The Post-Father's-Day Father's Day Adventure

That's right, 'post' father's day...one of the things about being married...is learning how to be creative with holiday planning! Thankfully, we both have amazing parents that are just happy to spend time with us anytime! So, the weekend of the actual (Hallmark holiday) Father's Day, we went to Ft. Mill to hang out with Chad's parents. Then, the following weekend, we entertained my parents in G-Vegas! It is always so nice having them here!

So, for a long time, my dad has been saying he wanted to go to Hendersonville, NC. Its a neat place, although I've always thought of it as a place to go in the fall during apple season and pick apples. But, because it's too early for apples, I was worried we would get up there and not have enough to do to make the trip worth the drive (although it is only about 45 min away) So I researched and found all of these possibilities for our day.

Then, just before breakfast on the day of the trip, my mom said, "Guess what I heard on the radio..." and it turned out that very day was going to be the 17th annual Antiques Festival in downtown Hendersonville! Wow! Any my parents LOVE antiques!!! Needless to say, we had a great time there...

Then, as the rain came in, we went to the biggest antique store I've ever seen. We wandered for what seemed like hours...and hours....and hours...but just long enough for the rain to subside, and for us to make our way to nearby Chimney Rock State Park!

We had so much fun!!! My parents don't get to see that kind of beauty in Columbia, and Chad and I were so proud to be able to show it to them.

Then, as it's closing in on dinner time, and we were discussing dinner plans, Chad suggested we go to Saluda, NC on the way home and eat at The Purple Onion. So, we sat on their covered porch in the tiny downtown Saluda restaruant drinking the best organic decaf coffee ever, and enjoyed a unique Chicken Caesar Pizza together!

Sounds like fun huh?? :)

Vacation!

Hi all!

Well, I promised pictures of mine and Chad's Hilton Head vacation...and, well, here are maybe the only 2 good ones from the whole trip! ha! well, maybe not...

Chad and I had so much fun in Hilton Head. We played on the beach, we rode our bikes, ate delicious food, slept in late, got really relaxed etc. it was a dream vacation! Really, Chad needed a vacation so badly, and it was so nice to see him totally relaxed!

We learned that there are a lot of restaurants to choose from that you think might be worth the high dollar because of appearance or location, but don't be fooled by the aesthetics! Choose your food carefully!! Perhaps 2 of our favorite restaurants were:

Signe's Heaven Bound Bakery This place was awesome! (Noted by Rachel Ray from the Food Network.) The food was so fresh and the decor was like an English Country Tea Room...so cute! I am also proud to say that Chad and I decided to ride our bikes to/from Signe's which ended up being a 16 mile bike ride that day!

Also, Santa Fe Cafe is quite possibly the BEST Mexican food I have EVER had!! Seriously, this is no joke. This restaurant ranks right up there, for me, as Stax Peppermill. If you go, ask to sit on the terrace get the Painted Dessert Soup (truly a work of art in taste and presentation)...oh, and be sure to budget a pretty penny for the well-worth-it meal.

Honorable Mention:

Hudson's, HH's oldest restaurant and reasonably priced.

The Sea Shack, is just that, a little beachy shack, but the food is really good!!

New stuff...

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I posted last...for ALL of you out there that read our blog :)

After all that hype about the Leatherheads movie...you couldn't even see Chad in it :( But, the guy in the pic with him below had a great shot at the beginning of the movie, and a guy we go to church with was the bellhop in the scene with George at the hotel!

Soccer is going well. I had a pretty good game last week...and was the epitome of aggressive elbowing like crazy (without getting called of course) but, no goals for me :( seems like a mid-fielder curse I need to just get in gear! I will brag on my BFF, Olivia, though, because she's been playing awesome and even had a HAT TRICK this past game! wahoo!

Other news: Allison has gotten a new job! Yep, my stint at the Disabilities and Special Needs Board has been good. I LOVE the consumers I work with and am seriously avoiding telling them I am leaving...Starting June 2, I'll be working as a Program Manager at the Greenville Literacy Association with their English as a Second Language program! I have actually been wanting to do this for some time and am so excited at this opportunity!

