sunshine, strawberries, and swings

This past weekend we went strawberry picking. Curt claims he can't remember ever going. . .so it was high time he was exposed to this southern spring staple. Unfortunately, there aren't any patches near Lynchburg (that we know of) so we drove 45 minutes to go to Scott's Strawberry Farm in the sunny metropolis of Goodview, VA. Here is Curt picking away. . .

The lady told Curt that you pay by the bucket and it's up to you to get your money's worth. Of course this engineer carefully placed the berries to achieve optimum capacity. Let's just say, the employees were impressed.

Susan Ada picked her share, too!

It may seem kinda weird, but one of the more fun things to do in Lynchburg is visit the city cemetery. It is a sprawling memorial over a big hill and there are many Civil War soldiers buried there. Right through the middle is a long brick wall flanked on both sides by heirloom roses. They have a sale every year and we actually purchased 2 plants a few weeks ago (one from 1908 and one from 1857 - crazy!). So, Sunday night, we went for a nice walk. A lot of the roses had bloomed out, but it was still a pretty evening. There is also the biggest swing ever in this huge oak tree. It is usually occupied. . .but we finally had a chance to play. So fun!!

We are really enjoying having some restful weekends together in Lynchburg. However, we just might be ready for an Evergreen adventure in the near future. . .Happy Memorial Day!

april

If we never have another month like April 2011 that will be fine by us. Curt was in SC working the whole month and Susan Ada was busy keeping busy so she didn't have time to think about how much she disliked her man living two states away. The first week Curt was gone, Susan Ada went to Raleigh to help a friend with her children while she was recovering from foot surgery. She had a great time hanging out with the boys and playing mommy for a week. . .but she realized, she is def not ready for that role. Luckily, they don't arrive on your doorstep in the form of a 19-month and a 4 year-old. When Susan Ada arrived back in Lynchburg, she went to the doctor for the 3rd time regarding her finger. This doctor added steri-strips on top of the existing glue and told her to wait a few more weeks for it to heal. Aaarrrrggghh!

At the end of that week, the lovebirds reunited as Susan Ada was able to visit Curt in SC. He was staying in a nice condo on the lake so we were able to grill out and enjoy some tasty meals together. Saturday we went to the SC Botanical Gardens at Clemson. . .they were beautiful!! We sat on a shady bench by the brook for at least an hour and just enjoyed being together.

Susan Ada surprised Curt with a shorty short haircut:

That week, Susan Ada stayed with her sister in SC so she could see Curt again the following weekend. She had a great time playing with the all the Illingworths. Curt switched to night shift that week so by his day off he was pretty much a zombie. Susan Ada made him a strawberry shortcake to try to cheer him up.

The little girls LOVE earth worms. . .who knew??

Susan Ada said good-bye to Curt and drove back to Lynchburg, picking up her mom in Charlotte for their last week apart. It was really fun to have her in Lynchburg and get to do girlie things all week long. She was a great encouragement. . .and distraction!! On Good Friday Susan Ada took her mom home and hopped in the car with Curt's parents to head back to SC to pick him up. . .SC work was finished!!! Then the whole troop headed to south Georgia for Easter and Curt's Grandad's 87th birthday party. There was a big turnout, and it was a great time for Susan Ada to meet all the Hamiltons who were unable to attend the wedding. After all the festivities the newlyweds needed some time away. . .so Curt planned a beach get-away. Two nights in a cozy room near the Florida coast and no agenda. Just what we needed!! We ate some fabulous seafood, played in the sand (water was still cold), rode bikes, window shopped, and rested.

Curt built a ginormous sand castle / feat of engineering that defies the ocean intruder. . .aka, he kept himself busy while Susan Ada worked on her tan:

We arrived back home in Lynchburg late on April 30. Sunday was spent recovering from the craziness and on Monday morning Curt went back to work. Susan Ada has never been so happy to stay home and do laundry, iron, cook, scrub, etc. . .as long as it means she has her sweet husband home to care for.