If you know me at all, you know my love of mexican food, tequila and pretty much anything that can go on a tortilla chip. While we were in Asheville a few weeks a go, we found this heavenly place, while we were shopping. It was a LOT colder than we were expecting and after one shop and a very windy walk to the next, we decided to get lunch instead! Chips and salsa for the win. Always! 

Inside The Cantina was beautiful and eclectic, like most things in Asheville. It's one of those restaurants that you want to try over and over so you can taste everything on the menu, but then you never change your mind because the first thing you eat is too good to pass again. I got the pork enchiladas with a creamy cilantro sauce that was the perfect amount of spicy. It will definitely be hard to pass up that meal ne We also got the cheese dip which came with chips and two kinds of salsas. The verde was my favorite, which is normally the case. Spicy tomatilla gets me every time, just like a spicy margarita, which was also delicious. 

All the sides sounded great but the coconut rice (rice cooked in coconut milk and sauteed veggies) was so good!! The brussel sprouts were also cooked to perfection. Mmm, I always hate doing these posts when I can't drive to the location to enjoy a meal and a drink again. We will be going back to Asheville in the spring (if not before then) and this spot is definitely on the list. I'm dying for Peter to try it!! 

If you are in Asheville, definitley give The Cantina a try, you will not be disappointed!! Promise!

turkey day littles.

Thanksgiving weekend was full of family fun and way too much pie. I may still be eating pie multiple times a day, ya know... trying to get rid of all the leftovers. Chocolate pecan pie is always the best leftovers in my opinion! I realized that I haven't had a little things post recently, so here are a few of the little things that I want to remember about Turkey Day!

one // squeezing in two big meals with both sides of our family and still being super thankful for my breast feeding appetite, no stretchy pants needed this year 

two // watching Solomon dance to the music on the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade with my mom, I love passing on traditions during the holidays 

three // almost crying because your baby is eating all his food with his own fork, how is he so big????? 

four // watching my cousins 10 year old playing with my 1 year old, and realizing just how quickly ten years can fly by

taking stock 012

Happy Turkey Day!!!!!! I thought it was about time for a new taking stock post, and then I realized that I had a special thanksgiving list last year, so why not make this a little tradition?!? I do love traditions..... so, here we go! 

Making // that yummy dark chocolate pecan pie for the first time!
Cooking // mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts, I finally gave up trying to make the Mac n' Cheese!
Drinking // cold mountain, one of the best winter beers, but I have to say... I think Sierra Nevada outdid Highlands this year with their celebration ale!
Reading // so many baby books lately, he is obsessed, especially with this book!
Wanting // to stay healthy all winter.... please, Jesus! 
Looking // forward to stuffing my face with delicious food all day!
Wasting // naptimes, I realized yesterday that I could get a SO MUCH done while Solomon sleeps. My procrastination is such an annoying trait. 
Wishing // my hands weren't so dry, any recommendations on the best hand cream?
Enjoying // living this season of life with all my friends, it is such a huge blessing to be a mother with them.
Liking // how long the fall leaves have stuck around this year... so many trees are still full of red and yellow leaves.
Wondering // how quickly I will watch The Gilmore Girls. It's literally all I've been thinking about for days........ I'm so excited!
Loving // the early Black Friday sale on Burts Bees Baby! Love their products so much.
Hoping // Solomon's molars come in quickly, this week has been a little bit rough, and I think that is the reason.
Marveling // at how quickly my baby has turned into a little boy. CRAZY FAST.
Needing // what I want for my Eliya Secret Santa gift.... I can't decide this year.
Smelling // this amazing winter edition, Mrs. Meyer's, hand soap!
Wearing // comfy winter clothes now that it is finally cold. Makes me so happy!!
Knowing // how crazy the next four weeks are going to be, it makes me tired, but also really excited.
Thinking // about how our family will look next year at this time... having another baby is such a BIG deal (obviously, duh!) and I'm constantly back and forth in my mind about being ready. I know God will give me the okay when the time is right, until then I will keep praying and thinking and dreaming. 
Bookmarking // Amazon for gift ideas. Prime is the best thing ever.
Opening // boxes of Christmas decorations, I don't know who I am anymore. 
Giggling // at how excited Solomon gets to see the Christmas tree! He runs into the dining room and exclaims, "teeeee", which is obviously his way of saying "tree". I could melt. 
Feeling // beyond thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!!

weekend in Asheville.

I had a fun weekend in Asheville with my Mom, Grandma & Solomon, for the shopping weekend away! It's a nice tradition that we started several years back with my grandma, and its even more fun now that we have Solomon to tag along with us. Last year was super easy since he was only 2 months old, but I was a little worried about having a crazy toddler with us this year. As always, he surprised me with his sweet disposition. He is the perfect mix of a fun crazy kid and easy going. There were a hand full of tantrums, but he is fourteen months old now... it's to be expected! 

