NC State Champs weekend

This post is long overdue!  Two weekends ago, we were in Statesville, NC for the 2017 NC State Water Ski Championships.  I really haven't been practicing a whole lot, but figured I would go and ski anyway.  This lake is one of my faves, and I hadn't been there in almost 10 years (it had sort of been neglected for a few years and recently brought back to life the past year thanks to the Blair family).  I was nervous about going because we were staying with some friends on Lake Norman, about 30 minutes away, and Merritt hadn't been sleeping great.  I get nervous about travelling with her since we are normally in the same room and it can be chaotic.  I was also going to be without Brent for a day and night because he had to work:(  So I decided to drive down early Saturday instead Friday night....looking back it went fine and I would have gone Friday if I could do it over again.

Emma wasn't into having her picture taken on the way down....Merritt slept most of the way:)  It's only about a 2 hour drive.

When you turn off the highway, it is absolutely gorgeous.  This is Iredell county!

After we got there, and I skied (sorry, no pics!!), I had to take them for a drive to get Merritt to nap again, plus there was a small rain shower coming through.  The goal was for Merritt to nap, but I'll take both girls asleep any day!

The nearest town is Harmony - so quaint and SMALL.  It does have it's own pharmacy though:)

Still asleep....this looks soooooo painful!

I tried to snap photos while driving (not recommended), so none of these do the landscape justice.....but wow, so pretty!

Again....still asleep! 

The banquet was at the lake that evening and I was going to try and head back to the house where we were staying and shower and then come back, but we hit bad traffic on I-77 so I turned around.  It wasn't ideal to not shower, but hey....we are skiers...we are used to it!  They had tents set up, a mechanic bull for the kids, a dunking booth, and other fun stuff!  The Blair's parents own a great BBQ place and catered the whole thing.  It was delicious!  It's called Hog Heaven and they're always at the fair, and travel around the south.

I was a bit shocked that Emma wanted to try the bull...and also relieved that she didn't love it:)

Sweet Miss Jane made sure Merritt was well taken care of!

My second dad....Bill!!

My two favorite guys (over the age of 40!)

I snuck away for a few minutes to feed Merritt...to this view of the lake...not bad at all.

The food was amazing....soooo good!

Emma had a blast running around with her friends!

We stayed at the Blair's house on Lake Norman, about 35 minutes away.  We got there late - after 9pm.  Merritt and Emma weren't in bed until after 10:30, but surprisingly.....both slept through the night.  We woke up to this beautiful view Sunday morning.

and headed downstairs....

Emma wasted no time getting comfortable with a donut and some OJ.

Merritt had her breakfast with this view....

and Emma made short work of the pool (before 9am)

Sunday, I skied twice again and they had awards at the end.  I am beyond proud that I can still participate in this sport.  I am nowhere near as good as I used to, but man....I love doing it.  And I can still compete...I just need more practice:)

Oh...and Brent made it there Sunday to watch me ski and play with the girls.  We had such a good weekend....and I was so happy to have spent it with my family and ski fam!

Our happy place....

We have spent a lot of time at the lake...so I thought I'd share some pictures from yesterday. There are also a lot of photos from my 4th of July post here....that I'm not sure made it up with the videos (but I think I have fixed them and they are working now...) 

This is the view driving in to the lake.  All of the cabins and campers are at the far end towards the end of the video.  It's absolutely gorgeous and in the middle of nowhere:)

There is a large pavilion (seen behind me) where we all gather to eat, talk, etc....big enough to hold LOTS of people!  I can usually be found enjoying a tasty cold beverage in the afternoon....

And then the dock is where we ski, hang out, and swim.

There's a big sandy beach and play area leading up to the point...

Merritt is all smiles when she is outside....

Emma swims NON STOP when we are there.

Her and Brent swam out pretty far on the raft this one day...

Emma asks to go to Beaver Lake ALL THE TIME.  She absolutely loves this place, and we do too.

Successful trip....sleeping girls:)

If you're ever in Northestern NC, check us out......

Fourth of July weekend

We kicked off the holiday Friday around noon and headed to the lake.  Brent had to work, so he joined us later that night.  I let Merritt nap for about 45 minutes in the morning so I could finish packing us up.  Wow - it was an ordeal for sure.  We were staying in a travel trailer this time -which is awesome because you are on site and don't have to go anywhere, and you have AC:)  But, it also meant I had to pack food, towels, sheets, beds, etc....  The truck was loaded down and I even had some stuff in my station wagon that Brent was driving down - oh, and of course all my skis!!

We stopped in Rocky Mount to grab a snack at Chickfila and feed Merritt.  That place was packed...and so hard to get to.  If you've ever gone, then you know what I mean.  It's like an episode of Ninja Warrior parking lot or something just for some nuggets and a shake (or the diet lemonade - my new obsession!).

We got to the lake around 2:30pm, and it was sweltering already.  I was glad we had a camper to get into all weekend because it was a hot one...and no rain to cool it off.  After we got unpacked and settled, Emma immediately went in the water....then this happened.  Totally unprovoked.  She had been asking to ski all week and just hopped right on.

I'm a proud mama:)

Emma spent the whole weekend in the water, and I got to ski all 3 events (slalom, trick, and jump).  I had not jumped since 2015, so I was pretty excited too get back, even if I had to take it easy.

Merritt napped in the camper great, and the monitor reaches wayyyy farther than I would have imagined!  I got some good girl time on the beach with these friends;)

I even got a family photo!

Saturday night, we had a huge potluck and then some local singin' girls came and performed for us.  It was awesome - they were awesome!  They are 3 sisters from a super small town who grew up singing at church and now they sing country songs and some contemporary music.  We all just sat on the beach, listened, sang, then even danced.  You haven't lived until you've seen 40+ year olds singing and dancing (and we weren't drunk...just having the BEST time!).  Merritt was asleep, and Emma was running around with her friends  - they even came and danced some.  Brent and I felt so at home, in our happy place, with our little family and great friends.  Such a simple Saturday night, yet so perfect.

Sunday was beautiful - filled with more skiing (for me), and playing in the water.  Brent had to work Monday, so we planned to come home that night.  I would have stayed an extra day with the girls, but Merritt had a cold and fever, and wasn't sleeping well at all.  I really needed to get her back in her own room and crib, and me in my own bed, for some rest.

We got back late Sunday night, and I spent most of Monday doing laundry (I think I did like 8 loads!!).  Emma had stayed up way too late both nights, and spent all day in the sun and water, so I made her chill inside all day.  Brent was off Tuesday, and we slept in (mostly because I was up more than once with Merritt), then headed to a friends' pool for a few hours.

But first....I had my makeup done.....

I may need a touch more bronzer......you think???

The pool was nice because we got to see friends, but I will say 7 months isn't a fun age for this sort of activity.  Concrete everywhere.  Chairs with holes that babies can fall through, and water for drowning.......I think next year will be great.  But this year is filled with having to hold Merritt because there's nowhere to put her, and watch Emma not drown.

Emma loves her life vest.  It's embarrassing, sort of.  She wears it even if she can touch.  I guess I won't complain one bit since I definitely don't have to worry about her drowning:)

Even Merritt joined in on the fun!

We did burgers for takeout and had a low key evening at home - perfect ending to a great long weekend.  Happy summer, all!