The ride home

On the way home we decided to surprise the girls with a stop American Girl Doll Atlanta. They were so excited and surprised. Caroline got her hair done and got to pick out a few new outfits. The girls had a blast and were overwhelmed to say the least. 

We drove straight home after lunch making a late return home Sunday night! The kids were great on the way home. We only stopped twice in 8 hours Jackson slept almost the entire time only waking to eat and walk around once. Makayla slept, watched a movie, and repeatedly thanked us for taking her to the mountains, and the american girl doll store. I was so sad to see our vacation come to an end but I was so happy to be home! 

Makayla's face when she saw the American Girl Doll store
PRICELESS 

Caroline after her hair appointment 

Makayla and Hannah with there dolls

I love this picture of these two! 

Makayla at a rest stop.
I had walked out of the restroom and she was sitting on this bench gazing off and I realized my baby is starting kindergarten in 2 weeks and she's not a baby anymore. She looked so grown up and beautiful at that very moment.  I got tears in my eyes just thinking about how much she has grown and how wonderful of a person she is.  

Jackson looking for acorns and getting into trouble

Jackson honestly slept the entire way home

Back to reality…….

Mountain Adventure Day 5 & 6

Late Thursday night Hannah's Mom, Dad, & Brother (Jake) joined us for our last few days of cabin living! What a joy it was to share our vacation with some of our best friends! Friday we got up and headed out for another hiking adventure this time much closer to us and much shorts but still worth every step! After a stop at the Orchard to pick up more jams and cheese, we headed back to the cabin for a relaxing evening, of drinks, s'mores, hot-tubing, and enjoying our home away from home. 

Seriously this view! 

smaller but just as beautiful

Jen and I relaxing after a long hike!
 (not really just an excuse to drink our wine!) 

Steve and I cannot wait to go back

The boys hanging out!

Hmmm Thats funny!

The girls 

Daddy and his girl

Jackson may or may not have slept in the closet! 

Day 6 

Our last day

On our last day the Dads took the girls back out to the Centennial Olympics site where they got to see the rapids flowing and tons of people rafting. Jen and I took the boys into town for a little shopping. We all met up in the early afternoon for drinks and appetizers before heading back to the cabin for one last night of fun.  

This is the same spot as the pictures from day 4 with all the rocks! The damn opened the rapids were flowing! Amazing how different it looks and how fast that water flows 

Blue Ridge railway! 

The guys let the girls play on the train.
I love this picture of Makayla!
So carefree and full of life!

What an amazing adventure we had on this trip. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this time with my kids and my husband. We really tried to "unplug" and just get away from it all, and I think we did. We made so many memories, and laughed, and played, and really just had a fun and relaxing time! I cannot wait to do it all over again soon!!!

Mountain Adventure Day 4

Day 4 was defiantly my favorite day of this vacation. As we were researching things to do in and around Blue Ridge we knew we wanted to do a hiking day! Our original plan was to go to the site of the Centennial Olympics in 1996 but to our surprise when we arrived there was no actual hiking. The sweet gentleman in the gift shop suggested Benton Falls which was also on our list but we thought it may be to much for the kids! We drove another 10 miles of winding mountain road and then another 7 miles up hill to the entrance of our 6 mile hike! 

After a picnic lunch by the beach we set out for our hiking adventure to see the falls. Getting to the fall is down hill on a dirt and very rocky path. Steve and I took turns carrying a very grumpy toddler in the Beco carrier. But the girls were amazing all 6 miles of the hike! (3 miles each way) Neither of them complained once about the heat, bugs, or being tired! This was defiantly an adventure none of us will ever forget. Arriving at the falls was one of the most amazing sites any of us had ever seen. 

The bridge overlooking the rapids at the Olympic site

When the damn opens water is flowing through these rocks and it doesn't even look like the same place. People were rafting rough here at a very high rate of speed once it was filled! AMAZING

Jackson and I

Getting ready to set out on our hike! 

What a view 

Benton Falls what an amazing structure. I have never seen anything like it! 

These pictures do not do this justice 

We just sat for a very long time listening to the sound of the water flowing. 

All the kids loved playing on the rocks and dangling there toes in the cool water.

I carried a sleeping Jackson up hill all 3 miles on the return trip!  

On the way home we stopped in McCaysville to take our photo on the GA, TN state line. Very touristy but very fun!

In 2 states at once! 

They all thought I was nuts! but I think its fun

We returned home and grilled salmon, steamed green beans, and rice. The kids ate every bite that night and asked for seconds. Not sure if they worked up a major appetite from the hike or if it was the fresh salmon but this was also my favorite meal we cooked! 

This boy was a total mess!!!

All the kids HAD to sit with me in the little chair! 

Two VERY tired girls that night

I feel so blessed to have been able to experience today! It was truly amazing to be able to show our children such a naturally beautiful thing.

Mountain Adventure Day 3

Day 3 a little more low key. We hung around in our PJ's and relaxed most of the morning. We were on  vacation after all!  Once we got up and got moving we headed out for Mercier Orchards. This place was really neat! It was a rainy and nasty morning so the tractor rides were not running but we still had a lot of fun. They make all kinds of products right on site from apple cider, hot fried apple pies, to all kinds of homemade jellies and jams. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at the cafe. After, we bought fresh apples, blueberries, and peaches, tasted all kinds of ciders and treats! It was really a fun experience. The kids were kind of tired and cranky so we started to drive trying to find a play ground or park. We ended up driving for hours up and down different mountains and getting lost here and there, more of an adventure for Steve and I. The kids all fell asleep and slept for over 3 hours. I think they needed to catch up from the drive up! We ended up stopping at the Orchard on the way home, grabbed a few fabulous jams and jellies, some delicious cheese and crackers, a bottle of wine and enjoyed a yummy dinner outside overlooking the tree tops! Now that is what I call VACATION! 

The girls woke us up that morning! 

The girls at the Orchard 

Excited for a fun day

The Boy and I 

on our driving adventure we found this damn! 

an old covered bridge

The entrance to the Orchard 

Mountain View

Steve and the girls enjoying the hot tub

Hannah brought matching Pj's for her and Makayla and there American girl dolls

all cuddled up and ready for bed

Day 4 coming soon….