Hanging Rock and a tooth...

What do those two things have in common? Well they are both hanging and you will be able to see said tooth in all of my sweet daughters pictures. Yep, it is the one dangling off to the side, really loose and with an (gulp) adult one right behind it. How it constantly reminds me how her little one is growing up so fast every time she smiles. Sigh... Bittersweet!

Ok, on to Hanging Rock and hiking because if I linger on how much my sweet daughter is growing up I am gonna cry. One of the first things we wanted to do when we moved up here is go hiking. There are so many fun places to go around our area and better yet, they are free! It is such a great way to spend time with the family, enjoy nature and get a little exercise in there too. Make that a lot of exercise!

Just getting out of the car and exploring our picnic spot was a ton of fun!




The trail up to Hanging Rock was about 1.5 miles each way. The kids did great but the one holding this 18+lb potato sack got the extra workout! And I will let you in on a special secret at how to get your kids to complete a mountian hike later in the blog post.



Luke stopped to feel nature...

Up up we go!

I made sure my hubby got in on the workout.

Funny because we were hiking up and up, my legs were screaming and when we got to this point, I was like, "this is awesome! We made it!" Nope, more stairs and I didn't want to document them with any pictures because I was in denial.

But Kylie was ready to tackle this bad boy of a mountain.

And then when we got up to the top I was speechless. So.worth.the.pain. There is a life lesson in that you know.








Jake enjoyed the view too. What a perfect little addition to our family as he was just as content as could be going up and down the hike. Have I mentioned lately how much we like Jakers?? ;)

After a brief snack (we had to bribe them up there somehow) we were back to the trail. I thought going down would be a bit easier. I was wrong.

Then our salvation came in the form of a dog. He was going up when we were coming down and he was the cutest dog ever. Tongue wagging back and forth from the heat or maybe it was a smile because he wouldn't accept our water. He was on a mission though our kids convinced him in a new one. He soon became the alpha dog leader of our pack! I told you we had a secret! Our kids followed that dog down the mountain and there was not one complaint, not one groan about how much longer, not one. After the hike was over we met with a local ranger and hopefully our dog friend, who was named Buck by our kids, found his family.



The kids were all fired up about walking and they were doing a pretty good job at it so we decided to tackle another smaller trail down to a waterfall. Note to self, NC waterfalls are COLD!






We knew that day was a park clean up day where volunteers could pick up trash along the trails. Our kids had packed plastic bags and gloves for this very reason. They were excited to see what treasures were along the trail.

That was the end of that, but now on to the tooth. And the door. Yes, there is dental floss attached to the tooth on the other side of that door! But the saga continues because Kylie couldn't slam the door herself - nor could we do it. She would close the door and follow it with her head. Yeah, can't pull it that way. At least she will have a great story to tell when she is older.

Just for fun!

Kylie around 5 months.

Luke at 5 months.

Jake at 3 months. I need to hunt for a sitting picture of him at 5 months! I would take a pic now but he is snoozing so must not disturb!

Now dates aren't exact, but it was fun looking back at these pics!

Then these three of them swinging at different times.

I think it is fun that they will all share similar memories. Watching them grow has been a joyful experience and I pray that I can have these times etched in my mind. It goes by too fast!

Well Hello There!

Little man Jake was just a chilling on the floor today, getting some much needed rolling practice. He still is getting his groove on so I don't have to worry about him going too far. He seems just to go around in circles on his belly with no rolling action as of yet. Kinda like looking down on a a mini little helicopter but slower. I know those muscles are getting a workout! But I digress... while he was posing for me, he just started making the most funny face!




He tucks his lip in just so and grins at me through his eyes and cheeks. Makes me belly laugh each and every time! Thus the reason why these pics are so blurry cuz I couldn't contain the laughter and I was shaking so bad!



See, he really just wants to bust out laughing at me... because I am laughing at him!



Tomorrow we hope to head to Hanging Rock State Park for some great outdoor hiking and possibly swimming. Now this is what I love about NC. Family, cooler temps, hiking and the great outdoors!

Loving my life...

Traditions...

Since having children, I have noticed that they thrive on routine. They have amazed me at their knack of remembering things from long ago and traveling to my mother's home brings back all kinds of fond memories for them. Yesterday was the first time we have brought them to the pool and I have a feeling we have a new tradition. And I like it.



Nothin' better than laughter, splashing and sun to brighten up our spirits. Lazy days chilling on beach chairs enjoying each others company. My favorite is sitting at the edge of the pool while the kids show off their many talents in the water.





Did I mention happy smiling kids?





Proof that long periods of time in the pool are good for the soul.




Another tradition that has been 6 years going strong is bubble baths in my Mom's jacuzzi tub. One time we had bubbles so high, they touched the ceiling! I swear I only put a drop of bubble bath in - Really! Now only a super small amount of gel is squirted in but it always causes an eruption of smiles and shrieks of joy when I start that Jacuzzi timer going. The roar of the jets swirl up the bubbles in no time and the kids think they are in bubble paradise.




Days like this goes in the record book for good memories. Warm sun, refreshing water and out of control bubble baths. Can't get much better than that!

Swimming!

Today we had a mission and it couldn't get underway fast enough! Living in North Carolina has changed our life in so many ways but we have learned not to take things for granted. Since we have left Florida we have missed the ability to go to a pool or beach anytime we choose. Granted, there have not been very many pool days in NC so far, but I know they are near.

Thankful for a 3 day weekend where we could steal away for a mini vacay with the family, we made sure the pool and/or beach was going to be one of the top things we chose to do. Jake knew something exciting was going to happen because he could feel it in the air. I know the minute we got out of the car in the parking lot he could sense the excitment, hear the laughter and splashing, and I know he could smell the sweet coconut air from all of the sunscreened bodies playing in the water. Really, he is cool like that!



Jake took to the water like he was meant for it. He was all relaxed and mellow with his daddy but after I got to him, he was cheesing it up and loving every minute. He smiled, laughed and cooed for over an hour!



After all of us had fun squeezing the life out of the pool experience, we dried off and warmed up. Jake was at peace.



And promptly fell asleep.



Such a good day. Hoping for a replay tomorrow.