Mile High Campground 2010

We left out Thursday afternoon and headed up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Great Smokey Mountains. When we arrived, it was dark so it was pretty tough putting up the tent using some headlights from the car. Fortunately, Troy had practiced putting up the tent, so we didn't have to wait too long to get set up. :) Our cousins (Jason, Anne Marie and their kids) arrived soon after, but we would have to wait to enjoy each other's company until the next day....kids way too exhausted and ready for bed by then.

We went to downtown Cherokee to a local arcade and let the kids play some games. We walked around Cherokee for a while before heading back to the campground. The kids loved roasting marshmellows and making smores. Just being outdoors in the nature was entertaining enough for our kids. They LOVE being outside!!!

The first night wasn't too bad with the cold weather...BUT the second night got very cold and the temperature got in the 20's with strong winds. So, we decided to come home a night early. Before leaving though, we checked out the Apple Festival in Waynesville, and some beautiful waterfalls nearby. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we started to feel under the weather and of course now I have a head cold. :( Overall, the trip was really fun and we can't wait to go back again... but, when the weather is much warmer...LOL! :) Here's a slideshow of all our pics!

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Autumn has finally arrived!

What a beautiful fall weekend we had, and we decided to get out of the house and enjoy it. We had Tucker and Riley over, and we played outdoors for hours! The kids took turns riding on the tractor with Uncle Troy, and we ended the weekend with getting our camping gear ready. We are planning to go camping two weeks from now, and Daddy wanted to make sure the tent looked okay. Dawson and Mady ran after Katie who was running around with a rock in her mouth. That is Katie's favorite thing to do while outside playing. We are very excited about our upcoming trip and can't wait to see the mountains. ;)

Grandparents Breakfast

Dawson enjoyed having his Mimi, Gamma, and Gandaddy come to school yesterday and eat breakfast with him. We missed having Papa who is still recovering from knee replacement surgery. Dawson said, "It's okay...I will see Papa tomorrow when we watch our Gamecocks together!" Even Madybelle joined in on the fun. After breakfast, Dawson showed everyone his classroom. We got to see his chair, nametag, cubby, and all his hard work. It was a real treat for us all! ;)

Labor Day = Play Day

We were excited to have the day off and needed some quality family time together. We got plenty of it today, and even had our cousins over to enjoy it with us! We played in the pool and on the swingset, grilled out, and rode on the golfcart (the kid's favorite).

1st Day as a Kindergartener!

Dawson is officially a Kindergartener now! I am so impressed at how well he did today and how he didn't even cry. I am so thankful we chose to put him into preschool because I really think that helped him prepare for this day. He has a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Morrow who has been so amazing already and the year has only just begun!! I am truly touched by all the special and unique treats she makes and sends home to show how much she loves these children.

Daddy's New Toy

We have been enjoying our new golfcart everyday! It has been very nice riding around in the evenings on all the trails in our woods. The kids absolutely love it and Madalynn learned the word "golfcart" immediately! ;)

This is our last weekend before school starts for me and Dawson, so we are trying to enjoy every minute! We went and saw Toy Story 3 today and of course it was a tear jerker like everyone has told me. I did pretty well considering all of my emotions lately. It definitely made me think about all the toys I used to play with, and how life flys by too quickly. I just had to keep blocking out the thoughts of Dawson going away to college (like Andy in the movie). Had I not done that, then I would have lost it and been a blubbering mess!

Back to School!

These days it seems like there aren't enough hours in the day for me to get everything done, but I am used to that. Getting back into the groove is always hard but once I meet my students and start, I will be fine. That part I am not worried about......it's the other part of now being a school mom! Can I just say YIKES!!!!!!!!!! I have had the hardest time and been so emotional at the thought of my little boy starting his very first year of school. I mean I have been watching old home movies and looking at baby pictures, and the tears just keep coming...I really need to stop because really I am just torturing myself. No, but seriously, I know Dawson has to grow up and I am very proud of him. He will be such a great student, and he has an amazing teacher. Daddy and I have decided to make tomorrow a "Dawson Day", and we are going to eat at his favorite restaurant (those of you who know him know it's the "OG"). Then it's off to see Toy Story 3. I have already packed the tissue in my purse because I hear it is a tear jerker. I know I know!! That's the exact opposite of what I need right now, but that's what little man wants to see. I do ask for your prayers and hope that I won't be a complete mess the first day for Dawson and for my new 3rd grade students. Pray I can be strong and contain the tears. :(