Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail

On our first morning, we headed to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a 4 hour hike along the Daniel Ridge Loop. 

 It was a beautiful day for a hike together.

 We passed a few other hikers on their way to swimming holes. The mountain water was chilly, but felt wonderful after a long hike. Our total elevation this hike was 4000 feet. It's no Utah, but it's a lot for us flat-landers.

 We decided to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway up to Roanoke. While it was awesomely scenic, we quickly realized it doubled the length of our trip. So we jumped on the highway and headed out for another great dinner.

We found a wonderful hike along the Appalachian Trail and I WISH I had my camera for the top of that mountain. Our get-away was filled was quality outdoor time together, amazing food and an appreciation for the support we had back home to get out! Definitely need to do this more often!

Alone, together!

This weekend Dave and I finally got away together without the kiddos….4 years later!

Deane has been encouraging us for as long as I can remember (4 yrs apparently) to get away and she’ll take care of our babes while we escape. Go figure that by the time we coordinated a workable date, Deane was on vacation herself (long overdue, btw). So Grandad and Grandma Holly stepped up and offered to take the reigns. While we’re confident things are going well back at home, we’re hoping Ken and Holly will still talk to us when we return later next month. Yesterday, we hiked along the Blue Ridge Mtns for a few hours and today we’re off for another long hike in Asheville. Then we travel to Roanoke. Thank you Grandad and Grandma Holly!

Not to worry, Deane, we’ll take you up on your offer this fall!  He he  Thank you for lighting the fire under us!

Gardening: A Mixed Blessing

We’ve had mixed success this year with the garden. While the lettuce and spices grew like weeds, we had loads of trouble with the cucumbers and tomatoes. The cucumbers got “downy mildew” and we had to pull them all. I must have thrown away nearly 30 squishy cucumbers. Unfortunately, that planter is unplantable for a few more months, until we are sure the mildew is gone. 

 The aphids are unstoppable! We’ve tried marigolds, spray soap, organic wax, neem oil, and SEVIN. The only thing we haven’t tried is butterflies, but that’s a whole to-do with keeping the butterflies in my garden. The aphids are systematically killing my tomato plants. So those too, are getting pulled out and re-planted.

 Thankfully, I have plenty of peppers, watermelon, jalapenos, and eggplant! Now I just need recipes for eggplant.

Happy Birthday, Cameron!

Cameron dressed up to frost his own birthday cupcakes. These are the gluten-free (not to mention dairy-, egg-, nut-, taste-free) cupcakes. We also had regular cupcakes for the masses.

 Cameron's party was at the trampoline place, Defy Gravity. Despite our many friends' trips to the beach (Messick's, Donahue's, Young's AND Rosenburg's!) we still had plenty of peeps to fill up a party.

Miss Karen and Lucy needed a little rest.

 Jackie was Caleb's junior babysitter, much to his delight.

 Grandad and Grandma Holly preferred the sidelines to the sweat-infested craziness of the trampolines. (Not pictured are the brave dads in the dodge ball arena and the foam pit b/c they were dripping with sweat. And now they are nursing their sore backs).

 Happy Birthday, Cameron! Six already!

1st Score Card

On this, Cameron's last day as a 5 year old, we played golf with Grandma Holly.  Cam-o kept score.  As you can see he had a great start with a couple pars & a birdie.  After resting a few holes he returned but struggled on #9.

Gramma Holly & I were devastated on #2 but stroked each others ego for the next 7 holes & were able to leave the course with our chins up.  Thanks for the lesson Cam-o.

Love,

Daddy

Guess what we did today?

We got Jackie's ears pierced!!!!!

 Since it was the second Tuesday after the summer solstice and…just kidding…Jackie was just plain ready! Dave and I felt that she was responsible enough to handle the maintenance of earrings. And since we got a few (dozen) hand me down earrings from our neighbor, Elise, she was really interested.

After doing my due diligence, which consisted of watching YouTube videos of various girls getting their ears pierced and asking my Facebook friends where to go, (everyone agreed Claire’s at the mall was the only acceptable ear-piercing pagoda) we were out the door at 9:55am.  

Jackie’s excitement quickly turned to anxiety once we reached our destination. Luckily, there was another girl getting her ears pierced, so Jackie could see it live and ask her a few bazillion questions. And she was thrilled to pick out her studs!

Thankfully, Lucy Lu was as patient as she has ever been- but then again, she was surrounded by God-awful tiara’s that blinded us with sparkle and dangly, jingly earrings. (Who is their clientele, anyway?!)

After 15 minutes of preparation, ear marking, hygiene tutorial, the lady asked Jackie if she was ready. And Jackie replied....No!... So we left Claire's and took a walk around the mall. Jackie got up the courage to go through with it and there were no tears! WOOHOO!

Check out my pretty babies! The big one has her birthstones in her ears! REAL EARRINGS!

Household help

Since we no longer have a cleaning service, the kids' responsibilities around the house have increased substantially. We're pretty open to any creative way of getting the job done, as long as it gets done.

 Today, Jackie and Cameron tested out floor cleaning techniques. Unfortunately, CamO got injured due to an unlicensed driver (JBird). Tears were shed, workman's comp was filed, bla bla bla... Now they are back to the drawing board. Let's see what they come up with next week!

 Carry on, cleaning crew!

Art Class

Art class with Miss Serpil has begun! In my attempt to minimize driving (entirely selfish, I know), we have classes at home- hence piano, swimming lessons, and now art class . It's only 4 weeks, but these 3 are in their element. Serpil just finished her masters degree in art history & education, so she's thrilled to put her education to use! The kids second favorite part of art class- lessons in their jammies!

The Birthday Season

Karen’s birthday marks the beginning of the 8-week-long birthday celebration. Between our peeps, there are 6 birthdays in 8 weeks, not to mention the 4^th of July celebration. The party is non-stop.  We’re happy to oblige with cake, wine and good friends. 

 Here Karen is instructing the future pyro in the fine art of candle lighting sans finger burning....didn't quite work out that way.

 Much love & Happy Birthday, Miss Karen!

Good times with good friends

The Carpenters came in town for a long weekend visit.

 While they played Musical Beds most nights, the kids enjoyed each other's company.

 It was fun watching Paige and Lucy bond over princesses and listen to their conversations about Ariel (clearly everybody's favorite princess).

 PJ is quite the swimmer! She's a little fish in water, just like her mama!

 While they were here, we decided to try out a new trampoline gym called Defy Gravity.

 It was clearly a hit for everyone. An hour of jumping gets the energy out!

 The foam pit was awesome!

 Obviously, the skaters had to race. Go to the start....

 Our dear little princesses got a make-over from Jackie

 Before our friends left, we stopped at Pullen Park, which had just been newly remodeled.

 If you do the carousel ride, hold on to your hat, because it's the fastest carousel we've ever been on.

 See you next year Kristin, Cory, & PJ! We miss you already!