Bon Voyage Bucket List: Biltmore

6. Biltmore 


Today we completed #6 of our Bon Voyage bucket list! Biltmore is the largest privately owned house in America. Visiting this phenomenal home was so much fun! We are so grateful mom and curt were able to come join us for this day trip!

In the Conservatory

Mom & Curt, in the Conservatory

Loving the Pink Flamingos in the conservatory!

In front of the Conservatory. Can you imagine just having this in your back yard? As part of your garden? Craaaazy.

On the back porch... In front of the beautiful North Carolina scenery

Biltmore front yard

Walkway to the back porch

Denise asked Santa for a pony for Christmas. Brian asked Santa that Denise not get a pony. Lame.

Mom & Denise in the front yard.

Visiting Eli & Avaya!

This weekend we took a special trip to STL JUST to get a chance to spend time with our precious niece & nephew! We're bummed we don't live closer already and want to make sure the kids know who we are. As soon as Eli saw us he said, "where Nana Papa?" Haha. The good new is: at least he associates us with Nana & Papa! We spent the weekend mostly relaxing and playing! Eli FINALLY says our names (By-an and Nee) and Avaya is just plain happy-go-lucky. It was soo soo much fun!

Eli loves Uncle B :)

Fun at the Mall!

Sweet Avaya face!

Balloon from the mall: $1
Hours of entertainment: Priceless

Aunt Neicy sharing her whipped cream. That's true love. 

Eli loves books!

Daddy's little girl

Trying to share with Papa over FaceTime 

Fall in East Tennessee!

Fall is THE prettiest season in East Tennessee, hands down. This one has been particularly beautiful and long-lasting.

Our Road

Choppin Trees in the back yard

Russ & Josh playing lumberjack

This was definitely more fun than it was a chore

Date night :) 

Denise loves the baby cows in the fall!!

That's always entertaining

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.   

- Elizabeth Lawrence quotes  

Bon Voyage Bucket List: Ride the Creeper Trail

Today we hit #5 of our Bon Voyage Bucket List! The Virginia Creeper Trail runs about 34 miles. We only did about 14 :)

5. Ride the Creeper Trail 

Bon Voyage Bucket List

So... the count down is on! If everything goes as planned, we will be saying Bon Voyage! to Tennessee in less than 9 months! It's a bitter-sweet occasion because we seriously love East Tennessee, but we are SO looking forward to being closer to family. 

In preparation for our Bon Voyage, we are compiling a list of must-dos before we leave the East Tennessee area. Here's our Bon Voyage bucket list, to be updated as we accomplish them!

1. The Lost Sea in Chattanooga

2. Shoot a buck


3. White water rafting


4. Snow ski at Ober Gatlinburg

5. Ride the Creeper Trail [9.22.12]


6. Biltmore 


7. Bristol Motor Speedway

8. Carter Fold

9. Grayson Highlands State Park

10. Hot Springs, NC

“Rocky Top, you’ll always be...
Home sweet home to me… 
Good ol’ Rocky Top. 
Rocky Top Tennessee…”

- Boudleaux and Felice Bryant