Fall Break 2023

I unexpectedly found cheap Frontier airline tickets to Denver, CO for the weekend. Our 1st stop was Snooze, an amazing breakfast restaurant. Thankfully this BEAUTY was able to come with us, even though her fall break was weeks earlier.

Next stop, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Srings. I LOVE when my kids take pictures! An outward sign of their inward admiration of God's creation.

No vacation is complete without an epic Benny pose.

One of the towering monoliths at Garden of the Gods.

I did not enjoy being in the central garden due to crowds, sidewalks and fences. But there's always a way to block them out and find beauty amongst the chaos.

Fall was such a gorgeous time to visit CO. Their display of bright yellow was like no other.

Who knew there was so much red rock in central Colorado!

Siamese Twins rock formation. We hiked a 4m loop to see the best of the national landmark.

Afterwards we enjoyed relaxing at one of our favorite Airbnbs ever! They even provided smores and yard games.

Sunday morning we drove nearby to Mount Cutler, a short 1.7m hike in North Cheyenne Canon Park.

Nice views of the mountains and of Seven Falls in the valley.

The view from the top.

We ate lunch at Smashburger and relaxed for a bit at the rental. Then later in the afternoon headed an hour into the mountains to hike.

The Crags Trail 4.9m up to 10,800ft. Ugh! Jackson reading his book at the top while he waited for us slower hikers.

Married 20 years now!!

One last view before heading back down.

There were warning signs of an agressive momma moose in the area. But we sadly didn't get to meet her.

Monday before heading home we tackled the famous Manitou Incline.

Jackson and Aaron made it up quickly while the rest of us took tons of breaks.

Josh was nice enough to wait for me! Moving at turtle speed.

HOORAY! Made it to step 2768 == 1 mile straight up.

The way back down via the Lower Barr Trail was pretty but it took so long with 3m of switchbacks.

Another vacation in the books. The best part is always spending time with my people.

So sorry Nevilles we missed seeing you guys. It was a quick one!

Start of Another School Year

The staff had a party for Josh's 10 YEAR work anniversary and 46th birthday this August.

Two days later, we celebrated Jackson's 17th birthday!!

They got this combo gift, a ping-pong table!

First day of school, 7th, 9th and 11th grades.

FINALLY found time to get my hair highlighted. Ha!

My favorite hygienist Addie came back to work after COVID. This saved us from having to find someone new. So thankful!

My LOVES hanging out with one of their favorite people, Chloe! I call her Clo-Clo.

The office won tickets to a Charlotte Knights game from Dr Sellers, a local orthodontist. The one Jackson went to for his braces.

Josh was out of town visiting Andy. So I went with Colleen to the game. I took over her position at the office so she could retire, but she's still our IT person working from home. She teaches me so much and is an invaluable resource.

It was so fun to see everyone outside of the office. I finally got to meet Angie's soon to be husband, Matt and he was the nicest guy.

This is Wendy, Josh's amazing and faithful assistant. He has worked ONLY with her since we've been in NC.

Everyone stayed for the impressive fireworks show. So fun!

Sunday FUNday ultimate frisbee. The boys all have school friends who have joined. Even the band teacher, Mr Owens!

Josh, Addy and I took an overnight trip to Helen, GA. We hiked to Raven Cliff Falls 4.9m and explored the downtown. Our main reason for going was to see Andy Stanley speak about a controversial issue at Northpoint Church on Sunday morning.

Our new, very used car. We were all sharing but it became too complicated with Addy driving to the city everyday for school and now working at a coffee shop as well. Go Sis! We are so proud of her.

I love this picture of Josh and our next door neighbor John, who reminds me of Josh's dad. With all the cars we have now, Josh is learning how to perform minor maintenances.

Happy Halloween! What a fun crew!

This was the 1st year the kids didn't go trick or treating. Instead Benny helped Mimi pass out candy. While Aaron and Jackson went to friends houses.

Last Sunday the kids played airsoft with friends. Addy and her soul sister Norah.

Benny and his friend Preston after a muddy Saturday cross country meet.