We went straight to our hotel, the brand new Hilton Garden Inn, in downtown Asheville so we could stretch our legs a bit and get something to eat. I was so excited to try the rooftop bar, Pillar, and we were pleasantly surprised. The drinks were incredible, the food was so good and the service was awesome. They even went to the restaurant downstairs to get a highchair for Solomon, which I thought was so nice. 

Mmmm, they had me at Cocktail. I tried the Old North and loved it!!

that cheesy grin that Solomon loves to flash, lately... so funny! 

Even though it was extremely cold, Solomon had to get some of the jitters out while we shopped and enjoyed exploring the flower beds. I tried my best to keep him out but after a lot of tears, I decided he wouldn't hurt anything and let him have some fun! 

The hotel was decorated for Christmas already and it was so beautiful!

Solomon also loved to run around the lobby to say hi to everyone. This picture of him running to his Gigi is one of my favorites... I love to watch them together!

So many fun memories, and I'm so thankful that we get to take my grandma away for a little trip every year. Solomon definitely makes it a little bit sweeter now, as well!

Sadly, the only picture we got of everyone... me nursing in the back seat (so comfortable, ha!) and mom driving the car home. Love it, and I love them, too!

Solomon // fourteen months.

Solomon turned 14 months old on the 14th, so I'm a little late again... but like last time, better late than never! He has changed so much during the last month! I see so much toddler coming out in him, and the baby disappearing before my eyes, which kind of breaks my heart. At the same time, he is becoming more fun every day. I love watching his big personality grow!!

• Running around like a true toddler!
• Hates the sun in his eyes while in the car, he screams and yells like someone is pinching him.
• Officially enjoying his weekly visits to the nursery at church for my bible study and on Sunday while we worship! I can't tell you how happy this makes me after many months of leaving him while he's crying. He always stopped after I was out of sight (I would stay and peek in at him) but now he goes into the class with no tears and is always happy when we pick him up. 
• Talking so much!!! It's crazy how his babbling is starting to change to words. He has started to say cheese, please (those two are a bit confusing sometimes since they sound so similar), this, Gigi, uh oh and he's even saying several little things randomly like, "Here you go" when he gives you something. Its all mummbly but it is so obvious that's what he's saying, it's so cute!
• He can also point at many body parts now: hair, eyes, ears, nose (he sniffs), tongue (sticks it out), mouth (opens it big and wide), lips (pokes them out like a kiss), belly, hands (he claps them) and his feet!
• Unfortunately, he has started biting or trying to bite when he's mad. If I'm correcting him with my hand he will open his mouth and go for a bite. He also gets mad at his toys and bites them... we are working on it and trying to figure out the best way to discipline at this tricky age. Any recommendations are welcome!!

the curls, everyone loves them!

weekly three.

I'm excited to be heading to the mountains this weekend, with my mom and Solomon, to take my grandma on her annual birthday shopping trip. This year we are going to Asheville since there is a new outlet mall that has recently opened. I still haven't been but I've heard wonderful things about it! It's going to be a cold weekend but we are ready to have a little weekend getaway, hope you all have a great weekend! 

I'm usually pretty strict with the whole, no Christmas before Thanksgiving rule, but the decorations popping up everywhere is making me giddy! 

The look of pure happiness after your best friend opens her birthday gift!!!!

Solomon had his friend, John Fredrick, over to hang out last night while his momma enjoyed some yoga! It was so fun, even if Solomon was trying to be a little bully.... we gotta work on his sharing skills! #firstchildproblems

Giovanni turns one.

Over the weekend we went to Charlotte to celebrate my nephew's first birthday! It was a fun day with family, lots of food & desserts. Giovanni had such a great time. It is always fun to watch him since he is such a happy boy and loves being around all his cousins. Listening to him and Solomon try and talk to each other was pretty adorable. I can't help but think about what these parties will look like in five to ten years when our boys aren't babies anymore. They will be big boys and our parties will definitely look different, which only makes me want to soak in all these little details while we can. I still can't believe the last year has flown by so quickly!

All of the gold details were so cute for the party! I would love to do a baby shower with all these decorations, also. As always, I loved making a chalkboard for the birthday boy!!

You know how we all love our photobooth pictures, we had a lot of fun with the jeep and the masks!

Valentino's face in this picture is priceless.... so cute!!

Our cute little monkey! 

& that sweet smile on his face below, goodness.... we love him!

Birthday boy enjoying his cake, or having fun with his hammer? haha!

All the boys were so excited to help open the gifts!

Ready for the ride home in his pajamas!! He also went crazy over Jaden's slippers. They were so big but he had no problem running around the house in them.