Fun Fourth!

Ahhh... I love the smell of independence in the morning. Happy belated Fourth of July everyone!

After Ramona's great work in Butterbear's rescue mission a couple of weeks ago, mom decided that she deserved a little vacation. So mom and dad took Ramona with them to North Carolina for the weekend.

On Friday, they went to Biltmore in Asheville.


Mom and dad have been to Asheville every year for the past four or five years, but have never been to Biltmore. Can you believe it? My parents are such cheapskate fuddy-duddies! So they finally went and lucky Ramona got to see everything.


They took a tour of the house and Ramona said it was really nifty. It was the biggest house she'd ever seen. She said everything was amazing. It's humongous and decked out in every detail. There are 43 bathrooms! A bowling alley! And an indoor pool! Wow!!!

Pictures weren't allowed inside, but here is Ramona waiting to take the tour. Color me green with envy at her purty Eurotrash helmet and House of Pinku dress! Mommy really gave Ramona the Princess Treatment for her fantastic helicopter skills.


There were lots of nifty twists and turns throughout the whole house. So they got to rest their heels a bit, Vanderbilt style, on one of the terraces.



Even the gardens were amazing!


Ramona saw lots of lotus flowers and lilies in the Italian garden too.


And, apparently, Ramona is growing up quick. She noticed that this one statue looks a little different from us gals. Naughty, naughty, Ramona!


For dinner, mom and dad took Ramona to their favorite restaurant in Asheville, the Laughing Seed Cafe. It's the yummiest!


After a night of rest, Ramona got to wear her kawaii Willy-Nilly Waterlily dress for a day of antiquing in Brevard. Mom was worried she'd lose her matching kerchief, so she made Ramona keep it in a safe place.

Mom and dad took Ramona to O.P. Taylor's too! It's the greatest, independently-owned toy store ever. There are toys everywhere of all kinds. Dolls, puzzles, board games, craft sets, model trains... You name it, O.P. Taylor's has it!


Brevard is known for its white squirrels. Silly Ramona, those white squirrels aren't real! When Zelda and I visited last fall, we got to see a real one. Maybe Ramona will see a real one someday.


Ramona returned on Saturday with all her stories. Blah blah blah... But she deserved all that fun and all her pretty new duds. She's a pretty great sister!