Fall 2013 Tidbits

We loved our first fall in NC!  It hit the 70s for a few days each month through December.  When we weren't away traveling, entertaining visitors or being beach bums, we explored our new "home" more.

Lots of live music in Historic Downtown when the weather is nice

Our fellow military friends 

Riverfest

We love to browse the stores at the Cotton Exchange

We celebrated our first veteran's day being active duty

Tyler attended his first military ball

While I went out for drinks with friends instead 

I received my NC license and was officially sworn in (and my sister was here for it ;) 

I made my first pumpkin pie and a thanksgiving feast for Tyler and I

Tyler was on duty on Thanksgiving so I cooked all day.  I made his favorite - pork and dumplings, sauerkraut, brussel sprouts and sauce, and pumpkin pie.

We picked out our Christmas tree and decorated our house for the holidays.  Definitely felt a lot different when there was no snow on the ground!

We went to the holiday lights show at Airlie Gardens with friends

We had lots of game nights

We made a habit of cooking more at home and trying new recipes 

Christmas parade 

We stay very busy but also have a lot more down time out here which we are loving!

BBQs and Sunsets

Sister Sister

When we moved to North Carolina, we knew that there were a lot of things we were going to have to miss out on.  Tyler decided early on that flying home to go deer hunting with my family was his top priority.  Fortunately for me, my sister booked a flight to come visit me that same weekend.  We had the perfect relaxing weekend.  Stacy shared the most wonderful news with me that she and Chris are expecting a baby.  They are going to make the best parents and I can't wait to be an auntie ;)  It will definitely make it harder living far away though!  We were very lucky to have some beautiful 70 degree days on her November visit.  We enjoyed lots of good food, beach walks, sun, conversation (baby talk), and books.

Tyler had a wonderful time in Minnesota.  He loved being in the woods, loved hanging out with the boys, and was able to meet his family for dinner before flying back home.  He didn't get a deer but didn't seem to care that much.  My co-worker's husband has hunting land a few hours from us in NC so I have a feeling Tyler will be out there a lot next fall!

Renee's Visit

Tyler's mom, Renee, made it out to visit us over her MEA in October.  She flew into Raleigh for the direct flight but we realized after that two back-to-back 5 hour round trips to the airport is too much.  So we request that future visitors use the OAJ or ILM airports!  We loved having Renee in town.  We brought her around and showed her some of our favorite places, did some shopping for our house, went on beach walks, relaxed and caught up at home, visited Duke's gardens, and explored Durham.

Thank you for visiting Renee!  We love you and can't wait for your next visit. 

The Tansoms in Town

We were very lucky to have our friends, Megan and Ryan, visit us at the end of October.  Unfortunately, they didn't get to experience the amazing fall weather we were having - but still better than the weather in Minnesota.  They came on a Friday so I picked them up at the airport and we grabbed lunch at Buddy's right on the ocean.  Tyler met us after work and we went into Wilmington for dinner with some of our friends from here.

Saturday we explored Wilmington.  We spent a lot of time walking around and taking pictures at Greenfield lake.  Tyler and Megan are both really talented in their photography hobby so they enjoyed this.

I LOVE pictures of trees.  Trees and bridges.  I can't explain it.

Love this girl. We had a lot of fun being silly and reenacting "senior pictures"

<3

We enjoyed some good beer at Front Street Brewery

Then headed to one of our favorite places - Fermental Beer and Wine.  This place is an old house that is full of tons of craft beers and wine.  You can buy alcohol there to go or you can enjoy a drink and the atmosphere there.  They have live music out back on the weekends.

Since Megan and I have both read the book and watched the movie, Safe Haven, we thought it was only fitting to go to Southport to check out the town the movie was filmed in.  We drove down the coast and took the ferry over.

We had so much fun with these two and are so lucky to have them as some of our best friends.  I can't wait for more trips and adventures with them in the future!

Thanks for visiting us :)