Cabin Trip

We have some wonderful friends at church who had been inviting us for quite a while to take our family to their cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. We're so grateful for the opportunity and can't believe that we didn't do it sooner; the cabin is beautiful (new timber-frame construction) with a wonderful view (steep drive up the mountain was worth it) so we had a great time. The little ones required quite a bit of attention so many aspects of the trip were exhausting, but we're still glad for the memorable weekend.

Claire enjoyed picking daisies and brought them to the supper table for sharing.

James enjoyed the big wide spaces, which meant that there were fewer walls to bonk his head on.

We went on two hikes. James piggy-backed on Mommy...

...and Claire piggy-backed on Daddy.

Claire wanted to hold James' hand, and he let her! It got both of them into a fit of giggles which meant we were all having a good time. This is one of those truly unforgettable moments that reminds us just how uniquely wonderful children are.

James enjoyed the piggy-back-pack so much that he didn't mind sleeping with a buckle in his eye.

We went to a waterfall and Claire was so hyper that she ran back and forth squealing with delight and singing nonsense songs. She eventually saw the waterfall.

James loves being outside...

...he is much happier for longer periods of time outside. This may be a good thing and means that he'll need a lot of time to play at parks in the future.

  

We went to the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville. The flower quilt was beautiful.

Claire had been picking flowers all weekend. It was amazing that she behaved and did not pick a single one after being told only once.

Even if she can't pick 'em, she loves to run through 'em.

There were some areas with dandelions and clover, which were blooms we figured the Arboretum folks wouldn't mind having a few picked out

She's going to be good at helping pick lawn weeds, and looking adorable doing it

We found a random mound of bark + sticks in a hut arrangement. No sign. Claire looked in and walked out. I imagine that a 2 year old James would've taken the opportunity to get a few spiders in his hair.

Looking up the chimney...

...and getting Daddy to look too

James and Mommy...

...are a pretty cute couple.

Fun times for everybody. Long day at the arboretum and no meltdowns (well, at least mostly).  After the arboretum, we visited a frozen custard shop where James got his first little taste of ice cream.

Last hike on Sunday, Claire wanted to walk by herself. She got a pretty good distance (maybe 600 yards?) but it took a while. See the gate behind Amanda's head? That was the entrance 15 minutes ago.

A few perilous bridges that we were not expecting. Claire and James were both in the back packs for these.

Visiting an old country house deep down on the trail. 

It was a great weekend with lots of outdoor time and perfect weather.  We hope to have many more vacations like this where we can show our little ones the overwhelming beauty of God's creation.