One of the best things about changing jobs right now is that Chad and I get to take a vacation before it starts!!!!! And even better than that is that one of Chad's basketball buddies is letting us stay at his oceanfront condo in Hilton Head for free!! Chad's never been to HH, and I have only been once...and that was probably 15 years ago! So, if any of you out there are frequents to the island, leave me a comment telling me where the best places are.

Once we get back from vacation the last week in May, perhaps I'll have some pictures to post. Until then, just words! :)

Leatherheads...Coming soon!

As you may remember, about a year ago, Chad was an extra in the upcoming Leatherheads movie. Here's one of the pictures from the shoot. For more, check out the 2007 blog posts...should be sometime in April.

Well, the movie comes out on April 4th and Greenville is buzzin' b/c of all the locals that participated. Now, we're not too sure if Chad will actually be noticeable in the movie or not....but, we have watched the "official" trailer...and have actually spotted him!!!! Check it out:

Now, if you don't believe he's in there...just look at this!

After 12 long years.....

After 12 long years, I, with much coercion from Chad and Olivia, played an indoor soccer game this past Thursday!!!!! Yep, that's right, I began thinking about how long it had been since I played a real game, and I believe it's been about that long....since just after my ACL surgery.

Olivia's been playing on a co-ed league, and asked me to play because they thought they'd need a girl sub....well....they didn't need a sub b/c there weren't even enough players! So, I PLAYED THE WHOLE GAME!!! I seriously thought I might pass out in the first few minutes, but I slowed down a little and was able to at least keep running. I had a couple of good passes and it was great feeling the aggression that comes out in you while playing soccer...but the biggest event of the night was Olivia scoring her first goal of the season!!! whaooooo!!!! Sadly, we ended up losing the game 8-4, but keep in mind that the other team had only 1 girl and had subs...and we had 3 girls and no subs...NOT a fair match!!

I am still sore, but for someone who's turning the big 3-0 this year, not too shabby!! I only wish I had some pictures!

Countdown to Closing!!

This is my condo...the place I purchased a couple of years ago marking a major life change....a settling, my "growing roots," my independence. I fell in love with this place, bought it, and made it my own. I anticipated living there for years, meeting the man of my dreams, and making it our own little love nest....then, I met him, and he alreay had his own house! Sooo......we rented it, then put it on the market and................

.....after a few short months of being on the market, our condo has finally sold!!! All in one week, we had a renter lined up and 3 offers on the condo! Can you believe it?! Truly amazing...

So, to celebrate, Chad took me out for the most fabulous dinner I think I might have ever had!!! We went to Stax Peppermill and had their Maine Lobster Special!!! It was AMAZING! Everything was great, the atmosphere, the service, the food...the whole experience was wonderful. If you're looking for a relaxed and romantic place to go, the Peppermill is the place! It was impressive, coming from a "foody" background, for so many reasons, but one was that the owner and managers both visited our table a few times assuring that our experience was a pleasant one...wow! Is my husband wonderful or what!?!? He is truly the man of my dreams!

2007-2008 Pictures!

Okay, the next series of pictures I'm about to post are of some of the following things: Hucks family dinner at the Nicholsons over Christmas, Christmas at Granny and Papa Nicholson's, Christmas at Mimi and Poppy Hucks' house, babysitting Isabella and Elissa (making a wonderful mess of making and decorating cookies) and of the great snow storm...Enjoy!

Left to right: Isabella, Rachel, Will, Elissa then, my big brother Adam and big sister Kendra at our house for dinner!











Granny and Papa opening presents at their house and Granny getting a makeover from Chad's mom.

