Nashville Part 2

While in Nashville we also went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

One of my favorite things in the Museum were the handwritten items from the stars such as letters to their family, but most of all the handwritten lyrics to songs that we know and love.

When in Nashville, we heard you have to go to Tootsie's World Famous Orchid Lounge!

We ventured out of town a bit to visit the American Picker's store, Antique Archaeology. It was cool to see things in the store that we'd seen them "pick" on certain episodes.

A photo of Rippy's during the day. (Where we hung out upstairs after the CMA Awards).

Nashville- Part 1

Back in November, Scott and I had the opportunity to go to Nashville, TN. I have always wanted to go! Not only did we just get to go to Nashville, but we also went to the CMA Awards while we were there. It was the BEST! If you're a country music fan, I'd HIGHLY recommend it! All of the stars together, like one big concert!

We walked over to the red carpet. We didn't have a very good view of it. Under the red drapes are where stars get out of their cars and walk through the white tent to the left. We waiting for about 5 minutes but never saw a vehicle coming so we walked back over to the Arena so we could go ahead in and get our seats.

Our seats were directly stage left. It was a live show and it was amazing to watch how the show was produced. If you didn't make it back from the bathroom before commericals were over, you had to stand outside and miss part of the show.

Lots of artists singing a tribute to Willie Nelson...

After the show outside the arena...

After the show we went directly across the street to Rippy's upstairs and listened to an awesome band. I loved that there was music everywhere in this city!

Hands down my most favorite vacation yet!

Seafood Fest, Part 2 | Boating

Instead of going to the Seafood Festival by car, we decided we'd go by boat. :) It was a long trip and I was concerned how well Grace would do having to be so confined and wear a life jacket for so long but she was such a trooper!

The weather traveling down on Friday was the most gorgeous fall day!

Seafood Fest, Part 1 | Guy Harvey & Marc Montocchio

Scott, Ann, Grace, and I went to the Morehead City Seafood Festival last month. On the first night Ann had gotten us tickets to a reception at 36 North where Guy Harvey was in town.

Guy Harvey is  is a "marine wildlife artist and conservationist. His depictions of sealife, especially of sportfish such as marlin, are very popular with sportfishermen and have been reproduced in prints, posters, t-shirts, jewelry, clothing, and other consumer items. Harvey is also a very vocal and active advocate for marine conservation, having established the Guy Harvey Research Institute (GHRI) at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as well as the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, an organization that funds scientific research and educational initiatives." (wikipedia) It was really cool to meet him. I think Scott owns close to 10-15 Guy Harvey shirts not to mention the posters, and other items we have that he's designed.

I was also just as excited to meet Marc Montocchio. I've always said if I could shadow another artist one day, it would be him. However, I'd need to learn how to dive first. Marc Montocchio specializes in capturing unique and stunning images of ocean wildlife in their natural habitat especially in the deep blue waters of the open ocean. His work has appeared in numerous international publications, including National Geographic, Marlin, Outside Traveler, Africa Geographic, BlueWater, Tide, Out There, Voyages de Pêche, and many more. He and his video footage have appeared on such TV networks as the Discovery Channel.

Halloween

This was our first Halloween that we happened to be in Raleigh. We went to E-man and Amy's and went trick-or-treating with their son AJ. AJ was spiderman and Grace was a snowman.

I did make her costume. The red tights, boots, and scarf we already had. All I had to do was stitch some felt black circles on a plain white long sleeve shirt, make a tutu, and make her hat/headband. I was really proud of myself! :)

All the Jones'

The Wilmington crowd came to visit toward the end of the summer! It so wonderful having all of us together!

Ella, Lyla, and Grace (all the great-grand-girls)


Uncle Chip cooked up a yummy shrimp boil!


4 generations of the Jones boys:

Baby Shower

My best friend, Bridget, now has another baby. He's already 2 months old and I'm just blogging her baby shower photos. :/

We went over to Edenton for dinner & a little girl time! She got lots of goodies for baby Evan!