A few pictures from the end of September

Picking out the last of the vegetables--peppers and tomatoes

 She found a couple raspberries still ripe for the picking

These two love a bubble bath!

10 Year Anniversary Trip

Nate planned the best trip for our 10 year anniversary...We headed south into the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is pretty much one of our favorite places and where we met in college. Nate mapped out the whole weekend perfectly so we could backpack from Friday to Saturday on one of our favorite sections of the Appalachian Trail (Carver's Gap to 19E). This was a section we backpacked in college and one of the most beautiful places I've been! Nate's parents came up Thursday night so we could leave bright and early Friday to make it to the trailhead around 2:00....I'll let the pictures take it from here:

Wild blueberries! So good to stop and eat along the way.

Jane Bald Mtn.

 Such a beautiful hike...we were on the balds for awhile (no trees, just views) but then you head into the forest for a bit and come out to the most beautiful wildflowers.

 An unfortunate incident: My 13 year old hiking boots broke on the first day hiking (on the Friday, the 13th of September in the year 2013, not that I was noticing those superstitious details or anything) . The sole just fell of literally and was attached only at the toe. They've seen a lot of miles over the years so I wasn't too surprised really, but kind of wondered how I'd hike the next 10 miles with one boot. I tied my shoelace around the bottom and Nate got out an extra hiking sock and stretched it over to hold it on.  I looked a bit ridiculous and next time I'm packing duct tape.

 The view right before heading up to Little Bald Mountain (seen in the distance).

Here is a little video that I took on the top of Little Bald Mtn.

 We headed down into the woods again and found a great little spot at Bradley Gap to set up camp. We ate dinner and went to bed at 8 we were so tired!

I know how much Nate loves me because he got up first to fix me a hot cup of coffee on our little stove (and walked down the trail to filter water from a stream as we were out) while I stayed warm in our tent! It got pretty chilly in the 30's that night and I'm glad I packed my fleece.

 Morning view along the trail after we came out of the forest at Bradley Gap.

Hump Mountain in the distance

 And we made it to the top of Hump Mountain, where we got engaged 11 years earlier (only that time we were knee deep in snow since it was November)

 View of Nate looking out the other side of the mountain...the most beautiful panoramic view, and the highest point on our trek.

And a video on top of Hump Mtn.

 We finished up our hike that morning around 11:30 and a friend picked us up along the NC border at 19E to take us back up to Roan Mtn. to get our car. Then we ate lunch at Bob's Dairyland which I so wish I'd gotten a picture of. The best tasting burger ever in the classic small mountain town restaurant:) After a quick walk down to Elk River Falls, we headed drove on toward the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blowing Rock, NC, where we stayed that night.

 Up on Beacon Heights Overlook after a short hike (Grandfather Mountain in the background) off of the Parkway.

 We took much needed showers and then headed out to a fancy dinner at Mellow Mushroom pizza. It was such a beautiful evening and we sat outside on the 2nd story deck that overlooked downtown Blowing Rock (which is about 5 or 6 streets really so we could pretty much see it all:)

 The next morning we ate breakfast at our hotel and got some good coffee at Bald Guy Brews at the local outfitter and then walked around Bass Lake at the Moses Cone Estate. Once again, it was such a beautiful morning with early fall temperatures.

 We then did a 3 mile hike to see 3 different waterfalls on the Glen Burney Trail...this one was fun and it started literally right in town but it takes you so far down into this gorge that you don't feel like you are near anyone. This is Nate at Glen Burney Falls.

 Nate took this photo of the 3nd waterfall, the Glen Marie Falls

View from the bottom of Glen Marie Falls above.

We followed Rt. 321 which looped us all the way back to the Elizabethton, TN area (where Milligan is) and drove through Boone, stopping at Watauga Falls and Laurel Creek Falls pictured above  (not to be confused with Laurel Falls in Hampton). This fall is also referred to as trash can falls.

Watauga Falls - It was a quick hike straight down (literally) and we used ropes others had tied up to haul ourselves out of this steep gorge.

Watauga Falls (really, more like rapids)...our final stop along the way home. I'm sure Nate wished he had his fly rod, but we had to get back on the road to make it back to Louisville by that evening.

This was by far the best trip ever that Nate could have planned for us. We realized a few months ago that with 2 small kids at home and still working on our house, a trip back to Barbados or a tour of Italy was out of the question:) However, I think even if we could have made those trips work I would have taken our NC adventures any day over a beach. There is just something about this part of NC and TN that we both love (the mountains, the small towns, the weather--zero humidity, no bugs, perfect air--the people, all of it). Of course we dreamed the whole time we were there about how we could actually move to western NC and even though it isn't feasible now, we will take Drew and  Harper here in a few short  years, maybe even on their first backpacking trip! It is crazy to think of all the places and adventures life has taken Nate and me on over the past 10 years we've been married. I feel blessed to be married to him...he loves me and his kids completely, takes such good care of us, still has a sense of adventure and can make anything we do fun. He definitely is the one who keeps his cool and calm in the midst of the almost-daily chaos that permeates our lives with little ones, and even with all the changes life has brought over the last 10 years, he is still the same amazing person I married. I am lucky I get to spend my life with my best friend:)

Video of Harper

Just a little video I took of Harper walking around after her bath:)

Summer is winding down

 We spent the last couple weeks of August trying to fit in as much of summer as we could. I do love the fall and know it will be here soon but always get sad to see summer go.

 The end of August also means the Kentucky State Fair. Nate's mom drove down just to hang out with us that weekend and we spent Saturday morning there.

 Andrew got a picture in front of Freddy, the KY Farm Bureau talking "farmer" who, for as long as I can remember, has been a fixture at the fair.

 Riding on a dinosaur at the Kidszone inside the expo center.

We even made it to the BMX bike show...notice the guy on the bike flipping upside down. Someone thought that was pretty cool but I'm hoping he doesn't get any ideas...

 Sunday after church we headed downtown to catch some of the Ironman. It was so beautiful outside and perfect for a walk along the river.

 We got to see the first bike riders finish that leg of the race before they started on the marathon. Andrew said someday he would ride his bike in a race and we could clap for him.

 Sliding together at Cherokee Park...we are lucky enough to live in walking distance of 3 playgrounds there and we take full advantage of that when we can!

 Drinking a "milkshake" in the afternoon. I've convinced them both that when I blend up frozen banana with a little milk and peanut butter that it is ice cream:)

Still working on this girl's ponytail...her hair is a little out of control!

 Nate has spent the better part of the Labor Day weekend working on the bathroom...it is an endless tile job but we are close to finishing...I will post pictures soon I hope!) He had a very enthusiastic helper as usual.

Our garden has been pretty good to us this summer and is full of tomatoes and peppers right now. The grapes sadly did not make it this year but I think we have not been pruning them correctly so we will try again next year! I'm hoping to get a winter garden in by fall so we have some kale, spinach, and arugula to harvest through the colder months.

First day of school

What a difference a year makes! This was taken last August on his first day of parents' day out at St. Matthews Baptist Church:

And here is my little guy all grown up on  his first day of preschool at Harvey Brown Presbyterian...he goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and so far loves it so much! There were no tears this year. He pretty much jumped out of the car when I dropped him off and let the carpool helpers take him right in. I was lucky to get a "see ya later Mom!"