Our Weekend Getaway

This weekend we headed to Cashiers, North Carolina for Emory's internal medicine department's annual retreat. Last year was the first time we went because the first year was too close to my due date so we didn't attend. We had SO much fun last year and were extremely excited about going this year. Emory pays for every single thing so we all pretty much live it up to the fullest while we are there! We stayed in the main lodge that is very nice, cozy, and rustic and several people stay in the surrounding cabins. Those that have kids bring them because it is a very neat place for them to explore. We stuffed ourselves silly with wonderful food and fun!

To say that Ella Ann had a good time is an understatement! She was bubbling over with energy as soon as we walked in the door! The combination of being outside, playing with friends, and dancing was just too much for her to handle!! Ella Ann greeted people in the lobby, which is not like her these days because she has turned a little shy on us, and saw Spencer shaking friends' hands so Ella Ann would stick out her hand to whomever walked by and say "HIIII!!" Very funny! Ella Ann also had a blast playing with her friend, Luke. One of my good friend's husband is in the same department as Spencer so they were also there for the weekend. It was fun to watch the kids interact and play Saturday afternoon. However, I have to tell you that the most exciting thing Ella Ann did was dance her tail off with the DJ on Saturday night!!! They had happy hour before dinner so the DJ was playing music, checking his lights, smoke, sound, etc. before the big party after dinner. Well, Ella Ann thought that it was her responsibility to make sure the dance floor was in good condition by seriously breaking it down in front of everyone!!! Not many people get to see this side of our child, so it was hilarious to see people's faces as they watched Ella Ann dance like crazy!! There are no words to describe how much she loved dancing last night! She would stand in front of the smoke machine and wait for it to all come rushing out so she could dance in it! She also loved the bright lights that flashed on the floor, along with the spotlight that she would dance in! What I couldn't stop thinking while I watched her dance was how much she would have loved the 80s!! She made lots of friends while getting busy on the dance floor, as you will see below! We hated to tear her away from all the fun, but Spencer and I also wanted to enjoy the rest of the evening so we put her to bed, and after the fun-filled day that she had, Ella Ann happily complied!

Cashiers is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so the drive this time of year is beyond spectacular. I took a few pictures of the foliage, but they really don't give the scenery the justice it deserves.

We had the neatest room this year! It was like we were walking in Alice In Wonderland because when we finally found our cubby-hole-like room, we opened the crooked door and walked down a narrow hallway to another door that opened up to our fabulous suite!!! What a treat! In the above picture Ella Ann is at the entrance but you can barely see her.

Checking out the property before lunch.

Isn't it beautiful??!! There was a waterfall to the right of the picture.

While Ella Ann napped Spencer and I took a short hike through the woods. It was so nice to spend a little time together without anyone else around for a change!

Once she woke up, Ella Ann was raring to go so we headed out for a hike, which didn't last very long because Spencer and I realized it was nearly impossible to trudge through leaves, visable tree roots, stones, etc. with a toddler that doesn't like to get dirty!

Swinging with a friend, Sean, and his Daddy.

Ella Ann loves her little boyfriend, Luke! ha!

She even dragged him out on the dance floor and taught him how to shake it Saturday night! Awwwww!

Ella Ann, our tiny dancer with Luke and his Daddy, Dave. Dave was trying to persuade Luke to go dance!

As you can see from these two pictures, Ella Ann was not lacking any dance partners!

Yes, she is really busting a move in this picture!!!!!!

Dancing with Wissam, one of Spencer's good friends!

All in all, we had a blast, if you can't tell!!!