10-Mile Hike.

A couple weeks ago, we went on a 10-mile hike with the scouts.  It was a chillly morning and rain threatened, but we stayed dry and endured to the end.  This was definitely the longest hike I've ever done and my legs were NOT happy for about a week.  But it was so much fun, getting out there and enjoying the North Carolina woods.

This is us before the big hike.  Wish we'd have gotten one of the after.  I'm sure we looked a little worn out.

I probably won't be doing that again for a while.  But Ben is doing another 10-miler tomorrow morning.  Silly Ben!

Now THATS snow!

After the wimpy snowstorm a couple weeks ago, I didn't believe the weatherman when he said 3-4 inches this weekend.  But, look what happened!

Look!  Real snow!  Well, kinda... 

vicksburg.

On our drive home from Texas (after our Christmastime visit), we stopped at the Vicksburg battlefield in Mississippi.  The monument to Illinois was beautiful.

The rest of the battlefield was nice, of course.  But a lot of battlefields are very similar.  I love the architecture of the monuments...

Popcorn.

Ben found this little popcorn machine in a warehouse.  He brought it home last night, fixed it up, and got it working.  He was so proud!  He took it back to work this morning and is sure to be the most popular guy in the office.

Quigleys in Texas.

Last week, we headed down to Ben's sister's place near Austin, Texas.  We had so much fun, hanging out and celebrating the holidays with the Quigleys. 

Getting ready to open presents.

Playing with our new toys.

Relaxing with the dogs...

Ashton and Landon loved climbing all over Uncle Ben.  They did their best to keep him from doing pushups.

... and succeeded.

It was like a fun ride!

They loved the foam swords we got them for Christmas.

We had such a fun time!  Thanks again Paula for hosting us!

Little Benny got a bike - Part Two!

So you know how Ben got a bike?  Well, here it is!

He looks so cute on his new bike, I just HAD to smooch him!

Ben gave Steff a ride and then gave her a quick lesson.

And Ashton got a ride...

And Grey got a lesson too!

I think everyone has enjoyed Ben's new bike!  Especially Ben!

vacation with my mama.

My mom and stepdad came to visit us last week.  We did lots of sightseeing in Charleston last weekend.  Pictures with actual people can be seen at megsandbens.  Here are a few of the pretties:

From the ferry to Ft Sumter.

Visiting Ft Sumter.

So there was this little spot at Ft Sumter that was so spooky!  To my left was a pitch-black... something.  Maybe a hallway?

To find out what was back there, I took a picture.  I was just sure a ghost would light up in the flash!  Luckily, this is what I got:

One of the beautiful churches in Charleston.  Isn't it funny how the spanish moss looks kinda blue?

A funny barkless tree.

I loved the trees in Charleston.  This one is a Palmetto, I think.

Another amazing church.  Don't the trees look so pretty against the blue sky?

Charleston is such a beautiful city!  It was so much fun to explore it a little with my mom, Mark and Ben.

Bryner Vacation!

This last week, my mom and step-dad came to visit us here in NC.  We really enjoyed their visit and got to do some sightseeing with them.  We went to Charleston over the weekend and saw Fort Sumter.  Here we are on the ferry:

Ft Sumter.

Pretty churches in Charleston.

We also spent some time in downtown Fayetteville (NC), looking at the cool old buildings.  And we visited the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, where I tried to stare down the wax soldiers.

It was such a great week and we were so grateful to get to spend time with my mom and Mark during the holidays.  : )