handsful

Monday’s assignment…climb Grandfather Mountain.  Or, at least do some hiking.  We were keeping our options open. 

After seeing the otters, deer, and bears at the nature park, we headed to the Mile High swinging bridge – here they are looking over the edge at the parking lot. 

It was SO windy! 

This picture freaks me out. 

After the bridge, we headed to the trails.  Here they are deciding which way to go at a fork in the trail.  We chose the more difficult trail, with ropes and ladders.  Oh goody. 

Here’s a rope…they were very helpful with the steep, slippery spots. 

And, here is a ladder.  Very steep.  Lainey loved riding in the backpack, never complained or fussed about being scared at all.  Randy was a brute, carrying her the whole time.  He’s our hero. 

The last series of ladders, that took us to the top of McRae’s Peak.  See the ladder at the top?  That’s the one that I totally FROZE on back in ’94.  I eventually made it back then.  This time?  I chose to only climb that 1st ladder. 

I’m standing at the top of the first ladder, taking a pic of the kids who easily made it to the top.  Yea, kids! 

Here is Randy, climbing up the 1st ladder.  I told Randy that this picture would give the grandparents a major shock.  Everyone still with us?? 

We made the logical decision to both come down from the 1st ladder (which I totally FROZE on for a moment – coming down is SO much scarier than going up!).  Then, I stayed with Lainey while Randy climbed up to join the kids on the TOP.  They were SO excited to make it so far and they said the views were spectacular.  While we waited, Lainey decided to leave a bit of herself on Grandfather Mountain.  No pics of that.  heh heh…

Time to come down, down, down…

All total, we spent almost 3 hours on Grandfather Mountain, just the hiking / climbing part.  Randy’s shoulders and back were sore and my knees were toast.  The kids were fine.  So, why did they get to end their day doing this??

Great day.

Taken Sunday morning, from our balcony…

We’re having such fun here, and taking full advantage of the 5 full days we have.  On Sunday, we started our day at Banner Elk Stables.

This place had dogs and cats EVERYWHERE!  The kids loved that.

Abbey

From the back, Marley, other rider, Ethan, Payton, and guide.

Kinda fuzzy, but here is Randy and Lainey.  Ever tried riding a horse and taking pictures at the same time?  Ain’t easy.

Digger, my horse.  He was a hungry thing, stopping every now and again for a quick  bite.  This picture is the only somewhat proof that I was riding!

Better shot of Randy and Lainey…and, their horse Charlie.  Payton’s horse was Walter (my dad has always wanted a dog named Walter…), Marley’s was Tootsie (my grandmom used to call ME Tootsie…), EJ’s was Kidd, and Abbey’s was Ginger.  I know you were dying for the names of the horses.

Horse riding was fantastic…it was so relaxing to just meander through woods and up and down hills with the breeze blowing.  Everyone loved it!

Today, we went to Grandfather Mountain and did some serious climbing…pics tomorrow :)

We headed out around noon, had an uneventful trip (the best kind, when you’ve got 5 children), and arrived here in Boone just after the sun went down.

The kids did GREAT on the trip here!  They watched one movie, played game systems, read books, and we all listened to comedians on Randy’s Ipod (have I mentioned here how much we LOVE Brian Regan?).  Lainey never once complained or got fussy…but, she did ask us repeatedly about the “big mountain” (signing).  Her version of “are we there YET??”  The kids all ooohed and ahhhed when we caught our first glimpse of the mountains and were literally “wowing” every few seconds as we wound our way around, up, and down them.  Once we arrived at the cabin, they were estatic and kept thanking us for bringing them here.  We are anticipating a memory-making trip and can’t wait to get started!

Horseback riding in the morning!

The big kids had a fantastic time at Out2B these last three days.  We dropped them off at the church on Monday morning, and the event ended with a banquet tonight at church for all the kids and their families.  The kids slept at church (boys room and girls room were WAY apart from each other and had adults staying in both rooms!), ate all their meals together – it was like a mini camp.  During the mornings, the kids were in group sessions taught by Charles Covington, an incredible bible teacher who has taught at Out2B for the last three years.  (He spoke at church last Sunday, so I can attest…the guy is fantastic and hillariously funny to boot). 

During the afternoons, the kids split up into groups and went out into the community doing various service projects.  What did our kids do?  Let’s see, ministered to a nursing home, painted a playground, worked at a food bank, worked at a thrift store, worked at a charity that collects clothing for missionaries, helped with another church’s kids program, and watched children dropped off by moms in our church so they could have a few hours to themselves.  Cool stuff, and they loved every minute of it.  They kids were SO wired after the banquet, wanting to tell me everything about their time away!  These few days taught them to truly look outside of themselves and serve with a servant’s heart.  I’m so thankful that our church has THE best Jr. High ministry and works so hard to equip our kids with God’s truths.   Welcome home, kids :)

Cough, cough…I love you too, kids!

Father’s Day was spent going to church, then home for a snack, then we headed to the ballpark to watch the Jacksonville Suns minor league baseball game.  The game was compliments of the parents support group from Lainey’s cleft palate team, and they have events designed for their families throughout the year.  All 7 of us were  able to go to the game, and an all-you-can-eat lunch was provided as well.  Not a bad deal for our family! 

Another shot after Randy caught his breath. 

His present.  Brian Regan is our family’s favorite comedian…the kids have heard his routine so often (it’s on dad’s ipod) that they quote him all the time.  I got the shirt online.  Take luck…it’s a really funny routine, you should google it. 

We were a little hesitant about going to a baseball game in 100+ degree weather, but thankfully our seats were high up and covered so we were out of the sun and had a nice breeze.  Otherwise, we would have cooked. 

She enjoyed the unlimited popcorn…

And her baseball mitt lollipop.  Lollipops are now expected at all baseball games, since we always had one for her at EJ’s games. 

Towards the end of the game, the boys took some vacant seats at the front of the balcony.  When we decided to call it a game at the 8th inning (we were thoroughly HOT by then), the boys weren’t happy.  Especially Ethan, he really wanted to stay.  I predict a father/son day trip coming up soon.  

Randy, I probably don’t tell you this enough but you are an AMAZING dad.  When we were dating, both of our families used to kid you about how you would never grow up.  The eternal Peter Pan…actually, they still say that about you.  Thankfully, you still have that quality and I know our kids LOVE that part of you.  You have such fun with them!  But, you also do an incredible job of balancing that side with the structure and discipline that they also need.  Top that with the love and affection that you so freely give them, and you’re THE best dad around.  We’re all blessed to have you.

Ethan’s newest passion…fishing in the pond behind our house. 

lots of time in the pool, trying to beat the FL heat.

on your mark…

go!

no fear

maybe we’ll just float around some

all smiles :)

great form, Marles

And, someone is learning to swim these days…

…a certain candy-coated chocolate candy.  And, when there is a yogurt that comes with those yummies to mix in?  Lainey’s world is just perfect. 

happiness in a cup.