Mid-November Update

Since our return trip from the mountains, we've still been busy bees!  I need to expect this during the fall and holiday season.  Jack finished up his soccer season last week with a team party and trophies.  Jack was super excited about his trophy and it did look pretty cool.

We also have been on a few lunch dates.  Kate liked using my phone to photograph Brooks.  We even went to the movies with the cousins and Gigi to see Free Birds.

Kate's Thanksgiving program was Friday and we enjoyed watching her sing songs.  Her Indian Princess name was Princess Strawberry because she loves Strawberry Shortcake.

Finally, Gramma came for a quick visit and since we don't see her in November usually, we celebrated her November birthday a little early and had a little party to celebrate. 

NC Mountains

We just spent 3 great days in North Carolina enjoying the cool mountain air and fireside by the cabin.  We drove to Atlanta and spent the night.  We left Thursday morning and asked the kids where they wanted to go, Zoo Atlanta or the Georgia Aquarium.  We've been to the aquarium a few times, so the kids decided on the zoo.  It wasn't amazing, but seeing a real-life panda and some naked mole rats made our day a success.

Friday morning we arrived in North Carolina to meet our friends, Mike, Leeann, Lane and Quinn.  We explored our cabin, the views the fireplace and went to the grocery store to get some supplies.  We also made a stop at the Mast General Store Candy Barrell for some candy because no vacation would be complete without candy!

Saturday, we made a trip to Blowing Rock.  I am still not quite sure why the Blowing Rock even exists, but I was too worried about children falling over the edge to read the information.  That tends to happen these days.

After the actual Blowing Rock, we made our way downtown to eat lunch and watch some football.  There was a park downtown too, so we played on the playground a bit and headed to Linville Falls.

After a long day of hiking and exploring, we needed some s'mores!  Who doesn't love s'mores while in the mountains or anytime for that matter?!

Sunday morning was Grandfather Mountain.  The entire mountain was great.  We started out checking on Split/Sphinx Rocks and then traveled further up to the Nature center.  They had native animals like otters, an eagle, deer, a mountain lion and some bears.  

When we made it to the top, 5,280 feet up - 1 mile and IT WAS WINDY!  I think sustained winds were at least 40 mph and gusts up to 60.  We got up almost to the suspension bridge and I was holding Kate and I could not go on that bridge.  I put Kate down for a second and she almost flew off the mountain.  I was outta there and took the kids with me.  Craig, Mike, Leeann and Quinn made their way across.  Jack then wanted to go out on the bridge so I prayed and let him go.  I may be a little dramatic here, but it was windy, seriously.  The views were beautiful and it was worth the fear and drive to see God's creation.

We had a great time.  I am glad to be home, but a little time in the mountains enjoying nature with some sweet friends, was wonderful!

Walkin' in High Cotton

Jack got to go on another field trip!  This time we went to a classmates family's farm.  They grow cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans and milo.  We also went with the K4 class which includes our cousins and Gigi went along this time as well.  The trip was very educational and we learned a lot about how these crops get from the ground to our plates, clothing, animals, etc.  I am so grateful we had this experience.  Reminded me of older times and I think it was good for the kids to see that these items just don't appear, they have to be grown, cultivated, harvested - much like them.

This kid LOVES popcorn.  It is even better made fresh from a kettle.  Yummy!!!

Soybean fields

More Fall Fun!

Kate's first ever field trip was two weeks ago to the pumpkin patch with her class.  She was excited to go on a "big girl" field trip.  They listened intently to some stories read and then explored the patch.

This past weekend we went to visit Craig's family for his grandmother's 75th birthday.  We did some visiting and Kate and Jack enjoyed playing with their little cousin, Emerson.

We also had some more cousin time yesterday at my parents.  We put the kids to work picking up pecans, 5 gallons worth.  Kate said, "this is so much fun!"  Then we did some playing outside in the nice cool weather.