The New School Year

I know, I know.  School started over 2 months ago but I've still got to document all this exciting fun at our house.  We had a somewhat stressful and busy beginning of our school year.  School started the week after our vacation.  Tim ended up having to go on travel for work Sunday before school started.  That meant I had to make sure to get everyone back on schedule, out the door and off to school those first few days.  Thank goodness I have the best daughters ever.  They did a great job and stepped right into their routine like they had been doing it all summer (which they hadn't been, of course.) 

For FHE we did our traditional baking night before school starts.  Even though Tim wasn't there, we still had a good time.  We baked and baked.

Here's our finished product.  We through them in the freezer.  They are all gone now, so we better get busy.

Olivia, 4th Grade

Maya, 2nd Grade

Alexa, 7th Grade

McKenna

Still at "Mom School" (that's what the girls call it before they start kindergarten)

Happy Birthday, Alexa

13

13 years ago this darling was born.  Our dear sweet, Alexa.  She is becoming such a beautiful girl and we are so glad that she is in our family.  We couldn't ask for a better 13 year old.  Here is a quick look at how much she has grown over the years.

1998 

1999

2000

2001

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008 

2009

2010

Happy Birthday, Alexa!

We sure love you!

Vacation Part V (this is the last one, I Promise.)

The following day we took a nice road trip out to a river where we got to go white water rafting.  It was a pretty calm river (only Class I's and II's with one III) so McKenna was able to come with us.  Since it involved water, I think she had the most fun.  The guide said he'd never seen a kid that young so calm and enjoying herself so much.  Here we are getting "suited up". 

The beautiful river. 

 After a while, we were able to get out and swim.

 The girls

 Olivia wanted a turn with the camera.

 Maya - being a mermaid

 Our last day in Galtinburg we spent the day at the resort - just hanging out in the room and then driving around to see the rest of the resort.  This was the view we saw.

 After loading the car and heading out the door. 

 On our way out we promised the girls we would go to a pancake house for breakfast.  The problem was, picking which one to go to - there was one on every corner.

 On our way out we saw this cool building.  Notice it's upside down complete with a fedex mailbox and palm tree.  We decided the next time we come we'll have to check it out.

 Cute McKenna on the drive home.



Vacation Part IV

The next day we decided to drive up into the "mountains".  It was beautiful.  As we drove for miles I noticed something.  Millions and Millions of trees.  So, I thought I should post a few pictures of them.  Just to reassure anyone who is concerned that we are running out of trees.  They are alive and well, not only in NC but now in the Smokey Mountains.  It was a beautiful site.  We couldn't see anything else on either side of the road but trees.

We drove to a place called Cade's Cove.  It was a little settlement that I can't figure out how they ever found it in those dense trees and miles and miles away from Gatlinburg.  It was a great little place.  As we were walking back to the car from seeing one of the settler's homes McKenna decided to run down the dirt path away from us.  Tim started chasing her but she just kept running and running until she found this lone tree off to the side and ran right to it and sat down.  It was quite funny at the time probably not so funny in written form.  But since she's so cute the picture can be enjoyed.

This is the water wheel that powered the mill.  There was a giant mill that ground wheat and corn.  It was awesome but definitely wouldn't fit in my kitchen.  The stones were so large all the girls could sit on one.

 The Mill

                                                        After lunch.  Did I mention how hot it was?

The resort that we stayed at was right near this bridge.  Every time we drove through, Tim had to honk, of course.  McKenna loved it so she would yell "TUNNEL!"  whenever we came close to it.

After leaving Cade's Cove, we noticed a sign that said "Waterfall" so we had to stop.  It was a 1 1/2 mile hike up a pretty decent hill.  The girls did great.  McKenna walked about 1/2 of it.  We definitely followed the example of the pioneers trying to keep her mind off of it and singing along the way.  It was a beautiful waterfall and worth the walk.