One of the Hucks traditions is all the men give each other gag gifts. This was one of them...crazy looking teeth! They all really seem to get a kick out of it. Chad did so good this year and made a multi-tool out of normal sized tools. It was pretty funny. My mom (aka Mimi) also tries to get matching jammies for the grand kids each year...here's this year's pick...well, needless to say, Will didn't get the cute little ruffly pjs with the sparkly snowflakes...but, his were still super cute!

Chad and I had the pleasure of babysitting Isabella and Elissa so Leah could take Adam out for his 33rd birthday! We made a big mess making cookies (thankfully uncle Chad wasn't home for that mess!) but then, we made another mess decorating them! Thanks to uncle Chad for helping clean up our mess!!









Check out the newest addition to our downstairs game room. We've recently aquired this from my grandparents house as they are transitioning into assisted living and we couldn't find a good spot for the large painting in their tiny room at their new facility.


It's a painting by my uncle Jack of he and my dad playing football. My dad (the GT player) is recovering a Georgia fumble! Well, that's the way we see it. Jackie painted this in 1970 around the time when the twins played at their rival schools. It's not what some art critics would consider a master piece, but I have always liked the painting and think it makes a nice addition to this room in our house.

On Thur, Jan 17th it snowed and we decided to stay home from work and play a bit.


This is Harry the snowman.


and this, is Chad and I sledding in our pitiful little SC snow...it was so fun though! We sledded down our hill in the backyard and almost ended up in the creek a couple of times!

Its a Hucks Life

Hey, I know it's been a while since I posted last, but honestly, I've gotten a Facebook page and now I'm a little addicted...but, perhaps I can come back to the old blog in 2008...

Some exciting news...my big brother has a blog now!!! (check out the new link in the link menu) I just thought I'd bring it to your attention...his little girls are adorable, and he and his wife, Leah, take lots of pics, so I'm sure you'll enjoy checking up with them every now and then too!

So, Chad and I recently got back from our Western Tour! We took 10 days off, and went to OKC to see the Lowder family, then, to LA to see Brent (Chad's bro) and Kora. We had a great time, and will hopefully make this a regular trip...hopping across the country...only next time, maybe we'll just hop on over to Hawaii!

So, here are only a couple of pics from our trip. We seemed to have forgotten our camera much of the time, so there really are only a few pictures. The first ones are with the Lowders at the OKC zoo...the kids are growing up so fast and are so much fun to be around!

The picture of Brent and Chad is just outside the Disney Land's elusive SPACE MOUNTAIN! Woo! 20 years later, Chad conquered his fears! ha! ...even at 28, that ride is awesome!

First Anniversary!

Chad and I spent the weekend in Asheville! We went to the Grove Park Inn for dinner...good food, but we both agree, not good enough for the money...(not sure what's up with my strange smile in the first pic!) Then, we went to the Brewgrass Festival on Saturday. This was a very cool festival with brew samples from around the country and BLUEGRASS music!

Then, on our way home from Asheville, we stopped in Flat Rock in hopes of roaming the apple orchard and picking some fresh apples, but sadly, there were none. So, we walked around, played in a giant pumkin, petted a black goat, walked through the bamboo forest, and took a hayride!

Our actual anniversary was on Sunday, though, so when we got home, we fired up the grill and sat on the back patio dancing to the jazz and enjoying each other's company...and eating year-old cake(side note: notice the tile table we made...that's right! laid the tile, built the structure and everything!)...oh, and the cake was suprisingly yummy!

Missionaries!

I know I promised some new pictures, and those will come, but I thought I'd post a little something about my friend Laura, her wonderful family, and how they have faithfully followed God's calling!

Matt and Laura Tyler are in the final stages of their training to become missionaries in Mexico. They graduated from New Tribes Mission school where the school's focus is planting tribal churches in unreached areas of the world, and are now completing intensive language training, taking more classes, and doing more outreach before they move on to their final destination. Click on their names to get more information about who they are and what they are all about. Also, for a more personal view of this precious family, visit traveling with the tylers.

The reason I am writing about them, is in hopes that you might read about them, and get to know them, and partner with them in prayer and also financially.

