Since visiting the
Biltmore last spring, Jeff has been trying to get all of us back there for a family vacation. Spring Break worked out to be the perfect time, with the kids off school and Jeff home for a long weekend, we made the most of our three days in
Asheville, North Carolina. Fortunately, it is not to long of a drive, right at about 2 1/2 hours and since grandma came with us, there was never a dull moment!
The hotel we chose this time turned out to be perfect for us, plenty big enough and with an evening meal on Thursday and a hot breakfast Friday and Saturday. Thursday night, after dinner, unpacking and settling in, the kids enjoyed the indoor pool before falling into bed. On Friday morning, the weather turned cold and very windy. With highs only in the mid 50's we decided to visit the Western NC Nature Center. We had a fun morning of wandering through the trails and visiting the animals. I think the kids favorite were the otters, they were so cute! Later that day, we headed over to the
Biltmore to tour the inside. The afternoon turned out to be much less busy than the morning, so we were able to really enjoy walking through all five floors and learning about the
Vanderbilts rich history.
On Saturday, we woke up to a beautiful morning that just got sunnier and warmer as the day went on. The girls loved dressing up and getting tons of pictures in the gardens. Since we had toured the house the day before, we stuck to all of the outdoor recreation at the
Biltmore, spending lots of time at the new family friendly Antler Farm.
When we were all exhausted and sunburned (although none more so than poor Nehemiah) we got in the car for the drive home, but not before upgrading our tickets to season passes! Now, of course, we have to plan another trip!
WARNING-Many pictures follow.
Relaxing at the hotel.
The Western NC Nature Center
The Biltmore Estate and Gardens
Playing in the courtyard.
Taking a break.
On to Antler Farm, the once working dairy barn of Biltmore that they converted into a family oriented area, they had butter churning demonstrations and authentic old fashion games and equipment and even a petting zoo.
Poor little guy, it took over a week to recover from this burn.
Last but not least, some artsy shots. The last one was a happy accident by my very talented husband.
The Easter fun began this year with our Second Annual Family and Friends Egg Hunt. We stayed up late on the Friday before Palm Sunday and stuffed 90 eggs in anticipation of the egg hunt and potluck the next day. Saturday turned out to be beautiful and we enjoyed hunting lots of eggs and playing with our friends followed by a great dinner.
On Thursday, right before Spring Break started, Noah's Kindergarten class had an Easter egg hunt. Because I was very, very ill, Mom went in my place and took Bella and Micah to the festivities. Noah hunted eggs in his homemade basket while Bella and Micah played.
On Sunday 
