NC Visit, Part One: McFs

I’m baaaaa-aaaack! Did you miss me?

I flew up to North Carolina last week for Jackie’s bridal shower and bachelorette party. The Wilmington festivities didn’t start until Friday night, but I wanted to have some extra time on the front and back ends of my trip to spend in Chapel Hill with the McFs. I arrived in Raleigh on Thursday afternoon, was in Wilmington Friday through Sunday, and didn’t fly out until after lunch on Monday.

Jenn picked me up and we went to have a late lunch at one of my favorite places, Brixx. Dusty took great care of us, Jenn and I both got to sample a few new beers we had never heard of, and we got a free appetizer. Can’t beat that!

Since it was a school night, things were pretty lowkey that evening at the house. Eli and Marge both had homework to do and Jenn was busy preparing for her upcoming trip to Germany, so I just relaxed with a cat on my lap and a book in my hand. Add in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy and it made for a pretty nice evening.

I returned to Chapel Hill on Sunday afternoon, a little tired but happy with how well the weekend had gone. (More on those fun times tomorrow!) Marge informed me before I left about a big science project she had to do for school on Monday, and I got back just in time to help with the fun part. She constructed a model of an animal cell out of cake and candy. It turned out so great, and we had such a good time putting it all together.

 

I left to go home the next day. Both of my flights were easy and smooth, Lizzie picked me up from the airport, and I got to the house in the middle of Riley’s afternoon nap. He actually didn’t wake up in the best mood….I’m sure it was because he was expecting his Nola to be there and not Mama. But he calmed down eventually and seemed happy to see me. I sure did miss him, but it was a little bit of a struggle to get back into my routine as a mom as opposed to livin’ it up footloose and fancy free with the girls!

I’ll post the Riley pics I received from Nola and Kenny while I was away sometime next week, but I’ll leave you with a few I snapped with my phone. From top left: a tasty pesto torte made by Jenn; the biggest interstate traffic sign I have ever seen; my Mignon Faget bean necklace I like to wear when I’m away from my boy; my favorite coffee shop in Wilmington; gorgeous flowers along I-40; cool clouds in Chapel Hill on my last day.

 

It was definitely a weekend to remember. Details on Jackie’s shower and bachelorette events coming up tomorrow and next week!