Look who came to visit!
My Dad!
Pops decided to make a last minute trip to NC this weekend. My brother, Tommy, and I decided it would be easiest for everyone if I drove to Charlotte for the weekend. That way my Dad didn’t have to visit two places, in addition to his long drive from Orlando.
The hubs had to stay behind because this is unfortunately one of the busiest weekends for his work all year and regardless of where I was, he was working all weekend. He was just glad I had something to do while he was working!
Tommy’s girlfriend Erica also had to work, so Saturday the three of us walked around Freedom Park Saturday. It was such a pretty day!
I’ve never been to this park before and it is now my favorite part of Charlotte.
So pretty!
We also ran a few errands and then got dinner.
The highlight of the day was a trip to this amazing French bakery called Amelie’s. There was a really long line, but I was totally willing to wait when I saw the treats. We might have gone a bit overboard, but WOW it was so good!
This was enough for four plus some to take back home to the hubs. #stillwentcrazy
Sunday we woke up and the Easter Bunny came! My Dad was so sweet and brought up our old Easter baskets from home. He even filled them up with goodies.
We had a late start to the morning, but we did make it to the Easter service at a church in Charlotte. Look how great my boys clean up!
After church we got a quick brunch at Toast.
Which was ah-mazing. That my friends, is lob-sta eggs benedict. Yum……
I made my way back to Asheville midday so I could make an Easter dinner for the hubs. He had to work all day, but I wanted to make sure he a nice meal on the holiday! I even made some homemade banana pudding for him since he missed out on all the fun in Charlotte. (Banana pudding is his all time favorite!)
What a perfect Easter weekend! I hope you had a nice one as well.
On a side note, I wanted to thank you guys for leaving so many kind notes about my post last Monday. You guys are the best.
Thanks so much for stopping by today everyone! Tomorrow I have a super yummy and simple way to make salmon that involves one of the biggest foods of 2015- the Pistachio! I hope to see you then.
And of course, have a Marvelous Monday! Thanks for the linkup Katie.
Your turn!
What did you do for Easter weekend?
Peter says
You are a sweetheart Julie 🙂
Dad says
I must admit, I had no idea how much the Easter baskets meant to my kids. It was a tradition that my deceased wife always took to heart. I normally was allowed to help and put out the bunny trail (jelly beans dropped in a row helping one find the Easter basket). I used to try to get tricky with that bunny trail. The bunny trail had to be postponed this year because of a miniature long haired dachshund who would surely eat them but that was OK. The family was together to celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the dead. He is risen indeed. Great holiday. Great family. Thank you Julie and Tommy.
JulieWunder says
Love you Dad! Thanks for the baskets 🙂 Thanks for coming to visit us!
Libby Haire says
It is so often the little things our children recall that make special memories for them and for us.
Farrah says
Yay, Charlotte! My friend is originally from there and is always telling us we need to go on a trip there, so it's on my to-visit-someday list! That park is gorgeous, and the food looks delicious! :]
JulieWunder says
It's a fun place! I'm glad I live in Asheville, but I'm also glad a decent size city is so close.
kathy boggs says
I think what your dad did was the sweetest thing ever! Glad you had a wonderful week-end!
JulieWunder says
Yes it was! It had been years since I'd gotten an Easter basket and those brought back such fun memories.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Sounds like the perfect family weekend! I was fortunate enough to get to see a lot of my extended family as well as my boyfriend's family this weekend, so I got lots of love 🙂
JulieWunder says
So glad you had a good weekend too!
Libby Haire says
Hey... I love that your Dad surprised you with the Easter baskets! That is so cool! I did not know Charlotte had eateries from New Orleans. The goodies look good enough to sample off the page. Sorry your hubs had to miss the fun. Are you ever going to share your recipe for Banana Pudding, or have I just missed when you did previously?
Thanks for this fun post.
I hope your friends Melanie and Crystal each had a good week. Do keep us posted on them.
Happy Monday!
JulieWunder says
Thanks! Dad did great! Those baskets brought back happy memories. I hadn't gotten an Easter basket in years.
I have never shared the banana pudding recipe! It is my Grandmothers- pretty simple! Sounds like a future post to me!
Thanks for the well wishes about Melanie and Crystal.
Jess @hellotofit says
Beautiful family 🙂 those desserts look AMAZING. Yes, I'm talking about both Amelie and the Easter basket... 😛
JulieWunder says
Yeah- I need a detox after Easter weekend! Yum!!!
Blane Sherer says
Glad you had such a great family weekend in Charlotte. Thanks for sharing it with us. I had a great family weekend for Easter and for my sister's birthday.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane!
Christen says
Looks like a fun weekend and thanks for sharing some great places in Charlotte to eat at! We have friends who live in Huntersville that we're visiting in a few months and I'll add these to my list of places to try 🙂
JulieWunder says
You have to go to Amelies. SOOOOO good!
Ruthie@She'sWickedHealthy says
What a lovely weekend! Glad you got some family time & sunshine!!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Ruthie! I hope you had a nice holiday as well.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
It looks so much warmer and springlike there. Nice pic with your dad 🙂
JulieWunder says
It was a lot warmer and greener in Charlotte than it is in Asheville. It was nice to be in full blown spring for the weekend! We are still on the daffodils and forsythia.
Danyelle Musselman says
Happy Easter, so nice that you had the chance to spend it with family! French bakery... I'm so jealous!
JulieWunder says
Yeah-- it was so nice and such a surprise! If you ever go to Charlotte you must go there. Totally worth it!
Annmarie says
Looks like a fantastic Easter weekend!!! Love your dress, so pretty!!!
JulieWunder says
Thank you Annmarie!
Denise Hoots says
Thanks for sharing and want to say your Father looks :-)very good and has lost a good bit of weight .:-)
JulieWunder says
He has lost a TON of weight! So proud of him. Good diet and exercise can go a long way!
Elaine Orr says
Hope everyone had a great day. Our family did and looks like yours as well. Just wanted to note how great and healthy your Dad looks. He must be walking still. Have a good week
JulieWunder says
Thank you! He will love to hear that! He is still walking A LOT and doing great!
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
What a fun little surprise for your dad to visit! It looks like you guys made the most of your weekend <3 Wish the hubs didn't have to work but how sweet of you to make him a dinner last night! YOu all clean up very nicely for church!
JulieWunder says
I know! Such a bummer! Work is always getting in the way.
So glad you had a nice weekend as well.
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
How fun! I miss having Easter Weekend with the whole family. And such perfect weather for you all, too. Now excuse me while I go and see if I have any lobster to put into my breakfast this morning!
JulieWunder says
Yes! It was such a nice surprise! I was planning a casual day of home while the hubs worked.
Haha-- yes, lobsta for breakfast is quite a treat!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
My dad visited for Easter as well - and we had brunch after church - Easter twins! haha
Mary Beth Jackson says
looks like a wonderful weekend with family and all those treats!!! I got a little family time as well and a little relaxation 🙂 Happy Monday!
Jenny says
Look how great your dad looks! You have handsome fellas, and what a sweet Easter weekend! This makes me want to drive to Charlotte and find full-blown springtime--it looks beautiful!