Peaches and Plum

About a week after our TN vacation, our female rabbit, Belle, passed away. We have been looking for a replacement and Matthew finally found a farm about an hour away that has a lot of rabbits. Yesterday we bought two large does and named them Peaches and Plum. We did not tell the lady what we do with our rabbits since everyone is always appalled! Peaches is 6 months old and ready to breed and Plum is 4 months old so she will be ready to breed after Peaches has a litter. Both are very shy right now but should settle in soon.

Peaches

Plum

Camping

Last weekend Matthew went golfing with some guys up in Myrtle Beach, SC so I decided to take my other man, Rabi, camping at Lakeview Plantation in SC. At the last minute everyone else at the barn where I keep my horse backed out, so Rabi and I ended up going by ourselves. Despite the very frustrating trails and the warm temperatures, we enjoyed the short vacation. I also got to test out my new trailer as a tent and use one of the cots my mom gave us in April.

My "bedroom" in the trailer, complete with a hay bale for a night stand!





















Our campsite in the early morning fog
















A section of trail that was pretty and I wasn't lost on.
















A riding self-portrait. Corny, I know!

Engagement Photos

If you haven't checked out our engagement photos yet (linked to our wedding website or just click here) then here are some of our favorites!














































































































































All photos done by Katie Joyner Photography

What's Been Going On

We have been very busy around here between road trips, friends visiting, and getting ready for our wedding. I hope everyone got their save-the-dates. We have been working on decorations and registering for gifts as well. Here are a few photos I managed to take of some of our adventures over the last 3 weeks.

Matthew and I went strawberry picking at a local farm and I made a strawberry pie from them. I have never made one before, but it is hard to go wrong with strawberries and sugar!

My college friends visited for a few days and we toured Savannah. We spent a day at the beach and a day downtown, including eating lunch at our favorite restaurant, Mrs. Wilkes!

Matthew and I spent last weekend in Charleston for a Lindy Exchange (a type of swing dancing). We also went ballroom dancing, shoe shopping (I got my wedding shoes!), and visited the beach while we were there.

My garden is doing well and we are getting a great crop of green beans this year, I have even been able to freeze some for later in addition to what we can eat!

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

As most of you know, Matthew and I spent last week vacationing with my parents at their cabin near the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (also known as BSF) in Tennessee. We had a great week hiking, horseback riding, and relaxing by the fire. My dad had to leave on a business trip for most of the week so Matthew ended up riding horses with my mom and I a lot more than he had originally planned! Here are a few photos of our travels.


One of the signs into the park

















Our first ride of the week, starting in front of the cabin. My dad was able to ride this day and one other day (which turned out rainy)















One of our hikes took us to an overlook above an old railroad bridge.














Matthew's Explorer Pose






















While my dad was out of town, I rode his horse, Bonner, and Matthew rode my horse, Rabi.














A nice overlook through the powerlines














Rabi is all geared up and ready to go. This year I used my equine heart rate monitor to check on Rabi's heart rate as we climbed up and down the mountains, he seems to be in pretty good shape!















Mom and I riding down the trails.
















Cooking s'mores over the fire, one of my favorite activities!
















Tribble, my parent's barn cat, enjoying a life of luxury in the cabin and a newly made cat toy.














Our next hike took us along the BSF river down to the railroad bridge we overlooked earlier in the week..

A cute falls along the way.














Matthew putting my walking stick to work.















Mom taking photographs of all the flora and fauna we found near the path.















Some type of centipede
















It had rained earlier in the morning and the red efts we all along the trail. Aren't they adorable?!














Our final destination, the old railroad bridge.






















The next hike we did took us along one of the rivers that later becomes the Big South Fork.














My parents in front of the river.














After many attempts, I finally captured one of the dozens of hummingbird moths visiting the azalea blooms.















On the way back from our hike, we saw a black bear crossing the road! This was my first wild bear and it was the first any of us had seen in the park.















For rainy days, Matthew and I brought the Wii. Here we are challenging my dad to an archery match!
















Here is another overlook we rode to on our last day at the park.