Reaching New Heights!

Fall is definitely one of our favorite times of the year. Jonathan and I got the itch a couple of weekends ago to get outside with the kids and puts some miles under our boots in order to be in one of the most beautiful places (we think anyways) in the world! The Smokies are such a neat place to be this time of year and we feel especially blessed to be living right in the heart of it all.

Andrew's Bald is one of my personal favorite hikes. You start up at Clingman's Dome parking lot, which it just a few hundred feet short of being the highest spot in the smokies and you walk about 1.8 miles to a bald. A bald is an unexplained clearing high on a mountain - it is believed that the balds were created by grazing cattle belonging to former mountain dwellers such as the Native Americans and/or former families who used to live in the park. Anyhow, it's such a beautiful spot because there are only a few scattered trees and shrubs but other than that the view is spacious and wide open - it gives the the feeling of being 'on top of the world.' We took Hannah and Eli to this favorite spot and they seemed to enjoy the hike and the destination.

This past weekend we went on a shorter hike to a historical place called the Walker Sister's cabin - it is an old homestead. The term 'old' is used loosely seeing as up until just a couple of decades ago a family of sisters resided there. We had fun exploring this place - as we always do. We also got to break in a couple of awesome backpack kid carriers! They were given to us by our friends at the Happy Hiker! THANKS Barrett and Megan, we love you guys! It is such a special treat to have these, I know they'll see PLENTY of trail miles! The kids love them and so do Jonathan and I! We hop you enjoy these photos.

Growing and Growing

THE ABOVE PICS ARE I ORDER OF MOST RECENT TO OLDER PHOTOS

I look at the blog and realize that it's been WAAAYYY too long since last time I posted anything! Life with these two precious babies keeps me on my toes (or feet for that matter). What does a break look like? A quick cup of coffee in between washing bottles, changing diapers, changing 'drooly' clothing, entertaining Hannah and Eli, preparing dinner, cleaning, washing clothes, occational trips to Wal-mart, and the list goes on. With every week that passes the Hannah and Eli's personalities continue to emerge with more consistency and strength. Eli is our spunky out-going, loves people, hates to be alone baby. He loves attention and almost never passes up an opportunity to smile when someone gives him a little one-on-one time. He loves to interact and 'talk.' Hannah is our quiet and reserved one. Though quiet, she still likes to stick out her tongue and make noise at the same time, she is discovering her little voice! She is also a great sleeper! She takes multipule naps throughout the day, much to my delight! She is so observant, taking in all her surroundings. She seems to process images better and enjoys watching the Food network with mommy! She is my little sweetie.

They are now four and a half months old. Eli weighs in at 13lbs 6.5 oz. Hannah is 11lbs 1.5oz. Eli is 23.5 inches long and Hannah is 23 inches. They are both healthy and growing, which I am so thankful for, espeically as I recall only a few short months ago when getting them to gain weight was such a battle! Now Eli is eating rice cereal at night and seems to like it! OH how they change!

Being the mother of Eli and Hannah is such a joy and an honor. They are precious and I love them dearly. They definitely require lots of attention and demand nearly all of my day, but it's entirely worth it.

The kids love people so if you get the itch, come and visit us!

Nashville

We just returned from a short trip to Nashville last weekend. We travelled there because Jonathan and Mark were asked to share about their Appalachian Trail hike at a place called Deer Run. We enjoyed staying on a beautiful camp/retreat center, playing outside, taking walks, going to a great church, and eating some great food.

Our first Trip!

A couple weekends ago we packed up the van and the kids and made a short trip down to Chattanooga. We had a great time exploring the city, walking on the walking bridge, hanging out at a coffee shop, and enjoying time together. We also took the kids on their very first camping trip a couple of weekends ago. They just LOVED IT! I think the cadidids lulled them to sleep. Jonathan and I so enjoyed ourselves, it was nice to spend some time together away from the house and best of all in the woods!!