mmmmm, tasty!

After an excellent lunch, we walked up a couple of blocks to the capitol building.  It was so hot, we were so thankful for the air conditioning once we got inside.

They gave us little phones with a recorded tour guide

After the tour at the capitol, it was time to head back to the train station.  We debated if it would be quicker to walk to try and take the free shuttle, which made a circuit around the downtown area.  We would be cutting it close if the bus took a long time to get through all the stops, but once we got back outside again we decided it was worth the risk.  WAY too hot to walk!  We made it just in time, and thought we'd be boarding right as we walked up, but discovered the train was late.  Well that worked out perfectly!

We enjoyed a couple days around the house, and Cassie was itching to get on our John Deere and mow the lawn.  July 4th we planned to see fireworks at Northeast Park, but it was canceled due to rain.  We planned our own fireworks for at the house, because the rain never came.

Enjoyed the afternoon at Old Salem

Made our very patriotic dinner (grilled chicken was added)

Didn't get too far with our game of Cornhole, but it was still fun

We had some really beautiful ones, and had a blast setting them all off

Our time together drew to a close all too soon.  We didn't want to sit around the house all sad while we waited for her plane, which didn't leave until the evening, so we decided to go to the pool.  Northeast park has a very nice public pool, and we really enjoyed a relaxing morning, swimming and getting some sun.  Of course it was terribly sad to take her to the airport and send her home again, but we had such a great time and made so many memories that will last a life time.  LOVE, love! 

A milestone worth commemorating

This year we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in March! With so much going on at home, we weren't in a position to go anywhere special, so I talked Chris into doing a professional photo shoot with me. It turned out to be a great experience, and a fun adventure!

My initial idea was to have the pictures done at our house, around the property.  But we kept having to postpone week after week due to rain, which happened every Friday like clock work! The last time, it was Thursday and already clouding up. I called York photography to see if they maybe had an opening that Saturday, as it looked like a window of sun was being forecast.  Craig York explained they would be at their other studio in Columbia, and then half-jokingly said we could come there if we wanted. At this point, I'd already gotten the dogs groomed, my eyebrow's waxed and picked out the outfits (which were meant for March but by this time in April-May were probably already too warm) and found the props I needed and all sorts of other fun stuff that we needed in order to be ready for the photos.  I had no desire to put it off yet another week, especially having to re-groom the dogs.  Chris and I decided a change of location would not be a bad idea!  When I called Craig back to find out where the nearest pet-friendly hotel was, he offered for us to bunk in with them.  I was a little shocked - did he realize the amount of fur that traveled with us but inevitably never made it back home again? He was totally fine, they loved the dogs from when they had met them at our planning meeting a few months prior.  Well, this would be an adventure!

Travel day, and nothing comes off without a hitch in the Jensen household!  Our car had like zero oil in it, which Chris just happened to check while we were filling up with gas.  Our timetable was completely out the window by the time we sorted out THAT mess.  After texting the Yorks that we were late (I know what you're thinking: shocker!), we finally got on the road about 1 or 2 in the afternoon.  The drive to Columbia was a little over 3 hours - not too bad for sure once we finally got underway.  I was touching up makeup as we were pulling into the tiny town close to the coast.  By the time we found their little studio down by the river (but we AZ folks call it a lake), we had to hit the ground running! Lean on this tree, squeak toy for the dogs to look at the camera, smile, smile, kiss, smile. The dogs did great, but after about the 5th time Karen York tried the squeak toy, Soo was on to her.  She was completely unimpressed, and let Karen know she knew it was a fake and she was tricking her by posing with her back to the camera.  It took some cajoling, but we got her back in place and finished up the rest of the pictures.

Craig was talking dinner plans as we started packing up and heading back to their house (only a few doors down from the studio and the lake house where were shooting).  I started to get nervous.  It sounded like some sit-down affair.  I had imagined sitting outside somewhere with the dogs on a patio and watching the sun set over the water.  Turns out it was Karen's mother's birthday.  The whole family was going out to celebrate.  This caused some concern, and if you know my dog Soo at all, you know exactly why! The York's didn't seem phased one bit, because of course they were fooled by all the good behavior during the shoot.  Little did they know.  I was insistent that we were not leaving the dogs in the house, even though they most graciously offered with no reservations at all.  Finally we decided upon the kennel outside in the yard.  We left dinner in the cage for them, but as we pulled away I admit I was a bit worried.  That Soo, she could be mighty concerned when I left her places she wasn't familiar with.  Dinner was delicious, and we both thoroughly enjoyed the company.   The family was so welcoming to us, just good people! Arriving back at the York's, we found Soo standing out in the yard, and Cody still in the kennel like the good boy that he is.  I just knew she would try, and I can't say I was surprised that she succeeded in getting out of that darn fence! The York's thought she had climbed it, but upon further inspection she had dug a small hole and bent the chain link fence at the bottom and somehow squeezed out.  Good thing we were in a rather rural area and there really wasn't much trouble she could get into on her own.  And Cody is our life saver, being he was still in the kennel, Soo stayed close by him. Well, at least terrible damage was not done, as we have seen with this crazy dog in the past.  All was easily fixable and we had a good laugh.

It turned out to be a fun adventure, and the pictures came back just as beautiful as we had thought they'd be.

Family Photos

Special Anniversary Shots