handsful

We’re home now, and missing the mountains already.  The weather here at home is in the 90’s with thick humidity…boy, were we spoiled last week.  We never had the A/C on at the cabin and were actually chilly at night.  I have more mountain pics to share, but wanted to post about our last day now.  Oh, and today is our Lainey’s 3rd birthday!  I’ll be posting pics of that soon, too. 

We went back and forth about what to do our last day of vacation.  We originally decided we’d go to Tweetsie Railroad, something we thought would be mainly for Lainey since everything else was more geared toward the big kids.  Then, we woke up later than we wanted to and started thinking we wouldn’t have enough time to get our $$’s worth.  We polled the kids, talked about our options, sent them away to discuss it…you would have thought we were making a life changing decision here.  In the end, it was Tweetsie. 

After riding the train (where Lainey was scared to bits of the cowboys and indians fighting and proceeded to bury herself about 3 feet into my neck until it was over…), the kids threatened to throw us in jail if they didn’t get funnel cake.  (they let us out after we promised we’d visit the funnel factory at some point during the day)

Chair lift rides were cool…the boys are just ahead of the girls. 

First time having her face painted.  A kitty cat.  Blue… of course.  In Lainey’s world, everything should be blue!

After she enjoyed riding in a blue car and a blue boat, we thought we’d see how she did on a faster ride. 

Like the scrambler.  She smiled and laughed through the whole thing!  We also rode the Tilt-O-Whirl – another big hit with Lainey Q. 

There was a nature area with deer, goats, donkeys, etc. to feed.  They sold little ice cream cones with food in them. 

Lainey couldn’t get enough, she squealed when they ate from her hand (first time she’s allowed this at a petting zoo, she used to get close and then chuck the food at them!)

This donkey was too hungry to worrry about how hillarious he looked trying to scrape the food off the fence with his teeth and lips. 

Having fun, Abbey?

that would be a yes!  The big kids ended up loving Tweetsie – it’s very much like a state fair only cleaner and the people aren’t quite as interesting to watch. 

After more big kid rides,

a quick lap around in a snazzy BLUE race car,

and a roaring good time on the carousel…

Lainey was wound up and as hyper as could be. 

We thought this might be a good time to head out. 

We had a fantastic time and were very glad we came.  Bye, Tweetsie!

On Tuesday, Randy and the big kids went white water rafting.  Since Lainey wasn’t old enough, I stayed back with her.  My friend Patricia lives in Banner Elk, so it gave us a wonderful opportunity to see her and her family.  She has 3 almost grown sons and 3 beautiful daughters from China.  You’ll have to wait on the pictures from this day :) 

Wednesday was our busy, busy day!  We got a slow start, but managed to do everything we had planned.  I’m counting on at least a few days of exhaustion when we get home from this vacation…there is always the recovery period! 

First stop, Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.  We went to two, the main store and then the annex Candy Barrel.  I could have spent the whole day here.  So much history, so much to look at and buy…lol.  We came away with a few things at the main store, and then headed for the candy.  If you’ve never been here, picture what a candy store must have looked like back in time.  Barrels and barrels and…of candy.  There are baskets at the door and you fill them to your hearts (or wallets) content.  You could go nuts in here if you have a sweet tooth (or a whole mouth full, like me).  The fun is seeing all the brands you remember as a kid…BB Bats, Mary Janes, Whistle pops, those little wax bottles with the sweet liquid inside, candy cigarettes (the kids were a little dumbfounded on that last one).  It sure brought back memories of when my dad would give me $1 to walk up to the corner store for candy.  I guess I can blame him for my love of sweets. 

Linville Caverns came next.  We weren’t sure what to expect, but we all ended up loving it.  Well, except Randy when he realized they were taking us down this extremely narrow passage that had only one way out.  He bowed out of that part.  Close spaces wig him out.  The highlight for the kids was “total darkness”, when they turned out all light sources so we could see how dark it is.  Completely dark.  Nothing, not even a hint of light.  Freaky! 

I carried Lainey in the Ergo since it would have been hard for her to walk and back carriers weren’t allowed.  She LOVES the Ergo and gets giddy with excitement when she sees it. 

Abbey saw a store with this sign, so we had to get Randy’s picture under it.  He loves to talk to the kids in a Scottish accent.  Weird.  They crack up. 

EJ was so looking forward to his time at the Grandfather Trout Farm.  They stock the ponds and provide all the equipment you need, clean, and ice pack the fish.  We were there for quite a while and only getting nibbles.  Lainey used the time to learn the fine art of rolling down a grassy hill. 

 

Finally, right as I was focusing this shot he yelled out “I’ve got one!”.  See the line pulling?

His first Rainbow Trout…the boy could NOT stop smiling.  We had trout for dinner :)

At the trout farm, there was also gem mining.  They loved the process of finding the cool rocks. 

The last stop of the day was Hawksnest.  During the winter months, this is a snow tubing place (years ago, it was a ski resort…when Randy and I were dating, we came here with friends for Midnight Skiing).  They are now in the process of adding a huge system of cables for zip lines!  They had 4 lines open, with plans to open a total of 14 next week.  Since Randy took the big kids rafting, I had the pleasure of zip lining with them.  I was a little nervous…heights aren’t really my comfort zone.  To say the least.  But, I have to say.  It was AMAZING.  I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Is it possible that anyone looks good in these things?

We did 4 runs, each one longer and higher.  The last one was 2000 ft. long! 

One of our guides was impressed with how aerodynamic Marley was.  We joked she was like an arrow shooting through the air. 

EJ flying through the trees!

On the last run, Payton had a very concerned look on his face!  He assured us he was fine and loved it. 

Favorite shot!  The guide said Abbey was a natural and asked her if she wanted a job :) 

Randy had the easy job of juggling picture taking, video, and Lainey.  The kids will love being able to watch the videos of themselves! 

We ended our day with a delicious trout dinner (thanks, EJ) and a boys vs. girls game of Pictionary (after Lainey went to bed).  A fantastic day.

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.