Carolina's....

Well we are finally back home in SF from our amazing 10 day trip to the Carolina's. It's always hard to come home again when you are finally getting adjusted to life away from home but as soon as we flew over the bay I was happy to be here and come back to the new apt! It's been a beautiful day and because of the time difference we were still able to enjoy most of our Sunday. I spent the day at the gym and by the pool because going on a 10 day Carolina trip full of southern cooking and then some is never a wise choice two weeks before you have to fit into a bridesmaid dress for one of your best friends weddings!! I won't do a super long and wordy post about the trip because I could go on and on, instead I will share a few pictures that sum up the trip! I hope you enjoy... Oh and on a side note, Mr. Jones and I made a quick two day trip to Charleston SC while we were there...which totally desrerves a post all it's own..but that will just have to wait..I'll sneak a few pics in here though of my new favorite city!...

We were so lucky to spend just about every day doing something with family..whether it was celebrating a birthday, having a BBQ, or just hanging out we relished every single moment with them and came home feeling so blessed to have such amazing people in our lives...

Miss. V, my sister Steff and my cousin Gabby

My brother Julian and Cousin Michaela at our 16th annual Family Pizza Party



Celebrating my Granny's Birthday


While out to dinner at a small local restaurant for Granny's birthday we saw the famous race car driver Richard Petty!! He lives in the area and was kind enough to take a quick pic! It's a little blurry but I didn't want to bother him for another! We have been to his race car museum also in the area quite a few times over the years so it was pretty cool to see the legend himself in person..

Paw-Paw going through old family photos...


My precious baby cousin Vincent


Mama Lauren and Vincent

Grandma V and Julian

My amazing GREAT Grandma Flo....

Uncle Pat, Aunt Robyn Mr. Jones and Myself...

Uncle Mike, Gabby and Steff

On a quick side note, Uncle Mike and his wife Lauren both compete in Fitness (Lauren) and Bodybuilding (Uncle Mike)... while we were there we found out that my Uncle will be going to Mr. Olympia in Sept. !! And.. Lauren scored highest place in her fitness competition as well and is on her way to getting her pro card! I am so impressed with their dedication to fitness!! As our family says...Go Team V !!

And on the topic of fitness I thought it was a good time to transition into food..hahah... Mr. Jones and I exercised our stomachs during this trip ...

We ate... a lot... and that is an understatement... here is a food montage...just to get you nice and hungry at the end of your day ;)

Grandpa V making his famous meatballs! Having Italian and Southern roots in my family is dangerous to the waist line...

My favorite hot dogs! The Carolina dog and the Wrightsville dog!


Uncle Pat our grill master and Julian hamming it up for the camera..

We also did a lot of relaxing..whether it was in the country at Granny and Paw-Paws or on the beach in Wilmington and Charleston..we soaked up the sun...and enjoyed being away from the hustle and bustle of city life for a little while..

Granny and Paw-Paws garden...nothing is better than fresh vegetables...

I love Carolina beaches...they remind me of summers with my family and I loved sharing them with Mr. Jones ;)

Toes in the sand...warm blue water...and a good book..h.e.a.v.e.n

I'll end with a few quick pics of SC, we stayed in Charleston for two days and made a pit stop in Columbia on our way back to NC we had a great time and have found two new favorite cities ...

Heading into downtown Charleston..

Shopping district...

Five points shopping district in Columbia SC

And because we were right next to the college we found the Greek Shop where I "made" Mr. Jones pose next to the AXO section! Made me want to live in the house again and decorate my room in ALL AXO stuff ;)

And this is how Mr. Jones felt about the camera by the end of the trip...

Ok I'm exhausted sharing all of that with you so a huge pat on the back if you actually made it to the end...we had an amazing time and can't wait to go back ... Glad I could share my "Carolina" with all of you