Its the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

We had a wonderful, quite Thanksgiving. Just us and my parents. Low key but GREAT food.

The kids are very excited for Christmas but so am I. I love watching the excitement on their faces as we put up decorations and pick out the tree. Its rejuvinating watching it all through their eyes!.

 

Thanksgiving pictures

The kids love when the train gets set up



PIcking out a tree...or running around the tree farm



LOL, do you think they are related!

My favorite post

This annual fall post is becoming my favorite. Its a great season here in Virginia with trees changing color and mild temperatures. Lots of fun activities to keep us all very very busy!

We made spooky houses

We Painted pumpkins

 

We went to our favorite farm where they have a petting zoo, tractor, playground and of course pumpkins to pick

 

What a difference a year makes

 

2013

 

 

Scaaarryy MONSTERS

 

We carved pumpkins

 

Played cowboys inside

 

And finally, it was Halloween. My little Minion and Captain America (I painted his shield!)

 

 

This is why I love this post: its my time capsule. I never did the sit in the chair or with a stuffed animal pictures but every year I take a pic of Jake and now Gabi on the Tractor. I told him this year that he better understand that this will still be happening when he is 16!

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 Here is Gabi this year, I dont have one from last year but thats probably because she wouldnt do it. She did not enjoy it this year either

Blue Ridge Vacation

Kurt and I took a small 3 day vacation to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. We have been talking about getting away and hiking together.

Kurts idea: go on a long hike where you have to camp out in a tent outside.

My idea: go hiking and come back to sleep in a 5 star hotel with a hot shower.

Compromise: We went to Wintergreen resort with hiking and decent room, hot shower, nice restaurants and hot tub. Maybe not a compromise...I think I won this one!


Regardless... it was fantastic, or to quote Kurt on the top of the mountain "gnarly"

The hiking ranged from easy flat trails to climbing through rocks, steep narrow passages and across streams. We hiked about 10 miles total. The longest 8 mile loop took us about 5 hours. We did stop at the peak for a snack and rest and took in a couple sights for a few minutes but mostly it was all hiking.
Kurt was loving me at the end of the day while sitting in the hot tub to soak our sore tired muscles and then when it dropped to about 50 at night he was happy for the warm bed.

 

 

Beginning of the hike...nice and easy

First waterfall, at the bottom of the fall

Very top of the fall. We had to climb up the rocks in the picture above

Self timer, balancing on a log..gone wrong

We made it to the top...walking through the clouds

Second view point, the clouds have cleared and you can see the tops of the ridges

 

We clean up nice. Had a GREAT, well earned dinner after day of hiking

Day 2. Small hike to a little waterfall before heading home

The above trip was made possible by my parents who watched the children while we were gone. Thank you!