Fall Adventure | Blackwater Falls State Park | Davis, WV

On my last full day in West Virginia, we took a trip to Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia to see the waterfall.  It was a perfect fall day - sunny and cooler temps.  

Blackwater Falls.

The foliage was a lot more colorful as we drove east.  :)

To get to the state park, we passed through the most southern point of Maryland.  Three states in one trip...pretty cool!  (photo taken from the back seat through the front windshield)

Tomorrow it's time to head home to Colorado.  It's been a wonderful 5 days.  Excited to get home but can't wait to come back!

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Fall Adventure | Luke Cooks

My son-in-law cooks.  A lot.

During my visit, Eden had to work two of the evenings.  One of those evenings Luke made us dinner.

Spaghetti.  It was yummy!

He still doesn't know what to do when I stick my camera in his face.  And he's too gentlemanly to say anything.  Gotta take advantage while I can!

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Fall Adventure | West Virginia!

I'm here!  I made it!

So happy to be in West Virginia visiting daughter #1, Eden, and her hubby, Luke.  I flew into Pittsburgh yesterday.  I'm not a fan of flying east.  The flight from Denver to Pittsburgh is 3 hours, plus you lose 2 hours (mountain to eastern time zone) and before you know it the day is gone!

Today was my first full day in the Wild and Wonderful state.  We took a car drive to Coopers State Park and to an historic covered bridge.

Coopers Rock State Forest gets it's name from a legend about a fugitive who hid out here.  He was a cooper (a barrel maker) and supposedly resumed his trade and sold barrels to people in nearby communities. 

You can see Morgantown off in the distance.

I was hoping to be here at the peak of the fall leaves, but, alas, I'm early.   You can see some of the trees in the distance just starting to turn.

Cheat River in Cheat Canyon.

Some of the trees along the path to the lookout were sporting some red color.

The newlyweds.

My first born, but as I always say, forever my baby.

Me and my girl.  Yeah.

 Also a photography buff.

Dents Run covered bridge near Laurel Point, Monongalia County, West Virginia, built 1889. 

It was a very cool covered bridge.

Tomorrow Luke is off the WVU vs. Maryland football game and Eden and I are off to Pittsburgh to lunch with my brother, who has a layover there.

Til next time ~ find your joy!

Kelly

Almost Heaven, West Virginia

At the end of July, Daughter #1, Eden, and her new hubby, Luke, headed east to West Virginia where he'll start graduate school later this month at the University of West Virginia.  Luke was first accepted into their MA program as an O'Brien fellow and then shortly thereafter won a Swiger fellowship into their PHD program.  First ever UVW student accepted directly into a PHD program as an undergrad.  He's one smart cookie.

We were able to combine our trip to Minnesota to see them off with the task of sorting through my dad's house to get it ready for auction.

My brother, nephews, hubby and I were there for a few days going through my dad's things and then Daughter #2 flew in to Minnesota and she and hubby headed east with the newlyweds to Morgantown, West Virginia.

The truck is loaded and ready to go.

 My little man.  He spent the morning playing with Luke's family dog, Vader.

Ann, Luke's mom, has this gorgeous hydrangea tree near their front door.  It has the biggest blooms.  I want one.

 Checking everything twice...

Ready to go!

Luke, Eden with cousins Paul and John.

The posse headed east...Jim, Luke, Eden and Haley.  Don't the guys look tough?  Good thing they are...because the apartment on the other end was on the 3rd floor with no elevator!

 Luke, Eden and Vader.

Luke's sister, Rachel, Luke, Eden and Luke's mom, Ann.

Hubby, Luke, Eden, Me and Haley.

The newlyweds ready to get on with it!

Daniel Boone.

Even though we've lived 1000 miles from daughter #1 for the last five years while she attended college, she was surrounded by family, Luke's family and life long friends.  Now she and Luke are off on this new adventure on their own and they're even farther away from us.

But, this is a good thing.  So while my heart pangs a little because they truly are out on their own, we know they'll do great.

Plus, now hubby and I have a new place to go visit and explore!

I'm already planning a trip this fall to visit and help Eden refinish some furniture!

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Dinner and Bowling

The newlyweds, Eden and Luke, arrived in Colorado at the end of last week.  It's been fun spending time together before they head east to West Virginia where Luke will attend graduate school.  Today they left for Colorado Springs to visit friends.  Last night we grilled a delicious dinner and then hit the bowling alley.  It was a lot of fun!  It was the first cooler day since they arrived where it was comfortable to sit outside.

Eden and Luke.  Luke is still not quite sure what to do when I start shooting pictures, lol.  He's pretty funny.  I have to say, he has a quick smile most of the time. :)

Eden either flashes me her pearly whites, or makes a face.  My mom taught her 'cheese' at a very early age.

Haley.  She's used to me sticking my camera in her face.  Sometimes she cooperates, sometimes she doesn't.

We grilled shrimp, mushrooms, peppers, and onions; brats and hotdogs; made guacamole and potatoes.  It was delish.

Once we cleaned up after dinner we headed to Boondocks, a family fun center and went bowling.

 Haley

 Luke

Eden

Jim (iphone photo)

I beat the pants off them all.  :)

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

She said, "I do!" Part III

The reception was held at Fox Hollow Golf Club, St. Michael, MN.

 The bride and groom arrive at the reception.

 Love IS sweet!

 The cake knife and server are from Jim's and my wedding 26 years ago.

The cupcakes were delish!

One of many kisses.

The head table, enjoying their dinner.

The beautiful bouquets.

Best man, Jake, finishing his speech.

Maid of Honor, Haley, giving her speech.

Happiness.

photo courtesy of Kurt and Ann Gramith

Father of the Bride finishing his speech.

photo courtesy of Kurt and Ann Gramith

Cutting the cake!

photo courtesy of Kurt and Ann Gramith

Photo courtesy of Kurt and Ann Gramith

Not too messy!

First dance as husband and wife.

Father daughter dance.  Jim dancing with his beautiful girl.

 The girls watching the father daughter dance.

 Bridesmaid, Laura (friend of the bride).

 Bridesmaids, Megan (friend of the bride) and Rachel (sister of the groom).

Bridesmaid, Kirstin (sister of the groom).

The groom and his mom, Ann.

 The wedding party hits the dance floor.

 Haley and John.

 Me and My Little Man.

 Me and my honey.  What a wonderful day. Tired but satiated.

 My Little Man is tuckered out.

The newlyweds send off!

It was a perfect day, a storybook wedding and a wonderful start to a long and happy life together!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Gramith!  We love you soooo much!

That's it on the photos for now...until we get the official photos from the photographer!

I want to say a special thank you to Laurie, who was our wedding day coordinator and did all the floral arrangements, including the bouquets.  All her hard work made the day perfect!

Til next time ~find your joy!

Kelly