Check out this studly guy!! I'm so proud of all the boys for running this year.

At the cross country banquet, Aaron was voted by his varsity teammates most encouraging. He also got the most PRs, personal records. He didn't beat Jackson but came very close.

Happy 15th Birthday to this handsome, sweet, happy guy!!

Only his sister would buy him a stuffy.

Aaron ended his birthday weekend with an ultimate frisbee party with these fun people.

Our coon pets on the front porch.

Oregon Part II

DAY 6: Lower Cascade Head Trail 4.2m

1st views of the Oregon coast.

The area is usally very cloudy and cool.

What a gorgeous view!!

Even the forest was pretty.

DAY 7: Cannon Beach!!

We headed out early to beat the crowds.

Benny counted 335 starfish by the end of our walk.

Even the fog was kinda pretty along the shore.

Benny made it out but the other boys slept in.

Low tide was the best since we could get really close to the sea stacks and explore tide pools.

A picture from the Sea Sprite where we stayed for 2 nights.

Next we headed to Oswald West State Park nearby.

Short Sand Beach 1.2m

I thought this area was more beautiful than Haystack Rock.

I really enjoyed taking pictures here.

Such beauty all around.

The crabs eyes were still moving.

Love my people!!

Looks like it's turning out to be another sunny day!

Quick stop and walk to Hug Point.

Ecola State Park. We just liked that the Goonies movie was filmed here. We watched it during our stay.

Haystack Rock from the road nearby. Impressive size, much bigger than a house.

A sunny daytime view.

Here's the little cottage where we stayed. Loved the flowers.

But the best part were the beach BUNNIES!

They liked being fed.

All colors.

Bunnies with Haystack in the background.

Bonfire on the beach.

It's a Cannon Beach tradition.

Such a nice way to end an evening.

My creative children did this.

DAY 8: Mount Rainier National Park

Skyline Trail Loop 5.6m

I LOVE bear grass!!

Looking back towards Paradise, WA. This place really is called Paradise!

The wildflowers were magnificant!!

Some snow higher up.

Gorgeous views for days. You can barely see the Paradise Inn where we started.

I think this is my new FAVORITE hike!!

Rare family photo.

Headed back down.

The top was rocky. So many different types of terrain in one hike.

Majestic marmot. There were so many BIG ones!!

And chipmunks and a mountain goat. Josh even saw a mountain lion far off in the distance!

A beautiful meadow with streams and flowers. WOW!

I fell crossing this stream. HA! Thankfully only suffered a few knee scuffs.

Oh, the FLOWERS!

It's rare to see Mt Rainier in all her glory with no clouds interrupting the view. BLESSED!!

It was so tough to choose pictures since I liked them all.

The hike took us until evening since it was tough and we kept stopping so often to admire the view and marmots.

Near the end of the loop, Myrtle Falls. When we thought it couldn't get any better, it did.

DAY 9: Resting at the cabin. The kids were ready for a day off.

But we ended up talking them into two shorter hikes nearby instead of the bigger one we had originally planned. The hike started at Lake Tipsoo.

Check out this natural bouquet of wildflowers.

Another beautiful lake along the way.

I think I might be flower crazy. Purple ones!

Finally a view of Mt Rainier with the usual clouds around.

This hike is called Naches Peak Loop 3.3m

And we ended by Little Lake Tipsoo. So, so pretty.

On the way back to the cabin, we hiked to Silver Falls 3m.

The bridge we had to cross to get down to the falls.

And emerald water below.

As close as he could get.

Some girls offered to take our picture!

Elk in the evening!

Cowlitz River near where we stayed in Packwood.

DAY 10: Our last day did not go as planned. The wait to get into Sunrise, the other side of Mt Rainier, was 2hrs so we were not able do our last big hike. Instead we headed to the Columbia River Gorge near Portland.

And hiked to Wahclella Falls 1.9m

This area was burned in the Eagle Creek fire in 2017. There were still signs of damage.

But the falls were still pretty.

Two tiers.

Last stop at Multnomah Falls, the tallest in Oregon. Phew. What an amazing trip!