SOOC Saturday

This my very first time linking up with Melody from Slurping Life for SOOC Saturday.  The idea is to share a photo straight out of the camera (SOOC) with absolutely zero editing.  I'm extremely interested to see all of the other entries.  You have to admit that editing plays a major role in the finished product which is one of the reasons I love the before and after photos you see on Thursdays.  It gives you perspective as to just how much editing can dramatically change a photo.  But when you see the SOOC shot, you see only what the photographer sees as he/she captures the shot.  Somewhat intriguing, yes?  So here is my entry for SOOC Saturday....

I took this at sunset in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  It's a very peaceful shot to me.  I can almost hear and smell the ocean just looking at it.  It reminds me of a wonderful family vacation with 3 of my favorite people in the whole wide world.  

To see more SOOC shots or to link up your own, head over to Slurping Life by clicking the button above.  Have a great weekend!

Vacation {Take Three} - Wrightsville Beach, NC Day 1

I took so many pictures while we were on vacation that I'm having to break them up even more than I had originally planned.  And because I keep up with two blogs and post as many pictures as I can of the kids on the family blog, I'm cutting it back a little here but wanted to post a few of my favorites from our first day at Wrightsville Beach, NC.  Feel free to click on over to my family blog to see lots more pictures of our first day.

Wrightsville Beach is just outside of Wilmington and it's a great little beach community that we enjoyed very much.  It's not too touristy and the beaches were clean and not overcrowded.  Though, the time of year we went probably had a bit to do with that.  This was the view from our condo.  Simply gorgeous.

The dunes were much higher here as compared to where we usually vacation, Gulf Shores, AL.  

Keegan had a great time on the beach and in the ocean, though the water was very chilly this time of year.  

Presley had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the sand and ocean.  She loved the idea of it but after having sand in every crevice and freezing her toes in the ocean, she'd grow tired of it towards the end of the day and welcomed a warm bath and clean, dry clothes.  It was very windy there, even the locals commented on it.  The wind, salt water and humidity did terrible things to a girl's hair.  I promise, we do brush it.  

This was something I had never seen before.  There were oyster beds EVERYWHERE there was mud.  I had no idea.  Usually you saw them right in front of where the boats docked along the river.  I was extremely intrigued by this and I have no idea why.  

This birdhouse was right next to where we were eating at a restaurant.  I think that was one of the reasons I loved this area.  It just felt very homey no matter where you went.  Little touches here and there reminded you of a small town.  Most of the restaurants along the river had docks where boaters could just pull up, dock their boat and eat.  I loved that.  

Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach is where Dawson's Creek was filmed.  So if you were a Dawson's Creek fan (I certainly was) then you will recognize a lot of the surroundings there.  There were other movies filmed there as well.  This area is actually called Hollywood East.  Just a little fun fact for you.

TGIF!  Hope everyone has a FANTASTIC Weekend!

Vacation {Take Two} - Asheville, NC

Our next stop on our family vacation was Asheville, NC.  I fell in love with this little town.  I don't know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.  Of course, while we were there we had to visit the Biltmore House.  It was truly a sight to see.  Absolutely magnificent!  They didn't allow photos to be taken inside the house due to the flash ruining certain delicate fabrics, etc. and I completely understood it but didn't like it nonetheless.  My finger itched to push that shutter button the whole time.  But as a lover of history, I respected their wishes.  Plus, I didn't want to get us kicked out of the house.  I wanted to see it all.

This is the back of the house from the courtyard which is now a food court.  Because there were people literally EVERYWHERE, I had a tendency to focus my pictures upward.

Ah, I made it into another picture.  Keegan and I enjoyed some ice cream made at the Biltmore sitting by the fountain in the front of the house.  I had no idea that the Vanderbilt family (the family of the Biltmore) had a huge dairy farm there on the grounds back in the day.  

From the front of the house at the fountain where Keegan and I are sitting in the picture above.  Spectacular, right?!  

From the left side of the house...

This is the main entrance to the house...

The walk to the winery.  They had free wine tasting of the Biltmore wines and I enjoyed more than just a few of their selection.  I came home with 3 bottles - all very unique and with distinct flavors.  

The gardens were a sight to see as well.  Everything was in bloom and the fragrance of all the flowers was intoxicating.  We didn't get to walk through them much due to having two small, tired children but what we did see was breathtaking.  I hope to go back someday and spend more time in the gardens and the house.  

If you haven't had an opportunity to see the Biltmore and experience Asheville, I highly recommend  you go - especially if you love a good step back into history.  It's really an incredible experience and I can't wait to go back!  

More vacation pics to come.  Happy Monday, y'all!