More Powley Time...

Aside from the fair, we were busy spending time with the Powells creating some Powley adventures.  Several years back, we dubbed ourselves "The Powleys" - a create combination of our last names.  Powell + Pooley = Powley.

One afternoon while the girls were in school, we ventured up to Durham and toured Duke's campus.  Troy got his PhD from Duke years ago, so he was thrilled to be our tour guide around campus and show us the sights!

The chapel on the campus was absolutely gorgeous - inside and out! 

The gardens at Duke could almost rival the cathedral - although pictures don't quite do it justice.  

I really enjoyed Duke's campus - it reminded me A LOT of Vanderbilt.  But with a price tag of roughly $60,000 a year (with no discount for in-state residency), I am thankful Quinn didn't visit and fall in love with it!

Some of us found time to play a new game called Exploding Kittens.  

The general consensus was mhhh.  

Some played solitaire, while others watched. 

Then ALL people participated in Nerts in honor of Ryan's birthday, because after all, Ryan LOVES to play games.  And LOVES to play games on his birthday! Ha!

The night ended celebrating Ryan's #44 - with nothing other than DQ Ice Cream Cake (and great friends!).  

The candle lighter was slow to light the candles and wax started to take over the cake.  So the lighting was aborted halfway through and Ryan got to blow out "Birt" and "44".  Oh well.  He got the sentiment!

Great times!  

It's More Than Fair...

If you know us, you know that we love the fair.  Apparently North Carolina is supposed to have one of the best state fairs, so it goes without saying that we wanted to check it out.  It was a super bonus that our dear friends from Indianapolis, the Powells, were in town visiting us and wanted to go along for the adventure.

The fair was a popular place, judging by the sheer number of people there...

In spite of that, we were able to find our quiet corners and make the most of the fun times...

Some states have pie making contests, some grow large pumpkins, but only in the South do you have tobacco growing contests at the fair...

I guess North Carolina also has pie contests and pumpkin growing contests too...

We played some fair games and tried to win a Jamaican Banana (with no such luck)...

We had our fair share (no pun intended) of fried foods... yum!

Everyone wanted to ride the sky tram from one end of the fair to the other.

Turns out I didn't conquer my fear of heights... and I hated it.  HATED IT!

But I was in the minority.  Everyone else loved it.

Later in the evening, it was discussed about riding this beauty...

It was a HARD no for me, so Jen was sweet enough to keep me company while the other 6 took a spin...

The general consensus that the fair was a great time.  Lots to see, do, and eat.  While it might be proclaimed as "one of the best" state fairs, Indiana ranks right up there too.  That won't stop us from going back again next year.  After all, the friend food is already calling our names.  

Great times with great peeps.  So happy to experience this with our great friends.  

A Sweet Sophomore...

 Another year older, another fabulous school picture for Quinn.  

Here is her sophomore year picture...

It dawned on me while admiring this year's pictures, that Q only has one more school picture left before she has senior pictures taken. HOW? Lordy, time is moving WAY too fast.  

Small Moments...

The girls didn't have school yesterday because of a teacher work day. I had an appointment in the morning, but wanted to carve out some time with each of the girls doing something of their choice in the afternoon.

Quinn chose to get her nails done...

They turned out adorable...and we just might have found our new favorite nail salon.

Sullivan didn't want to get her nails done, so just Quinn and I ventured out for that adventure. Sullivan's request was a bit more tasty.  All she wanted was ice cream. A girl after my own heart.

It's the quiet, small moments that I love - spending time doing the things they love.  

7th Grade...

I'm not sure how we already got to seventh grade with this one, but we did!  She looks all grown up and way too old.  I'm still looking for the pause button on life.  It is moving in fast forward and I'd love to slow it down a bit.

Sullivan's 7th grade picture....

Fitting and Not...

We had dinner one evening at a local brewery that is known to have good pizza.  We took in dinner on the patio, thanks to the gorgeous NC weather.  

Ryan's beer was served and the wording on the glass struck me as funny (and fitting)....

If you can't read it, it says "Embrace the Crazy."  

Another picture was taken that night, but this one better not be so fitting...

Let's hope it is lots of years before this works for Miss Q.

Visitors...

We were excited to welcome Nana and Papa to NC this past week.  We soaked up all the time they were here with some fun exploration and quiet times at home too.

We did some retail therapy where Nana spoiled the girls rotten and Quinn and Sullivan channeled their inner little girls and hopped on some rides to reminisce.

We also got our fill of game play... just the ladies.  The men were party poopers.

We travelled downtown and went to the Natural Science museum...

Some of us liked the museum more than others.  I bet you can't guess who was who!? 

Mr. I-Love-to-Read-Every-Plaque-Sign-or-Billboard-Ever-Created really enjoyed it.

Afterwards we went to Morgan Food Hall which was close to the museum.  Those unfamiliar with food halls, think upscale mall food court with fancy food and good drinks.

The dog was glued to Nana - she couldn't get enough of the cuddles and pets and lap time.

While the girls were in school one day, we headed down to a state park that is super close to the house.  We had a nice trek around the lake and took in the trails and sunshine.  Tessa even dipped her toes in the water, but was too chicken to dive all the way in.

It was a great visit with Nana and Papa and hated to see them go.  We are already looking forward to their next visit in November!