As missionaries, they are responsible for raising all of their funds which includes: Personal expenses (for a family of 4), Ministry expenses (Internet fees, printing, business phone etc), and Benefits and taxes (they are considered 'self employed' which means more taxes, and also any retirement funds and health benefits) So, needless to say, they need a great deal of financial support.

Many of you may contribute corporately to missions through your church, as Chad and I do, but this is your opportunity to contribute to a specific family and to their needs as they grow God's kingdom in parts of the world many will never see.

Okay Lyndsay...

Due to some very recent hate-blogging (I won't name names or anything)...I thought it was time to inform my many devoted readers out there, that there will be more to come soon!

As you may know, my precious husband and I just celebrated one whole year of blissful matrimony!!! yay!!! So, in celebration, we did some local traveling and sightseeing...those pictures will be edited (mainly editing myself as I have grown in many ways over the last year) and then added to my blog...so stay tuned! Okay Lyndsay!?!?

Wanna see something funny?

Chad and I

Matt and Liv

Mom and Dad

Kendra and Terry

Wanna do one?

Bernice loves Kenah

Just a little sisterly love after a sleep over...

This is where we are going this weekend...today...in a few hours. This is quite possibly, my favorite place. Mainly because of all of the memories that reside here. This was my grandparents' house, and I grew up going there....it's in Murrells Inlet (just about 10 miles from Myrtle Beach) This is my Papa so proudly standing on the pier in front of the house...this was his paradise. I'll have to get a picture of he and my Nana together...they were a sweet sweet couple.

Sadly, this could be one of our last visits to the inlet house.

But, I'll always have the special memories of the house...before Hurricane Hugo...making giant card houses in the sunroom, playing under the huge weeping willows with the moss dripping from the limbs. Walking around on the oysters...and cutting my knee without even knowing it (my knee still proudly bares the scar) Getting fish heads and chicken necks from the store with Papa so we could tie them to the end of a string and go crabbing. Lying really still with Kendra and Adam by the marsh so you could see the fiddler crabs come out of their holes...then catching them up with our bare hands. Watching the tide clock pass the hours, and how the water miraculously changed with it. Nana's crafts, artwork, jewelry, that donned the walls, halls, and shelves. Papa playfully threatening to take the rest of my food off my plate if I didn't eat it...so many things...I could go on and on...

I am so thankful that my precious husband has had the opportunity to know this very special place. Because now, I have memories there...that have him in them too.

Big Festival in the middle of nowhere

So Chad told me he wanted to take me on a suprise date this past weekend...which is not unlike him. So I did my usual guessing and thought I had figured it out. I just knew he was taking me downtown to a fund raiser at a trendy downtown Greenville restaurant. I was very excited. But, then in a casual conversation, I said, hey, there's also a BBQ Festival in Tryon, NC this weekend too...and he said, "that's where we're going on Saturday night!" I couldn't believe it! I was so excited!! That sounded like so much more fun!! A festival in the mountains with live music, many different types of people, and handmade crafts!!! What more could you ask for!?!?


So we drove about 45 minutes into the mountains of North Carolina and ended up at the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! We ate award winning BBQ, looked at tons of mountain-made crafts, people watched (this might have been the best part), danced to great music, and even played Beach Bingo and won! Yep, we won at the exact same time...$10 each!

So go ahead and make your plans for next year! You can be sure you'll see the Nicholsons there!

Serious?

I love this video just because I caught my somewhat serious husband being not-so-serious...my favorite thing! He's too cute!!!

May Miscellaneous

Well, here's a hodgepodge of pics for your viewing pleasure...let's see...there's Forest, the Forester, the newest addition to our family.






Then, there's Bernice...an old member of the family, snoozing under self-made tent. My dad'd Mother's day gift to my mom! Good job dad!!

Chad and his Dad at the big 3-O party...Isabella and Elissa at their 3rd and 5th birthday party.

.....and....well, a view of what newlyweds do on weeknights! ha!